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INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
WA winners of Resilient Australia Awards announced
Demystifying Emergency Management Jargon: Controlling Agency VS Hazard Management Agency
SEMC to host Australasian Hazards Conference
Mid West Gascoyne DEMC facilitates successful Emergency Management event
Emergency Management planning for ANZAC convoy commemorations in Albany
High praise for State winners of the 2014 Resilient Australia awards
EM Policy Framework Review: project update
Successful AWARE program applicants announced
Strong interest in NDRP Grants
Volume 1 Issue 4 – NoVemBeR 2014
SEMC SECRETARIAT
20 Southport street, West Leederville WA 6007
T. (08) 9482 1700
W. www.semc.wa.gov.au
E. Communications Coordinator: [email protected]
SEMC NEWS
Minister for Emergency Services The Hon. Joe Francis MLA pictured with representatives from Shire of Augusta Margaret River and Australian Red Cross, who were recently crowned the State Winner of the 2014 Resilient Australia Awards. See inside for details of all the award winners.
STATE WINNER OF THE 2014 RESILIENT AUSTRALIA AWARDS ANNOUNCED
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SEMC NEWS VOLUME 1 ISSUE 4
Historically, before the introduction of the Emergency Management Act (the EM Act), the term hazard management agency was an all-encompassing term used to identify an agency that had responsibility, under legislation or policy, to respond to a specific hazard. This term was used interchangeably in reference to both emergency services legislation and emergency management policy.With the introduction of the EM Act in 2005, however, a clear distinction was needed to differentiate between agencies prescribed with the hazard management agency responsibility under the EM Act and an agency with a prescribed responsibility under other legislation; including emergency services legislation.The term Controlling Agency was coined (and formally endorsed by the SEMC in 2011) to refer to an agency prescribed with responsibility for emergency response to a particular hazard under legislation other than the EM Act.DFES, DPaW and local government bushfire brigades are all examples of Controlling Agencies for their respective jurisdictions,
who respond to bushfires under the provisions of the Bush Fires Act 1954. DFES is also prescribed in the EM Act as the hazard management agency for the hazard of fire. In practical terms, this means that when an incident escalates to a magnitude beyond the capabilities of a single agency, DFES, as the HMA for fire, can declare an emergency situation, which allows them to appoint hazard management officers who may make use of the EM Act Part 6 emergency powers.Another example of the Controlling Agency/HMA relationship can be found in the hazard of Marine Oil Pollution. Under the EM Act, the General Manager Marine Safety, Department of Transport, is the HMA for Marine Oil Pollution. However, oil pollution incidents that occur in port are managed by the local Port Authority. So, in those instances, the Port Authority is the Controlling Agency and, only when the hazard occurs out of port, or is of such a magnitude as to require a State level response, would the HMA be involved in the response. If you have any queries or would like to know more please email [email protected].
demystifying “emergency management” jargon
Image from the Parkerville Stoneville Mt Helena Bushfire, which started on 12 January 2014.
DID YOU KNOW?....
CONTROLLING AGENCY VS HAZARD MANAGEMENT AGENCY
At 12:30 pm, approximately 90 minutes after the incident was first reported, a Bush Fires Act 1954 section 13 transfer of control declaration was invoked, after which DFES became the controlling agency for the incident, as well as maintaining their responsibilities as the HMA for fire. Continued management and suppression of the fire was carried out through the deployment of resources drawn from DFES, Shire of Mundaring and DPaW staff and equipment as well as volunteer fire fighters.
SEMC NEWS NOVEMBER 2014
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demystifying “emergency management” jargon
SEMC TO HOST AUSTRALASIAN HAZARDS CONFERENCEThe SEMC has secured the hosting of the 8th Australasian Natural Hazards Management Conference (ANHMC) in Perth next year. The two day event, which is scheduled to take place at The University Club of Western Australia on October 13-14, will represent a high-level gathering of many of the Southern Hemisphere’s top hazard scientists and researchers, emergency managers and strategic planners, risk assessors and asset and utility managers. The 2015 ANHMC Conference follows on from the highly successful 2014 edition in Wellington, New Zealand, which included a
presentation of SEMC’s State Risk Project by Dr Heather Taylor.
The aim of the annual ANHMC Conference is to provide a forum to discuss the integration of hazard information into effective risk management. This includes: applying hazard information with regard to:
• best practice planning
• developing effective warning systems
• improving response and recovery outcomes from events
• creating resilient communities.
Many of the Southern Hemisphere’s top hazard scientists and researchers, emergency managers and strategic planners, risk assessors and asset and utility managers will gather at the University of Western Australia next year for the SEMC-organised Australasian Natural Hazards Management Conference.
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SEMC NEWS VOLUME 1 ISSUE 4
MID WEST GASCOYNE DEMC FACILITATES SUCCESSFUL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT EVENTThe Mid West Gascoyne District Emergency Management Committee facilitated an “Emergency Management Awareness” event on 14 November 2014, hosting over 50 participants across the full day schedule.
Participants from local governments and local emergency management groups travelled to Geraldton to participate in the inaugural event.
Local Recovery Coordinators participated in an interactive gas explosion exercise during the Recovery Workshop, working as groups to deliver short, medium and long term recovery elements.
The afternoon session was the highlight for many attendees as guest speakers covered the roles and responsibilities of agencies across Ebola, Terrorism and Earthquake scenarios. Guest speakers included :
• Bob Hay, WA State Recovery Controller
• Mal Cronstedt, Executive Director, SEMC Secretariat
• Stuart Gunning, Community Emergency Management Manager, SEMC Secretariat
• Major Maurice Murphy - Australian Defence Liaison Officer
• Superintendent Andy Greatwood, WAPOL
• Superintendent Kim Lambkin, DFES
The SEMC Secretariat’s Mid West Gascoyne Community Emergency Management Officer, Jonelle Tyson, said:
“2015 will see more collaborative opportunities to share ideas ensuring local, District and State are continually talking about emergency management in the Mid West Gascoyne District.
“It is about a shared responsibility across all hazards and starting the conversation now in the preparation stage so everyone understands their role and responsibilities.
“At the end of the day it is about the outcome – safe communities!”
SEMC Secretariat Community Emergency Management Manager, Stuart Gunning.
Over 50 participants across the full day schedule participated in the “Emergency Management Awareness” event.
SEMC NEWS NOVEMBER 2014
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EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLANNING FOR THE ANZAC CONVOY COMMEMORATIONS IN ALBANYThe Great Southern District Emergency Management Committee’s (DEMC) special subcommittee successfully coordinated the emergency management planning and preparation for the recent ANZAC commemorative events in Albany.The series of high profile events hosted by Albany from 31 October to 2 November 2014 commemorated the departure of the first convoy of ships carrying Australian troops to the First World War. These events were forecast to attract about 80,000 visitors from around Albany, Denmark and Mount Barker. In late 2013 the Great Southern DEMC recognised the impact this would have on the District from an emergency management perspective and in February 2014 established a special subcommittee of the DEMC to coordinate emergency management planning and preparation. The subcommittee structure was established to utilise existing structures and networks. The coordination of agencies required input from Federal, State and local government as well as the private sector. The subcommittee, which met on a monthly basis, managed a number of challenges including: working across internal and external agency boundaries, working with adjoining LEMCs, and providing advice to LEMCs within the District as well as DEMCs in adjoining districts. The subcommittee had to consider potential risks from across the District, as well as ensuring that plans were in place to manage the strategic response to a major emergency outside of the Albany area (which may require the deployment of resources).In readiness to respond and ensure coordination across the District, the subcommittee established an Operational
Area Support Group (OASG) for the period immediately before, during and after the commemorative events. The OASG met twice daily as visitors began travelling within the District and then daily during and after the events as visitors travelled out of the District. Fortunately, at the conclusion of the OASG there had been no major emergencies.In response to the extensive planning, preparation and emergency management coordination the Great Southern DEMC put in place for the commemorative event, the Committee is evaluating the process to capture the inter and intra agency actions for future major community events in regional Western Australia.
Image of one of the ANZAC Convoy Commemorations events that took place in Albany from 31 October to 2 November 2014. Image courtesy of City of Albany and Lee Griffith.
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SEMC NEWS VOLUME 1 ISSUE 4
HIGH PRAISE FOR STATE WINNERS OF THE 2014 RESILIENT AUSTRALIA AWARDS
L-R: Mara Bosanovic (Volunteering WA); John Kowal (City of Bunbury); Jacqueline Dodd (WALGA); Chris Widmer ESM (City of Bunbury); Sharna Sumpton (WALGA); Kim Dean (CPFS); Erin Hutchins (City of Bunbury); Joanne Bennett (CPFS); Anna Huxtable (CPFS); Minister Michael Keenan MP; Minister Joe Francis MLA; Howard Flinders (Dept Education); Jennifer Pidgeon (DFES); Suzanna Cuplovic (ADRA); Rachael Parkes (DFES); Roger Joyner (Bullsbrook Volunteer Fire Service); Benjamin Day (Salvation Army); Karen Edmeades (Australian Red Cross); Katie Taylor (Shire of Augusta–Margaret River)Photograph: Kate Drennan Photography
The 2014 Resilient Australia State Awards ceremony was held on 8 October 2014 at the Constitutional Centre of Western Australia.
The Hon. Joe Francis MLA Minister for Emergency Services, Corrective Services, Small Business and Veterans announced the winners and presented trophies for each of the categories.
The Hon. Michael Keenan MP, Minister for Justice, presented the trophy for the State winner.
In addition to the category winners, some additional entrants deserved special mention and were awarded “Highly Commended” trophies.
The winners of each category have been referred for inclusion in the national judging, with winners to be announced by the Hon. Michael Keenan MP at the national awards ceremony on 24 November 2014 at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra.
Congratulations to all award winners.
STATE WINNERS FOR THE 2014 RESILIENT AUSTRALIA AWARDS
SEMC NEWS NOVEMBER 2014
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Shire of Augusta Margaret River and Australian Red Cross: Shire of Augusta–Margaret River Community Preparedness “Get Ready” project
State Winner:
Category Winners:
Not for Profit category
Western Australian Local Government Association
Building Emergency Management Capacity in Local Government
Local Government category
Shire of Augusta–Margaret River and Australian Red Cross
Shire of Augusta Margaret River Community Preparedness “Get Ready” project
State Government category
Department of Fire and Emergency Services (WA) and Department of Education (WA)
Bushfire Patrol
Local Government City of Bunbury Are U Ready for 72 Hours
State Government category
Department of Fire and Emergency Services (WA)
Bushfire Ready Program
State Government category
Department for Child Protection and Family Support, Adventist Development and Relief Agency, Volunteering WA, Salvation Army, and Australian Red Cross
State Welfare Community Joint Communication and Collaboration Exercise Training (SWEET)
Highly Commended:
STATE WINNERS FOR THE 2014 RESILIENT AUSTRALIA AWARDS
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SEMC NEWS VOLUME 1 ISSUE 4
The SEMC Policy, Governance and Assurance Framework Review project will simplify and rationalise the number of State policies and plans, making emergency management arrangements more straight forward, useful and transparent. Integrating the policies into a single document and combining the generic elements of the Westplans where appropriate, as depicted in the diagram above, will achieve:• Greater coherence between policy and plans.• Removal of duplication between policies; between Westplans; and between policies and Westplans. • Greater consistency by embedding emergency management principles such as the all hazards, all agencies, comprehensive and risk management approaches into the structure of the policies and plans. For example, the all hazards approach recognises that some arrangements are largely generic regardless of the specific hazard. These arrangements could be located in an overarching State Emergency Management
Plan and could include topics such as declarations of emergency situations; levels of response; public information; communications; welfare; recovery coordination; and some elements of SEMP 4.1, which are generic across all current Westplans. Hazard specific information could then be detailed in individual hazard specific plans.The new framework will be based on comprehensive research undertaken on other Australian and international jurisdictions, as well as current trends and drivers in emergency management. The project is also informed by a stakeholder advisory group with representation from a range of emergency management agencies. Wider sector consultation is planned for early 2015. Policy and plan integration will occur in a staged manner, mindful of the need to ensure maximum benefit over time.While the approach and intent of the policies will not alter, the changes will make information easier to find and provide greater consistency, clarity and relevance.
EM POLICY FRAMEWORK REVIEW: PROJECT UPDATE
Current Proposed
6 Administration
Policies
8 Operational
Policies
1 Training Policy
Single SEMC Policy
State Emergency Management Plan(Single overarching all hazards all agencies plan containing
elements common to all Westplans eg elements of SEMP 4.1)
Hazard Specific Westplans
(for hazards requiring specialised approaches)
27 Hazard Plans 8 Support Plans
SEMC Policies
State Emergency Management Plans (Westplans)
Procedures and Guidelines
Procedures and Guidelines
SEMC NEWS NOVEMBER 2014
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The successful applications for the 2014-15 All West Australians Reducing Emergencies (AWARE) program have been announced. The successful AWARE grant applicants will receive either the total amount applied for funding, or a partial amount.The popularity of the 2014-15 AWARE Program was such that 43 applications
STRONG INTEREST IN NDRP GRANTS
SUCCESSFUL AWARE PROGRAM APPLICANTS ANNOUNCED
Interest in the current round of funding for the Natural Disaster Resilience Program (NDRP) has been very robust, with 52 applications received at a total value exceeding $4.5 million.All applications have been submitted to the State Assessment Panel and are currently being reviewed.
Applications for the current round of funding closed on 30 September 2014.
were received, valued at more than $1 million. A total of $370,000 was available in funding. The successful applicants, subject to finalising the scope of a couple of projects, are:
Successful Applicants
Organisation Project Title
Great Southern DEMC Incident Support Group/Operational Area Support Group / Capability Development
Peel DEMC Resource CoordinationSouth West DEMC Exercise ManagementShire of Bruce Rock Create an Emergency Risk Management PlanShire of Wyalkatchem Planning and Preparedness for WyalkatchemShire of Carnarvon Building Exercise Management in the Carnarvon DistrictShire of Dandaragan Shires of Dandaragan, Moora and Coorow Joint Emergency
Management Planning, Training and Exercise ProjectGreat Southern DEMC
Brown Bag Lunch - Shared Learning, Shared Responsibility
Rottnest Island LEMC Rottnest Island Coastal Risk AssessmentShire of Gingin Shire of Gingin Local Emergency Management Risk Review
& Arrangements Project 2014/15Shire of Halls Creek Shire of Halls creek Local Emergency Management
Arrangements and Recovery ExerciseShire of York LEMC York LEMC Emergency Management Exercise 2014SWLGEMA Secretariat City of Bunbury
South West Emergency Alliance Third Bi-Annual Emergency Management Conference
Grants update
