When major emergencies occur, it is essential we are thoroughly prepared, coordinate efforts and act quickly.
The National Emergency Management Stockpile (NEMS) capability helps communities affected by disasters by quickly providing essential goods and services when states and territories request support from the Australian Government.
The recent use of NEMS in South Australia showed how having robust national resources can significantly help response efforts.
In February, NEMS set up a Humanihut accommodation camp at Wirrina Cove to help South Australian and interstate firefighters dealing with the Deep Creek bushfire. Named BC02, the camp, in addition to the camp the South Australian State Emergency Service had set up at the same location, provided accommodation for up to 140 people at its peak. It was placed far enough from the fire to be safe, but close enough so crews didn't have to travel far, allowing them to stay focused on their duties.
The camp provided everything from registration and bedding allocation to catering, laundry, bathrooms and accessible facilities. The laundry was operating at full capacity—a small but important detail that highlights the role these camps play in supporting the wellbeing of the crew during lengthy emergency responses.
For teams already familiar with Humanihut, the system is intuitive. For others, deployments like this provide an opportunity to see how the capability has evolved and how it can support future operations.
To see the Humanihuts in action, watch our short video via the NEMS page.
Humanihut accommodation camp at Wirrina Cove to help South Australian and interstate firefighters dealing with the Deep Creek bushfire.
A triumph of the Wirrina Cove deployment was how quickly the camp was established. Within about 12 hours, the Humanihuts were transported from storage at Burdette, an hour and a half outside Adelaide, were set up by Humanihut personnel with some assistance from the South Australian SES, and the first 64 firefighters had moved into 16 huts. That rapid setup was enabled by 3 critical factors:
As more jurisdictions become familiar with the Humanihut system through deployments and functional tests, future deployments will become even more streamlined. This is a key part of building a truly national capability rather than a series of isolated assets.
While the camp’s impact was visible on the ground, it was underpinned by years of preparation. From procurement and panel tendering through to contract management, maintenance, documentation and logistics planning, every deployment reflects a whole-of-NEMS effort.
Long before assistance is requested, teams are working to ensure stockpile assets are maintained, tested and supported by clear processes and agreements. Panel arrangements allow NEMA to rapidly engage suppliers, transport services and specialist personnel, reducing reliance on ad hoc arrangements or Defence support.
Importantly, no NEMS deployment happens in isolation. Each one relies on close coordination with the NEMA Crisis Coordination Team, liaison officers and local partners to ensure the right capability arrives at the right place and the right time.
NEMS team at the Humanihut accommodation camp providing support.
This South Australian deployment also allowed for the camp’s annual functional test to be carried out on site. Because BC02 was already established, the test could be completed efficiently prior to pack-down, reinforcing confidence that the capability remains fit-for-purpose and deployment-ready. Testing our equipment in real operational environments is central to ensuring NEMS assets can be relied on when conditions are demanding and time is critical.
Being present on the ground at Wirrina Cove reinforced the importance of learning from every deployment. It strengthened relationships with South Australian SES and SAFECOM, and provided insights that will inform future planning, design and engagement.
As NEMS continues to mature into a nationally integrated response and relief capability, deployments like this show what success looks like. The Wirrina Cove deployment demonstrated that when planning, collaboration and adaptability come together, NEMS delivers more than equipment, it delivers capability that makes a real difference when Australians need it most.
For further information about NEMS, please visit the NEMS page.
