Bushfire - resources 

A psychosocial model for post emergency individual and communitysupport  

This paper has been developed by the Emergency Management Branch of Department of Human Services. The paper outlines a model for psychosocial support to those affected by an emergency event. The model will support any individual, family, community and/or helper affected by an emergency event. It addresses issues of intake and needs assessment, service provision and coordination, counselling and community development. The paper describes how personal support services will be coordinated at a state level and will inform regions and local government of key elements that need to be included in their particular recovery plans.

See the Psychosocial model (pdf)

Support and Recovery Resources Kit
Grampians Community Health Centre has developed a "kit" of resources for organisations dealing with emergency situations following the 2006 Grampians bushfires and other incidents. They have kindly agreed to make these resources available to any community health service that may wish to use them in the current situation. Organisations may re-badge the paperwork and handouts if they wish, and use or adapt the material as needed.

This kit allows for a quick set up of the paperwork (pro formas, checklistsetc) for use by staff to enable tracking of people and information through the system in an intense situation. It provides detailed and practical information about what to do and what will be needed in specific situations.

Grampians Community Health Centre is also making available three staff members to provide assistance and advice on use of the material if desired in the response to the 2009 fires in Victoria.

Contact details are in the 'Index and Explanations' document.  Some community health services have been provided with this "kit" on request in the past. This version has been revised.

Thanks to Jill Miller and the team at Grampians for their generosity.

Trauma and related recovery factsheets Available on the Department of Human Services sites also and the Better Health Channel  How to help Children after Natural Disasters   Trauma and children Grief - everyone's response is different   Blook donation Watertanks and dams safety tips Bushfire smoke Prepare your property for bushfires  Emergency Management       Coping with stress     Coping with loss and grief