About the Inspector-General for Emergency Management

Our focus areas for 2020-24 are:

• Undertaking assurance activities
• Expanding the application of the Assurance Framework for Emergency Management
• Refining and embedding IGEM strategy, policy and process

We strive to give Victorians confidence that the state’s emergency management arrangements are effective.

Read IGEM's Strategic Plan 2020-24

The commencement of the Emergency Management Act 2013 in July 2014 implemented many government reforms to emergency management arrangements. Changes included the establishment of IGEM to provide assurance to the government and the community regarding Victoria’s emergency management arrangements.

The Emergency Management Act defines key elements of Victoria’s emergency management structure, assigns significant roles and responsibilities, and provides clear accountability regarding the management of major emergencies. The operational roles of most of the organisations that participate in emergency management are detailed in specific legislation and plans.

Inspector-General

On 17 October 2018 the Inspector-General became a Governor in Council appointment.

The Inspector-General reports to the Minister for Emergency Services (the minister), and office provided by the Department of Justice and Community Safety assists the Inspector-General in the performance of their functions and exercise of their powers.

Our legislative functions

Under the 2013 Act, our key functions include:

• developing and maintaining an assurance framework for emergency management, including measures for assessing the capacity, capability and performance of the emergency management sector
• undertaking system-wide reviews, including reviewing the emergency management functions of responder agencies and departments in relation to the assurance framework
• at the request of the minister, providing advice to, or preparing a report for, the minister on any matter relating to the IGEM’s functions
• evaluating statewide training and exercising arrangements to maintain and strengthen emergency management capability
• monitoring and reporting to the minister on the implementation progress of recommendations in relation to the emergency management sector in whole or in part
• monitoring and reporting to the minister on the implementation progress of recommendations from system-wide reviews delivered under IGEM’s Annual Forward Plan of Reviews
• monitoring and reporting to the minister on the implementation of the Victorian Emergency Management Strategic Action Plan (External link) by:
  • responder agencies
  • departments
  • Triple Zero Victoria
  • Emergency Management Victoria
• monitoring, reviewing and assessing critical infrastructure resilience at a system level
• monitoring and investigating the performance (in non-financial matters) of Triple Zero Victoria regarding the provision of services to emergency services and related organisations
• making recommendations to the minister regarding matters arising from monitoring and investigating Triple Zero Victoria
• monitoring, reviewing and assessing emergency management planning at a system-level undertaken in accordance with Part 6A of the Act.

In performing their legislated functions and making recommendations, the Inspector-General must have regard to the resources that agencies have to implement such recommendations.

It is proposed that the 1986 Act will be repealed pending future amendments to the 2013 Act. Currently, the 1986 Act and 2013 Act are to be read and construed as one Act.

You can read all Victorian Acts and Bills online legislation.vic.gov.au (External link)

The Emergency Management Legislation Amendment Act 

The Emergency Management Legislation Amendment Act 2018 amends the Emergency Management Act 2013 to establish new integrated, coordinated and comprehensive arrangements for emergency management planning in Victoria. 

The Emergency Management Legislation Amendment Act also addressed a number of other operational issues identified in relation to Victoria's emergency management arrangements. 

Included in the reforms was provision for the appointment of the Inspector-General for Emergency Management by the Governor in Council, in addition to other minor amendments relating to IGEM's functions. 

On 17 October 2018 the Inspector-General became a Governor in Council appointment, reporting to the minister. This legislative change gave greater independence to the crucial assurance position.

An office provided by the Department of Justice and Community Safety assists the Inspector-General in the performance of their functions and exercise of their powers.

These Acts, the Emergency Management Legislation Amendment Act Bill - explanatory memorandum and second reading speech - are available on the Parliamentary documents section of legislation.vic.gov.au (External link)

In addition to the Emergency Management Act, details about the functions and responsibilities different organisations play in Victoria’s emergency management arrangements are described in:

State Emergency Management Plan

The Victorian State Emergency Management Plan (SEMP) (External link) outlines the emergency management arrangements for Victoria to inform all levels of planning – state, regional and municipal.  

Victorian Emergency Operations Handbook

The Victorian Emergency Operations Handbook (External link) summarises the operational management structures and systems used by agencies and government departments in preparing for and responding to major emergencies in Victoria.

Made up of people passionate about building safer and more resilient communities, IGEM is a small organisation that makes a big difference.

We are a specialist assurance entity within the Department of Justice and Community Safety. Our employees are key to our success and bring new and creative responses to issues and challenges we face in our work and the delivery of quality services to the Victorian community.

We provide assurance that emergency management arrangements are in place and effective, and foster the continuous improvement of emergency management in Victoria. We do this by monitoring the capacity, capability and performance of the emergency management sector and undertaking system-wide reviews. We engage with emergency management partners and the community to offer assurance to government and the community that lessons from emergencies will be turned into sustainable improvements that make a lasting difference.

IGEM is a child safe employer and is committed to ensuring that policies, practices and assurance activities reflect and consider the protection, wellbeing and empowerment of children and young people.

IGEM offers our people the advantages of a small, supportive and collaborative workplace alongside the resources, systems and development opportunities that come with being part of the department.

We embrace diversity and strive to have a workforce that reflects the community we serve.

We're all about recruiting the best people, regardless of gender, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation or cultural background. 

If you are interested in working with IGEM or in the broader emergency management sector, search for job vacancies on careers.vic.gov.au (External link) 

You can also follow us on X (formerly Twitter) @IGEM_Vic (External link) and Facebook @IGEMVictoria (External link) to find out about our assurance activities and job opportunities.

IGEM is proud of its visual style acknowledging and respecting Victorian Traditional Owners as the original custodians of Victoria’s land and waters, their unique ability to care for Country and deep spiritual connection to it. 

About the artwork

| journeys | community | pathways | gatherings | people | tracks |

The design depicts the connections between our communities and our connections to Victoria.

From connections with Victoria’s changing geography of waterways and mountains to grasslands and deserts, Victorians are also bound by common experiences of natural hazards and coming together before, during and after to strengthen our communities.

The interconnecting lines also depict our systemic view of Victoria and all communities, of country and emergencies. It acknowledges we must work together, gather and learn from each other so we can be stronger together for future emergencies.

We learn from our shared pathways of experience, and work together to find better ways for our current and future communities.

About the designer

Jodie Brennan, a Victorian-based descendant of the Gomeroi people, is the managing director and senior designer of Mazart Communications, a Supply Nation certified small business (External link). 

Reconciliation  

Reconciliation is about strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous peoples, for the benefit of all Australians. 

Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) 

Described as a ‘a journey and a collaborative partnership’, our RAP development will be a process of consultation and self-reflection undertaken in partnership with Reconciliation Australia (External link).  

RAPs enable organisations to build respectful relationships to sustainably and strategically take meaningful action to advance reconciliation – to turn good intentions into actions.  

The RAP framework (External link) has four stages: Reflect, Innovate, Stretch and Elevate. A Reflect RAP is the starting point for organisations new to reconciliation. We are exploring how a Reflect RAP can help us build strengthened connections and partnerships with First Nations peoples in our assurance practices.  

A finalised RAP is a strategic document and a public commitment to reconciliation.  

Joining the RAP network will demonstrate our commitment to the reconciliation movement and foster change within the wider emergency management sector.  

Our journey  

IGEM’s reconciliation journey began in 2020 with our visual style uplift acknowledging Victorian Traditional Owners’ connection with Country.  

The design (below) represents connections with Victoria’s changing geography of waterways and mountains to grasslands and deserts. Victorians are also bound by common experiences of natural hazards and coming together before, during and after to strengthen our communities. 

The interconnecting lines in the design also depict our systemic view of Victoria and all communities, of country and emergencies. It acknowledges we must work together, gather and learn from each other so we can be stronger together for future emergencies. 

We have continued our journey by learning about and celebrating NAIDOC and National Reconciliation Weeks, and by promoting and participating in Aboriginal cultural activities. Where appropriate, we have actively sought to understand and communicate Aboriginal relationship with Country in our assurance activities. Most recently through our independent Inquiry into the 2019–20 Victorian Fire Season. 

Reconciliation and the emergency management sector 

We recognise First Nations peoples’ connections with and knowledge of Victoria’s lands and waters, and that as a result, First Nations peoples are impacted significantly by disasters. As a sector, we are committed to supporting Aboriginal self-determination, including working with Victoria’s Traditional Owners to protect and restore Country. 

The Sector Outcomes Framework (External link) translates our shared vision for safer and more resilient communities into outcomes. It describes what we, as a sector, are collectively seeking to achieve and deliver for all Victorians.  

With communities at the centre, this framework will guide reforms over the coming years. It sets out the change we want to see. 

Our RAP development and its implementation aims to contribute to self-determination of Traditional Owners and First Nations Peoples is recognised and supported (outcome 5). Indicators of this outcome are: 

• barriers for Traditional Owners and First Nations Peoples to lead emergency management initiatives and practices are reduced 
• capability of the emergency management sector to effectively respond to Traditional Owners and First Nations Peoples connection to culture and Country increases 
• barriers for Traditional Owners and First Nations Peoples to participate in emergency management decision-making are reduced 

Our RAP will also recognise Emergency Recovery Victoria’s Strategy for Aboriginal Community-led Recovery (External link). This strategy outlines the key areas of focus for the Victorian Government as system steward in planning, coordinating and supporting emergency recovery with strong and resilient Victorian Aboriginal communities. It recognises: 

• Aboriginal people’s unique experiences of trauma are addressed, and healing supported 
• recovery and resilience of the whole community are strengthened through Aboriginal culture, knowledge, traditions, and connection to country 
• Aboriginal communities have increased capability to lead recovery and build resilience. 

Benefits of a RAP 

The RAP program’s strength is its framework of relationships, respect, and opportunities, allowing us to strategically set its reconciliation commitments in line with IGEM’s objective and functions for the most effective outcomes.  

These outcomes contribute towards the five dimensions of reconciliation:  

• race relations 
• equality and equity 
• institutional integrity 
• unity 
• historical acceptance. 

Our journey starts with the exploration of developing a Reflect RAP to find ways we can deepen a shared understanding of our sphere of influence, and the unique contribution we can make across the five dimensions.