The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) facilitated an After Action Review (AAR) following severe weather events in Queensland during late 2023 and early 2024, including Tropical Cyclone Jasper and South-East Queensland severe storms. The review examined the implementation of the new Australian Warning System (AWS). 

The AWS represents a national approach to emergency warnings for bushfire, flood, storm, extreme heat, and severe weather, designed to provide consistent messaging across communities. Queensland implemented AWS for severe weather, flood, and cyclone in November 2023, making Tropical Cyclone Jasper the first cyclone event to use the new system nationally. 

The AAR brought together diverse stakeholders including the Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland government agencies, and local governments to identify improvement opportunities. Conducted on 8 February 2024, the review used the Observation, Insights, Lessons Identified, and Lessons Learned (OILL) methodology. The process collected 307 individual observations through facilitated sessions and online surveys available to all participants. 

This comprehensive review aimed to enhance Australia's emergency warning capabilities based on real-world implementation experience during significant weather events. 

The report identifies five key insights to improve emergency warnings.

1. Greater alignment of weather warnings: weather warnings are likely to be more effective in triggering protective community actions if there is a greater understanding of the various roles played by Australian Government, state and local agencies in issuing warning products.
2. Timing and sequencing of emergency warnings: Queensland disaster management arrangements are most effective when state, district and local council’s actions are synchronised and appropriately sequenced.
3. Emergency management sector education on warnings: public trust and confidence in emergency management institutions is upheld when reliable and timely warnings are issued
4. Communication and comprehension of warnings: weather warnings need to be easily comprehended by the public in stressful or uncertain circumstances
5. Rising community expectations driven by social media and technology require enhanced awareness-building about warning systems, limitations, and trusted information sources to manage community expectations.

In alignment with OILL methodology, this report is the product of collaboration between agencies and departments to capture and share learnings to inform continuous improvement activities.