Emergency Codes

208 Ms COOK (Hurtle Vale) (24 July 2018). How does the Department of Human Services notify service providers when a Code Red or Code Blue is declared?

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General): The Minister for Human Services has provided the following advice:

Communication in relation to extreme weather events for people rough sleeping is set out in a formal protocol between the SA Housing Authority and the participating Non-government agencies. Each metropolitan and regional area has its own communication plan that is signed off by participating agencies. This includes key contacts who are responsible for Code Blue and Red activation.

While each agency has a specific role, communication is through multiple channels (including email, phone call, and to the public, Facebook, Twitter etc) to ensure that critical stakeholders are aware of activation. Chief executives and senior managers are responsible for communicating decisions in relation to activation to their staff. In this way the communication plan delivers two tiers of communication responsibility, to send out key communication messages in a timely manner.

The Homelessness Gateway (operating 24/7; 7 days per week) coordinates communication across the metropolitan region, and each agency involved is responsible for communicating their own messages to their staff.

At a regional level, the SA Housing Authority communicates activation of a Code Blue/Red via email or phone call to key participating agencies. Regional managers of the SA Housing Authority are responsible for communicating and co-ordinating Code Blue/Red as per their local plan.