Greater Bendigo Municipal Emergency Management Plan · 2020-01-14 · Greater Bendigo Municipal...

Greater Bendigo Municipal Management Plan – Version 1.06 August 2016 1

Greater Bendigo Municipal

Emergency Management Plan

Public Version August 2016


FOREWORD

Since 2003 the City of Great Bendigo (CoGB) community has felt the impacts of storm, fire and flood, in addition to these events CoGB endured a decade of drought. This signifies the importance of building resilience and capability for emergency management in our community, with agencies and with emergency services. To do this we need to use a partnership approach towards education, skill development and in conducting exercises. In our planning and preparedness we are building on a risk based framework to identify risk treatment plans that are supported through the development of preparedness strategies, and response and recovery plans. Engaging the community in planning will input local information and help to inform people in the processes. Fundamental to achieving community resilience is the understanding of the hazards, exposures and vulnerabilities of the community. The economic and social effects of emergencies, including loss of life, destruction of property and dislocation of communities are possible but risk based planning enables minimisation of the impacts of emergencies on communities and/or an enhanced recovery process. The City of Greater Bendigo Municipal Emergency Management Plan has been produced pursuant to Section 20 (1) of the Emergency Management Act 1986 and the Emergency Management Act 2013. The plan addresses the prevention of, preparedness for, response to and recovery from emergencies within the City of Greater Bendigo. It is the result of the cooperative efforts of the Municipal Emergency Management Planning Committee and community input.


Contents

FOREWORD ................................................................................................................................ 2

Part One – Introduction ................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

Municipal Endorsement ................................................................................................................ 6

Statement of Audit ......................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

Aim ............................................................................................................................................... 7

Objectives ..................................................................................................................................... 7

Authority ....................................................................................................................................... 7

Audit ............................................................................................................................................. 9

Municipal Emergency Planning Committee ................................................................................... 9

Municipal Emergency Management Functions ............................................................................ 11

Part Two – Prevention and Preparedness Arrangements ..........................................................

The Role of the Municipality ........................................................................................................ 12

Municipal Emergency Risk Management Process ....................................................................... 12

Prevention / Mitigation Plans ...................................................................................................... 14

Geographic and Demographic Descriptions ................................................................................ 15

Major Infrastructure and Assets in the City of Greater Bendigo ................................................... 16

Household / Population Overview for the City of Greater Bendigo .............................................. 17

Vulnerability ................................................................................................................................ 19

Part Three - Response Arrangements…………………………………………………………………

Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 23

Control and Support Agencies .................................................................................................... 23

Command, Control and Coordination (Response) ....................................................................... 27

Municipal Emergency Coordination Centres (MECC) ................................................................. 29

MECC Activation ......................................................................................................................... 30

Public Awareness, Information and Warning ............................................................................... 34

Part Four – Relief and Recovery Arrangements .........................................................................

Emergency Relief ....................................................................................................................... 38

Part Five – Support Arrangements ..............................................................................................

Support Tasks and Functional Service Agencies ........................................................................ 42

Other Functional Areas ............................................................................................................... 43


Health and Medical ..................................................................................................................... 43

Transport and Engineering ......................................................................................................... 44

Initial Impact Assessment (IIA).................................................................................................... 45

Appendices ............................................................................................................................... 46

Appendix One - Contact Directory ................................................................................................ 46

Appendix Two - Maps ................................................................................................................. 47

Appendix Three - MECC ............................................................................................................. 50

Appendix Four - Emergency Relief Centres ................................................................................ 52

Appendix Five - Facilities ............................................................................................................ 53

Appendix Six – Community Information Guide ............................................................................ 54

Appendix Seven - Specialist Responsibilities of the MERO, MFPO, MRM and EMC (Community Resilient Coordinator) ................................................................................................................. 56

Appendix Eight - Organisation Emergency Management Chart .................................................. 60

Appendix Nine – Single Incident Protocol ................................................................................... 61

Appendix Ten – Post Impact Assessment Form ......................................................................... 66

Appendix Eleven – Preparedness Guide .................................................................................... 72

Appendix Twelve – Acronyms and Abbreviations ....................................................................... 73

Appendix Thirteen – Glossary ..................................................................................................... 75


City of Greater Bendigo

Document Control

Versions Release Date Author Changes

Version 1.0 December 2012 Risk Management Unit Full version change

Version 1.01 March 2013 Risk Management Unit Updates

Version 1.02 May 2013 Emergency Management Coordinator Audit passed April 29 2013

Version 1.03 February 2014 Risk Management Updates

Version 1.04 September 2014 Community Resilience Coordinator Updates

Version 1.05 April 2016 Community Resilience Coordinator Updates

Version 1.06 August 2016 Emergency Management Officer Updates August 2016

Municipal Emergency Management Plan Amendment Register

Version control information up until this point has been archived at the request of the Committee

Page No. Issue No.

Date Amendment Details

All 10 December 2012

Updated- Future changes- dates to be added to footnotes

Updates to pages:

9,11, 30, 31, 36, 44, 73, 74, 75, 78, 81

11 May 2013 On website

Updates to pages:

9,11, 30, 31, 36, 44, 73, 74, 75, 78, 81

Updates to pages: 8, 9, 41, 76-81

12 February 2014

Insertion of Audit Certificate issued August 2013, amendment to Secondary Agencies, addition of terms in Glossary

Updates 13 April 2016 Documents updated

Updates to pages:

5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 17, 22, 23, 25-27, 29, 46, 58

14 August 2016 Minor wording changes to improve clarity, arising from MEMP audit August 2016. Inclusion of section breaks, update headers & foot notes, corrections to risk table.

Part One – Introduction


Municipal Endorsement The City of Greater Bendigo Municipal Emergency Management Plan has been produced pursuant to Section 20(1) of the Emergency Management Act, 1986 and the Emergency Management Act 2013. This plan addresses the prevention of, response to and recovery from emergencies within the City of Greater Bendigo and is the result of the co-operative efforts of the Municipal Emergency Management Planning Committee (MEMPC).

The MEMP Plan and Sub-Plans will be submitted to Council every three years. A summary of minor updates will be presented to Council via the Council Bulletin every other year. The Executive Officer will email out notification of amendments to MEMPC members. The Plan will be available to download from the City of Greater Bendigo website - www.bendigo.vic.gov.au.

Any newly identified risks will be reviewed by the Committee.

Date Presented to Council

Endorsement / Information

Approved by CEO

Date Legal Report Submitted

MEMPC notified of amendments

Media Completed

8/6/2016 Noted JUNE 2016 Yes

The MEMP was audited by the SES on behalf of state government 15 August 2016 – currently awaiting

formal notification of the outcome of this process (as at 30 August 2016)

Approved for and on behalf of the City of Greater

Bendigo

Chief Executive Officer ………………………………………

June 2016

http://www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/



Aim The aim of the Municipal Emergency Management Plan is to detail the agreed arrangements for the prevention of, preparedness for, response to, and the recovery from emergencies that could potentially occur in the City of Greater Bendigo as identified in Part 4 of the Emergency Management Act 1986 and the Emergency Management Act 2013.

Objectives The objectives of the Municipal Emergency Management Plan (MEMP) are to:

Implement measures to prevent or reduce the cause and effects of emergencies.

Manage arrangements for the utilisation and implementation of municipal resources in response to emergencies.

Manage support that may be provided to or from adjoining municipalities.

Assist the affected community to prepare for and recover from an emergency.

Complement other local, regional and state planning arrangements.

Authority This Plan is developed by the Municipal Emergency Management Planning Committee (MEMPC) pursuant to Section 20, Part 4 of the Emergency Management Act, 1986. This Plan is administered by the City of Greater Bendigo Community Resilient Team. Address all enquiries, amendments or comments to: Community Resilience Coordinator Executive Officer Municipal Emergency Management Planning Committee City of Greater Bendigo PO Box 733 Bendigo VIC 3550 Phone: 03 5434 6000 Frequency of Meetings The MEMPC is to meet quarterly with a section of the plan reviewed at each meeting. Contact lists are to be reviewed at each meeting. The dates of these meetings in 2016 will be:

1 March

6 June

6 September

29 November Minutes of all meetings must be taken and a copy sent to the Regional Emergency Response Coordinator and all MEMPC members. If functional Sub-Committees are formed they will meet at least once per year to review and amend their arrangements where necessary. Should additional out of session meetings be required, the MERC will coordinate with the Chair of the MEMPC following discussions with the MERO.



Plan Review Sections of this Plan are to be reviewed on a quarterly cycle, or after an emergency event. Organisations delegated with responsibilities in this Plan are required to notify the City of Greater Bendigo, Coordinator Resilient Communities of any changes to details as they occur. Amendments are to be produced and made available by the City of Greater Bendigo as required. Testing On an annual basis, arrangements pertaining to this Plan should be tested. This will be done in a form determined by the MEMPC. Any procedural anomalies or shortfalls encountered during these exercises or ensuing operations must be addressed and rectified at the earliest opportunity. The testing of this plan can be performed in conjunction with other agency exercises. This provides a more realistic testing environment that will identify opportunities for improvement. Testing of this plan has been achieved in the following exercise:

DATE EXERCISE OUTCOMES/ACTIONS COMPLETED

23 May 2013

Terrorist scenario (Col Renton)

Test Relief Centres and MECC central program

Including VicPOL, CFA, Ambulance, DHS, DoH, DOT, Red Cross, LG, Bendigo Health

2015 Fosterville Gold mine Exercise

Underground emergency Including VicPOL, CFA, Ambulance, DHHS, LG, Red Cross

June 2015

Assisi

(DEDJTR)

State Animal Welfare (review) DEDJTR- multi- agency

Dec 2015

Heatwave

(DHHS)

Heat Events – response to multi heat related evets

Including VicPOL, CFA, Ambulance, DHHS, Red Cross, LG, Bendigo Health

August 2016

Bendigo Health Hospital move scenario Multi agency



Audit

The Municipal Emergency Management Plan for City of Greater Bendigo is submitted to the

Victorian State Emergency Service for audit pursuant to the requirements of Section 21A of the

Emergency Management Act 1986. On completion of the audit a report detailing the results is

forwarded to the MEMPC and the City of Greater Bendigo Council.

Municipal Emergency Planning Committee

The Committee is formed pursuant to the 21(3) and (4) of the Emergency Management Act, 1986 and Emergency Management Act, 2013 to formulate a plan for the Council’s consideration in relation to the prevention of, response to and recovery form emergencies within the City of Greater Bendigo. The Municipal Emergency Management Planning Committee, during the development of the plan, has received information and advice from representatives of agencies, private businesses and community groups. Role of the Committee

Provide information and knowledge relating to the consequences and risk mitigation activities of emergencies in the municipality.

Contribute to the identification of hazards and threats to the municipality.

Contribute to the continuous improvement of the Municipal Emergency Management Plan (MEMP) through monitoring, review and redevelopment.

Participate in Functional Sub-Committees and Working Groups to plan for specific emergencies, address issues and develop and implement projects.

Assist in analysing and evaluating emergency related risks.

Support the City of Greater Bendigo and partner agencies in identification of new and emerging hazards and supporting Plans.

Contribute to testing the MEMP through participation and evaluation of exercises and implementing recommended changes as a result.

The Committee should operate as a planning committee and not merely a reporting committee. Specialist Sub-Committees It may be appropriate to form one or more specialist sub-committees of the MEMPC on issues of major significance to the municipal district, such as priority hazards such as floods, fire or exotic animal diseases. Consideration may be given to the formation of activity based planning sub-committees such as response, relief and recovery. Municipal Fire Management Planning Committee (MFMPC) play a supporting role ensuring appropriate structures and systems are in place to plan, prevent, prepare, respond and recover for an event.



Membership Membership may vary depending on need, but the following are regular members of the Committee

Municipal Emergency Management Planning Committee

Organisation

Senior team Manager Ambulance Victoria

Fire and Emergency Coordinator Bendigo Health

Officer in Charge Bendigo Fire Station CFA

Councillor (chairperson) City of Greater Bendigo

Municipal Emergency Resource Officer (MERO) City of Greater Bendigo

Deputy Municipal Emergency Resource officer (deputy MERO)


Municipal Recovery Manager (MRM) City of Greater Bendigo

Deputy Municipal Recovery Manager (deputy MRM) City of Greater Bendigo

Coordinator Resilient Communities (also known EMC) (Delegated Executive Officer for the MEMPC)


Emergency Management Planning Officer City of Greater Bendigo

Municipal Fire Prevention Officer (MFPO) City of Greater Bendigo

Relief Centre Manager(s) City of Greater Bendigo

Coast Guard Australian Coast Guard

Manager Coliban Water

Manager DHHS

Emergency Management Coordinator DHHS

District Veterinary Officer DEDJTR

CEO Heathcote Health

Regional Emergency Services Coordinator Red Cross

Major Salvation Army

Regional Officer – Emergency Management SES

Municipal Emergency Response Coordinator (MERC) Victoria Police

Deputy MERC Victoria Police

Representative Victorian Council of Churches

Representative WICEN

Sub committees: Municipal Fire Management Planning Committee,

Municipal Flood Emergency Committee

MEMPC

(Meetings quarterly)

Membership:VicPol, DHHS, CoGB, VIcSES, CFA, DEDJTR, DELWP, Ambulance Vic, Australian Red Cross, Salvation Army, CoGB Business representatives, Victorian Council of Churches, WICEN,Heathcote Health, Bendigo Health, Coast Guard,

Coliban Water

Municipal Fire Management Planning Committee

(Meetings quarterly)

Recovery Committee

(as required)



Municipal Emergency Management Functions The Emergency Planning Process The planning process can be seen as a series of steps that results in the development, maintenance and refinement of an Emergency Plan. The diagram at figure 1 illustrates the continuous nature of the planning process and identifies its main steps.

Figure 1. Emergency Management Planning Process

Roles and Responsibilities in Emergency Management Planning Processes The City of Greater Bendigo provides support and resources to the control agencies both before and after emergency events through prevention and preparedness for response to and recovery from emergencies. This support includes:

The administration and coordination of a risk based Municipal Emergency Management Plan

Coordination and support of the Emergency Management Planning Committee which meets quarterly or when the scale of an emergency dictates provisions of any of these functions

The planning for and provision of resources to the Control and Relief agencies during response, relief and recovery The assessment of the impact of the emergency recovery activities within the municipality, in consultation with DHHS

Part Two – Prevention and Preparedness Arrangements


The Role of the Municipality The City of Greater Bendigo recognises it has a key role in prevention and mitigation activities to reduce the risk of emergencies that may occur in the area. Through education and collaboration with regulators and stakeholders we are committed to the continual review of existing policies in land use, building codes, regulations, enforcement and urban planning. Through the City of Greater Bendigo Community Resilience team, consistent internal processes are focused around before and after an event, exploring roles and responsibilities of staff within and across directorates.

Municipal Emergency Risk Management Process

To minimise or eliminate risks within the municipality, the Municipal Emergency Management Planning Committee is responsible for carrying out an assessment and subsequent reviews to identify existing and potential risks and develop treatment management plans.

The Community Emergency Risk Management (CERM) process, based on the AS/NZS 4360 Standard, was facilitated by VicSES (to be replaced by Community Emergency Risk Assessment – CoGB scheduled to undertake CERA process 2016). It addressed context, community profile and vulnerable elements, risk identification, analysis and rating, culminating with a range of suggested treatment options for each risk. The process was fully documented and the recommended treatment options were presented to Council for consideration and action. The progress of implemented treatment options is monitored by the Municipal Emergency Management Planning Committee through reports provided by the responsible agency at the meetings. Listed below is a summary of the identified risks and their ratings:



CERM

Risks

Risk Rating

Elements at Risk

People Economy Environment Infrastructure

Fire – wildfire H

Fire – structure H

Rail accidents H

Road accidents H

Storm – Wind/Hail/Lightning/ Flooding/Tornado

H

Human diseases H

Hazardous materials (CBRN) H

Dam burst/failure H

Terrorism H

Drought H

Aircraft accidents M

Contamination ground/air/water

M

Plant diseases/Pests M

Food poisoning M

Emergencies involving crowds M

Flash Floods S

Algal Bloom S

Industrial Incidents S

Mining accidents S

Earthquake S

Animal diseases S

Hostage/siege S

Utilities- Loss of power/gas/water/comms

S

Boating incidents S

Building Collapse S

These risks will be reviewed later in 2016 through the CERA process.

If a new risk is identified, this issue is to be reviewed by the MEMP Committee.



Prevention / Mitigation Plans

Note: Health and Wellbeing Strategy has been replaced by Greater Bendigo Public Health and Wellbeing Plan 2013-2017. These plans will be considered in a Cluster / Cross Municipal border framework through Northern Victoria Integrated Cluster Pilot Project- municipalities include Loddon Shire, Shire of Campaspe, City of Greater Bendigo, Central Goldfields Shire, and Mount Alexander Shire.



Geographic and Demographic Descriptions

The City of Greater Bendigo is located in the geographic centre of Victoria, about 90 minutes’ drive north of Melbourne. Greater Bendigo has a population of just over 100,000 and covers almost 3,000 square kilometres of the Central Victorian landscape of which a significant proportion is national park, regional park, reserve or bushland. Smaller townships are located at Axedale, Elmore, Goornong, Heathcote, Marong and Redesdale. Today, as the major regional centre for North Central Victoria and the fourth largest urban area in Victoria, Bendigo is a vibrant and culturally enriched city renowned for the lifestyle and opportunities it provides for residents and visitors. Greater Bendigo has a rich and diverse heritage reflecting thousands of years of human occupation centred on the Loddon, Campaspe and Coliban River systems that flow into the Murray River basin. The Indigenous people of the area are the Dja Dja Wurrung and Taungurung language groups of the Kulin nation. The traditional owners and elders have continuously retained their spiritual and custodial connection to their country. European pastoralists and squatters took up land in the region from 1835. Colonisation of the area resulted in devastating losses of Indigenous language, tradition and lives. But it was the discovery of gold in Golden Square in 1851 that fuelled a momentous world-wide influx of immigrants, particularly from Europe, the America and China and led to the founding and economic and cultural development of Bendigo and smaller gold mining towns of the region. The cultural traditions of the Indigenous people and the waves of European immigration, settlement and industry have left a rich legacy of places of cultural and natural heritage in the Bendigo region. Mining and the need to secure other valuable resources such as water, timber and stone led to the establishment of an extensive network of Crown Land reserves. Bendigo became a city in a forest, built on a goldfield and within a mining landscape. The Box-Ironbark ecology on public and private land continues to make a significant contribution to the natural heritage of Greater Bendigo. They are areas of high natural value and few Australian cities have the opportunity to appreciate such significant forested areas. The Greater Bendigo and Heathcote-Graytown National Parks and other regional parks are located on protected public land, and provide a natural urban growth boundary around Bendigo and Heathcote. Much of the rural land of the Greater Bendigo area is used for agricultural purposes, including poultry and pig farming, sheep and cattle grazing and vineyards. Key employment sectors include retail, health, education and manufacturing. Most of the City's retail space is in the Bendigo Central Business District or along the main roads. The major retail centre is the Bendigo CBD, with several other significant shopping centres (Bendigo Marketplace, Eaglehawk CBD, Golden Square, Heathcote, Lansell Plaza and Strath Village). Bendigo features a major public hospital (Bendigo Hospital) and several smaller health services (Anne Caudle Centre, Eaglehawk Day Hospital, Heathcote Hospital and Mount Alvernia Hospital). Bendigo features two tertiary institutions (Bendigo Regional Institute of TAFE and La Trobe University), the Bendigo School of Nursing, and numerous schools. There is some industrial land use in the suburbs around the CBD. The main industrial areas are located in East Bendigo, Epsom and Golden Square.



Major Infrastructure and Assets in the City of Greater Bendigo Transportation Networks Distances Major Industrial Precincts Calder Highway Melbourne GPO – 150 km East Bendigo Loddon Valley Highway Tullamarine Airport- 120 km Epsom McIvor Highway Avalon Airport – 140 km Golden Square Midland Highway Port of Melbourne – 135 km New Market Gold, Fosterville Melbourne-Bendigo-Echuca Railway line

Mandalay Mining, Costerfield

Bendigo Airport

Retail and Shopping Centres Healthcare Facilities Natural Assets

Bendigo Central Business District Anne Caudle Centre Campaspe River Bendigo Market Place Bendigo Hospital Charcoal Bushland Reserve Eaglehawk Central Business District Eaglehawk Day Hospital Jackass Flat Nature Reserve Epsom Village Heathcote Hospital Mount Sugarloaf Golden Square Shopping Centre St John of God Hospital One Tree Hill Heathcote Shopping Centre Bendigo Community Health Lake Eppalock Centro Lansell (Kangaroo Flat) Pilchers Bridge Flora & Fauna Strath Village Shopping Centre Solomon Gully Flora reserve Strathfieldsaye Shopping Centre

Education Facilities

Bendigo TAFE Catholic College Bendigo Heathcote Primary School Bendigo School of Nursing (La Trobe)

Creek St Christian College Kalianna Special School

Bendigo Senior Secondary College Crusoe Secondary College La Trobe University (Bendigo) Bendigo South East College Eaglehawk Secondary College Marist College Bendigo Bendigo Special Development School

Girton Grammar School Monash Medical School

Glenvale Bendigo Campus Victory Christian College Weeroona College + approximately 40 primary

schools

Attractions and Landmarks

Bendigo Art Gallery Golden Dragon Museum White Hills Botanic Gardens Bendigo Pottery Greater Bendigo National Park Various Wineries Bendigo Racecourse Great Stupa Various Breweries Bendigo regional Park Hartlands Eucalyptus Distillery Bendigo Tramways Museum Heathcote-Graytown National

Park

Discovery Centre Ironbark lookout Central Deborah Goldmine Lake Eppalock Chinese Gardens Lake Weeroona Diamond Hill Historic Reserve One Tree Hill lookout RSL Museum



Albert Roy Reserve

Lifestyle Assets Epsom Green Recreation Reserve

Quarry Hill Golf Club

Allingham St Reserve Finn St Rec Reserve Specimen hill Reservoir Atkins St Reserve Garden Gully Hockey Reserve Strathdale Park Bendigo Aquatic Centre Golden Square Oval Strathfieldsaye Sports Complex Bendigo Athletic Centre Heathcote Golf Club The Zone Family Entertainment Bendigo Chinese Joss house Heathcote Showgrounds Tom Flood Sports Centre Bendigo East Pool Ironbark Riding School Truscott Reserve Bendigo Showgrounds Kangaroo Flat Botanic Gardens Weeroona Oval Bendigo Skate park Kennington Oval White Hills Oval Bendigo Stadium Kennington Reservoir O’Keefe Rail Trail track Blackus Oval Koolamurt Scout Camp Bendigo Cycling tracks Brennan Park Lake Neangar California Gully Oval Quarry Hill Rec Reserve Canterbury Park Queen Elizabeth Oval (QEO) Capital Theatre Raywood Rec Reserve Cooinda Park Rosalind Park Crusoe Heights Reserve Sandhurst Reservoir Crusoe Reservoir Lake Tom Thumb Dower Park Long Gully Reserve Marong Golf Club Eaglehawk Town Hall McIvor Range Reserve Elmore Golf Club McKern Skate Park Elmore Recreation Reserve Neangar Park Golf Club Ewing Park Pony Club Reserve

Household / Population Overview for the City of Greater Bendigo The City of Greater Bendigo has experienced substantial growth in population over the last 20 years, currently increasing at 1.6% annually. This growth has been driven by significant local economic and employment growth. This indicates that significant changes in the requirements for housing and supporting infrastructure will occur. It also emphasises the need for proper planning that is as visionary about the future as it is mindful of the past.

The Census population of the City of Greater Bendigo in 2011 was 100,868 (grown by 971 from the previous year), living in 43,653 dwellings with an average household size of 2.4. The land area covers 299,903 hectares with a population density of 0.3 persons per hectare. Note: Census information due for update 2016.



Population


2011 2006 Change

Number % Regional VIC Number % Regional

VIC 2006 to 2011

Population (excluding O/S visitors)

100,868

100.0

100.0

93,253

100.0

100.0

+7,358

Males 48,770 48.5 49.1 45,008 48.3 49.2 +3,762 Females 51,841 51.5 50.9 48,245 51.7 50.8 +3,596 Australian citizens

92,767 92.2 90.9 86,614 92.9 91.3 +6,153

Eligible Voters (citizens aged 18+)

70,593

70.2

69.3

64,879

69.6

68.4

+5,714

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2006 and 2011.

Median Age 38 Median weekly household income $991 Couples with children 27% Older couples without children 10% Medium and high density housing 10% Households purchasing or fully own their home 68% Households renting 26% Median weekly rent $200 Non-English speaking backgrounds 3% (the state average is 6%) Education institution attendance 23% University attendance 4%

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2011.

The City of Greater Bendigo's household and family structure of is one of the most important demographic indicators. It reveals the area's residential role and function, era of settlement and provides key insights into the level of demand for services and facilities as most are related to age and household types. The age structure of the City of Greater Bendigo also provides insights into the level of demand for age based services and facilities such as child care. Service age groups divide the population into age categories that reflect typical life-stages. They indicate the level of demand for services that target people at different stages in life and how that demand is changing.



Vulnerability People (Lives/livelihood) Vulnerable populations who are isolated due to their geographic location, socioeconomic situation and/or their mental and physical state, adds another dimension of complexity to the development and implementation of prevention and preparedness activities. A range of community groups and individuals are considered to be vulnerable, such as:

Frail aged, and/or physically or cognitively impaired

Unable to comprehend warnings and directions and/or respond in an emergency situation (See Contact List in Appendix 1 – Sheet named Vulnerable People and Facilities Locations). The Vulnerable Persons Register (VPR) is located on Crisisworks 4 (formally MECC Central) Critical Infrastructure / Property Critical infrastructure and property describe assets that are essential for the functioning of a society and economy and require identification and suitable treatment management strategies to be considered through the risk assessment and treatment management phases. Infrastructure includes:

transport;

fuel (including gas);

light;

power;

water;

sewerage;

telecommunication

a service (whether or not of a type similar to the foregoing) declared to be an essential service by the Governor in Council under subsection (Emergency Management Act, 1986).



Natural Environment / Ecosystem integrity Healthy, productive and protective environments, social systems and economies are the basis of sustainable development and human welfare. Given the environment is the source of all our raw materials and absorbs the pollution from our activities, whilst we go about our daily business (social and economic) we use the environment and convert its resources and natural services into those that directly support us. Consideration needs to be given to achieve a balance for preservation of life, protection of critical infrastructure and nurturing our environmental assets within the emergency management spectrum. Prevention The prevention of emergencies includes a range of activities that require the allocation of resources (human and financial) and multi-agency support to ensure a coordinated and well planned approach and outcomes. Prevention takes many forms, including legislation, risk mitigation, programs and plans. Much of this work is integrated within everyday business and activities of services, agencies and the community. Preparedness The roles and responsibilities of the various organisations and agencies that exist in the municipality are spelt out in the Response section of this plan. Each agency’s ability to reduce the risks and cope with the identified threats was considered during this process along with coordinated treatment management plans including education and community resilience building activities. Preparedness is twofold, involving knowing what our municipalities identified high risks are therefore planning and preparing operations accordingly and secondly preparing staff and teams for appropriate response, relief and recovery services. Key Plans and Works Conducted The City of Greater Bendigo, along with our partner agencies, develop and implement a range of plans and initiatives to assist the community to appropriately prepare for emergencies, recognising everyone has a role to play. The following are examples of plans and activities developed and implemented: Sub plans: (MEMPC)

Municipal Fire Management Plan (MFMP)

Municipal Flood Emergency Plan

Relief & Recovery Municipal Heat Health Plan

Municipal Emergency Coordinator Centre (MECC) Special Plans:

Domestic Animal Plan

CoGB Communication Manual

Heatwave Communication Plan

Summer Preparedness Plan

Pandemic Plan

Heatwave Plan Programs

Event Management Template



Roadside Management Strategy

Exercises and Training

Community Resilience Education

Bushfire Places of Last Resort (formerly Neighbourhood Safer Places) Plans

Slashing And Grading Program

Relief And Recovery Centre Reassessment Community Awareness (Resilience) The ability of a community to respond to an emergency situation and in turn recover from the effects of an emergency will depend on the attitude and skills of the people affected. Obtaining the preferred response from people during emergencies will require community education and awareness programs to be implemented for this purpose. The Council and the Municipal Emergency Management Planning Committee will support and promote appropriate prevention and awareness programs within the municipality. Media The control agency have responsibility for issuing information specific to emergencies, however local government play a role in releasing information on community relief and recovery services. Methods of warning the community of an impending emergency are addressed in Part 3. This should be a joint effort and communications strategy. Bushfire Places of Last resort (formerly Neighbourhood Safer Places) The City of Greater Bendigo, in consultation with the Country Fire Authority, has identified and assessed suitable locations as Bushfire Places of Last resort. Bushfire Places of Last Resort are an area or premises that may, as a last resort, provide some sanctuary from the life threatening effects of a bushfire (for example direct flame contact or radiant heat). See Appendix 4 for a list. Note: these facilities are reviewed against FIRE SPECIFIC criteria annually. Refer to CFA website for Community Information Guide’s which include maps with the locations of the Bushfire Places of Last Resort. www.cfa.vic.gov.au. Maps A set of maps detailing the area covered by this plan can be found in Appendix 2. History of Emergencies The municipality’s history of significant emergencies includes wind storms, flash flooding, two occurrences of fowl plague and numerous bush/grass fires of significant size.

1974 Flooding 1987 St Kilians Walk fire

1992 Fowl Plague 1995 Heathcote Fires

1996 Heavy rainfall and flooding Kangaroo Flat

http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/



February 2001 Thunderstorms and flooding Strathdale – 6 properties affected

18 May 2003 Mini tornado (F2) California Gully - 211 properties affected, varying damage, no injuries reported

7 Feb 2009 Fire Bracewell Street Maiden Gully / Eaglehawk

58 houses destroyed plus numerous outbuildings and 63 houses and outbuildings sustained varying degrees of damage

January 2011 Flood 99mm of rain was recorded over 48 hour period. Resulting floods in Bendigo & Huntly was around 50 year ARI event

January 2015 Flash Flood 14mm of rain fell in 30 minutes, Reported flash flooding occurred CBD, Eaglehawk, Bendigo North (Nolan St)

The above information is considered in the risk assessment process and formulation of plans.

Part Three - Response Arrangements


Introduction The Emergency Management Act 1986, Section 4A defines emergency response as the combating of emergencies and the provision of rescue and immediate relief services. The Emergency Management concept provides the mechanism for the build-up of appropriate resources to cope with emergencies throughout the State. It also provides for requests for physical assistance from the Commonwealth, when State resources have been exhausted. Most incidents are of local concern and can be coordinated from local Municipal resources. However, when local resources are exhausted, Victoria’s Emergency Management arrangements provide for further resources to be made available, firstly from neighbouring Municipalities (on a Regional basis) and then secondly on a State wide basis.

Control and Support Agencies A control agency is identified within the table below, to control the response activities to be specified type of emergency. A support agency is an agency which provides essential services, personnel, or material to support relevant control agency or affected persons. Refer to part 7 Emergency Management Manual Victorian EMMV https://www.emv.vic.gov.au/policies/emmv

EMERGENCY / THREAT CONTROL AGENCY (may vary by location)

KEY SUPPORT AGENCIES

ACCIDENT/INCIDENT

Aircraft Victoria Police AMSA, ARFF, ATSB

Biological materials DHHS CFA, MFESB

Gas leakage CFA/MFESB Gas distribution companies

Hazardous materials, high consequence dangerous goods or dangerous goods

CFA/MFESB/ARFF1 EPA, AV, WorkSafe (workplace, storage facilities and transport)

Lifts, cranes or scaffolding and amusement structures

CFA/MFESB WorkSafe

Marine (not including marine pollution)

Victoria Police TSV, AMSA, MFESB

Military aircraft and ships Defence Force AMSA, VicPol, Airservices Australia

Radioactive materials DHHS CFA, MFESB

Rail and tram Victoria Police PTV, DEDJTR, V/Line, ARTC, MTM, Yarra Trams, CFA, MFESB, VICSES

Road Victoria Police CFA, MFESB, VICSES, VicRoads, Municipal councils, CityLink, Transfield Services (EastLink), Lend Lease (Peninsula Link)

https://www.emv.vic.gov.au/policies/emmv



AGRICULTURAL

Chemical contamination of livestock or agricultural produce (agricultural or veterinary)

DEDJTR DFSV, PrimeSafe

Exotic animal disease (includes bees & aquaculture)

DEDJTR

Plant pest or disease DEDJTR

ENVIRONMENTAL

Marine pollution oil spills in Victorian coastal waters up to three nautical miles

DEDJTR/Port operator DELWP , EPA, AMSA, PV, BOM, VRCA, MFESB, CFA

Wildlife affected by marine pollution

DELWP PV, DEDJTR, AMSA

Exotic marine pest incursion DELWP PV

Cetacean (whale) stranding, entanglement and vessel strike

DELWP PV

Vertebrate pest/plagues DEDJTR DELWP,PV

Pollution into inland waters CFA/MFESB EPA, PV

Pollution of inland waters EPA PV, Melbourne Water

Control and Support Agencies for Response December 2015 Page 7-3

ESSENTIAL SERVICE DISRUPTION

Food supply, critical infrastructure damage or disruption

Victoria Police DEDJTR

Electricity DEDJTR AEMO, Electricity distributors, Energy Safe Victoria, DELWP

Natural gas DEDJTR AEMO, Energy Safe Victoria, Gas distribution companies

Petroleum and liquid fuels DEDJTR WorkSafe, Oil companies

Public transport PTV DEDJTR

Roads/bridges/tunnels VicRoads Municipal councils, CityLink, Transfield Services (EastLink), Lend Lease (Peninsula Link), DEDJTR

Water and sewerage DELWP Water authorities, DHHS, Municipal councils

FIRE AND/OR EXPLOSION

Aircraft ARFF2/CFA/MFESB

Boilers and pressure vessels CFA/MFESB WorkSafe

Explosion CFA/MFESB DEDJTR, WorkSafe

Explosive device Victoria Police CFA, MFESB

Fire CFA/MFESB/DELWP PV, AVCG, WorkSafe, BOM

HUMAN DISEASE/ILLNESS

Retail food contamination DHHS

Food/drinking water contamination

DHHS DELWP, Municipal councils

Human disease DHHS

NATURAL EVENT

Earthquake VICSES All



Flood VICSES DELWP, CMAs, Water authorities, Municipal councils, CFA, MFESB, BOM, PV

Heatwave Victoria Police Municipal councils, DHHS, AV, DELWP, DEDJTR

Storm VICSES BOM, DELWP, PV,CFA, MFESB, DEDJTR

Tsunami VICSES BOM, All

Control and Support Agencies for Response Page 7-4 December 2015

RESCUE

Building, structure CFA/MFESB/VICSES VBA, AV, VicPol, WorkSafe

Cave Victoria Police VICSES

Land Victoria Police VICSES

Lift, crane, scaffolding or amusement structure

CFA/MFESB VicPol, VICSES, WorkSafe, DEDJTR

Mine/quarry Victoria Police DEDJTR, DELWP, CFA, VICSES, WorkSafe

Rail, aircraft and industrial CFA/MFESB/VICSES AMSA (aircraft only), WorkSafe (rail & industrial only)

Road CFA/MFESB/VICSES AV

Trench or tunnel CFA/MFESB

Water Victoria Police VICSES, LSV

SEARCH

Land and water Victoria Police VICSES, Others per VicPol Register

Overdue aircraft AMSA VicPol, VICSES, Airservices Australia

OTHER

Aircraft – inflight emergency Airservices Australia ADF

Dam safety DELWP Water authorities, VICSES, Municipal councils

Marine casualty – non SAR – (commercial ship) in port waters

Port operator, VRCA TSV, AMSA, CFA/MFESB, VicPol, AV, DEDJTR

Marine casualty – non SAR – (commercial ship) in coastal waters

Transport Safety Victoria VRCA/Local port operators, CFA, AMSA, VicPol, AV, DEDJTR

Other threats against persons, property or environment

Victoria Police

Response Management Arrangements The response management task is to bring together, in an integrated organisational framework, the resources of the many agencies and individuals who can take appropriate and timely action. Response management is based on three key management tasks: control, command and coordination.



Figure 2: Emergency Response Management Arrangements (Emergency Management Manual Victoria)



Command, Control and Coordination (Response) Command Command refers to the direction of personnel and resources of an agency in the performance of that organisation’s role and tasks. Authority to command is established in legislation or by agreement within an agency. Command relates to agencies and operates vertically within an agency. The term ‘chain of command’ refers to the organisational hierarchy of an agency. It is the identifiable line up and down the hierarchy from any individual to and from their Supervisor and subordinates. The chain of command identifies personnel or positions with accountability. Control Control is the overall direction of response activities in an emergency, led by a single agency. Control of emergency operations will at all times remain the responsibility of the Emergency Response Agency, or Organisation, directly responsible for controlling the particular type of emergency. The Control Agency is to appoint an Incident Controller who will control the operation. During the course of the emergency response the Control Agency may change depending upon the circumstances. There are three tiers of incident control applicable to emergency response in Victoria:

State Control

Area-of-Operations Incident Controller (Regional)

Incident Controller (on scene) For detailed information in relation to the roles and responsibilities for each of these Controllers see Part 3, pages 6 – 9 of the Emergency Management Manual Victoria (EMMV). Incident Controller The role of the Incident Controller is to provide leadership and management to resolve the emergency at the incident site. This is the agency forward controller and operates in close proximity to the incident. The extent to which they exercise control is determined by the complexity and scale of the incident or incidents. Emergency Management Team (EMT) (for detailed position descriptions refer to the CoGB Emergency Management Handbook) The function of the Emergency Management Team is to support the Incident Controller in determining and implementing appropriate Incident Management strategies for the emergency. The Emergency Management Team comprises:

Incident Controller

Support Agency commanders (or their representatives)

Health Commander (functional commander of supporting health agencies)

Recovery Commander (if appointed) or the recovery coordinator (or representative)

Emergency Response Coordinator (or representative), and

Other specialist persons as required.

If an emergency requires a response by more than one agency, the Incident Controller is responsible for forming an Emergency Management Teams at their respective tiers. Although the



Emergency Management Team facilitates a collaborative decision making process, strategic management/allocation of response agency resources, with the primary intent of unity and purpose of effort, the Incident Controller leads the team and retains control of the emergency. An EMT will be established by every controller in a multi-agency response or by the Control Agency or Emergency Response Co-coordinator (ERC) in preparation for an anticipated emergency (e.g. code red days). In the event that there are multiple disparate emergencies, the EMT should be chaired by the ERC. Coordination Coordination is the bringing together of agencies and resources to ensure effective response to, and recovery from, emergencies. The main function of the Emergency Response Coordinator is to coordinate the provision of resources as requested by the Control and Support Agencies. The Emergency Management Act identifies that Emergency Response Coordinators at State, Regional, Municipal and Field level will always be Police members. Their role wherever possible should be separate from operational Police activities. The main functions of coordination are:

the systematic acquisition and allocation of resources in accordance with the requirements imposed by emergencies; and

in relation to response, ensuring that effective control has been established.

ensure information sharing. Municipal Emergency Coordination Group (MECG) The MECG is the Municipal decision making Group with responsibility for the overall coordination of municipal resources for use within an emergency which performs a leadership role in the MECC. This Group consists of the MERC, MERO and MRM. They will convene a larger team should the scale of the emergency warrant additional resources, including:

MERC

MEM

Planning Officer

Media & Public Relations Officer

Logistics Officer

Municipal Emergency Coordination Centre (MECC) Facility Manager

Control Agency Representative

Emergency Operations Officers

Others co-opted as required Given that this Committee will more than likely convene during larger scale emergencies, consideration will be given to have deputies in the MECC Municipal Emergency Response Coordinator (MERC – VIC POL) The Officer in Charge at Bendigo Police Station is the delegated MERC for the City of Greater Bendigo. The MERC has responsibility for the coordination of resource provision as requested by Control and Support Agencies during the initial response phase of an emergency and is required to take an active role in on-going emergency planning as an emergency continues.



Municipal Emergency Resource Officer (MERO)

The City of Greater Bendigo has delegated the function of MERO to key personnel pursuant to Section 21(1) of the Emergency Management Act 1986. “A municipal emergency resource officer is responsible to the municipal council for ensuring the co-ordination of municipal resources to be used in emergency response and recovery” EM Act 1986 Section 21(2).

Appendix seven for Position Description Municipal Recovery Manager (MRM) The City of Greater Bendigo has delegated the function of MRM to key personnel to ensure a responsive and coordinated approach to the delivery of recovery services and activities across the municipality. The MRM has responsibility for the coordination of municipal resources to assist emergency recovery activities, and is required to take an active role in on-going emergency planning as an emergency continues. The MRM may delegate duties to provide for effective management of recovery functions.

Appendix 7 for the City of Greater Bendigo Emergency Management Team

Appendix 8 for Single Incident Protocol. Municipal Fire Prevention Officer (MFPO) The Country Fire Authority Act 1958 and the Metropolitan Fire Brigades Act 1958 require each council to appoint a fire prevention officer, generally known as an MFPO, and any number of assistant fire prevention officers. Under both Acts, an MFPO may delegate, by written instrument, to an assistant, any power or duty of the fire protection officer, except the power of delegation.

See Appendix 7 for Position Descriptions.

Municipal Emergency Coordination Centres (MECC) Note: The role and need for establishment of a Municipal Emergency Coordination Centre (MECC) is under review since the inception of the Incident Control Centre (ICC). The MECC will coordinate the provision of human and material resources within the municipality during emergencies. It will also maintain an overall view of the operational activities within this Plan’s area of responsibility, for record, planning and debrief purposes. Provision of MECC functions may in the first instance be conducted from an appropriate Police Station. The MECC may also become operational during support operations to a neighbouring municipality. Administrative staff for the MECC will be drawn from municipal employees, in the event that the scale of an emergency requires the MECC to be open for a protracted period of time, staff from other municipalities. The primary Municipal Emergency Coordination Centre for the City of Greater Bendigo is:

Reception Room, Lyttleton Terrace, Bendigo. The alternative MECC, in the event that the primary MECC is unserviceable is:

Council Depot, Adams Street, Bendigo.



MECC Activation

Through the MERO, council is responsible for providing and coordinating municipal resources for response and recovery during emergencies. Control agencies can request and must sign off on these supplementary resources once they have exhausted their own available resources.

MRM

CEO and CUSTOMER SERVICE CALL CENTRE

AGENCIES

MECC MANAGER POLICE CFA

CONTACT TEAM VIC SES SALVATION ARMY

SET UP MECC ST JOHNS AMBULANCE

RED CROSS PHONE SET UP DHHS DELWP DEDJTR POWERCOR TELSTRA

For MECC procedures, see City of Greater Bendigo Operations Manual. For structure chart and position descriptions see CoGB Handbook.

ACTIVATES THE MECC IF DEEMED NECESSARY

MERO CONFIRMS MECC LOCATION

ACTIVATED COGB EM TEAM, COLLECT MECC KIT AND COORDINATE OPENING OF

MECC

CONTACT

CONSIDERATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO RELIEF AND RECOVERY CENTRE LOCATION,

STAFFING, RESOURCING AND ADVERTISING/MEDIA

ASSESSES INCIDENT AND DETERMINE RESOURCES REQUIRED

MERC (VICTORIA POLICE)



Operations Centre This is a centre established by an agency for the command/control functions within their own agency. The City of Greater Bendigo may establish an operations centre based at the Adam Street Depot, if necessary, to control its own resources in an emergency. Evacuation The Victoria Police are responsible for evacuation. The decision to evacuate rests with the control agency in conjunction with Police and available expert advice. Consideration must be given to the area which is to be evacuated, the route to be followed, the means of transport and the location to which evacuees will be asked to attend. Once the decision to evacuate has been made, the City of Greater Bendigo MERO should be contacted to assist in the implementation of the evacuation. The City of Greater Bendigo will provide advice regarding the most suitable Emergency Relief Centre and other resources that may be required (e.g. public health, emergency relief considerations or requirements and special needs groups). The City of Greater Bendigo is required to maintain a list of facilities throughout the Municipality where vulnerable persons may be located. A list of service providers working with vulnerable clients can be found on the Vulnerable Persons Register (VPR) located on Crisisworks 4. Both of these lists must be available for provision to Victoria Police if requested to assist in an evacuation. It is important to note that special needs facilities are required to have their own Evacuation Plan for their clients/residents. However, these facilities may require assistance with transportation which may be provided through the following:

Ambulance – Ambulance Victoria, St John Ambulance

Taxis - multipurpose and sedan

Vision Australia Transport

Private patient transport companies

Bus Companies

Vehicle Hire Companies

Council buses and vehicles Note: Transportation of special needs groups must be coordinated through Ambulance Victoria. Assistance in an evacuation may be provided by the following agencies:

VicSES


Bus Companies



Summary of Phases of Activation Response arrangements should be implemented immediately if the effects of emergencies are to be minimised, for this reason several phases of activation have been accepted, including:

PREPAREDNESS (ALERT)

Upon receipt of warning or information that an emergency may occur or affect the relevant area of responsibility, the organisation must be alerted to ensure its readiness to act if called upon. Some of the activities that should be considered in this phase are:

Warning key personnel Determine availability of MECC and relief staff Set up of MECC on Code Red Days or as instructed by MERC Testing of communications arrangements Establish flow of information between Municipality and Control/Support Agencies

READINESS (STANDBY)

As the threat, or the effects of the emergency, becomes imminent, members of the relevant organisation or sections are placed on standby, thus being ready to move immediately they are required. Some of the activities that should be considered in this phase are:

Staff respective Emergency Centres Prepare equipment and personnel for immediate action Identify assembly areas

RESPONSE (ACTION)

This is the operational phase of the emergency when control and support agencies are committed to contain or control the emergency. Some operations may necessitate moving to the “Action phase” immediately without the “Alert” and “Standby” phases being implemented. For this reason, it is mandatory that all organisations having a role in this Plan be in a state of preparedness at all times. Some of the activities that should be considered in this phase are:

Mobilise personnel/equipment as requested Produce situation reports on regular basis for higher authorities Deploy additional resources as required Consideration of Relief / Recovery Centre standby / activation and communication of these to the community Ensure Volunteer Casual Emergency Workers are registered

Volunteering Portal – The Department of Planning Community Development (DPCD) has established

an Emergency Volunteer Register as a resource for local CoGB in the event of an emergency.



Resource Supplementation

A resource is essentially any function or item which a responding agency requires to perform its response role. The meaning of resource under these arrangements includes, but is not limited to:

equipment (e.g. plant, vehicles)

personnel (e.g. agency support and industry technicians)

services (e.g. phone lines, expert technical advice).

STAND DOWN

Once “Preparedness”, “Readiness” or “Response” has been implemented, the Municipal Emergency Response Coordinator (MERC) must declare a “Stand Down”. After consultation with the Control Authority and any other relevant agency, the Municipal Emergency Response Coordinator is satisfied that the response to the emergency has been completed, he/she will advise all participating agencies of “Stand Down” or transfer to recovery.



Public Awareness, Information and Warning

PREVENTION

Emergency Management information will be provided to the community through the relevant Agencies, including assessing your risk and planning for individual, families and pet safety. Local Government may provide supportive information and links to the control agency messages. The key information will fit under the following categories (consistent with the Red Cross RediPlan).

Be informed

Make a plan

Get an emergency kit

Know your neighbours Generic information may encourage people to think of a plan for the actions they need to implement prior to an event occurring.

PREPAREDNESS

Control agencies are responsible for issuing information in advance to give people time to prepare i.e. heat alerts, code red fire danger day notification. To enable the public to take reasonable measures to prevent, or lessen the potential effects of emergencies and to cope during the impact phase of an emergency. Warnings should be used under specific circumstances where the community action is necessary primarily to protect lives and to protect property and the environment (Part 8 of the Emergency Management Manual Victoria). The Control Agency, specifically the Incident Controller, has the responsibility to issue warnings and alerts to potentially affected communities and other agencies. Where an extreme or imminent threat to life exists and authorisation from the Incident Controller is not practicable in the circumstances, warnings may be issued by any response agency personnel. The release of information by the of Greater Bendigo’s Media and Communications team during the response phase MUST be the done in conjunction with the MERO and MERC and approved prior to disseminating. The MERO and MERC should consult with the Incident Controller before approving information for release to ensure consistent messages are being given to communities.

RESPONSE

Emergency Warning Systems Emergency warning systems warn individuals and communities in the event of a major emergency. Although these systems aim to improve the ability to warn communities about emergencies, individuals and communities still need to prepare themselves in case of an emergency. The Control Agency has the responsibility for issuing warnings to potentially affected communities, and other agencies. Once a decision has been made to issue an alert message, the emergency services organisations will determine which method to use e.g. television, radio or internet, and determine whether a telephone alert needs to be issued.

Emergency Alert

Emergency Alert is a telephone based national warning system that enables messages to be sent via landline and mobile telephones, based on the billing address. Agencies have been instructed in the use of Emergency Alert and the Incident Controller has access to the website to



RESPONSE

RECOVERY

Post Impact To maintain the crucial information flow to those in need of assistance and direction.

Methods The following methods may be considered for public information and warnings. Consideration must be given for vulnerable people in this process.

Radio – ABC Newspaper Leaflets Local Networks Police Information Line Council Customer Service Centre Community Newspapers Council website and social media

Television Door Knocking Community Groups Vision Australia Radio Local Street networks Loud Speakers Billboards – Fixed and Mobile

In considering the above methods, consideration must be given to that section of the public who may have motor and sensory loss and the most appropriate method of communication must be put in place to ensure they are adequately informed at all times. Staff from the Marketing and Major Events Unit may be utilised to assist in the preparation and delivery of communications during the response, relief and recovery stages of an emergency.

Emergency Alert Emergency Alert is a telephone based national warning system that enables messages to be sent via landline and mobile telephones, based on the billing address. Agencies have been instructed in the use of Emergency Alert and the Incident Controller has access to the website to enable the distribution of warnings. The Emergency Alert website is www.emergencyalert.gov.au.

State Emergency Warning Signal (SEWS) The SEWS is an electronic warning signal used to assist in the delivery of public warnings and messages for major emergencies to. Responsibility for issuing SEWS lies with the Incident Controller.

http://www.emergencyalert.gov.au/



Debriefing Arrangements

A debrief should take place as soon as practicable after an emergency. The Municipal or Regional Emergency Response Coordinator is responsible for ensuring the control agency organises an operational debrief with participating agencies as soon as practicable after cessation of response activities. All agencies, including recovery agencies, who participated in those activities, should be represented with a view to assessing the adequacy of the response and to recommend any changes to the MEMP and future operational response activities. It may also be appropriate to conduct a separate recovery debrief to address recovery issues. This should be convened and chaired by the Municipal Recovery Manager. The purpose of a debriefing is to:

ensure participating agencies understand what happened during an operation or emergency, and

Identify problems and highlight areas that were handled well, in order to improve the efficiency, effectiveness and safety of future operations or emergencies.

See Appendix 7 on Debriefing. Financial Considerations Financial accounting for Municipal resources utilised in emergencies must be authorised by the MERO or the MRM and shall be in accordance with the normal financial arrangements of the City of Greater Bendigo. Control agencies are responsible for all costs involved in that agency responding to an emergency. Government agencies supporting the control agency are expected to defray all costs from their normal budgets. Depending on the magnitude of the emergency, some government financial assistance may be available for prevention, response and recovery activities. The City of Greater Bendigo is accountable for any monies donated as a result of any emergency event and will implement systems to receive and account for all such donations. Compensation of Volunteer Emergency Workers Compensation for all Volunteer Emergency Workers will be as outlined in Part 6 of the Emergency Management Act, 1986. It is the responsibility of the Organisation utilising the Volunteer Emergency Workers to ensure that all of the Volunteer Emergency Workers are registered. Response / Recovery Hand Over It is essential to ensure a smooth transition from the response phase to the recovery process in any emergency at municipal level. While it is recognised that recovery activities will have commenced shortly after impact, there will be a cessation of response activities and a hand over to Recovery Agencies. This will occur when the Municipal Emergency Response Coordinator, in conjunction with the Control Agency and MERO declares “Stand Down” of response. This should be documented in a formal transition document detailing any agreed ongoing activities that commenced in response and shared with the appropriate partners.



Accounts and financial commitments made during the response phase are the responsibility of the MERO through the Municipal Emergency Management Plan arrangements. Termination of Response Activities and Hand-Over of Goods / Facilities When response activities are nearing completion, the Municipal Emergency Response Coordinator, in conjunction with the Control Agency, will call together relevant relief and recovery agencies including the MERO and MRM, to consult and agree on the timing and process of the response stand down. In some circumstances, it may be appropriate for certain facilities and goods obtained under State Emergency Response Plan arrangements during response to be utilised in recovery activities. In these situations there would be an actual hand over to the Recovery Manager of such facilities and goods. This hand over will occur only after agreement has been reached between Response and Recovery Managers. Payment for goods and services used in the recovery process is the responsibility of the Municipal Emergency Recovery Manager through the Municipal Emergency Management Plan arrangements

Part Four – Relief and Recovery Arrangements


Emergency Relief At State and Regional level, Emergency Relief is the responsibility of the Department of Health and Human Services. At Municipal level, this responsibility rests with the City of Greater Bendigo. The role aims to co-ordinate the provision of Emergency Relief to an affected community and when required, to Control and Support Agencies. Emergency Relief Management Any requests for functional services of Emergency Relief must be channelled through the Municipal Emergency Response Coordinator (MERC) to the MERO. The MERO in consultation with the MRM will activate the required functional services. All functional services will operate and report back to the MERO. The Emergency Relief Centre (ERC) will only be opened once the nature, extent and location of the emergency occurrence are known (Relief Centre procedures are location in the City of Greater Bendigo Operation Manual). Functional Services

Appendix One for Contact Directory – Sheet MEMP Contacts

Emergency Relief Centres identified within CoGB Appendix 4 Recovery Management Principles Management and service provision will be devolved as much as possible to the Local level. State and Regional recovery strategies, services and resources will supplement and complement the municipality’s initiatives rather than replace local endeavours. Emphasis will be given to supporting and maintaining the identity, dignity and autonomy of affected individuals, families and the community. Management of recovery will occur in the context of clear and agreed arrangements, and involve processes of consultation and co-operation through established communication channels. Wherever possible, the normal municipal management and administrative structures and practices will be used, ensuring that these structures and practices will be responsive to the special needs and circumstances of the affected community. Recovery information and recovery services need to be readily accessible to affected individuals, families and communities and responsive to their needs and expectations. What is a Recovery Centre? A Recovery Centre is a location designated by Council, in consultation with the Recovery Committee, to service affected people after an emergency event. Recovery is “the assisting of persons and communities affected by emergencies to achieve a proper and effective level of functioning” (Section 4c Emergency management Act 1986).



There are four functional areas to consider:

PEOPLE, SOCIAL, HEALTH AND COMMUNITY

Safety and well being Health and medical Psychosocial support

Target programs -individual and community support

ECONOMIC Employment

Industry, primary producers, commercial operations

Tourism and hospitality Government

NATURAL / ENVIRONMENT Societal (cultural, historic) Commercial (tourism, animal welfare)

Biodiversity and ecosystems

BUILT

Essential utilities and services: water, electricity, gas, telecommunications, roads and transport

Residential buildings Community and public buildings

Fencing

Implementation The Municipal Recovery Manager or a person delegated by him/her is to initiate Recovery activities, as documented in this section of the Plan, as soon as possible when required after an emergency occurs. The Municipal Recovery Manager shall convene a meeting with other recovery agencies as soon as is practical, where the emergency is of a magnitude that requires their involvement. A range of recovery activities may be required after an emergency. Operations Working Group A CoGB Emergency Management Working Group sub group focuses on operations manuals and relief and recovery processes. This Committee would evolve into the Municipal Recovery Planning Committee should the need arise with meetings held as required. The MRM shall be responsible for maintaining the sub group whose principal aims shall be:

To provide a forum for recovery planning, training and development activities

To develop and maintain recovery policies and procedures Membership will consist of representatives from the City’s Business Units involved in providing recovery services:

MRM (Chairperson) Deputy MRM (Deputy Chairperson)

Aged and Disability Services Children and Family Services

Youth Development Building and Property Services

Environmental Health and Local Laws Customer Services



Municipal Recovery Services The organisations listed below have agreed to manage the particular Recovery function. They are responsible to the Municipal Recovery Manager. Community Recovery Committee

Where the magnitude of the event requires community input into the recovery process, one or more Community Recovery Committees may be established within the affected area. Community Recovery Committees may involve more than one municipality if the Emergency affected area involves more than one municipality. Consideration should be given for multi-agency briefings of the affected communities and media releases coordinated amongst agencies. Community Recovery Committee Membership The composition of the Committee will vary depending on the affected area. The membership of the Committee should include community leaders and representatives of:

Municipal Recovery Manager Councillor

Government Agencies Community Groups

Affected Persons Non-Government Agencies Community Recovery Committee Functions

Monitor the overall progress of the recovery process in the affected community.

Identify community needs and resource requirements and make recommendations to appropriate recovery agencies, municipal City of Greater Bendigo and the State’s recovery management structure.

Liaise, consult and negotiate, on behalf of affected communities, with recovery agencies, government departments and municipal City of Greater Bendigo.

Liaise with Human Services as Coordinator through the designated Regional Recovery Coordinator or Regional recovery Manager.

Undertake specific recovery activities as determined by the circumstances and the Committee.

Role of Department of Health and Human Services in Recovery In the Recovery Processes of an emergency, Department of Health and Human Services:

Acts as principal recovery planning and management agency at state and regional level.

Assumes a role of facilitation in developing a co-ordinated response as appropriate to the circumstances, e.g. when the event is of a magnitude which is beyond the resources of the municipality or the incident affects only a few people but the affected population is dispersed.

Supply of Goods / Services The Municipality and other recovery agencies shall obtain and pay for goods/services through their own supply systems.



The Municipal Recovery Manager with the assistance of DHHS will coordinate the acquisition and supply of goods/services which cannot be provided by the municipality or participating agencies. When goods can only be obtained in such a manner, approval for payment from DHHS is required prior to the goods being obtained. Victorian Government Assistance Measures These are contained in the Emergency Management Manual – Victoria. https://www.emv.vic.gov.au/policies/emmv/ Agencies Assisting In Recovery Refer to the Contact Directory in Appendix 1 of this Plan – Sheet MEMP Contact

https://www.emv.vic.gov.au/policies/emmv/

Part Five – Support Arrangements


Support Tasks and Functional Service Agencies The undermentioned list of support tasks indicates the functional service agency and relevant support agencies. The list is neither exhaustive nor exclusive as many agencies, including control agencies may have a support role and a functional service role, dependent on the nature of the emergency. In the event that local resources cannot be provided to meet support tasks needed, the request should be passed onto the Regional Emergency Response Coordinator via the Municipal Emergency Response Coordinator.

SUPPORT / REQUIREMENTS PRIMARY AGENCY SECONDARY AGENCIES Animal Welfare (Food and Water) DEDJTR RSPCA, DELWP,

Victorian Farmers Federation Food & Water

Red Cross (Relief Centres) Salvation Army

Commonwealth Resources Victoria Police ADF

Communications Victoria Police Telstra WICEN ESTA

Counselling, Financial assistance, Temporary Accommodation

At Municipal level: City of Greater Bendigo

Outside Municipal resources: Department of Human Resources

Bendigo Community Health Services, Bendigo Family & Financial Services, Bendigo UnitingCare, St. Vincent de Paul, The Salvation Army, Haven, St. Luke’s Anglicare

Deceased Persons – Identification Victoria Police Coroners Council of Victoria

Detection of Emergency Locator Transmitters

AMSA Air Services Australia

Emergency Medical Care and/or Transport

AV Others as per SHERP (DHHS)

Emergency Relief Centres or Shelter

City of Greater Bendigo DHHS

Red Cross

Environmental Impact Assessment

EPA DELWP

Parks Victoria

Evacuation Control Agency Victoria Police

VicSES


First Aid AV St John Ambulance LSV Red Cross

Material Needs Salvation Army St Vincent De Paul Society, Bendigo Uniting Care

Media Relations Control Agency Victoria Police

Primary Health and Wellbeing Ambulance services First Aid and Field Medical Response

Public Warnings Control Agency Victoria Police

BOM


Registration and Inquiries Victoria Police Red Cross

Sanitation & Hygiene City of Greater Bendigo

Transport, Engineering and

Services Support

VicRoads Others as per TESS plan

Weather Information and

Forecasting

BOM



Other Functional Areas Communications The Victoria Police is delegated the responsibility for communications. This is in accordance with State Emergency Response Plan which identifies that the Victoria Police is the primary support agency for communications. All agencies that have a role in these arrangements are responsible for the provision of their own communications systems during emergencies. Any agency requiring communications will put their request to the Municipal Emergency Response Coordinator. Telephone Communications The Telstra line network will be the initial and primary means of communication in the event of an emergency, when it is available, and should be utilised to capacity where possible. When identifying locations for use as ECCs, Assembly Areas and Emergency Relief Centres, consideration should be given to the communications facilities already in place at that location. Additional telephones can be provided by Telstra, upon request to the Municipal Emergency Response Coordinator, who will, in turn, submit such requests to the Regional Emergency Response Coordinator for action. All costs, related to such installations, are the responsibility of the requesting organisation. Communications Resources The following organisations have communications facilities and resources which may be available in an emergency:

VicSES

CFA

Taxis

Trucking Companies

WICEN

Bendigo Communications


Coliban Water

Health and Medical The Municipal Environmental Health Officer and Municipal Medical Officer of Health have been delegated the responsibility for health and medical matters at a local municipal level, particularly supporting the Department of Health with respect to matters of a food/water contamination, human disease or event that impacts human health. These Municipal Health and Medical arrangements should be considered in conjunction with the State Health Emergency Response (SHERP Victoria) which details the health and medical arrangements at a Regional and State Level dependant on the scale and type of emergency. The aim of these arrangements is to:

Provide services and coordinate agencies and personnel to protect the health of emergency affected persons.

Activate and coordinate medical assistance to the City of Greater Bendigo Relief Centres.

Identify and activate ancillary medical personnel at the request of the Health Commander in



consultation with the Field Emergency Medical Officer/Coordinator for the Municipal Emergency Response Plan.

Respond to the rebuilding and recovery needs of the affected community. Health

Where the Department of Health & Human Services is the control agency and has been activated, they will be responsible for the Environmental Health Officer (EHO) who is responsible for all public health matters in the municipality.

The responsibility of the Environmental Health Officer in emergencies include:

Advice on water supply

Ensuring hygienic food handling - safe production, storage and distribution

Supply of sanitary and hygienic accommodation when required

Refuse removal

Pest control

Control of infectious diseases (immunisation)

Disposal of dead animals. Medical

Implementation of the medical arrangements will be automatic where people are injured or require medical assistance. This will be by Rural Ambulance Victoria and Hospitals within the Municipality in accordance with the State Health Emergency Response Plan (SHERP Victoria).

Ambulance Service will be responsible for contacting additional first aid support when required (e.g. St John Ambulance and Red Cross).

Transport and Engineering The Director Presentation and Assets of the City of Greater Bendigo, in conjunction with the MERO, has been delegated the responsibility for transport and engineering matters. The purpose of these arrangements is to identify available transport and engineering resources within the municipality. This will include specialist and technical advice and deployment of those resources. Requesting Procedure All requests for transport and engineering resources should be directed to the Municipal Emergency Response Coordinator (MERC), who will request them through the MERO. Management of Resources Responsibility for the management of resources shall rest with the MERO. The MERO is responsible for maintaining a resource database and contact details. Details of resources and contacts are available in the after-hours information listing.



Initial Impact Assessment (IIA)

This function is managed by the Office of the Emergency Services Commissioner and will be implemented during significant emergencies in conjunction with the control agency. The IIS is the responsibility of the Incident Controller and is coordinated by Victoria Police. Three phases of impact assessment will include: Initial Impact Assessment, Secondary Assessment and Post Impact (loss) Assessment. The intent of Initial Impact Assessment (IIA) is to capture, during the initial 48 hours of an emergency, the nature and scale of the impact on people, community infrastructure, economic, natural and built environments. IIA uses a flexible, scalable and adaptable series of assessments to provide situational awareness, guide response and recovery strategies and inform emergency service organisations and the government at local, regional, state and national levels, of actual and potential consequences of the emergency. To ensure that the IIA process is undertaken in a timely manner, resources from all agencies and organisations involved in the emergency may be tasked to collect, confirm and exchange relevant information. A post impact assessment is an appraisal of the extent of damage, disruption and breakdown to the community and its infrastructure as a result of the emergency. A post impact assessment will be conducted. To facilitate this process the City of Greater Bendigo through the Emergency Management Group, shall as early as practicable perform the following tasks:

Survey the extent of damage indicating evaluation of financial and material aid needed

Provide a priority listing for restoration of community needs to assist agencies in the performance of their functions

Monitor the acquisition and application of financial and material aid needed to made available in the restoration period

The Emergency Management Group may co-opt persons within the community with the appropriate expertise to assist with the above tasks. Should the emergency extend beyond the boundaries of the City of Greater Bendigo the post impact assessment may be merged with that of the other affected municipality(s)? Information that the control agency gathers through the Rapid Impact Assessment (IIA) process during the response to the emergency will be made available to the municipality. The IIA data will provide the information for a more detailed analysis of loss and damage and the impact on the affected community that will make up the Post Impact Assessment.


Appendices

Appendix One - Contact Directory Refer to excel spreadsheet: U drive: Emergency Management, contacts, ALL CONTACTS (latest date version) City of Greater Bendigo, Municipal Emergency Management Planning Committee, MEMPC

contact list available on https://bendigo.crisisworks.com/dashboard# Updated MEMPC contact list forwarded quarterly to MEMPC members. The following individual sheets are contained within the contact list spreadsheet: CoGB Emergency Management Team MECC set up

Vulnerable People and Facilities list (VPR will be located in Crisisworks 4) https://bendigo.crisisworks.com/dashboard#

MEMP Committee MEMP Contacts MFMP Committee MRM roster Generator and displan line tests

https://bendigo.crisisworks.com/dashboard

https://bendigo.crisisworks.com/dashboard


Appendix Two - Maps CRISISWORKS 4 WILL HAVE DETAILED MAPS CoGB GIS team will provide information if required in an emergency event Maps included:-

A4 Regional map showing the City of Greater Bendigo and its’ neighbours 1: 300,000 map of the municipality


Appendix Three- Municipal Emergency Coordination Centre (MECC)


Municipal Emergency Coordination Centre

Appendix Three - MECC

Standard Operating Procedures

LOCATION

Primary MECC:

Reception Room, Lyttleton Terrace, Bendigo Alternate MECC:

Council Depot, Adams Street, Bendigo ROLE OF MECC Under the supervision of the Municipal Emergency Resource Officer (MERO), Municipal Recovery Manager (MRM) the role of the MECC is:-

Administer the provision of resources from within the municipality (i) during emergencies within the area, (ii) from supporting neighbouring municipalities, and (iii) during support to a neighbouring municipality.

Registration of casual emergency workers Administration of Emergency Relief and Supplementary Supply accounting

Disseminate current accurate information and situation reports as required ACTIVATION OF MECC The MECC can only be activated at the request of the Municipal Emergency Response Coordinator (MERC) or Deputy. This may be on the advice of:

Regional Emergency Response Coordinator (RERC) Control Agency MERO

ACTIVATION TRIGGER POINTS Suggested trigger points for MECC Activation are:

Where evacuations are likely to or have occurred Where the emergency is anticipated to be of a long duration i.e. more than 6-8 hours As standby precaution on Code Red Days

ACTIVATION PROCEDURE In the case of an emergency should the MERC or Deputy require the activation of the MECC the following Council Officers may be contacted: SEE CoGB INTERNAL OPERATIONS MANUAL FOR DETAILS – confidential document ACTIVATION OF MECC The MECC can only be activated at the request of the Municipal Emergency Response Coordinator (MERC) or Deputy. This may be on the advice of:

Regional Emergency Response Coordinator (RERC) Control Agency MERO

ACTIVATION TRIGGER POINTS Suggested trigger points for MECC Activation are:


Where evacuations are likely to or have occurred Where the emergency is anticipated to be of a long duration i.e. more than 6-8 hours As standby precaution on Code Red Days

ACTIVATION PROCEDURE In the case of an emergency should the MERC or Deputy require the activation of the MECC the following Council Officers may be contacted: SEE CoGB INTERNAL OPERATIONS MANUAL FOR DETAILS – confidential document


Appendix Four - Emergency Relief Centres

EMERGENCY RELIEF CENTRES

DETAILED INFORMATION

See MEMP Contact List in Appendix 1

This section is for distribution to the following only - Municipal Emergency Resource Officer (and Deputies) Municipal Recovery Manager (and Deputies) Municipal Emergency Management Coordinator

RELIEF / RECOVERY FACILITY STREET / ADDRESS DETAILS


Appendix Five - Facilities

Facilities

Refer to the CFA website (www.cfa.vic.gov.au) for the most up-to-date Community Information Guides (formerly named Township Protection Plans) which include maps with the locations of the Bushfire Places of Last Resort.

Location Compliant Facility Address

Bendigo Queen Elizabeth Oval Corner View & Barnard Streets

Eaglehawk Canterbury Park (Oval) Corner Simpsons Road & Fry Lane Eaglehawk

Heathcote

Holy Rosary Primary School (Oval)

Bounded by Ebden Street, Pohlman Street & Playne Street Heathcote. Entry off Ebden Street or Pohlman Street

Junortoun Lords Raceway (centre of race track)

McIvor Highway (entry opposite Atlas Road) Junortoun

Kangaroo Flat

Centro Lansell (Lansell Plaza) (Car Park)

Calder Highway (High Street) opposite Symes Street Kangaroo Flat

Kangaroo Flat

Dower Park (Oval)

Corner Station Street & Olympic Parade (entry off Station Street) Kangaroo Flat

Maiden Gully

Primary School (roofed court area)

Corner Carolyn Way and Glenelg Drive (entry off Glenelg Drive) Maiden Gully

North Bendigo Showgrounds (Oval) Holmes Road North Bendigo

Strathfieldsaye Primary School (Oval) 9 Uxbridge Street (opposite Apsley Street) Strathfieldsaye

Redesdale Recreation Reserve Kyneton-Redesdale Road Redesdale

NOTE: THERE ARE NO FIRE REFUGES IN THE CITY OF GREATER BENDIGO

Bushfire Places of Last Resort

CITY of GREATER BENDIGO


Appendix Six – Community Information Guide

COMMUNITY INFORMATION GUIDES Purpose: The Community Information Guide (formerly Township Protection Plans) provides a planned response to a bushfire within, or in close proximity to the township and has the potential to impact on the local community. The guide provides pre-determined actions that will enable quick and informed decision making by both the community and emergency services. The development of these guides is coordinated through CFA. The latest versions are available on the CFA website.

Understanding the Community Information Guide The Community Information Guide contains three parts: Part 1 – Community Information: A stand-alone section that the community (permanent and tourists/visitors) may freely access throughout the year to enhance their knowledge of key locations and facilities (e.g. Bushfire Places of Last resort) and details of where they can obtain the latest information. Development of Part 1 included engagement of the community through representative agencies to explore local knowledge, history, culture and people’s needs for safety and protection during an emergency incident. It should also be developed in consultation with other emergency services and relevant parties. Audience – The community. Part 2 – Township Planning Factors: Provides planning factors to enhance the initial operational response to a bushfire impacting the township. Part 2 also includes an overview of the township and a map of the key operational planning factors (such as Traffic Management Points, Neighbourhood Safer Places, essential infrastructure etc.). This section was developed in consultation with other emergency services, the local municipality and other relevant parties. Audience – Emergency Services and other key stakeholders. Part 3 – Fire Prevention: Provides a graphical representation of the fire prevention works (completed and planned) for the area. This section was developed in consultation with DELWP, the local municipality and the Municipal Fire Prevention Plan. Audience – Emergency Services and other key stakeholders.


Appendix Six – continued Community Information

Bendigo Township – Community Information (Bushfire) 2015/2016 Fire Season

Information Sources For Emergency

Dial 000

ABC Radio Name

Frequency Studio Location

ABC Central Victoria 91.1 FM Bendigo ABC Local Radio 774 AM Melbourne

ABC Radio National 621 AM National

Local Radio Station(s)

Name Frequency Type Studio

location RPH Print

Radio 88.7 Community Bendigo

The Fresh FM 89.5 Community Bendigo

Triple J

90.3 107.1 107.5

Non- commercial

National

ABC Central 91.1 Non- commercial Bendigo Star FM 91.9 Commercial Bendigo

SBS 93.1 Non- commercial

(multicultural) National

3BO 93.5 Commercial Bendigo

Radio KLFM 96.5, 106.3

Community Bendigo

Highlands FM 100.7 Community Kyneton CFA web site www.cfa.vic.gov.au DELWP web site www.DELWP.vic.gov.au Victorian Bushfire Info Line: 1800 240 667 Bureau of Meteorology www.bom.gov.au

http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/

http://www.bom.gov.au/


Appendix Seven - Specialist Responsibilities of the MERO, MFPO, MRM

and EMC (Community Resilient Coordinator)

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBLITIES OF THE MERO, MFPO, MRM AND EMC MUNICIPAL EMERGENCY RESOURCE OFFICER (MERO)

The City of Greater Bendigo has appointed two people to fulfil the function of Municipal Emergency Resource Officer and Deputy Municipal Emergency Resource Officer pursuant to Section 21(1) of the Emergency Management Act. Position filled by the following:

Senior Works Coordinator

Team Leader Parks & Natural Environment

Responsibilities

Ensure that council resources are made available as requested by police or emergency services for response activities and by the MRM for recovery activities;

Ensure procedures and systems are in place to monitor and record requests for assistance and council expenditure;

Maintain an effective contact database so council resources can be accessed on a 24 hour basis;

Prepare the Municipal Emergency Coordination Centre(s) (MECC) to ensure prompt activation if needed;

Ensure effective liaison with field staff and emergency services and other agencies within or servicing the municipal district;

Liaise with the Municipal Emergency Response Coordinator (MERC) and MRM, as part of the Emergency Management Coordination Group (EMCG), regarding the best use of municipal resources during response and recovery activities;

Brief council senior management on council involvement;

Organise a response debrief if requested by the MERC.

Municipal Authority

The Municipal Emergency Resource Officer is responsible for the coordination of municipal resources in responding to emergencies and has full delegated powers to deploy and manage Council’s resources during emergencies.

MUNICIPAL FIRE PREVENTION OFFICER (MFPO) The Country Fire Authority Act 1958 and the Metropolitan Fire Brigades Act 1958 require each council to appoint a fire prevention officer, generally known as an MFPO, and any number of assistant fire prevention officers. Under both Acts, an MFPO may delegate, by written instrument, to an assistant, any power or duty of the fire protection officer, except the power of delegation


Appendix Seven- continued

Duties

Prepare & regularly review council’s fire prevention plan, with MFMPC

Liaise with fore services, other authorities and councils regarding fore prevention planning

and implementation

Advise and assist the MEMPC on fire prevention and related matters

Ensure the MEMP contains reference to the Municipal Fire Management Plan or MFPP

Report to council on fire prevention and related matters

Carry out statutory tasks related to fire prevention notices and infringement notices

Investigate and act on complaints regarding potential fire hazards

Advise and assist the general public on fire prevention and related matters

Issue permits to burn (under s38 of the CFA Act 1958)

Facilitate community fire safety education programs and support Community Fireguard groups in fire-prone areas

For more details on the duties of the MFPO see the EMMV (Part 6, Appendix 3, ‘Key Municipal

Emergency Management Roles – Indicative Functions’)

MUNICIPAL RECOVERY MANAGER (MRM) The City of Greater Bendigo has appointed 5 people to the function of Municipal Recovery Manager (MRM) pursuant to Section 21(1) of the Emergency Management Act. The following people Council has appointed as the lead and deputy MRMs:

Emergency Management planning officer (lead)

Community Development Officer

Compliance Officer IT Operations Administrator

IT Operations Administrator

Responsibilities

Plan for and coordinate municipal and community resources for community support and recovery;

Liaise with the MERC and the MERO on the best use of council resources;

Liaise with relevant external partners in emergency management, such as the Regional Recovery Committee (where appropriate) and DHHS;

In consultation with the MERC and MERO, establish emergency relief & recovery centres as required;

Liaise, consult and negotiate with recovery agencies on behalf of affected communities;

Establish a public information and coordination centre at the council offices or a location more appropriate to the affected area/s;

Coordinate the dissemination of accurate recovery information to council’s senior management & the public, in consultation with appropriate staff (e.g. council’s communications officer or team);

Ensure the effective management of the MECC for recovery;

Monitor and record council’s expenditure;

Manage the timely and planned withdrawal of recovery services;

Other specific recovery activities as determined.


Appendix Seven- continued

Community Resilience Coordinator (also known as EMC) (Will fulfil the function of Municipal Emergency Management Executive Officer)

Responsibilities

Provide strategic advice and direction to council on emergency management planning;

Coordinate a range of risk reduction activities;

Liaise with the community on safety matters and support staff and groups designated to deal with specific risks;

Track the progress of risk treatment programs;

Ensure the MEMP is effective and current;

Ensure that municipal resources are utilised effectively in a community emergency, for response and recovery activities;

Coordinate the emergency management activities of, and liaise closely with the MERO, MRM and MFPO;

Ensure that a MECC can be activated at short notice in event of an emergency;

Arrange meetings of the MEMPC or the municipal emergency coordination group as appropriate during an emergency;

Maintain effective liaison with all regional, state or Commonwealth emergency agencies servicing the council district;

Ensure that contractual arrangements for response or recovery support during an emergency are agreed and documented well in advance of such events;

Ensure that appropriate operating procedures and processes are developed for use during an emergency, and that those who will need to use them are trained in their use;

Ensure that appropriate procedures, processes and systems are in place to record and monitor any council expenditure specifically applicable to an emergency;

Ensure applications for expenditure assistance from state sources are submitted to appropriate agencies;

Ensure that debriefing sessions are held for any response and recovery operation after an emergency to examine effectiveness of the MEMP and upgrade it as necessary;

Keep the council and CEO informed of emergency management activities, including the presentation of an annual report on activities that includes expenditure incurred by the council during the previous 12 months.

FIELD EMERGENCY RESPONSE COORDINATOR (FERC) The Senior Police Member present at the scene of an emergency has the responsibility of coordinating resources to provide the most effective support to the Control Agency and the functional service agencies. This person is known as the Field Emergency Response Coordinator.


Appendix Seven- continued Responsibilities

Ensure that the necessary control agency/s and support agencies are in attendance or have been notified of the emergency and are responding.

Liaise with agencies at scene. Ensure an incident controller has been identified.

Arrange for the satisfaction of requests for provision of resources to the control/support agencies by:

Ensuring provision of available resources from within Municipal Council area; Utilising municipal emergency relief and supply arrangements; or Requesting additional resources through the Municipal/Regional Emergency Response

Coordinators.

Provide situation reports to the Municipal/Regional Emergency Response Coordinator.

Ensure that consideration has been given to: Alerting the public to existing and potential dangers arising from a serious emergency

The need for evacuation (consult Control Agency) Public Information

Traffic isolation, ingress/egress of emergency vehicles etc. (Consult Control Agency/Police Commander)

Make necessary arrangements at scene for media – i.e.: containment, press releases etc.

MUNICIPAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE COORDINATOR (MERC) The Officer in Charge at the Bendigo Police Station, or his/her deputy is known as the Municipal Emergency Response Coordinator for the City of Greater Bendigo. Responsibilities

Take an active role in planning at a local level including representation on the Municipal Emergency Management Planning Committee.

In times of emergencies that require activation of the MECC, attend at the MECC as Municipal Emergency Response Coordinator.

Liaise with local control authorities and support agencies and ensure that an effective control structure has been established by agencies in coping with an emergency at local level.

Obtain and forward regular advice to the regional Emergency Response Coordinator of the potential of an emergency which is not under substantial control of the control agency.

Maintain an awareness of local resources which may be utilised in an emergency.

Convene post emergency de-briefing conferences as soon as practicable after a local emergency when required.

In consultation with the MERO and MRM decide upon the location and activation of the ERC. Any Control Agency requiring municipal support will request that support through the Municipal Emergency Response Coordinator who will pass on all requirements to the Municipal Emergency Resource Officer. REGIONAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE COORDINATOR (RERC) When all relevant resources have been fully committed and there is further requirement for additional resources, all requests must be forwarded to the Municipal Emergency Response Coordinator who will in turn pass on same to the Regional Emergency Response Coordinator for action. The Regional Emergency Response Coordinator is the relevant Division Superintendent of Police. In the absence of the Regional Emergency Response Coordinator, his/her deputy will be contacted. These people may be nominally contacted through the relevant Police Communications Centre (D24).


Appendix Eight - Organisation Emergency Management Chart


Appendix Nine – Single Incident Protocol

Single Incident Protocol

Emergency Relief Standard Operating Procedures

Purpose

The purpose of the Single Incident Protocol is to provide immediate emergency assistance to members of the community affected by an emergency

A Single Incident Emergency is defined as an event that has occurred on a small scale (residential) where an individual or family have had their home or possessions severely damaged or destroyed. This may be the result of a house fire, bush fire, localised flood event, severe weather event, burst pipes or structural defect. It may also include a situation where the affected persons have been directed to evacuate and have not been able to return to their residence to assess the damage

If the emergency has resulted in any of the above mentioned situations, then the Single Incident Protocol is to be activated

The assistance that can be provided can consist of 3 nights temporary accommodation from Council, a hardship allowance from DHHS, material aid assistance from Red Cross and property rates changes from Council.

Incident Notification and Activation

1. The incident controller at the scene makes an assessment of impact of the emergency and if the

incident has resulted in the affected person or family having to vacate their place of residence then the Incident Controller triggers the activation of the Protocol

2. If the affected person or family requires immediate assistance the incident controller contacts the Municipal Emergency Response Coordinator (MERC) who is a member of the Victoria Police Force.

a. (Under the Emergency Management Manual Victoria (EMMV) (Part 3, page 3-20), the MERC is responsible for ensuring there is appropriate control. The MERC is also responsible for arranging the provision of resources requested by the Incident Controller).

3. The MERC will then contact the on duty Municipal Recovery Manager (MRM) (Duty mobile) in the first instance,

4. If there is a request for resources, such as temporary fencing, catering, building inspection, etc., the MERC should then contact the on duty Municipal Emergency Resource Officer (MERO) (MERO - or Deputy MERO -). This could also be done by the MRM following their notification.

5. The MRM will then make contact with the Incident controller for a briefing on the situation and the emergency assistance required.

6. The MRM will then assess the immediacy and the needs of the affected person/s. The MRM will note the contact details of the incident controller to be able to provide an update.

7. The Incident Controller will give the MRM the contact details for the affected person. 8. MRM to speak direct to the affected person. Assess the needs of the affected person and whether

they require emergency relief. If they have no other support, advise the person of what assistance CoGB can provide, i.e emergency accommodation, material aid (via Red Cross), DHHS emergency relief grant (via DHHS). Emergency relief and re-establishment grants may also be able to cover specific one off transport costs.


9. If the situation is one where the affected person has been evacuated and their home is not currently accessible they will also be eligible to emergency accommodation if they have no other support network.

10. If required, organise accommodation through one of the approved providers. 11. If the affected person/s have alternative accommodation and do not require emergency

accommodation obtain the address details of where they will be staying. 12. Advise the affected person that for them to receive the full emergency assistance that their details

will be provided to other services such as Red Cross and the DHHS. Seek their consent to pass their details on to the other agencies.

13. Complete a CoGB incident report and make an entry on ‘Crisisworks 4’ https://bendigo.crisiworks.com/mecc/user/login

14. Reply to the incident controller and advise them of the steps that have been undertaken.

Not requiring an immediate response

If the situation is not deemed as requiring an immediate response, (damage has not affected the residential part of the property) notification can be made by the incident controller via the email.The MRM will then make contact with the affected person or family at the first reasonable opportunity and assess what, if any, assistance that can be provided.

Material Aid

Contact the Australian Red Cross Duty Officer (Ph. 1800 232 969) (24 hours) and advise them of the current situation. Provide them with the contact details for the affected person and the address of where they will be staying.

Emergency Financial assistance

If the MRM believes the emergency financial assistance is urgent contact the DHHS Duty Officer (Ph.) (24 hours)

If non urgent, contact the DHHS Emergency Management unit via email at. Scan and email the Incident Report.

The DDHS will conduct their own assessment regarding the affected person’s entitlement to emergency financial assistance. DHHS will contact the affected person direct.

https://bendigo.crisiworks.com/mecc/user/login


Reduction in the Rates whilst the property is Uninhabitable

Inform affected person/landlord they may also be entitled to lower property rates for any period where their home is assessed as uninhabitable

MRM to advise the affected home owner, they will be contacted by the CoGB Valuation team

MRM notifies the Valuations team via email forwarding information - Residence contact details - Address of property - Date of incident - MRM details

Valuations team will contact resident & begin assessment process

Transport to emergency accommodation

If the affected person does not have transport to emergency accommodation the MRM will organise a taxi

service. The taxi will take the affected person/s direct to their accommodation and CoGB will then be

invoiced on an established account. (Account number CoGB529) (Ph. 131 008)

Council owned Resources

On occasions Council have been requested to attend and install temporary fencing for safety

reasons. Whilst the Works Department have done this in the past it must be understood that

there is no obligation to do so. When it is done as a community service it is important that this

equipment is returned as soon as possible. The MRM must ensure the owner of the property is

informed that they must make their own arrangements to replace the Council equipment. When

the MRM does any welfare follow-up they should remind the owner of this arrangement.

Personal Psychosocial Support

If the affected person/s require any additional personal support the MRM should contact the Victorian

Council of Churches (VCC) asking them to assist. The VCC Duty Officer’s contact number is Ph. 9654 1736

or email [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]


Definitions

A Single Incident Emergency is defined as an event that has occurred on a small scale (residential) where an individual or family have had their home or possessions severely damaged or destroyed. This may be the result of a house fire, bush fire, localised flood event, severe weather event, burst pipes or structural defect. It may also include a situation where the affected persons have been directed to evacuate and have not been able to return to their residence to assess the damage.

Additional guidelines

Additional guidelines for utilising this protocol and collecting information

Single Incident Response: This protocol has been developed in partnership with Council, DHHS and Australian Red Cross to promote a uniform approach for coordinating 24 hour single incident emergency support services

On scene responders must inform affected persons that the information collected is used to help keep track of people’s safety and provide a point of contact for the emergency and support services and will not be used for any other purpose. A single point of contact can be nominated on behalf of all affected persons

Larger/complex events: This protocol will not replace any existing emergency management arrangements for dealing with emergencies, especially events that impact larger geographical areas.

Guidelines for using Single Incident Emergency Assistance Service

PLEASE NOTE: We acknowledge affected persons are best supported in the first instance through family and friends. This service is not intended to replace any arrangements that affected persons have made but to support people who have no other options or supports available.

This service aims to help affected families and individuals in the first 24-48 hours post incident and can assist through temporary alternative accommodation, clothing, toiletries, groceries, other essential items and emotional/personal support. City of Greater Bendigo will pay for accommodation, where required, for up to 3 nights. In the case of Public Housing clients, DHHS will be invoiced to reimburse costs back to CoGB

This service is intended to assist for the immediate term only until insurance and other services are available.

Guidelines for utilising other support services

DHHS may be able to assist affected persons with an Emergency

Grant. Emergency Grants provide assistance to meet immediate

basic needs only and are designed to cover expenses such as

clothing, food, personal items, appropriate shelter and specific

one off transport costs. They are available to people who have

had their principle place of residence affected by an emergency

either through damages or loss of property

The local council can assist in the coordination of required recovery resources


Recommended accommodation (Maximum of 3 nights)

ACCOMODATION ADDRESS LANDMARK CONTACT

NUMBER DISABILITY

FACILITIES

The invoice is to be emailed to the City of Greater Bendigo [email protected]

Conditions: Bar fridge to be emptied

Phone calls limited to $10.

Breakfast and dinner to be provided where necessary



Appendix Ten – Post Impact Assessment Form

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT INCIDENT REPORT

Reported to

Reported by

(name / agency)

Contact No.

Date reported Time

Date of Incident

Name of Resident

Address of Incident

Contact number

(resident)

Type of Incident Bushfire House fire Water Storm

Other (Please specify)

Details:

Type of dwelling House Flat Caravan Other (please specify)

Details:

Occupancy type

Owner / occupier Private tenant Public housing tenant

Other (please specify)


Damage assessment

(See definitions at bottom

of this form)

Destroyed Major Moderate

Minor (habitable) Inaccessible - Time/days:

Other (please specify)

Details:

Were any pets

injured or lost

Yes No Details:

Insurance Home Contents No Insurance Not sure

Does the insurance cover emergency accommodation Yes / no

Details:

Insurance contacted Yes / no Date / time:

Name of insurer and contact details:

Photos Attached

Yes No

MRM required to

attend scene

Yes No

CoGB Policy

regarding

attendance on site

If there is a requirement for the MRM to attend the site of the incident, the On-call MRM must seek the assistance of a second MRM to go with them. If this is not possible, then the MRM is to make contact with Red Cross or the attending response agency and coordinate a joint visit. On site, the MRM should wear suitable/protective clothing and be clearly identifiable. Make contact with the Incident Controller on arrival. Who this person is will be dependent on the type of the incident and what agencies are present.

Persons Affected: Names and approximate age Status

(Mother/father/sibling)

M/F

Adult Child

Adult Child

Adult Child


Adult Child

Adult Child

Adult Child

Adult Child

Adult Child

Primary person

contact Details

Existing

Benefits/Services

Nil Centrelink DHHS Home Care Other

Type of Service requested (This list is there as a prompt and collection of information

purposes – which may be of use by other service providers and agencies) :

Accommodation Financial Assistance Material Aid Council Services

Insurance Advice Child Care Counselling Aged Care

Disability Services Legal Advice Animal Welfare Health Issues

Case Management Damage Control Work Other

Assistance Provided Details/Support Agencies

Emergency Grant

Centrelink Contacted

Accommodation

Material Aid

Counselling


Information/Advice

No Action Required

Are the affected persons able to source alternative accommodation?

(Yes / No)

Address:

Contact details:

If emergency accommodation is provided - please record the details

Name of accommodation:

Address:

Contact details:

Personal Support Services:

Further Personal Support Services Required? Yes No (Contact VCC 24 hr duty officer Ph.

96541736 or email to [email protected] )



Consent to release information (Advice to be provided over the telephone or in person)

“The information you have provided CoGB staff will be given to organizations that may be able to

provide you with additional and ongoing assistance such as the Department of Health and Human

Services, the Australian Red Cross and health care professionals. This information will be collected

and handled in accordance with the Information Privacy Act 2001 and the information privacy

principles.”

Signed: Name: Date:

Witnessed by: Name: Date:

In the event the MRM attends the scene and meets the affected person/s, where possible seek a signature, otherwise

advise the affected person/s of the above mentioned ‘Consent to release Information’ statement. Make a note of the

advice provided and any comments from the affected persons.

Information supplied to:

Agency Contact name Date / time

Comments or issues to be followed up: ________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________


_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

Scanned and emailed to DDHS Officer ([email protected]):

Date: _____ / _____ / ______ Time: ___________ am / pm

Scanned and emailed to MRM Officer and EMC ([email protected])

Date: _____ / _____ / ______ Time: ___________ am / pm

Damage Assessment (how has the property been affected)

Impact Description

Destroyed Premises has been destroyed or damaged beyond repair

Major Premises are not habitable for a short period < 2 months. Premises may have damage to

non-essential areas or damage that can be repaired in a short time

Moderate Premises are habitable but non-essential areas such as bedrooms have been impacted.

Premises may be temporarily uninhabitable (estimated as , 1 week) while repairs are carried

out

Minor (habitable) Premises are habitable. Premises impacted mostly externally with no residual affect

Other Other situation, e.g. people who are unable to leave the affected area

Inaccessible Premises impact is unknown as the affected persons were evacuated before impact.

Indication on how long it will be before the premises can be reached and assessed (i.e.: flood

waters)


Appendix Eleven – Preparedness Guide


Appendix Twelve – Acronyms and Abbreviations AA Air Services Australia (includes ARFS) ADF Australian Defence Force AEMI Australian Emergency Management Institute AFAC Australian Fire Authorities Council AIIMS Australian Inter-Service Incident Management System AMC Area Medical Coordinator AMSA Australian Maritime Safety Authority ARFS Aviation Rescue Fire Service AUSDISPLAN Australian Disaster Plan AusSAR Australian Search And Rescue AV Ambulance Victoria BASI Bureau Of Air Safety Investigation BCC Building Control Commission BOM Bureau Of Meteorology CASA Civil Aviation Safety Authority CCDTF Commonwealth Counter Disaster Task Force CCT Compulsory Competitive Tendering CEWT Central Exercise Writing Team CFA Country Fire Authority DACC Defence Assistance To The Civil Community DAEMI Director, Australian Institute Of Emergency Management DFACP Defence Force Aid To The Civil Power DGEMA Director-General Emergency Management Australia DHHS Department Of Health & Human Services DELWP Department Of Environment, Planning, Land and Water DoE Department Of Education DP&C Department Of Premier And Cabinet DTF Department Of Treasury And Finance DVI Disaster Victim Identification EMA Emergency Management Australia EMS Emergency Medical Service EOC Emergency Operations Centre EPA Environment Protection Authority ERCC Emergency Response Coordination Centre ERDO Emergency Response Development Officer EMLO Emergency Management Liaison Officer GIS Geographic Information System/S ICA Insurance Council Of Australia IDNDR International Decade For Natural Disaster Reduction IES Insurance Emergency Service MAV Municipal Association Of Victoria MECC Municipal Emergency Coordination Centre MEMPC Municipal Emergency Management Planning Committee MERO Municipal Emergency Resources Officer MERC Municipal Emergency Response Coordinator MEST Major Emergency Strategy Team MIEMP Major Incident Emergency Management Plan (Electricity Industry) MFESB Metropolitan Fire & Emergency Services Board MFPO Municipal Fire Prevention Officer MRM Municipal Recovery Manager NATP National Anti-Terrorist Plan RERCC Regional Emergency Response Coordination Centre NDRA Natural Disaster Relief Arrangements NEMC National Emergency Management Committee


NEMCAG National Emergency Management Curriculum Advisory Group NEMCC National Emergency Management Coordination Centre (EMA) NEMEG National Emergency Management Executive Group NEMETAG National Emergency Management Education And Training Advisory Group NPW Nuclear Powered Warship NRIS National Registration & Inquiry System POC Police Operations Centre (D24) PTV Public Transport Victoria RAR Road Accident Rescue Red Cross Australian Red Cross Victoria RFCV Rural Finance Corporation Of Victoria RSPCA Royal Society For The Prevention Of Cruelty To Animals SEMCAC State Emergency Management Community Awareness Committee SERCC State Emergency Response Coordination Centre SEWS Standard Emergency Warning Signal TAC Transport Accident Commission TSV Transport Safety Victoria VCC Victorian Council Of Churches VGC Victoria Grants Commission VEMC Victoria Emergency Management Council VicRoads Roads Corporation VicSES Victorian State Emergency Service


Appendix Thirteen – Glossary This glossary defines or explains terms which have a restricted or technical meaning in the context of the emergency management arrangements. It does not include many of the words, titles or phrases which are defined or described elsewhere in the manual. Where an entry is marked [Act], the definition is the same as or is similar to the meaning given in the Emergency Management Act 1986. Within each entry, a word or phrase expressed in italics indicates a separate entry exists for that word. Assembly Area A designated location used for the assembly of emergency-affected persons. The area may also incorporate an emergency relief centre. Command The direction of human and material resources of an agency in the performance of that agency’s roles and tasks. Community Development Officer A person appointed to initiate and co-ordinate activities in an affected community to assist its development in recovering from an emergency. Community Recovery Committee A committee which may be convened after an emergency to provide a management forum for the recovery process in respect of an affected area or a specific community. Community Resilience The capability to anticipate risk, limit impact, and bounce back rapidly through survival, adaptability, evolution, and growth in the face of turbulent change Control The overall direction of activities in an emergency response situation. Control Agency An agency nominated to control the response activities to a specified type of emergency. Coordinate/Coordination The bringing together of agencies and resources to ensure effective response to and recovery from emergencies, primarily concerned with the systematic acquisition and application of required resources. Deputy Coordinator in Chief The Deputy Coordinator in Chief of Emergency Management who is the Chief Commissioner of Police. [Act] (See also State Coordinator of Response) Deputy Commissioner (Regional Operations) of Police Disaster A term not in general usage within Victoria’s arrangements, where it would be taken to mean the same as emergency. Under the Act, an emergency is termed a disaster only if a state of disaster has been declared. Disaster Area Means that part or those parts of Victoria in which a state of disaster is declared to exist. [Act]

Disaster, State of The Premier can declare a state of disaster to exist in all or part of Victoria if an emergency constitutes a significant and widespread danger to life or property, which justifies the enabling of the Coordinator in Chief, or delegate, to exercise extraordinary powers in directing and controlling agencies and resources for responding to it. [Act] DISPLAN The name given to the State Emergency Response Plan under Section 10(1) of the Emergency Management Act 1986. The word ‘DISPLAN’ was originally the short title for the State Disaster Plan. In this manual the phrase ‘emergency response’ is used when referring to this emergency response plan as a document, or the emergency response arrangements, or to emergency response Coordinators. Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) Procedures used to positively identify deceased victims of multiple-casualty emergencies. Emergency An emergency due to the actual or imminent occurrence of an event which in any way endangers or threatens to endanger the safety or health of any person in Victoria or which destroys or damages, or threatens to destroy or damage, any property in Victoria, or endangers or threatens to endanger the environment or an element of the environment in Victoria including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing:

a) an earthquake, flood, wind-storm or other natural event; and b) a fire; and c) an explosion; and d) a road accident or any other accident; and e) a plague or an epidemic; and f) a warlike act, whether directed at Victoria or part of Victoria or at any other State or

Territory of the Commonwealth; and g) a hi-jack, siege or riot; and h) a disruption to an essential service. [Act]

Emergency Activity Emergency activity is usually referred to in connection with compensation arrangements for voluntary emergency workers, and is defined as:

a) performing a role or discharging a responsibility of an agency in accordance with the State Emergency Response Plan or State Emergency Recovery Plan; or

b) training or practising for an activity referred to above or being on active standby duty; or c) travelling to or from the place where an activity referred to above has occurred or is to

occur. [Act] The definition can also apply to activities of emergency workers in general. Emergency-affected Persons People, other than emergency management personnel, who experience losses or injury or are affected by an emergency. Usually understood to exclude the deceased. Emergency Area An emergency area declared under s. 36A of the Act, being, in the opinion of the most senior police officer in attendance, on the advice of the control agency, an area from which it is necessary to exclude persons due to the size, nature or location of an emergency, so as to ensure public safety, security of evacuated premises, or the safety of, or prevention of obstruction, hindrance or interference to, persons engaging in emergency activity. [Act]


Emergency Coordination Centre A centre operating at municipal level to co-ordinate and organise emergency provision of municipal and community resources. Emergency Management The organisation and management of resources for dealing with all aspects of emergencies. [Act] Emergency management involves the plans, structures and arrangements which are established to bring together the normal endeavours of government, voluntary and private agencies in a comprehensive and coordinated way to deal with the whole spectrum of emergency needs including prevention, response and recovery. Emergency Management Liaison Officer (EMLO) A liaison officer who represents an agency, and is empowered to commit or to arrange the commitment of resources of the agency in the response to or recovery from emergencies, and to provide a communication link with the agency. Emergency Management Team The team which enables an incident controller’s response strategy to be carried out by support agencies through their own commanders, and assists the Emergency Response Coordinator in determining resource acquisition needs, and in ensuring a coordinated response to the emergency. Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) An operations centre established by a response agency for its command and/or control functions, e.g. Police Operations Centre (POC), Fire Control Centre (FCC). Emergency Recovery Has the same meaning as recovery. Emergency Relief The provision of life support and essential needs to persons affected by, or responding to, an emergency. Emergency Relief Centre A building or place established to provide emergency relief for persons affected by, or responding to, an emergency. Emergency Response Has the same meaning as response. Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) A centre operating at State or regional level to co-ordinate resources and conduct response operations ancillary to the control agency. Emergency Response Coordinator A member of the Victoria Police appointed as state, regional, municipal or field emergency response Coordinator, whose role is to co-ordinate the response to an emergency. Emergency Response Plan A plan which sets out the roles and responsibilities of agencies in emergency response and the coordination arrangements which are to be utilised. [Act] Emergency Shelter Group shelter provided for affected persons in a community hall or similar. It is part of Emergency relief, and is different from temporary accommodation. Emergency Supply


The provision of resources in emergencies to response agencies, by other than their internal resource acquisition systems. Evacuation The planned relocation of persons from dangerous or potentially dangerous areas to safer areas and eventual return. Evacuation Centre Emergency Relief Centres provide this function. Fire Refuge A community fire refuge is a building where people may seek shelter from the danger of wildfire. A building constructed or designated as a fire refuge should have consideration given to its vulnerability to wildfire, parking for users, availability of water, telephone and electric power, and location and accessibility in relation to its service area. Hazard Source of potential harm Incident Controller The officer with overall responsibility for emergency response operations. The incident controller is normally appointed by the control agency, but can also be appointed by an emergency response Coordinator in circumstances where ss. 16 or 16A of the Act apply. Material Needs Clothing, bedding and other personal requisites provided to emergency-affected persons. Minister for Police and Emergency Services The Minister for Police and Emergency Services roles are (a) to ensure that adequate emergency management measures are taken by government agencies, and (b) co-ordinate the activities of government agencies carrying out their statutory functions, powers, duties and responsibilities in taking such measures. Municipal Emergency Resources Officer (MERO) A municipal appointee responsible to the municipal council for ensuring the coordination of municipal resources to be used in emergency response. [Act] Municipal Recovery Manager (MRM) A municipal appointee responsible to the municipal council for ensuring the coordination of municipal resources to be used in recovery. National Emergency Management Committee The Committee, chaired by the Director General of Emergency Management Australia, comprising representatives of State and Territory peak emergency management committees, including the Victoria Emergency Management Council, which addresses emergency management policy issues at a national level. National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) A Centre established in Canberra by Emergency Management Australia to co-ordinate Commonwealth assistance to the States or elsewhere. National Registration and Inquiry System (NRIS) The Commonwealth/State arrangements for the recording details of evacuees and for handling inquiries about the location of registered persons. Natural Disaster Relief Arrangements The arrangements under which the Commonwealth Government assists the State Government to provide approved financial assistance to eligible persons and organisations following natural


disasters. Natural Disasters Those emergencies defined by the Commonwealth for the purposes of the Natural Disaster Relief Arrangements: bushfires, cyclones, earthquakes, floods and storms including hail. Post Emergency Assistance Measures Financial and other assistance provided to emergency-affected persons, communities or organisations to assist their recovery from an emergency. Prevention The elimination or reduction of the incidence or severity of emergencies and the mitigation of their effects. [Act] Primary Agency The agency listed as having primary responsibility to provide and/or manage support tasks under response arrangements. Recovery The assisting of persons and communities affected by emergencies to achieve a proper and effective level of functioning. [Act] Recovery Agency Means an agency having a role or responsibility under the State Emergency Recovery Plan or in the recovery arrangements. Regional Emergency Response Plan The emergency response plan prepared and maintained for each emergency response region. Regional Recovery Coordinator The person appointed by the State Emergency Recovery Coordinator to carry out regional recovery planning and management functions. Regional Recovery Plan The emergency recovery plan prepared and maintained for each recovery region. Resource Supplementation The provision of resources in emergencies to response agencies by other than their internal resource acquisition systems. Response The combating of emergencies and the provision of rescue and immediate relief services. [Act] Response Agency An agency having a role or responsibility under the State Emergency Response Plan or the response arrangements. Response agencies can be control or support agencies for different emergencies. Response Coordinator See Emergency Response Coordinator Staging Area A location designated and used during emergency response for the assembly of control or support agency personnel prior to deployment. State Coordinator of Response


The State Coordinator of Response is the Chief Commissioner of Police. [Act] State of Disaster See: Disaster, State of State Recovery Coordinator A Senior Officer of the Department of Human Services, (appointed by the Coordinator in Chief as the co-ordinating agency for recovery) appointed by the Department as State Recovery Coordinator. [Act] Support Agency An agency which provides essential services, personnel, or material to support or assist a control agency or affected persons. Temporary Accommodation Accommodation provided over an extended period of days, weeks or months, for individuals or families affected by an emergency. It is different from emergency shelter. Volunteer Emergency Worker A volunteer worker who engages in emergency activity at the request (whether directly or indirectly) or with the express or implied consent of the chief executive (however designated), or of a person acting with the authority of the chief executive, of an agency to which either the state emergency response or recovery.

Vulnerability The conditions determined by physical, social, economic and environmental factors or processes, which increase the susceptibility of a community to the impact of hazards

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