Hub Supervisor

WREMO > Get Prepared > Community Ready > Community Emergency Hubs > Hub Guide > Part 2: Working as a team > Hub Supervisor

The Hub Supervisor oversees all activities in the Community Emergency Hub to make sure the objectives are being met and ensure the Hub runs safely and efficiently.

This includes making sure all the jobs are being done, basic needs are addressed, and significant decisions are discussed and agreed with the wider team. The Hub Supervisor may need extra help to achieve these objectives, depending on the size and duration of the emergency, so may need to allocate extra people to help oversee the running of the Hub.

Hub Supervisor role and tasks

Oversight

A chevron

Oversee the running of the Hub Make sure roles are allocated, decisions are made by the wider team, and people or groups aren’t working in isolation.

Make sure everyone has what they need to do their job

A chevron

If they need more tables and chairs, etc., talk to the Facility Maintenance person. If they need more people to help with a task, ask if there are other members of the community willing to help.

Organise regular team meetings

A chevron

Make sure that the Hub staff work as a team.

Keep records of all major decisions that are made 

A chevron

Others may need your records to understand what has happened. This is useful for shift change-over.

Make sure everyone takes regular and adequate breaks and are fed and hydrated

A chevron

If people don’t look after their own needs, they are more likely to suffer stress. If someone is finding the work stressful they should consider changing roles, taking a break or going home.

Create a roster for people working in the Hub

A chevron

Consider the daily opening hours and make a roster. Ensure no one works for too long and everyone has opportunities to take breaks and rest.

Close the Hub overnight when appropriate

A chevron
  • Make sure all equipment is locked up securely.
  • Use signage to say the Hub is closed and when it will reopen.
  • Advise the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) that the Hub has closed for the night and when it will reopen.

Close the Hub when the community no longer needs it

A chevron

It is important that the following happens:

  • Use signage to tell the community that the Hub will no longer open, and provide information on where they can go to find assistance, e.g. a council-run facility.
  • Advise the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) you are closing.
  • Clean up all areas. Return any moved furniture and equipment.
  • Gather all the records for the event and leave them in the Hub container for collection. The Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) may need them for analysis.

Work with any media that show up:

A chevron

The media can be a useful resource for sharing information with the wider community.
The sort of information you can provide:

  • Anything they can see (such as the Hub being open, weather conditions).
  • General information (such as whether you are busy, quiet, or have had lots of offers of community help).
  • Public information you have received from the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC).

Do NOT provide

A chevron
  • Personal information (people’s names, addresses, etc.).
  • Any private or confidential information you have received.
  • Details of any deaths or injuries.
  • Addresses of evacuated homes.

Working as a team

Find out more about the other hub roles: