Emergency Management
Emergency management in Australia is built on the concept of Preparedness, Prevention (Mitigation), Response and Recovery.
Local Government has an important role to play in Emergency Management that is defined in the Emergency Management Act 2005.
The Act recognises local governments as the closest level of government to their community and therefore in the best position to assist residents to better withstand a crisis event and have the ability to recover from residual impacts.
Emergency management planning is led via our Local Emergency Management Committee (LEMC) which meets on a quarterly basis. The LEMC is managed and chaired by the Shire of Dardanup, with representation from organisations and agencies that play a key role in emergency management within their district.
The functions of a LEMC are:
- to advise and assist the local government in ensuring that Local Emergency Management Arrangements and Recovery plans are established for its district;
- to liaise with public authorities and other persons in the development, review and testing of the arrangements; and
- to carry out other emergency management activities as directed by the State Emergency Management Committee or prescribed by the regulations.
Local Emergency Management Arrangements
Effective Local Emergency Management Arrangements enhance community’s resilience. To download a copy of the Shire’s Local Emergency Management Arrangements and Support Plans, see below.
Prevention
Emergencies are unexpected and can be devastating to communities.
Prevention actions can be taken in advanced, before disaster strikes. The Shire of Dardanup undertakes significant work in a variety of areas to help prevent an Emergency, or at least, reduce its potential severity.
Preparedness
Local emergencies including bushfire, storm and flood can strike suddenly and sometimes without warning. For information on how to prepare for, manage and recover from emergencies such as these visit the DFES website.
Being prepared for an emergency is everyone’s responsibility.
Understanding and knowing the risks that could potentially impact your property is key to emergency preparedness. Whether you live in the city, town or rural property, there are a number of measures that can be undertaken to increase the protection of your home.
Having an emergency kit is an important step to prepare and protect you and your family.
It is a good idea to always keep your kit in a handy place that everyone knows, and don’t forget to include the needs of you pets.
Factsheet: Preparing an Emergency Kit
Response
If you are in need of immediate assistance, PHONE 000
In an emergency situation it is important to stay informed so you can make the best decision for you and your family.
To find the latest information and advice on an emergency incident happening near you;
Visit the Emergency WA website
Listen to your Local ABC radio station
Call 13 33 37 to listen to a recorded update
Follow updates on emergency service on Facebook and Twitter
Factsheet: How do I keep informed?
DFES Video: Alerts & Warnings
Recovery
As the peak of an Emergency begins to pass, response activities transition to the recovery. At this point the Shire of Dardanup takes a lead role as required by the Emergency Management Act 2005. Assistance with community recovery from an Emergency goes well beyond the ‘clean-up’.
Comprehensive recovery requires government agencies, non-government organisations and the community to work together across social, economic, natural and built environment. It recognises effective and lasting recovery occurs when a community works together taking into account the personal, social, financial, health, industrial and economic factors impacts of an Emergency.
To ensure the best outcomes for our community following an Emergency, the Shire of Dardanup has a Local Recovery Support Plan as attached above.
Emergency Risk Management
The WA State Emergency Management Committee has a list of 27 prescribed hazards that could potentially trigger an Emergency.
The list covers everything from road crashes and bush fire to tsunami and human epidemic. For our community, some of these threats are very real, some fairly unlikely.
Therefore, in 2018, the Shire of Dardanup completed a Local Emergency Risk Assessment to better identify and analyse those hazards most relevant to us.
The assessment identified the following Top 5 hazards:
- Fire
- Flood
- Storm
- Human Epidemic
- Electricity Supply Disruption
This information provides significant value in the planning of Emergency Management for the Shire of Dardanup.
Emergency Incident Information
The Emergency WA website provides up to date and current information on warnings and incidents throughout the State as well as what you can do to prepare for, or recover from an emergency incident.
Travelling During Bushfire Season
If you plan to travel in bushfire season it’s essential you know what to do if you encounter a bushfire. Visit the DFES website for tips to stay safe when travelling in bushfire season. DFES also have an online Bushfire Traveller's Checklist to help you prepare for your trip.