Recovery
Recovery
In the event of an emergency, the relevant State and Federal Government authorities and other service agencies will coordinate recovery operations to help people and communities recover from the event. If the emergency has caused extensive physical damage and social disruption, this could involve bringing personnel, resources and other assistance from across Greater Sydney, other parts of NSW and even Australia-wide.
The Department of Community Services (DoCS) provides support to help people and communities recover from disasters such as floods, droughts, storms and bushfires, and other major incidents. They can help with immediate welfare and support needs, including the provision of food, accommodation, clothing, advice, guidance and financial and personal support.
Evacuation Centres will be established to provide immediate assistance to those evacuated from their homes. Medium and long term support will be available from Disaster Recovery Centres, which are set up by the Department of Community Services, usually after the Evacuation Centre is closed.
The agencies providing services in the Recovery Centres may include:
- Department of Community Services (DoCS)
- Community Partners and Agencies (NGOs)
- Department of Commerce
- Department of Primary Industries
- NSW Health Department
- Department of Housing
- Centrelink
- Electricity service providers
- Office of Fair Trading
- Telecommunications service providers.
People affected by disaster who require assistance should register with DoCS at their local Evacuation or Disaster Recovery Centre or call the 24 hour State Disaster Recovery Centre telephone service on 1800 018 444.
Financial assistance may also be available for people affected by disasters via the NSW Disaster Relief Scheme or the Community Disaster Relief Fund.
Disaster recovery information is also available in seven community languages Arabic, Chinese, Croatian, Spanish, Somali, Turkish, and Vietnamese.
Contact DoCs:
DoCS State Disaster Recovery Centre
www.community.nsw.gov.au/html/disaster/disaster.htm
PO Box 2645
North Parramatta NSW 1750
ph: 02 8855 5111 or 1800 018 444