Port Arthur historic site management authority response

This paper describes the use of small battery powered lap - top computers during the response to an incident. Various functions can be made more convenient using an on - site computer. The requirement for communication with mainframe computers and head office can be reduced by using an on - site system. This will relieve the load on communication circuits, which is especially critical in remote locations.(AU)

The Port Arthur shootings - management of support services on the Tasman Peninsula

On the afternoon of sunday 28 april 1986, a lone gunman opened fire on visitors and staff at the Port Arthur historic site. By the time the gunman was arrested the next morning, 35 people had been killed and 18 wounded. The Tasmanian emergency welfare plan identifies the Department od Community and Health Services as the lead agency for providing personal services in the event of an emergency and/or disaster and throughout the disaster recovery. The management of a comparatively large 24 hour relief effort in a small rural community required a delicate balancing of resources while being sensitive to communnity needs and expectations. The centre played a significant role in ensuring that support services to the Tasman Peninsula were responsive to community needs (AU)

Forensic overview of the Port Arthur tragedy

An overview is provided of forense aspects of the scene of multiple fatal shootings at Port Arthur and subsequent mortuary investigations along with a brief review of injury patterns of the victims. The forensic aspects of this disaster were handled extremely well by all personnel involved, despite outdated mortuary facilities. The mortuary is located within a teaching hopital which provided full support and backup allowing the forensic personnel work effectively and effeciently in a non-ideal enviroment.The autopsies were more lengthy and complex than would have been expeced in a similar number of cases in a bus or aviation accident. (AU)

Port Arthur massacre 1996 - AFDA national embalming team - detailed report

At approximately 1330 on sunday 28 april 1996, an lone male gunman, aged 28 years, entered the restaurant at the Port Arthur historic site and fired upon all of the patrons and staff. The gunman killed twenty occupants and injured a further eighteen. It is further alleged that the male offender then left the restaurant moved towards a tourist bus parked nearby and then headed off in a motor vehicle to a cottage nearby. After a search of the debris three bodies were found, the owners and ocupants of the cottage and the hostage. Thisbrutal and senseless killing left the peaceful tourist resort of Port Arthur in total turmoil and deep shock. Many emergency service provisions and professional assistence were inmediadiately placed into action to provide the necessary support and facitities to cope with the aftermath. The state Tasmania together with the Nation of Autralia and the world community went into deep mourning. Offers of assistance and expressions of sympathy came from every corner of the globe (AU)

Volunteer involvement in the Port Arthur incident

Ian Kingston is the volunteer manager of the Tasman municipal SES unit which is based at Nubeena on the Tasman Penisula . Ian is also employed as a Security Officer at the Port Arthur Historic Site. On 28 april 1996, Ian was working at the at the Port Arthur site in this capacity as Security Office and was present at Broand Arrow Cafe during the period when many of its patrons were shot. He was involved in organising the inmediate evacuation of people from the Cafe itself. He also assumed for a short period the responsibility of weekend supervisor in the absence of many of Senior management who were either at a training seminar on Tasmania's east coast, or not immediately contactable (AU)