Questions On Notice Questions on notice are usually asked when a more detailed answer is required and are in writing, and are forwarded by the Clerk of the Parliament to the relevant Minister who prepares a written answer which is presented to Parliament.
Mr LAWLOR asked the Minister for Emergency Services (Mr Cummins) -
What plans are there for the Standard Emergency Warning Signal for various emergency events this summer?
Mr CUMMINS:
I thank the Member for his Question and would like to congratulate him on his ongoing strong support for Emergency Services within his electorate.
The national Standard Emergency Warning Signal (SEWS) is intended for use as an alert signal to be played on public media to draw listener's attention to a following emergency warning.
Typically the summer months can produce significant weather events such as:
· wind gusts in excess of 125 kilometres per hour;
· storm tide greater than 0.5 metre above Highest Astronomical Tide;
· Large hail greater than four centimetres in diameter (equivalent to golf ball size);
· Tornado; and
· Major flood or flash flood.
Any of these events or any other major emergency situation could see the SEWS being authorised by the Regional Director of the Bureau of Meteorology, or Executive Officer of the State Disaster Management Group, or Commissioner of Police, or Commissioner of Queensland Fire and Rescue Service.
A guideline outlining when and where the signal can be used to alert communities is produced by the Department of Emergency Services. The guideline is revisited each year to ensure accuracy of content.
By late October 2004, all broadcast media outlets in Queensland will have the 2004 updated SEWS guidelines as well as a broadcast quality version of the signal. Last changed: [PUBLISHED_DATE] at 12:00 AM
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