SA locals urged to be more resilient

By Mike Osborne - AAP on January 23, 2017, 4:42 pm Share Tweet Email South Australians have been urged to be more resilient to better cope with emergencies like last year's statewide blackout. A report into the response by emergency services and government departments has found that despite their approach being somewhat ad-hoc they handled the situation well. Former SA police commissioner Gary Burns, who conducted the review, said the officials and volunteers deserved praised for their efforts, dedication and commitment. He said too often criticism was levelled at response agencies, particularly over the time taken to provide help. "Much of this criticism comes from individuals and groups in the community who need to be far more resilient and take responsibility for their own safety," Mr Burns said in his report on Monday. Commenting after its release, he said a large number of South Australians had unrealistic expectations on the assistance they should receive. "People should accept that in events like this you're not necessarily going to get an SES van at your door straight away," he said. "People need to look at what they can do for themselves." Mr Burns' report includes more than 60 recommendations which the state government says it will respond to once they have been properly considered. They include police developing an evacuation plan for the Adelaide CBD and for the appointment of a fulltime recovery coordinator. Branson Speechless: Perth Man Gets Rich In 2 Weeks True Financial Freedom Sponsored The report also called for a state plan be developed to manage the consequences of a major blackout and for SA Health to review its emergency management arrangements. The state plan should include public information strategies, the identification of key providers for fuel and arrangements for the distribution of food. Another recommendation suggests traffic lights in the CBD and on major arterial roads be fitted with uninterrupted power supplies to ensure the effective movement of vehicles. September's statewide blackout came as SA was lashed by severe thunderstorms and destructive winds which brought down major transmission lines in the state's mid-north. Most of Adelaide was without power for several hours but the blackout lasted for several days in some regional centres. Emergency Services Minister Peter Malinauskas said many of the recommendations in Mr Burns' report had significant budget implications but it was important for South Australia to build its resilience to natural disasters into the future. Robin Lewis Ive been saying for years that with the de-industrialization of South Australia long with moving to old power source to green power. We need to invest in upgrading the power network as a whole. All while still not being overly costly and having a green power source that would be a replacement base load power generation. The fact that what happened with the state wide blackout show that it wasn't happening Unlike · Reply · 1 · 2 hrs Jake Thompson What engineering qualifications does an ex cop have? Bonus job for a mate? Unlike · Reply · 2 · 2 hrs Gavin Oy Braham exactly he just needs to keep his face in front of the media Unlike · Reply · 1 · 36 mins Write a reply... Perry Evans Unlike · Reply · 3 · 2 hrs Rene Oldenhof How flimsy does that tower look Unlike · Reply · 1 · 2 hrs Fraanie Grigg Incompetance. Unlike · Reply · 1 · 2 hrs Gavin Oy Braham FaF Unlike · Reply · 1 · 35 mins McFluff Jaye Made in China 🇨🇳 Unlike · Reply · 5 · 2 hrs