Overview
Response is the action taken during and in the first period after an emergency to reduce the effects and consequences of the emergency on people, their livelihoods, wellbeing and property; on the environment; and to meet basic human needs.
When viewing the Control Agencies for response (table 9) and Lead Response Support Agencies for response (table 10) tables, two response sections of the interactive and functional SEMP PDF should also be considered:
- the Response section under Emergency Management Phases
- the Response section under Emergency Management Arrangements.
Users (including response planners) should use the Control Agencies for response (table 9) and Lead Response Support Agencies (table 10) tables to identify agencies and functional areas that should be considered and/or included in response plans. The tables do not list all agencies that may be involved in any particular emergency, nor do they list all potential emergencies.
Control Agencies for response
Control Agencies for response are primarily responsible for managing the response to a specified form of emergency, and responsible for establishing the management arrangements for an integrated response to the emergency.
Control Agencies for response (table 9), which the Emergency Management Act 2013 (External link) requires, identifies Control Agencies for response in a specified form of emergency, with sub-plans also listed for some emergencies, where applicable, but there are exceptions to the listing in certain circumstances. Where multiple Control Agencies are listed for the same emergency type, the Control Agency responsibility is delineated through legislation or administrative arrangements.
Lead Response Support Agencies
Lead Response Support Agencies (table 10), which the Emergency Management Act 2013 requires, identifies functional areas to be considered that may be impacted during the response to a form of emergency, and the corresponding Lead Response Support Agencies (RSAs).
Lead RSAs provide services, personnel or material to support or assist a Control and/or a Coordination Agency and/or members of the public during the response to a form of emergency, within the considered functional area. The Lead RSA is the agency that is generally the most closely aligned to the functional area, with other agencies also having the potential to be RSAs, if they have the skills, expertise or resources to contribute to the response to a form of emergency.
Where there is a functional area required to manage an emergency but is not listed or there is uncertainty as to which agency may potentially support this function, the EMC or relevant emergency response coordinator may request any agency to lead this function.
Table 9: Control Agencies for response
Emergency: A disruption to an essential service
| Form of emergency | Control Agency | Class of major emergency |
|---|---|---|
| Dam safety incidents | DEECA | 2 |
| Electricity (see SEMP Energy Sub-Plan) | DEECA | 2 |
| Gas (see SEMP Energy Sub-Plan) | DEECA | 2 |
| Liquid fuels (see SEMP Energy Sub-Plan) | DEECA | 2 |
| Reticulated water and wastewater disruption (sewerage) services | DEECA | 2 |
| Cyber security (see SEMP Cyber Security Sub-Plan) | DGS | 2 |
| Public transport (see SEMP Public Transport Disruption Sub-Plan) | DTP | 2 |
| Roads/bridges/tunnels/rail network | DTP | 2 |
| Critical infrastructure damage or disruption | VicPol | 2 |
Emergency: A warlike act or act of terrorism, hijack, siege or riot
Emergency: Fire and explosion
| Form of emergency | Control Agency | Class of major emergency |
|---|---|---|
| Aircraft | CFA / FRV | 1 |
| Aircraft (designated aerodromes [1]) | ARFFS | 2 |
| Boilers and pressure vessels | CFA / FRV | 1 |
| Explosion | CFA / FRV | 1 |
| Fire (see SEMP Bushfire Sub-Plan) | CFA / FRV / DEECA | 1 |
| Fire (designated aerodromes) | ARFFS | 2 |
| Explosive device | VicPol | 3 |
Footnotes
- For the purposes of the SEMP, an ‘aerodrome’ is defined as an area of land or water (including buildings, installations, and equipment) being such an area intended for use wholly or partly for the arrival, departure, or movement of aircraft, whilst an ‘airport’ includes an aerodrome, but also includes extended facilities, commercial buildings and infrastructure, not necessarily connected with aviation.
Emergency: Hazardous materials incident
| Form of emergency | Control Agency | Class of major emergency |
|---|---|---|
| Hazardous materials [1], high consequence dangerous goods or dangerous goods (including leaks and spills) | CFA / FRV | 1 |
| Radioactive materials (including leaks and spills) | DH | 2 |
| Biological releases (including leaks and spills) | DH | 2 |
Footnotes
- For the purposes of the SEMP, ‘hazardous’ is defined as any contaminants or materials that are harmful to human health (including substances that are dangerous goods as defined by Dangerous Goods Act 1985), and ‘non-hazardous’ is defined as any contaminants or materials (not identified as ‘hazardous’) that are not harmful to human health (noting these may be harmful to the environment and/or biodiversity (including plants and animals)). Where there is any doubt, contaminants or materials are to be deemed hazardous until such time as the Control Agency or support agency confirm they are non-hazardous
Emergency: Natural event
| Form of emergency | Control Agency | Class of major emergency |
|---|---|---|
| Blue-green algae | DEECA | 2 |
| Heat (see SEMP Extreme Heat Sub-Plan) | EMC | 2 |
| Earthquake (see SEMP Earthquake Sub-Plan) | VICSES | 1 |
| Flood (see SEMP Flood Sub-Plan) | VICSES | 1 |
| Storm (see SEMP Storm Sub-Plan) | VICSES | 1 |
| Tsunami (see SEMP Tsunami Sub-Plan) | VICSES | 1 |
| Landslide | VICSES | 1 |
Emergency: Plague or an epidemic or contamination
| Form of emergency | Control Agency | Class of major emergency |
|---|---|---|
| Hazardous[1] pollution of inland waters (see SEMP Maritime Emergencies (non SAR) Sub-Plan) | CFA/FRV | 1 |
| Biosecurity incursions (see SEMP Animal, Plant, Marine and Environmental Biosecurity Sub-Plan) | DEECA | 2 |
| Emergency animal disease (includes aquaculture) (see SEMP Animal, Plant, Marine and Environmental Biosecurity Sub-Plan) | DEECA | 2 |
| Invasive plant, animal and exotic marine pest incursion (see SEMP Animal, Plant, Marine and Environmental Biosecurity Sub-Plan) | DEECA | 2 |
| Non-hazardous [1] pollution of inland waters | DEECA | 2 |
| Plant pest or disease (includes bee pests and diseases) - (see SEMP Animal, Plant, Marine and Environmental Biosecurity Sub-Plan) | DEECA | 2 |
| Vertebrate pest/plagues | DEECA | 2 |
| Wildlife affected by marine and fresh water pollution (see SEMP Maritime Emergencies (non SAR) Sub-Plan) | DEECA | 2 |
| Drinking water contamination (see SEMP Health Emergencies Sub-Plan) | DH | 2 |
| Food contamination (potential to cause harm to health) (see SEMP Health Emergencies Sub-Plan) | DH | 2 |
| Human disease (including pandemic) (see SEMP Viral (Respiratory) Pandemic Sub-Plan) | DH | 2 |
| Retail food contamination (see SEMP Health Emergencies Sub-Plan) | DH | 2 |
| Maritime-sourced pollution oil spills in Victorian coastal waters up to three nautical miles (see SEMP Maritime Emergencies (non SAR) Sub-Plan) | DTP / Port management body [2] | 2 |
Footnotes
- For the purposes of the SEMP, ‘hazardous’ is defined as any contaminants or materials that are harmful to human health (including substances that are dangerous goods as defined by Dangerous Goods Act 1985), and ‘non-hazardous’ is defined as any contaminants or materials (not identified as ‘hazardous’) that are not harmful to human health (noting these may be harmful to the environment and/or biodiversity (including plants and animals)). Where there is any doubt, contaminants or materials are to be deemed hazardous until such time as the Control Agency or support agency confirm they are non-hazardous
- Port management body as per the Marine Safety Act 2010: Ports Victoria, Port of Hastings Corporation and, Port of Portland, and Local Port Manager: Gippsland Ports.
Emergency: Rescue
| Form of emergency | Control Agency | Class of major emergency |
|---|---|---|
| Building, structure collapse and/or risk of collapse | CFA/FRV [1] | 1 |
| Lift, crane, scaffolding or amusement structure | CFA (exc. cranes)/FRV | 1 |
| Rail and aircraft[2] | CFA/FRV/VICSES | 1 |
| Industrial | CFA/FRV/VICSES | 1 |
| Trench or tunnel | FRV | 1 |
| Cave | VicPol | 2 |
| Land | VicPol | 2 |
| Mine/quarry | VicPol | 2 |
| Road (see State Road Crash Rescue Arrangements 2023) | VicPol | 2 |
| Water | VicPol | 2 |
Footnotes
- Utilising USAR Category 2 FRV/CFA and Category 1 VICSES
- Aircraft rescues that occur within designated airports are a Class 2 major emergency, led by ARFFS
Emergency: Search
Emergency: Other
| Form of emergency | Control Agency | Class of major emergency |
|---|---|---|
| Military aircraft and ships | ADF | 2 |
| Aircraft – inflight emergency | Airservices Australia, Australia Air Traffic Control | 2 |
| Aircraft | VicPol | 2 |
| Aircraft (designated aerodromes) | ARFFS | 2 |
| Building damage | VICSES | 1 |
| Gas leakage | CFA/FRV | 1 |
| Lifts, cranes or scaffolding and amusement structures | CFA (exc. cranes)/ FRV | 1 |
| Cetacean (whale and dolphin) stranding, entanglement and vessel strike | DEECA | 2 |
| Wildlife welfare arising from an emergency event | DEECA | 2 |
| Maritime casualty[1] – non search and rescue in commercial and local port waters (excluding coastal waters) (see SEMP Maritime Emergencies (non SAR) Sub-Plan) | Port management body or local port manager[2] | 2 |
| Maritime casualty – non search and rescue of all vessels in coastal waters (excluding commercial and local port waters) (see SEMP Maritime Emergencies (non SAR) Sub-Plan) | ST Vic | 2 |
| Marine (not including marine pollution, cetaceans or wildlife) | VicPol | 2 |
| Rail and tram | VicPol | 2 |
| Road | VicPol | 2 |
| Vehicle into building/structure | VicPol | 2 |
| Shark hazard | VFA | 2 |
Footnotes
- As per the National Plan for Maritime Environmental Emergencies 2020, maritime casualty is defined as “a collision of vessels, stranding or other incident of navigation, or other occurrence on board a vessel or external to it resulting in material damage or imminent threat of material damage to a vessel or cargo”
- Port management body as per the Marine Safety Act 2010: Ports Victoria and Port of Portland, and Local Port Manager as per the Marine Safety Act 2010
Table 10: Lead Response Support Agencies
| Functional area | Lead response support agency (RSA) |
|---|---|
| Ambulance services/first aid/pre-hospital care | AV |
| Health command | AV |
| Weather | BoM |
| Responder agencies | |
| Rescue: aircraft, building/structure collapse, vehicle into building/structure, rail | Volunteer Search and Rescue Organisations |
| Rescue: road | Volunteer Search and Rescue Organisations |
| Rescue: industrial | Volunteer Search and Rescue Organisations |
| Coronial services | CCOV |
| Courts | Court Services Victoria |
| Education | DE |
| Agriculture | DEECA |
| Animal welfare (livestock and companion animals) | DEECA |
| Earth resources (mines) | DEECA |
| Fish death events due to natural causes | DEECA |
| Public land | DEECA |
| Spatial data | DEECA |
| Threatened ecosystems and species | DEECA |
| Human services and community wellbeing | DFFH |
| Consumer Affairs | DGS |
| Local government | DGS |
| Public telecommunications | DGS |
| Health protection – public health | DH |
| Health services | DH |
| Corrections | DJCS |
| Business and industry | DJSIR |
| Cross-border relations | DJSIR |
| Food and grocery supply continuity | DJSIR |
| Post-school education | DJSIR |
| Tourism | DJSIR |
| Public transport | DTP |
| Rail | DTP |
| Roads | DTP |
| Transport (including ports and access to aerodromes[1]) | DTP |
| Media/communications | EMV |
| Environment and environmental public health impact (air, land and water quality) | EPA |
| Emergency services telecommunications | ESTA |
| Specific facilities (including secure facilities) | Owner or manager |
| Fisheries (in Victorian waters) | VFA |
| Deceased person identification | VicPol |
| WorkSafe | Victorian WorkCover Authority |
| Insurance and risk advice | VMIA |
| Reticulated water and wastewater (sewerage) | Water corporations |
Footnotes
- For the purposes of the SEMP, an ‘aerodrome’ is defined as an area of land or water (including buildings, installations, and equipment) being such an area intended for use wholly or partly for the arrival, departure, or movement of aircraft, whilst an ‘airport’ includes an aerodrome, but also includes extended facilities, commercial buildings and infrastructure, not necessarily connected with aviation.
The department acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of the land and acknowledges and pays respect to their Elders, past and present.