Toowoomba Regional Council has partnered with key agencies to deliver a full‑day residential aged care homes emergency planning workshop to strengthen disaster preparedness for more vulnerable residents across the region.
Mayor and Chair of the Local Disaster Management Group, Geoff McDonald said the multi‑agency workshop (pictured) will help to ensure residential aged care homes across the Region are better prepared for future emergencies and natural disasters.
“Every time we activate for a disaster, residential aged care homes are front of mind,” Mayor McDonald said.
“During the Black Summer bushfires, we supported the evacuation of a Crows Nest facility. In 2022, another home in Oakey evacuated due to flooding concerns, and the same home was again preparing for possible evacuation during Tropical Cyclone Alfred. These experiences highlight just how important it is that aged care providers have strong, practical plans in place,” he said.
The workshop brought together personnel from Queensland Police Service, Darling Downs Health, West Moreton Darling Downs Primary Health Network, the Department of Health, Disability and Care as well as the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.
Mayor McDonald said the workshop reflected lessons learned from recent disaster seasons and the critical need to support aged care operators in meeting the needs of their residents during times of disaster.
Key topics included:
- Understanding disaster and emergency risks relevant to residential aged care;
- Meeting legislative and accreditation requirements;
- Planning for freight and logistics, including medication supply and staff resourcing;
- Evacuation planning and decision‑making;
- Clarifying the roles of agencies during emergencies.
Mayor McDonald said the event was designed specifically for residential aged care home operators and those responsible for compliance and emergency planning.
“Our goal is to ensure operators have the right support, the right contacts and the right information to protect some of our most vulnerable residents when it matters most.”
“This workshop was also an important opportunity for agencies to build stronger relationships with residential aged care providers and increase awareness of how we work together during emergencies.
“Preparedness saves lives, and this collaboration will help ensure our aged care homes are on the strongest possible footing heading into future seasons,” he said.
