As the Medical Reserve, St John NSW supported communities affected by Tropical Cyclone Alfred as part of a multiagency response this month. Our volunteers worked around the clock to ensure communities received the support they need. Teams directly helped evacuees, provided medical care and also assisted vulnerable individuals with daily activities.

We deployed 38 personnel and 8 vehicles, with our Incident Management Team active for the full duration to provide command, control and liaison with combat agencies.

St John NSW volunteers were at the front lines at 5 evacuation centres, treating a total of 296 patients in Lismore, Evans Head, Kingscliff, Ballina and Mullumbimby. Evacuees presented with complex symptoms with extensive chronic health and co-morbidities, drug and alcohol dependence, and complex Mental Health conditions. We are so proud of the difference our team made and it continues to speak to the capability that St John brings.

At the request of NSW Police, our volunteers also answered calls to the Police Information and Inquiry Centre (PIIC) for a large part of the time it was operational ahead of and during the cyclone. Even when the cyclone passed, our volunteers stayed for as long as the community needed, continuing to provide assistance.

At the final meeting of the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC, NSW Police), the emergency response leader described St John’s contribution as:

“enormously beneficial…your presence took a lot of pressure off the health system through the provision of first aid and mental health first aid in evacuation centres. You will be included as a key organisation in our planning moving forward”.

Thank you to each and every member who stepped up during the deployment for ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Your service across Northern NSW, the Public Information Inquiry Line (PIIC) and St John IMT made a world of difference for those in need and showed the spirit of St John.