Role statement - Emergency Management Victoria

Emergency Management Victoria

Emergency Management Victoria (EMV) is a central body for emergency management in Victoria. EMV consists of a Chief Executive and the Emergency Management Commissioner (EMC), supported by staff from many different agencies including the Department of Justice and Community Safety (DJCS). 

In accordance with the Emergency Management Act 2013 section 17(2), EMV has the following functions:

  • to act as the agency responsible for the coordination of the development of the whole-of-government policy for emergency management in Victoria
  • to provide policy advice to the relevant Minister(s) in relation to emergency management
  • to implement emergency management reform initiatives given to EMV by the relevant Minister
  • to liaise with the Commonwealth Government on emergency management
  • to provide support to the EMC to enable the EMC to perform the functions conferred on the EMC under the Emergency Management Act 2013.

In accordance with the Emergency Management Act 2013 section 17(3), in performing its functions, EMV must: 

  • have regard to decisions made by State Crisis and Resilience Council (SCRC)
  • collaborate and consult with the emergency management sector
  • have regard to the fundamental importance of the role that volunteers play in the performance of emergency management functions in Victoria.

EMV has power to do all things that are necessary or convenient to be done for or in connection with, the performance of its functions.

Mitigation

ActivityCritical task alignment / activity source
Support the EMC to perform the functions conferred on the EMC under the Emergency Management Act 20131.1
The Chief Executive, together with the EMC, must use their best endeavours to ensure that agencies implement their work programs under the Strategic Action Plan1.1
Establish and maintain the Victorian Critical Infrastructure Register, conducting a review of the accuracy and currency of the Victorian Critical Infrastructure Register at least once every 3 years and on the request of the Minister for Emergency Services1.1, 1.3
Support the EMC to coordinate investment and planning1.2, 3.2

The Chief Executive is responsible, with the EMC, for advising SCRC in relation to any matter being considered by SCRC on behalf of:

  • FRV
  • CFA
  • VICSES
  • TZV
1.5
Nominate a member to each Regional Emergency Management Planning Committee1.2
Maintain a record of delegations in force under section 74G of the Emergency Management Act 2013 **add1.4
Ensure public awareness, communication and engagement by managing the suite of VicEmergency channels and their content that provide information and warnings, before during and after any emergency. 2.3

Participating agency for the following bushfire mitigation activity:

  • seasonal arrangements to ensure capability
Table 8: Participating agencies for mitigation

Participating agency for the following electricity supply disruption mitigation activities:

  • system redundancy (N-1)
Table 8: Participating agencies for mitigation

Participating agency for the following flood mitigation activity:

  • flood emergency planning including readiness
Table 8: Participating agencies for mitigation

Participating agency for the mine, quarry and petroleum (exploration or production site) emergency mitigation activity:

  • legislation, regulation and enforcement of legislation including, but not limited to, the Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act 1990 and regulations (licensing and approvals process for operators of mines, quarries and coal mines), and Regulations 2017, EM Act 2013, EM (Critical Infrastructure Resilience) Regulations 2015, Country Fire Authority Act 1958 and Regulations 2014, Energy Safe Victoria Act 2005, and Petroleum Act 1998 
Table 8: Participating agencies for mitigation

Participating agency for the following water supply disruption mitigation activity:  

  • critical infrastructure resilience 
Table 8: Participating agencies for mitigation

Response (including Relief)

ActivityCritical task alignment / activity source
The Chief Executive has the function to take a lead role in coordinating investment planning and large‑scale strategic projects on behalf of the responder agencies, including but not limited to major procurement, communication and information systems and emergency management planning processes for the purpose of achieving greater efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of emergency management services3.1
Support the EMC in the performance of his or her functions3.2
Lead Response Support Agency (RSA) for media/communicationsTable 10: Support agencies for response
Manage the operation and administration of the SCC, and maintain the SCC Mutual Aid Memorandum of Understanding3.3
The SCCo is to lead the coordination of agencies who have responsibilities for consequence management for major emergencies3.1, 3.2
In collaboration with the whole-of-government, lead the coordination of public information and communication in relation to emergency management for major emergencies2.1, 2.2
The Chief Executive is responsible for providing advice and making recommendations to the relevant Minister(s) on any issues relating to the functions of the Chief Executive, EMV, having regard where relevant to any guidance or advice provided to the Chief Executive, EMV by SCRC3.2, 4.5
Coordinate Victoria’s outgoing deployments of personnel and resources, upon request from national and international agencies and in line with established agreements. Coordinate incoming deployments of national and international personnel and resources, as requested by the state and in line with established agreements. Both outgoing and incoming deployments can be in response to a major emergency or are to assist in the recovery from a major emergency3.2, 7.3
Support the EMC to coordinate data collection and state impact assessment processes, for initial impact assessments3.2, 11.1, 11.2, 11.3

Recovery

ActivityCritical task alignment / activity source
May provide support to ERV in engaging an organisation to facilitate the coordination of spontaneous volunteers during a major emergencyTable 14: Recovery coordination: For services across all environments

Recovery Lead Agency (RecLA) to: 

  • provide financial assistance to relevant government agencies and to Councils where eligible for disaster expenditure including counter disaster operations and the restoration of essential municipal assets 

3.1, 15.4

Table 15: Recovery coordination: Social environment

 

Recovery Support Agency (RecSA) to support: 

  • DFFH to deliver re-establishment assistance the Personal Hardship Assistance Program 

3.2, 20.3

Table 15: Recovery coordination: Social environment

 

Assurance and Learning

ActivityCritical task alignment / activity source
Support and promote the learning mechanisms that exist throughout the emergency management system before, during and after emergency events, including supporting all relevant agencies to establish the capability to undertake debrief and review activities at state, region, incident and local tiers, as required21.1
Coordinate state level learning activities in collaboration with all relevant agencies, including real-time monitoring, debriefing and reviewing21.1
Coordinate, collect, analyse and communicate reporting on sector performance, in collaboration with all relevant agencies21.1
Coordinate the collation and analysis of observations from various sources to identify lessons, in collaboration with all relevant agencies21.2
Coordinate the assessment, prioritisation and communication of lessons and any required change activities to ensure the lesson is learned, in collaboration with all relevant agencies21.3
Coordinate the development of learning products and disseminate to sector agencies to communicate lessons to a broad sector audience, in collaboration with all relevant agencies21.5