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Disaster Relief Australia (DRA) operates at the forefront of disaster relief and offers a wide variety of capabilities and services to support affected communities. We also maintain complete records of volunteers, hours worked and work orders to assist local and state governments apply for federal assistance grants.
Capabilities
DRA offers a variety of capabilities and services to effectively prepare for and manage disaster recovery efforts. These include:
DRAs approach to mitigation and preparedness activities assists communities identify risks, consider courses of action and supports individuals to become better prepared and make informed decisions when disasters occur. In this way DRA proactively and reactively helps communities recover from devastation and learn, innovate and adapt in the aftermath of disaster events.
DRAs Incident Management Team (IMT) can integrate into existing emergency management frameworks or deploy independently to provide command, control, coordination and other disaster management activities. These services can support government, community organisations and a variety of other stakeholders.
DRA is certified by the Civil Aviation Authority (CASA) to conduct aerial mapping and damage assessment operations using Remotely Piloted Air Systems (RPAS), or drones. Suitably qualified and accredited DRA members are specifically trained on the use of RPAS to undertake post-disaster wide area mapping. This information is combined with specialist software to generate timely, actionable intelligence that assists a range of stakeholders with response and recovery activities.
DRA’s damage and impact assessment systems enable us to rapidly gather real-time data about an impacted area or event and process it into relevant, actionable information. This includes reporting on community welfare, physical damage, route clearances and risks to the community or other agencies, as well as secondary assessment data regarding the level of reconstruction and recovery activities in a given area.
DRA uses a customised system to facilitate end to end work-order management – from task identification, to assessment, assignment, execution, completion and reporting.
DRA understands that debris accumulated after a disaster often represents a resident’s life, their personal belongings, furniture and heirlooms. DRA volunteers can be deployed to move debris from a home, alleviating the emotionally challenging task from residents. They are equipped with PPE and tools to restore access and egress to properties, as well as supporting the management plans for debris, by LGA’s or other statutory authorities.
DRA chainsaw operators are qualified to nationally recognised levels 1-3, as well as with pole saws. Arborist subcontractors are used when and where required.
DRA volunteers are trained and equipped to conduct basic home repairs to minimise the impacts of disaster on home and business owners and facilitate reoccupation. Tasks include water and debris removal, fencing and more.
DRA provides command and control functions to effectively manage volunteers on behalf of a range of stakeholders, including government. Volunteers include the general public (spontaneous volunteers), business and industry (corporate volunteers) and community groups or clubs (community organisation volunteers).
DRA logistics works both within disaster impacted communities and from strategic distribution hubs to provide end to end supply chain services. These range from procurement and warehousing to transportation and distribution, as well as project management services, training and strategic advice on logistical matters.
Requests for assistance
Individual requests
Disaster Relief Australia provides disaster recovery services. We work with official local agencies on the ground of disasters and receive requests for assistance through them. We do not accept individual requests or provide financial support by way of relief payments and grants.
Disaster relief payments and grants
Disaster Assist Australia provides payments and allowances to people affected by disaster. By using their map, you can search to find Local Government Areas which have been declared natural disasters. People in those areas can then apply for disaster recovery payments, with the page updated as each state and territory make natural disaster declarations.
Contact us
Deploying with DRA and supporting disaster affected communities is rewarding beyond measure. Through volunteering, corporate partnerships, financial donations or working with us, there are many ways to make a positive contribution and become a force for good.
Get in touch