recovery and evacuations centres
All DoCS disaster recovery services are coordinated with community partners who each have a specific role in assisting victims of disaster.
evacuation centres
DoCS sets up and manages evacuation centres in disasters when required. We work closely with emergency services from the early stages of a disaster to determine where evacuation centres need to be established.
Evacuation centres provide people affected by disaster with immediate basic needs such as food, clothing, blankets, accommodation and personal support, as well as financial and other immediate assistance.
Evacuation centres not only provide a place of temporary refuge for people evacuated from homes in the vicinity of the disaster, but they are also a refuge for people who may be travelling through the affected area and are unable to progress due to local road closures.
People affected by disaster can formally register with DoCS at these centres.
Evacuation centres offer short-term accommodation while longer-term alternatives are determined.
disaster recovery centres
We also coordinate the longer-term recovery phase after an emergency and may set up a Disaster Recovery Centre.
Disaster Recovery Centres are established and managed by DoCS as a ‘one stop shop' to provide medium and longer-term assistance to people affected by disaster.
They offer a range of services from the one location, including financial assistance, personal support, organising temporary accommodation and information and referral services appropriate to the needs of disaster victims.
For example, someone affected by bushfire could visit the Disaster Recovery Centre and get information and advice on insurance, removal of debris and advice on rebuilding their home.
Services offered from Disaster Recovery Centres are designed to help people resume a normal life as quickly as possible.
In keeping with principles of minimising personal hardship and distress, DoCS provides financial assistance under the NSW Disaster Relief Scheme to people in distressed financial circumstances due to damages to homes and property.
This assistance is subject to an income and assets test. It may be provided for immediate or long-term needs.
Applications for grants from this fund may be made via a Disaster Recovery Centre if grants have been made available for victims of a particular disaster.