Comfort in Crisis: An Innovative Mass Evacuation Solution
In the lead up to ex-cyclone Alfred approaching Southeast QLD and Northern NSW, more than 10,000 Aussies were under emergency warnings to move to higher ground and around 1800 were cut off by floodwaters [1]. While the storm passed relatively quickly, hundreds of thousands of households were without power for several days. First responders – SES, RFS, Police, Ambulance and volunteers - worked tirelessly to ensure the safety and comfort of those affected by the storm.
At TacMed Australia, watching weather events like this one always sparks an important question for us: How can we better prepare for the shelter needs that accompany environmental disasters?
The Evacuation Challenge
When mass evacuations occur during floods, cyclones, or bushfires, emergency shelters face a common challenge - providing comfortable, hygienic sleeping arrangements for large numbers of people, often with minimal notice.
Traditional solutions have significant drawbacks:
- Stretchers require large trucks and significant storage space
- Inflatable mattresses need power and time-consuming inflation
- Foam mats offer minimal comfort and insulation from cold, hard floors
- All options typically create logistical complications during already stressful situations
These challenges can divert valuable time and resources away from other critical response needs.
Introducing Soku Minute Mattress to Australia
TacMed Australia is excited to announce our new partnership with Soku Minute Mattress, from the Netherlands, to bring their revolutionary emergency bedding solution to Australian emergency services.
What makes the Soku Minute Mattress different?
Auto-Inflation Technology
The heart of the Soku system is its patented auto-inflation technology that produces up to 200 fully-inflated mattresses per hour. Unlike traditional air mattresses that require manual pumping, Soku's purpose-built electric inflation machine creates perfectly consistent mattresses automatically. This innovation eliminates the time-consuming process of preparing bedding during an emergency, allowing response teams to focus on other critical tasks while still providing immediate comfort to those in need.
Fast Deployment
Anyone can operate the inflator without any prior training - simply power it up, flip the switch, and start distributing mattresses to those in need within minutes.
Reduced Overhead
Perhaps most impressive is the storage efficiency - 2,000 mattresses fit on a single pallet. This means thousands can be transported in a van, ute, or even a helicopter if necessary. Compare this to traditional stretchers or beds that require multiple large trucks for the same capacity.
Comfort and Dignity
Each Soku mattress features individually sealed air compartments that keep users elevated off hard floors while providing insulation and support. This design ensures evacuees can rest comfortably during an already stressful time.
Durability and Reliability
The Soku mattresses are designed for extended use by individuals throughout a crisis event. During a four-day festival test, only 1.7% of mattresses distributed needed replacement - demonstrating their remarkable durability even over several days.
Environmental Efficiency
Each mattress weighs just 170g and is made from materials optimised for recycling, minimising the environmental footprint while maximising functionality.
Real-World Impact: The Red Cross Experience
The effectiveness of the Soku system has already been proven internationally. When the Red Cross in Holland faced an overflow of refugees at their national registration point, they deployed Soku Minute Mattresses to ensure no one had to sleep on concrete floors.
As Michel Toebast, Head of Operations noted: "Our volunteers effortlessly deployed the mattresses, improving our operations significantly. With this efficient solution, we no longer need to send large trucks with stretchers for just a few nights, nor do people have to sleep on the grass or concrete."
This efficiency allowed Red Cross teams to focus on providing other essential services rather than struggling with bedding logistics.
Expanding Our Emergency Response Solutions
Natural disasters and unexpected emergencies are an inevitable reality we all face. At TacMed Australia, we are committed to providing comprehensive solutions that empower first responders during these critical moments. By expanding beyond our established range of trauma kits, emergency blankets, and bleeding control equipment, we're now addressing the often-overlooked need for efficient temporary accommodations during evacuations.
The Soku Minute Mattress represents the next step in supporting the complete spectrum of emergency response needs - from immediate medical care to dignified temporary shelter that respects the comfort and wellbeing of those affected
Your Agency's Next Steps
Our first Soku Minute Mattress Starter Kit arrived to our warehouse this week. If you are an emergency services provider, disaster response agency, or shelter manager looking to improve your mass evacuation capabilities, reach out to our sales team at info@tacmedaustralia.com.au to learn more about bringing this innovative solution to your emergency response.
Summary
In the wake of environmental disasters like cyclones and floods, emergency shelters face the ongoing challenge of providing safe, hygienic, and comfortable sleeping arrangements—fast. The Soku Minute Mattress, now available in Australia through TacMed, offers a breakthrough in emergency shelter logistics. With patented auto-inflation technology, the system can produce up to 200 mattresses per hour, dramatically reducing deployment time and overhead. Lightweight, durable, and compact, each mattress offers dignity and comfort without the logistical burden of stretchers or foam mats. TacMed is proud to partner with Soku Global to support Australian emergency services with this innovative shelter solution. Enquiries welcome for agency deployment and bulk orders.
FAQs
What is the Soku Minute Mattress?
The Soku Minute Mattress is a rapidly deployable, auto-inflated sleeping solution designed for emergency shelters during disasters such as floods, bushfires, and cyclones. It allows large-scale, hygienic bedding setup in a fraction of the time and space required by traditional methods.
How does the Soku inflation system work?
The system uses a patented electric inflation machine that automatically fills and seals each mattress—up to 200 per hour. No manual setup or technical expertise is required, making it ideal for rapid deployment by volunteers or responders.
How many mattresses can be transported at once?
Up to 2,000 Soku mattresses fit on a single pallet, making them significantly more space-efficient than stretchers or airbeds. They can be transported via van, ute, or even helicopter—perfect for remote or hard-to-access disaster zones.
Are the Soku mattresses reusable?
The mattresses are designed for single-user, extended-duration use over the course of a crisis. In field trials, only 1.7% required replacement after four days of continuous use, highlighting their durability and reliability.
What agencies is this designed for?
The Soku Minute Mattress is ideal for SES, RFS, Police, Ambulance services, Red Cross, disaster shelters, and evacuation centres. Any organisation responsible for managing temporary accommodation during emergencies can benefit from this system.
How can I place an enquiry or bulk order?
If you're part of an agency or organisation interested in improving your mass evacuation or shelter capabilities, please contact our sales team at info@tacmedaustralia.com.au for product specifications, pricing, and availability.
TacMed Australia is proud to continue our mission of equipping Australian first responders with the tools they need to serve effectively during our most challenging moments.
Stay safe,
