Victoria establishes emergency management authority

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10 December 2012

A single authority charged with ensuring emergency authorities work together and share resources will manage all major disasters in Victoria from next year.

Announcing the establishment of Emergency Management Victoria, Emergency Services Minister Peter Ryan today says the reform will create a “genuine all-hazards, all-agencies approach and improve emergency management, with a strong emphasis on risk mitigation”.

The agency will ensure authorities such as the State Emergency Service, Country Fire Authority, Metropolitan Fire Brigade and the Department of Sustainability and Environment plan and work together.

“For the first time, one agency will oversee response and management for natural disasters and emergencies, from preparation through to community recovery,” Mr Ryan and Premier Ted Baillieu said when releasing a white paper outlining the reform.

An emergency management commissioner will oversee the disaster response and assume the operational responsibilities of the current Fire Services Commissioner.

A state crisis and resilience council will be established as the peak body responsible for developing and co-ordinating emergency management policy and overseeing its implementation.

Mr Ryan says more than 40 government committees involved in emergency management will be reduced to four.

An inspector-general for emergency management will review and monitor the state’s emergency management.

The new arrangements will be implemented in coming months.