Projects
Emergency Risk Management
Events that cause disruption and damage to communities may occur at any time and without warning. Your Emergency Management Organisation works to ensure the community, emergency services personnel, recovery workers and administrators are adequately prepared.
Risk Management for emergency events is a coordinated process used whereby the relevant Emergency Management bodies formally consider what natural disasters or emergency situations could occur within the community, and apply their resources in the most effective manner to prevent or prepare for the potential 'risks' and to respond to such events should they occur. This decision making process is called Risk Management and it is a recognised method of planning and managing situations in business. Guidance in this process is provided by the Australian Standard AS/NZS ISO 31000 which is the process now adopted world-wide. The process is illustrated in the diagram below.
Each State and Territory has its own plans and arrangements in place to deal with emergencies or a natural disaster. The Commonwealth Government assists the States and Territories and can provide extra resources as needed. If an emergency occurs, the Commonwealth Government, State and Territory Governments, emergency services, local governments, volunteer organisations and communities work together to respond to the emergency, save lives and property, and assist the community to recover.
Community Consultation
Local participation in planning of emergency risk management is essential to ensure information provided to the community is relevant and credible. Local residents have a wealth of knowledge about the physical and cultural aspects of their community which is not easily gained elsewhere.
This website is an important component in seeking community involvement in emergency risk management and assessment. It allows members of the public to access information about the project and provides feedback confidentially about any aspect.
Communities are invited to comment on the Draft Emergency Risk Assessment Report developed for their area. The Draft Reports for current projects are available for public comment for a defined period of time. During this time you may provide this feedback on the email link provided.
As each project progresses, there may be additional communication through popular media such as local newspapers and radio. If you know of a particular community newsletter or communication avenue that you think would be suitable for the project, please email the details using the feedback link on this website.
In some instances community consultation may include public forums which allow presentation of information and group discussion of a range of issues relevant to individual communities. Project groups are also committed to effective consultation with other government departments and emergency agencies which they undertake on behalf of the community.
To find out more, view the Project Groups Involved.
PROJECT OBJECTIVES
The key objectives of community consultation in Emergency (Natural Disaster) Risk Management/ Assessment Projects are to:
- ensure the community is better informed about emergency and disaster planning for their region;
- reduce the potential for misinformation or misconceptions by the community;
- encourage the community to put forward ideas and share information to assist decision-making:
- provide each Emergency Management Assessment Project Group with a full understanding of local issues and needs;
- ensure commitment and ownership of final decisions by the community;
- help identify issues which may not otherwise have been considered;
- ensure transparency and accountability in the Emergency Risk Management and Assessment process.
Project groups believe that better outcomes are achieved through working closely with their community. This means reaching out to the whole community, including those hardest to reach and those of culturally diverse backgrounds. It also means engaging with the community in a spirit of mutual respect - listening, understanding and acting on experiences that may be different to those expected.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
- Community consultation
The project flowchart illustrates the Emergency Risk Management project process undertaken by Echelon and identifies where in the process community consultation takes place, as indicated by the community consultation symbol (right). The main areas of input by the community will be in assisting the Emergency Services in their area in:
- Project Definition – identifying the scope of the project for their community.
- Developing Risk Criteria – deciding the criteria by which risks will be evaluated in terms of social, legal, financial, environmental, humanitarian or other considerations important to the community.
- Monitoring & Review – the community will continue to be informed and involved in decision making as plans are tested and regularly reviewed.
If you have input for your Emergency Risk Management and Assessment Project you may provide it via the feedback links on this website at any time or contact your Emergency Services.
Draft Emergency Risk Assessment Report (Draft ERA Rpt)
You may view and comment on a Draft Emergency Risk Assessment Reports during the relevant public consultation period. Draft ERA Report may also be on display at Administration Centres or other nominated locations as determined by the Project Group for a defined period of time and available for viewing and public comment on designated websites.
Any person, during the time period defined, may make written comment in respect of a Draft ERA Report. All feedback will be forwarded to the appropriate Project Group and will be given due consideration with regard to the relevant Emergency Risk Management and Assessment.
Please be as specific as possible with your feedback as this will assist the Project Group in consideration of your comments.
To access a Draft ERA Report, go to the Project Groups Involved section of this website by clicking on the link on the menu bar above. Select the Project Group you are interested in and click on the Draft ERA Report link to access the document for that Project Group. Feedback may be submitted using the email link provided. Please note the Consultation period so your feedback may be received on time.
Further Information
This page will list organisations and sources of information relevant to the project.
Emergency Management Australia is a division of the Attorney-Generals' Department.
EMA produces several publications of interest to the community which can be downloaded from their website – http://www.ema.gov.au/ – such as the one listed below. Publications are generally also available in Braille and on audiocassette from EMA by calling tel: 1800 644 885.
"Preparing for the Unexpected" [EMA, 2003]
"Australia has sound and well-practiced emergency management arrangements in all States and Territories to deal with emergencies and disasters. However, there are things you can do to promote your safety and reduce the risk of injury to yourself, your family and your property."
AS/NZS ISO 31000:2009 Risk Management standard is available from SAI Global at http://www.standards.com.au/catalogue/script/Search.asp.