Emergency Management

Emergency management in Western Australia is governed by the Emergency Management Act 2005 and the Emergency Management Regulations 2006. These legislative instruments define the roles and responsibilities of agencies and organisations involved in emergency management across the state.

To support this legislation, the State Emergency Management Committee (SEMC) develops and maintains state-level emergency management policies and procedures. These documents provide strategic guidance and operational frameworks for managing emergencies effectively.

Local governments play a vital role in emergency management due to their deep understanding of local communities. Their responsibilities include:

  • Developing and maintaining Local Emergency Management Arrangements (LEMA)
  • Preparing Local Recovery Plans
  • Contributing to hazard-specific plans
  • Coordinating and chairing the Local Emergency Management Committee (LEMC)
  • Supporting and participating in the Bushfire Advisory Committee

Through these activities, local governments ensure that emergency management is tailored to the unique needs and risks of their communities, enhancing resilience and response capabilities.

LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS (LEMA)

The ³Ô¹ÏÍø is responsible for the development, maintenance, and regular testing of its Local Emergency Management Arrangements (LEMA).
Effective LEMA enhances community resilience and preparedness by addressing all four phases of emergency management:

  • Prevention/Mitigation – reducing or eliminating risks to prevent emergencies or lessen their impact
  • Preparedness – planning and training to ensure readiness for potential emergencies
  • Response – coordinated actions taken during an emergency to protect life, property, and the environment
  • Recovery – restoring the community’s wellbeing, infrastructure, and services after an emergency

Under the Emergency Management Act 2005, local governments are legally required to have LEMA in place. These arrangements consist of a comprehensive collection of emergency management strategies, plans, agreements, and supporting documents relevant to the ³Ô¹ÏÍø.

In the event of an emergency, any part of the LEMA may be activated depending on the nature and scale of the incident, ensuring a flexible and effective response tailored to the situation.

³Ô¹ÏÍø Local Emergency Management Arrangements (2022)

HAZARD-SPECIFIC PLANS

Currently undergoing revision of the Hazard-Specific Plans.

LOCAL RECOVERY PLAN

The Local Recovery Plan outlines strategies for restoring a community’s emotional, social, economic, and physical wellbeing following an emergency. It also guides the reconstruction of infrastructure and the delivery of essential support services to aid recovery efforts.

³Ô¹ÏÍø Local Recovery Plan (2022)

LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE (LEMC)

The Local Emergency Management Committee (LEMC) is a mandatory committee established under Section 38(1) of the Emergency Management Act 2005. Its formation is a legal requirement for local governments in Western Australia.

The LEMC is tasked with specific functions outlined in Sections 39 and 40 of the Act, which include:

  • Advising and assisting the local government in ensuring that Local Emergency Management Arrangements (LEMA) are properly established for its district
  • Liaising with public authorities and other stakeholders in the development, review, and testing of LEMA
  • Undertaking additional emergency management activities as directed by the State Emergency Management Committee (SEMC) or as prescribed by the Emergency Management Regulations.

The purpose of the LEMC is to foster collaboration and coordination among local government, emergency services, and community stakeholders to ensure effective preparedness, response, and recovery in the event of an emergency.


BUSHFIRE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (BFAC)

The vision of the Bushfire Advisory Committee (BFAC) is to make the ³Ô¹ÏÍø a safe community by managing the risk of fire through the delivery and implementation of fire prevention, preparedness, response and recovery strategies.

The objectives of the Committee are to advise the City and Council on matters relating to:

  • Strategic actions on fire suppression, fire prevention and community education initiatives

  • The implementation of outcomes contained in approved annual business plan for the Community Safety Business Unit

  • Additional finance or resource needs

  • The effective use of personnel, training, equipment, protective clothing and communication facilities.

Bushfire Advisory Committee (BFAC) Information

Mullewa Bushfire Advisory Committee Agena and Minutes

Greenough Bushfire Advisory Committee Agena and Minutes