BIOSECURITY PREPAREDNESS FOR QUEENSLAND’S PRIMARY INDUSTRIES, PUBLIC AMENITY AND ENVIRONMENT

Biosecurity Queensland (BQ), a service of the Queensland Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI) has an Emergency Management Unit (EMU) focused on optimising BQ’s preparedness for emergency and incident response. EMU aims to review, improve and develop systems to ensure BQ has appropriate emergency response capability across single or multiple responses for emergency animal diseases, plant pests or other invasive species in Queensland. Preparedness encompasses ensuring DEEDI staff are aware of their commitments in an emergency response, based on sustaining a relevant structure, focused skill enhancement, policy development, use of appropriate technologies and remaining contemporary in emergency management practices. The EMU provides specialist consultancy advice to BQ management, its three programs and external stakeholders regarding tactical procedures to respond effectively to incursions. Nationally, EMU develops and maintains incident and emergency management systems in conjunction with the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), Animal Health Australia, Plant Health Australia and the national institutional committees. EMU officers establish, enhance and maintain effective relationships within DEEDI, other State and Commonwealth government departments, non-government agencies and industry. EMU manages emergency preparedness training and exercises at regional and state levels while contributing to national emergency preparedness through national committee support (e.g. the Biosecurity Emergency Preparedness Working Group).The four phases of an emergency response (investigation, alert, operations and stand-down) have different emphases in regard to policy reference. Pivotal reference documents for an emergency pest plant response include the National Environmental Biosecurity Response Agreement (NEBRA) and the National Weed Incursion Plan. The Queensland Biosecurity Emergency Operations Manual and specifically tailored standard operating procedures are managed within a document quality management system providing essential and quickly accessed guidance for an emergency plant response.