The following information is provided by the department for our departmental staff in disaster recovery situations such as the 2011 regional flooding and Tropical Cyclone Yasi. This information is for the use of our department's staff only.

Things you need to know

• Access your email account via the department's Webmail.

Useful external websites

The following websites provide useful news and information relating to emergency situations in Queensland. To stay connected check out:

• Queensland Police Service (QPS) Facebook group - the QPS provide very useful, up to the minute information about local service restoration, including energy, rubbish collection, business re-openings. Also safety advice and information about road closures.
• BOM Queensland weather and warnings
• Ergon Energy disaster information
• Queensland Government flood information
• Queensland Government cyclone information
• Transport and Main Roads road closure information

Volunteering

The Department of Communities works closely with recovery partners to assist those in need through evacuation centres, recovery centres, regional call centres and outreach services. In 2011, community recovery workers assessed needs of individuals and families to provide the most appropriate support from a range of options including referrals to non-government organisations and financial assistance.

Some staff in affected areas were personally impacted by the floods and others from across the state were deployed in recovery roles over the traditional closure period. Due to the scale of the 2011 disasters, additional staff were required to support the recovery effort. Staff should discuss registration for recovery services and the possibility of deployment with their line manager.

If you are interested in assisting in recovery activities you will need to obtain approval from your manager then register through the Queensland Government Community Recovery Register.  (This site may only be accessible from the Queensland Government network).  Please note that once registered, you will need to obtain a separate approval from your manager to be released for deployment on community recovery activities.