The Responsibility and Response of Individuals, Groups and Government

Tropical Cyclone Tracy was the first natural disaster managed by the National Disaster Organisation (known today as emergency management Australia EMA). A state of emergency was declared by the federal government. Darwin was evacuated with support from Qantas, Ansett, the RAAF and Darwin's emergency services. Many parts of Australia donated money, food, building supplies, blankets and medical supplies. This was distributed by the Red Cross. The Red Cross also established information centres to maintain a list of names for people who had died, been evacuated or moved to temporary accommodation. Darwin's police, ambulance and fire brigade also played a key role in the management of Tropical Cyclone Tracy, particularly in the lead up to the cyclone hitting and in the hours after it hit. The clean up operation took just over 6 months and in February 1975 the Federal government passed the Darwin Reconstruction Act which provided $300 million to rebuild Darwin's infrastructure.