FOREWORD

THE PURPOSE OF THIS MANUAL IS TO PROVIDE A BASIC REFERENCE FOR DISASTER RESCUE OPERATIONS. IT IS INTENDED FOR USE IN PLANNING, TRAINING AND OPERATIONS BY ALL DISASTER/EMERGENCY PERSONNEL AND ORGANISATIONS.

THIS MANUAL HAS BEEN DEVELOPED BY A NATIONAL WORKING PARTY REPRESENTATIVE OF POLICE, FIRE, STATE AND TERRITORY EMERGENCY SERVICES AND AMBULANCE SERVICES. THE WORKING PARTY WAS INITIATED AND SPONSORED BY THE NATURAL DISASTERS ORGANISATION.

THE MANUAL IS ISSUED IN LOOSE LEAF FORM TO FACILITATE AMENDMENT AND INSERTION OF INDIVIDUAL ORGANISATIONAL SUPPLEMENTS.

AS SITUATIONS CHANGE AND IMPROVED TECHNIQUES ARE DEVELOPED THE DISASTER RESCUE MANUAL WILL BE AMENDED AND UPDATED BY THE NATIONAL WORKING PARTY.

PROPOSED CHANGES SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE DIRECTOR GENERAL, NATURAL DISASTERS ORGANISATION, AT THE ADDRESS SHOWN BELOW, THROUGH THE RESPECTIVE STATE/TERRITORY COUNTER DISASTER ORGANISATION.

THE USE OF TRADE NAMES IN THIS MANUAL IS NOT INTENDED TO BE RESTRICTIVE, PREFERENTIAL OR PROMOTIONAL. RATHER, TRADE NAMES ARE USED WHERE DESCRIPTIVE CLARITY IS REQUIRED.

THIS PUBLICATION IS PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE TO APPROVED AUSTRALIAN ORGANISATIONS.

TO SUPPORT THE INTERNATIONAL DECADE FOR NATURAL DISASTER REDUCTION THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT WILL ALLOW APPROVED OVERSEAS ORGANISATIONS TO REPRODUCE THE PUBLICATION WITH ACKNOWLEDGEMENT BUT WITHOUT PAYMENT OF COPYRIGHT FEES.

CONSIDERATION WILL BE GIVEN TO REQUESTS FROM DEVELOPING COUNTRIES FOR SUPPLIES WITHOUT CHARGE.

ENQUIRIES SHOULD BE SENT TO THE DIRECTOR GENERAL NATURAL DISASTERS ORGANISATION, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE PO BOX E33 QUEEN VICTORIA TERRACE PARKES ACT 2600 AUSTRALIA

INTERNATIONAL DECADE FOR NATURAL DISASTER REDUCTION
AUSTRALIA