IMO, some ADF assets should be used to save lives and property at times, such as helos to aid with evacuation. However, the army is not a disaster relief organisation, it's more of a disaster creation organisation, and that's its primary role.
Honestly this sort of stuff is appalling.
Maybe if you choose to continue living in an uninhabitable flood prone swamp you should be a bit more grateful for any help you’re offered.
Todjaeger
Potstirrer
<Putting on my emergency services & disaster response hat on> It has been my experience in the US that the armed forces can and absolutely should have a roles in disaster response, but such roles should be in support of the response and responding authorities, and these role should also be ones that the armed forces normally do and do well, having a greater capability for and experience in than normal civilian operations. These are critical roles like logistics and communications. Now yes, there are certainly civilian logistics and communications resources, but it has been my experience that the 'normal' civilian loggies/comms resources do not usually have the kit or experience to carry out their roles in difficult conditions. A shipping company would certain have experience shipping pallets of food and water to an area, usually by semi, tractor trailer or road train in Australia. However, that same shipping company would probably be hard pressed to get the contents of those pallets to an area where roads and bridges are flooded or washed away. The armed forces OTOH might have vehicles available which could traverse more difficult terrain better, or else utilize other movement assets like heli-lift, to get supplies where they are needed. In a similar manner, armed forces likely have more experience and kit getting comms up and sustained in remote areas. Other supporting roles which are needed when operating under adverse conditions could likely benefit with support from the armed forces, like using RAE personnel to repair/replace damaged sections of roadway or bridges or establish temporary roads and/or bridges. Having said all that though, much of the work which needs to get done during a disaster and then the following recovery operations does really need to be done by civil authorities, often from the local areas though sometimes with outside personnel brought for sizeable events were local personnel will need down time.
OldTex
Well-Known Member
Civil Defence and disaster relief are the responsibility of the individual state governments. Those governments can make requests to the Commonwealth government for ADF assistance (usually DACC - Defence Aid to the Civil Community). The State Govt can request specific help but it is up to the CoA to grant the assistance. ADF HQ will have input into what can be provided and where and for how long, but in the end it is CoA decision. The same process applies for overseas disaster assistance.
If the ADF is expected to do this role, as part of its duty, then state governments can stop spending money on things like emergency back up generators and their own disaster relief equipment, and expect the ADF to use the defence budget to stockpile the equipment for them.
Rations, gennies, civil works gear etc....then there are the unions who would want to be part of the re build etc to cash in on the damage repairs....remember the roofer after major hail storms, they cashed up quick.
Also, home owners in places like Darwin and Cairns are expected to prepare them selves for cyclones etc, I know I have my own gear, water treatment, generators, 12v and solar stuff, I use it for camping as well. The ADF can help but it should not be part of their usual duties and expected of them.
Emergency response, including in natural disasters, is a state responsibility in Australia. The Army only deploys on request of, on behalf of and under command of the states.
Some states (e.g. Queensland) have appropriate civil defense units of their own, others do not do so and rely on asking for help. Their decision.
Todjaeger
Potstirrer
I really do not know enough about Australian disaster response and particularly what the specific laws are regarding authority and responsibility. Having said that though, why would ADF logistics forces relieve the various state and territory gov'ts of their responsibilities to stockpile and maintain mobile generator units, rations, and on so? The ADF will likely be better able to position themselves to move supplies and kit over/through rough terrain to remote or cut off areas where they could be needed, but someone (state gov'ts?) would still need to have and provide the supplies to be moved. The major difference between what the ADF has access to and the civilian authorities, is that the ADF have a number of lift assets which can get into/out of remote areas by sea, air and land, whilst AFAIK no state gov't is going to have anything like C-130's, C-17's, CH-47's or a pair of LHD's and a LSD.
OldTex
Well-Known Member
It is not only the lift assets but also the stored assets, such as tents, stretcher beds, field kitchens etc (Camp Earmark stores) that the state governments utilise in a disaster recovery situation. The communication assets (my area of expertise) tend to be more augmentation of the civil communications (unless it is a significant disaster like Ash Wednesday/Black Friday or Cyclone Tracy etc). That communications augmentation provides additional C2 channels (whether Civil Defence, Police, Fire & Rescue, Ambulance etc can use or access it is always problematic).
I hope a natural disaster never finds your home in the glittering glass tower mate.
John Fedup
The Bunker Group
WRT natural disasters in questionable areas for habitation, insurance companies will eventually clamp down on vulnerable areas. The choice will then be stay and have no coverage or move. As for emergency assistance in these areas, even governments may eventually have to draw a line.
If it was Victoria the government would add a fee to your rates and spend half the money collected on a train set. We are getting charged for emergency services to attend a fire on our property now….