Review of connecting with and preparing communities for major emergencies in Victoria

Connecting with and preparing communities for major emergencies in Victoria is a system-wide review identified in the Inspector-General for Emergency Management’s (IGEM) 2015 Annual Forward Plan of Reviews, and is conducted under section 64(1)(b) of the Emergency Management Act 2013.

The objective of this review was to identify opportunities to improve sector connections with Victorian communities in support of their enhanced preparedness for, and resilience to withstand and recover from, the consequences and effects of major emergencies.

This review examined activities undertaken by the Country Fire Authority (CFA) and the Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) — two agencies that play a critical role in assisting Victorian communities to understand their emergency risk and what they need to do to prepare

The scope of this review focuses on householder preparedness and examines CFA and VICSES programs that connect with and prepare Victorians for major bushfires, floods and storms across hazard-prone locations in urban, rural and regional city areas.

IGEM provides recommendations that build on the existing work already undertaken by agencies to understand effectiveness and continuous improvement through:

• more transparent monitoring, evaluation and reporting on progress towards community preparedness outcomes

• focusing attention on long term outcomes

• clearer statements about how and to what extent the public participate in decisions about how to prepare for emergencies.

All recommendations are consistent with priorities for reform identified in the Victorian Emergency Management Strategic Action Plan.

Government response

Government released and responded to this report on 5 May 2017, accepting all IGEM's recommendations.

Read the full response: emv.vic.gov.au (External link)