Emergency Management Plan

Transcription

1 Emergency Management Plan Family are you prepared? Department of Premier and Cabinet OFFICE OF MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS AND CITIZENSHIP ICV Islamic Council of Victoria Representing Victoria's Muslims for 40 Years! MEMP Muslim Emergency Management Plan

2 Play your part in community safety (may Peace be upon you, the Mercy of Allah and His Blessings) We all know how important safety is. We all aim to keep our family and loved ones safe. We rely on our Sustainer, Allah, and pray for goodness. However, we know as Muslims, true belief must be based in responsible action too. Allah (Almighty) tells us in the Majestic Quran: 'And that mankind can have nothing but what he or she strives for. - An-Najm (The Star) 53:39 Protecting our loved ones and neighbours, and ensuring a safe and prosperous community does not happen by chance. And when it comes to safety, we must plan to take due precautions and be prepared. We can see the principles of risk management in the Prophetic Sunnah: One day Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) noticed a Bedouin leaving his camel without tying it and he asked the Bedouin, "Why don't you tie down your camel?" The Bedouin answered, "I put my trust in Allah." The Prophet then said, "Tie your camel first, then put your trust in Allah" (At-Tirmidhi). So how much are we really doing to ensure that we are reasonably managing the hazards and risks to our loved ones, homes, mosques and our community? And are we really prepared? The following material has been developed to assist you, your family or community group or organisation consider what activities can enhance safety in your particular situation. Parts of these informative materials may be particularly useful when considering the risk of anti-muslim crimes. The following are just some of the reasons why taking a more formal approach to safety is crucial: We all have a responsibility for the sake of Allah to protect our loved ones, neighbours and community. The safety and security of people is paramount and is everyone's business. The safety of you or those you may be responsible for and the survival of your organisation could depend on how prepared you are in an emergency. The aftermath of a terrorist incident (irrespective of who the perpetrator is) is likely to increase the risk of anti-muslim crimes. We must take responsibility and be prepared to cater for the special needs of the Muslim Community in the aftermath and recovery from any disaster, such as provision of halal food, and religious counselling.

3 While Victoria has excellent emergency service arrangements and capabilities, they may still be on the way in your moment of most need. Individuals that demonstrate preparedness and can respond in the event of an emergency will have a greater chance of positive outcomes. All organisations have a legal responsibility to take all reasonable measures to ensure the safety of the public, your customers and members. This information is meant to compliment current emergency service organisations and the assist Muslim Communities become more resilient in the face of emergencies or disasters. It is not meant to replace emergency service organisations do. Attention to these matters is an ongoing challenge. It is important that we as Victorian Muslims are aware of current arrangements and monitor future developments in emergency management and community resilience. Read this kit carefully and share with your friends, family and community leaders. This safety pack contains: Part A: Community Safety A guide on emergency preparedness for the Muslim community (blue section). Part B: Emergency Management planning for families (orange section) Part C: Resources and references (yellow section). Part D: Safer Community Organisations (green section) Part E: Organisational Emergency Management Plan template (red section) All of these documents can be found on the Community Safety webpage at Department of Premier and Cabinet OFFICE OF MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS AND CITIZENSHIP ICV Islamic Council of Victoria Representing Victoria's Muslims for 40 Years! MEMP Muslim Emergency Management Plan

4 Part A: Community Safety A guide on emergency preparedness for the Muslim community The following hints can help you make sense of the content in this guide. An explanation of the icons you'll find throughout the document is found in the below table. A must do! Schedule some time to do this over the next couple of months. A good idea. Would strongly recommend it to you. A reference or resource. Look it up to find out more. The below information aims to highlight your responsibilities and actions you can take to make a positive difference in your community. Some of the topics below can be achieved by individuals, families or working teams. Others may be most effectively achieved by engaging with pre-existing networks or community leaders and organisations. Report Suspicious Activity Muslims must do their part to ensure safety and security within the Victorian community. You should report suspicious persons or activities immediately. Police / fire / medical 000 or 112 State Emergency Service (SES) Non-emergency police assistance line Crime Stoppers Threats to national security Muslim Emergency Management Team (MEMP)

5 Developing positive relationships with law enforcement and emergency service organisations Community leaders can coordinate meetings between representatives of the Muslim community and local state and national law enforcement and emergency service organisations. These meetings should focus on ways in which your community can assist safety in Victoria and on how authorities can protect individuals and community assets. Talk to community leaders to arrange a meeting or organise one yourself for your community. Contact ICV on or admin@icv.org.au to see what networks are already established. Meet with elected officials to discuss community concerns and develop relations Delegations of Muslim representatives can schedule meetings with local, state and national elected representatives or their key staff to discuss community concerns and develop ongoing relations. To find out how to contact your government representatives, visit: Commonwealth Senate: Commonwealth Representatives (Lower House): Victorian Senate: Victorian Representatives (Lower House): On the web pages noted above, find the local member who represents your electorate (both State and Federal) including the respective senate representative. You can also contact the relevant Parliamentary Switchboard at (ensure you have information about your post code and suburb ready): Parliament of Australia ; Parliament of Victoria Build coalitions with intra-faith, interfaith and minority groups Meetings can be coordinated with representatives of local interfaith and minority groups. These meetings should focus on building lines of communication and support, and can also address issues like dealing with discrimination and bigotry. Contact ICV on or admin@icv.org.au to see what forums are already established.

6 Building an emergency contacts list Community leaders, families and individuals should develop emergency and phone contact lists in case of an incident that threatens safety. As well as law enforcement and emergency services, include local imams and Muslim community organisation representatives. The list should be visible within the organisation or home in the event of an emergency. Visit our Tools and Templates section of the Community Safety page at to download a contacts list template that you can use. Community engagement Call for a meeting of the local Muslim community to discuss and identify the community's concerns around safety and security. Use the information outlined in this kit as discussion points. Capture the points discussed and decide what actions to take. Post-traumatic recovery and support Victims can often experience trauma long after the initial incident has taken place. Even as Muslims who rely on Allah, we know we will be tested. Being able to identify others or yourself need material, religious, psychological or emotional support is vital to ensuring further harm is minimised. Consider establishing a network of community members who can offer support to those who may be the victims of hate crimes or disasters. If psychological trauma is evident after an event, see your local doctor immediately. Contact the Muslim Emergency Management Plan (MEMP) to see if similar networks have been established in your area: memp@icv.org.au Reacting to anti-muslim incidents If you believe you have been the victim of an anti-muslim hate crime, you should: Act quickly. Each incident must be dealt with when it happens. o Document the incident. Write down exactly what was said and/or done by the offender. o Save any evidence. o Take photographs. o Decide on the appropriate action to be taken. o Ask witnesses to give you their name and contact information. Report the incident to your local police station office IMMEDIATELY. Ask that the incident be treated as a hate crime. Contact your local mosque or organisation where the incident has taken place, even if you believe it is a small incident. Consider seeking legal advice. Consider what support your local community can provide you and organise it

7 When the incident is resolved, communicate the outcomes to people and organisations originally contacted. Organisations like the Muslim Legal Network can provide resources and advice on what comprises a hate crime and how to respond. You can also log an incident with them through their website. Logging an incident can help the community understand the impacts of such incidents and respond appropriately. Look up how to log an anti-muslim incident and other information at Safety in schools and child service organisations. Any concerned parent should enquire about and be comfortable that the school or community organisation they send their children to has appropriate safety arrangements which are tested. You can meet with local school administrators or organisations to discuss safety plans for students. Ask them what plans the organisation has in place to prepare for or respond to an emergency. You can also become a member of a school's parent association and ensure safety is a focal point of the school management. Ask your teacher or principal about how to do this. Part B: Emergency Management planning for families This section provides guidance on what you might want to consider when developing emergency arrangements for your family. It is not all inclusive and should be modified by the user to suit individual or family needs. Read this section carefully & circulate to your friends and family. If you are a daughter, son, Mum, Dad or cousin, hold a family workshop to discuss this material and your family's safety arrangements. Complete the sections which apply to your household Contact local emergency service organisations or the Muslim Emergency Management Plan (MEMP) if you have any queries at memp@icv.org.au. Questions? The first thing you need to do is take a minute to reflect. What are the types of threats we need to consider? What does my family do if disaster strikes unexpectedly? How do I prepare for an emergency and protect my loved ones?

8 Get Informed Contact your local emergency service organisations (such as CFA, MFB, DHS, or local council) to gather the information you will need to create a plan. Community Hazards Assess the specific hazards that may affect your area. How vulnerable are you to them? For example, is your area prone to flooding or in a high bushfire attack level zone? Do you live near the coast where coastal storms and inundation can impact you? Is your street susceptible to crime? To get you thinking, some hazards or threats include (but are not limited to): SEVERE STORMS FLOODING VEHICLE ACCIDENTS EARTHQUAKE CRIME FIRE PANDEMICS AND DISEASE HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES BUSHFIRE FOOD POISONING HATE CRIMES BOMB THREATS After understanding the specific threats to your family, are there particular actions that your family needs to do to give you comfort that you'll be safe? For instance, you can get insurance for floods, fire or theft and other hazards which can help your family to recover after an unfortunate event. You can plan your house to be less vulnerable to fires by building with more fire-proof building materials, removing combustible materials from around the house, or buying fire extinguishers. You can also identify emergency meeting points, escape routes, fire shelters or safer community areas. Make your family Safety & Emergency Plan Having an emergency plan at your disposal can prepare your family for any type of emergency. Planning and preparing for disasters could mean the difference between life and death in some situations. SES offers a good Home Emergency Plan which you can use to plan for your family. Remember to tailor it for your family's particular environment. Search for the Home Emergency Plan and Home Emergency Kit at

9 The basic elements of a plan include: emergency contacts understanding your home and surrounding environment, including escape routes and meeting points understanding what emergencies or threats could affect your home determining who should be included as part of your plan how to plan for an emergency BEFORE it happens what to do DURING an emergency what to consider AFTER an emergency alternate meeting points and safety arrangements. Print off a map of your vicinity from Google Maps indicating: Evacuation assembly areas Surrounding Streets Evacuation routes Major Landmarks Exit points how to access reliable information in an emergency. Other things to consider to support your plan include: Putting together an Home Emergency Kit (see SES website) Training in first aid Putting a first aid kit together. A first aid kit should be properly stocked and available at all times in the home, in the car and at work. Contents should include as a minimum: bandages dressings tapes a thermal blanket gloves resuscitation masks and other equipment. Insurance provisions (See Part D: Safer Community Organisations for more information on insurance types) Exercising and reviewing your plans regularly. Remember to be prepared and ACT EARLY If you need financial or emotional help There are many agencies and groups who help after emergencies. Department of Health and Department of Human Services provide health and recovery advice and financial support Department of Primary Industries can advise you on animal care, including injured wildlife Community groups and welfare agencies, such as the Red Cross or the Islamic Council of Victoria, can provide.. Contact your local council and your local community group in the first instance, they will help you access the support you need.

10 Community Disaster Plans Learn about community response plans, evacuation plans and designated emergency shelters. Ask about the emergency plans and procedures that exist in places you and your family spend time, such as places of employment, schools and childcare centers. If you don't ask, there may be little motivation for organisations to develop their plans and protect your family. Community Warning Systems Check the websites of local authorities will warn you of a pending disaster and how they will provide information to you during and after a disaster. Refer to Part C: Resources and references for emergency service organisations' contact information. Tools and templates Included as part of this pack (or available on the website): Emergency contacts list In case of an emergency In the event of fire or smoke Review Part C: Resources and references for informative information What is the Muslim Emergency Management Plan (MEMP)? MEMP is the Muslim community s very own crisis management capability. In situations requiring support from Muslim representatives a team can be activated to support the emergency service organisations, such as the police or fire brigade. The team can respond considering the special needs of the Muslim community, such as posttrauma support, guidance or coordination of halal food. The MEMP crisis management team has been designed for community-wide disasters, but also for emergencies requiring religiously - sensitive support. MEMP cannot replace the emergency services, so in the event of an emergency please call 000 first. MEMP: (emergencies only) For any queries, please contact us at memp@icv.org.au Selected Invocations What to say when leaving the home Bismillaahi, tawakkaltu 'alallaahi, wa laa hawla wa laa quwwata ' illaa billaah. In the Name of Allah, I have placed my trust in Allah; there is no might and no power except by Allah. Reference: Abu Dawud, At-Tirmithi.

11 Allaahumma 'innee 'a'oothu bika 'an 'adhilla, 'aw 'udhalla, 'aw 'azilla, 'aw 'uzalla, 'aw 'adhlima, 'aw 'udhlama, 'aw 'ajhala 'aw yujhala 'alayya. O Allah, I seek refuge in You lest I misguide others, or I am misguided by others, lest I cause others to err or I am caused to err, lest I abuse others or be abused, and lest I behave foolishly or meet with the foolishness of others. Reference: Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, An-Nasa'i, At-Tirmithi. What to say when entering the home Bismillaahi walajnaa, wa bismillaahi kharajnaa, wa 'alaarabblnaa tawakkalnaa In the Name of Allah we enter, in the Name of Allah we leave, and upon our Lord we depend [then say As- Salaamu 'Alaykum to those present]. Reference: Abu Dawud, Muslim, says that one should mention the Name of Allah when entering the home and when beginning to eat; and that the devil, hearing this, says: "There is no shelter for us here tonight and no food." What to say if you fear people may harm you Allaahummak-fineehim bimaa shi'ta. O Allah, suffice (i.e. protect) me against them however You wish. Reference: Muslim What to say if you see someone afflicted by misfortune Alhamdu lillaahil-lathee 'aafaanee mimmab-talaaka bihi wa fadhdhalanee 'alaa katheerin mimman khalaqa tafdheela. Praise is to Allah Who has spared me what He has afflicted you with, and preferred me greatly above much of what He has created. Reference: At-Tirmithi Allaahumma laa sahla 'illaa maal ja'altahu sahlan wa 'Anta taj'alul-hazna 'ithaa shi'ta sahlan. O Allah, there is no ease other than what You make easy. If You please You ease sorrow. Reference: Ibn Hibban and Ibn As- Sunni). Al-Hafidh (Ibn Hajar) said that this Hadith is authentic. It was also declared authentic by 'Abdul-Qadir Al-Arna'ut in his checking of An-Nawawi's Kitabul-Athkarp. Invocation for when you find something becoming difficult for you

12 Part C: Resources and References Islamic Council of Victoria 777AM (emergency radio)ambulance Victoria Australian Red Cross Better Health Channel Council for American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) Country Fire Authority Department of Human Services Department of Justice Department of Planning and Community Development Emergency Management Australia Faith Associates Metropolitan Fire Brigade MEMP (Muslim Emergency Management Plan) Muslim Legal Network National Childcare Accreditation Council Inc. Neighbourhood Watch Victoria St John Ambulance State Emergency Service Victoria Police Victorian Managed Insurance Authority Worksafe Department of Premier and Cabinet OFFICE OF MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS AND CITIZENSHIP ICV Islamic Council of Victoria Representing Victoria's Muslims for 40 Years! MEMP Muslim Emergency Management Plan Office Address Jeffcott St West Melbourne VIC 3003 Phone (03) Web