Andrew Coghlan
Mr Andrew Coghlan
National Manager, Emergency Services
Red Cross
Andrew works to promote resilience and build community capacity, both in preparation for and response to disasters throughout Australia. Andrew has played a pivotal role in coordinating the Red Cross response to a number of major emergencies and disasters, including Cyclone Larry (2006) and the Black Saturday Victorian Bushfires (2009).
During July 2008 Andrew was invited to be part of a multi-disciplinary team of Australian experts who led a co-sanctioned Australia/China workshop on Psychosocial Recovery in Chengdu, in response to the Earthquake in Szechuan Provence.
Under Andrew’s leadership, a restructure of the emergency services team has elevated the organisation’s profile within the emergency services sector and established relationships with key agencies at all levels of Government. A major achievement has been the development and recent launch of the Emergency REDiPlan project, a four step household preparation program aimed at fostering individual and community resilience throughout Australia.
Prior to joining Red Cross, Andrew was the National Recovery Consultant with Emergency Management Australia, playing a key role in coordinating recovery assistance to Australians such as those impacted by the Boxing Day 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami.
Andrew is Vice-President of the International Research Committee on Disasters, a member of the Australian Journal of Emergency Management Editorial Board and represents Red Cross at key external forums and consultations.