Pinery Bushfires

In reply to the Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS (10 December 2015).

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Climate Change): I received this advice:

1. This government and its agencies are working together to provide the necessary supports to those directly affected by the terrible bushfires at Pinery. Thus far, the coordination between agencies and with non-government organisations has been nothing short of remarkable. Those involved are to be commended for their ongoing efforts.

Through a Memorandum of Understanding with SA Health, Australian Red Cross volunteers provide psychological first aid in relief and recovery centres, which are attended by people affected by the fire.

Volunteers from the Disaster and Recovery Ministries (a venture coordinated by the Uniting Church) provide emotional support through care and comfort in relief and recovery centres. In conjunction with the Red Cross, they are also undertaking home visits to provide emotional support. If required, people are connected to additional services, including mental health and suicide prevention.

SA Health is providing a free dedicated mental health counselling service through Northern Health Network and Country and Outback Health to assist all affected persons who require support and to provide linkages to other relevant community organisations.

In addition, SA Health is providing representatives to local community meetings and is supporting local councils with public health and environmental health issues, as well as including information on its website on all health issues arising from the fire.

The Primary Health Network has a suicide prevention program, which can be accessed through the Northern Health Network and Country and Outback Health clinicians referred to above.

Access to the 24-hour Emergency Mental Health Triage Hotline is available seven days per week and the Chief Psychiatrist is providing advice to the affected community through media channels.

Staff in attendance at the Gawler Recovery Centre are working to connect affected people to other services including emotional and clinical mental health support. The recovery website includes information on mental health and on how to access relevant services. This information is also available on the recovery hotline.

2. The government recognises the importance of providing support to employees and volunteers during this terrible time.

Staff who were personally impacted by the fire have been identified and provided with necessary supports as required. All government agencies provide staff with access to an employee assistance program, which generally includes confidential counselling and website resources.

The Department for Education and Child Development (DECD) has deployed social workers and employee assistance support workers to schools known to be affected by the Pinery fire. Where necessary, follow-up appointments and support structures have been arranged.

DECD also intends to implement further measures at the commencement of the school term in February 2016, to address any issues that may have arisen over the school holidays.

The Country Fire Service provides a Stress Prevention and Management program for staff and volunteers. This includes a helpline and website resources on anxiety, conflict, incident and stress management.

Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources employees also have access to the Country Fire Service's Stress Prevention and Management program. In addition, pre-incident training sessions guide managers to prepare crews for distressing incidents and to monitor staff after such incidents.

The Australian Red Cross and the Disaster and Recovery Ministries have made their own support arrangements, whilst also having access to DSc's employee assistance provider.