Often the more slowly evolving incidents become urgent with the increasing concerns from local residents and media coverage. Either way it is essential that the Health Agencies have processes in place to initiate a prepared and timely response.

Checklists summarise past experiences that the health agencies have gained as a result of response to incidents. These checklists are designed as an aide-memoire for public health professionals and other emergency responders.

• Checklist for acute incident management (PDF, 41 KB)
  Includes: questions to ask the notifying organisation; recommendations for acute phase response; recommendations for incident investigation (post-acute phase response); and post incident questions for public health
  Added/updated: 14 April 2010
  
• Checklist for non-domestic fires i.e. industrial fires (PDF, 50 KB)
  The following checklist covers many of the issues these fires have presented and recommendations are based on observed best practice and lessons learned from past incidents.
  Added/updated: 14 April 2010
  
• Checklist for flooding incidents (PDF, 38 KB)
  Includes: questions to ask the notifying organisation; source of flood water; specific recommendations/advice for flood cleanup; advice for returning residents
  Added/updated: 14 April 2010
  
• Checklist for chronic land contamination incidents (PDF, 48 KB)
  Includes: recommendations for initial response, incident investigation, and remedial action; post incident questions; allotment sites; and redeveloped sites
  Added/updated: 14 April 2010
  
• Checklist for odour complaints (PDF, 79 KB)
  Questions for public health professionals to ask when dealing with odour incidents. Such complaints may be reported as a nuisance or related to health effects.
  Added/updated: 28 June 2011
  
• Checklists for decisions on sheltering or evacuation during chemical incidents (PDF, 42 KB)
  This checklist includes questions to help make the decision about sheltering or evacuating, and criteria for those evacuating returning home
  Added/updated: 14 April 2010
  
• Checklist for water related chemical incidents (PDF, 38 KB)
  Includes: recommended questions to ask Environmental Health Officers; recommended questions to ask the Water Utility; post-incident questions
  Added/updated: 14 April 2010