Keep track while you make tracks

CHANGES are under way that will improve Defence’s ability to account for personnel who are travelling when a major incident occurs.

The program called Finding Our People, will introduce reporting requirements for ADF and APS personnel travelling in Australia or overseas.

The program is being implemented by HDPE Maj-Gen Mark Evans following lessons learned after recent events such as the Indian Ocean tsunami and the Bali bombings.

Maj-Gen Evans said these incidents highlighted the need for Defence to be able to confirm the location and status of members and provide assistance wherever possible, particularly where there is a threat to health or personal safety.

Finding Our People will be established in two phases. The first phase will address the need to account for personnel travelling over the Christmas and New Year period. All ADF and APS personnel travelling overseas must ensure their unit security officer holds a copy of their completed AB644 Notification of Proposed Overseas Travel form. Personnel travelling within Australia need to ensure their supervisor holds a copy of their contact details for the duration of their leave.

The second phase, to occur in 2006, will result in a number of changes to leave forms, PMKeyS and policy documents to capture and centralise information already held about personnel travelling on short-term duty overseas.

For further information regarding the Find Our People program contact HPDE administrators Soozie Parker on (02) 6265 5379 or 0418 441 249, or LCdr Annette Nelson on (02) 6265 4378 or 0417 668 093.

In case of disaster

Outside Australia
If a disaster or mass casualty incident occurs overseas, personnel in the affected location need to contact their supervisor or ring 61 2 6455 1455 to advise they are safe or if they need assistance. Alternatively, they can advise the nearest Australian diplomatic mission.

In Australia
If a disaster or mass casualty incident occurs in Australia, personnel in the affected area are to contact their supervisor or ring 1800defence (1800 3333623).