Australian Defence Force
As part of the roles and responsibilities directed by the Commonwealth Government, the Department of Defence (DoD) and the Australian Defence Force (ADF) provide Response Options for Domestic Operations under two distinct frameworks. The Defence Aid to the Civil Community (DACC) framework outlines Defence assistance to state government and non-government entities in a range of scenarios (including Emergency Management of National Disasters and Emergencies); whilst the Defence Forces Aid to the Civil Authority (DFACA) Framework offers specific law enforcement and Domestic Security Options under separate Commonwealth legislation.
Mitigation
| Activity | Critical task alignment / activity source |
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| Victoria’s Joint Operations Support Staff (JOSS) team and other DoD units regularly attend EMV training, exercises and briefings throughout the year to ensure ADF awareness and maintain an ability to respond quickly | 1.2, 1.6 |
Response (including Relief)
| Activity | Critical task alignment / activity source |
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DoD act as a support agency to EMV (and other state agencies as needed) during a major emergency in a broad range of scenarios |
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During an emergency event or incident involving ADF aircraft or vessels, as detailed in the National Search and Rescue Manual, ADF is the responsible control agency, in conjunction with state Police and the AMSA |
Table 9: Control agencies for response |
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DoD support major emergency operations via the request for Commonwealth Assistance from the EMC or the VicPol Commissioner under the NEMA guidelines for Commonwealth Assistance, with support usually managed under Australian Government Disaster Response Plan (COMDISPLAN) arrangements |
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The DoD provide the Victoria Joint Operations Support Staff (JOSS) team as the interface between ADF and civil agencies at the state level, and coordinate with EMV and VicPol from the SCC and State Police Operations Centre respectively |
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The Victoria Joint Operations Support Staff (JOSS) team is the primary point of contact for advice and facilitation on DoD support to emergency management tasks and should be consulted prior to any request |
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DoD bases in Victoria, commanded by the Senior ADF Officer for that base, conduct regular community engagement with local services and leaders. The Senior ADF Officer can provide advice at local level, as well as coordinate and deliver small-scale, short duration assistance in a local emergency situation (DACC1 Support) |
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DoD prepare contingency forces (known as an ADF Emergency Support Force) nationally during High Risk Weather Seasons. Within Victoria, scalable Emergency Support Forces are prepared within population centres where major DoD bases exist nearby (Melbourne, Albury-Wodonga, Sale and Seymour), to provide a rapid response to any local or state requests for assistance |
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ADF support relevant agencies when a request is made for DACC Non-Emergency Assistance, when a threat is not immediate and includes non-emergency assistance to the community or state government entities, including major public events support and advisory support for Law Enforcement activities conducted by state agencies |
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Once a Request For Assistance / DACC Request is approved by DoD, the DoD will support EMV and Emergency Management agencies through the provision of personnel, advice, basing and equipment; specialist expertise, impact assessment, operations support and other capabilities for major emergencies including (but not limited to) bushfire, flood, pandemic and displacement of persons |
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The Commonwealth supplies DACC Emergency Assistance to Victoria for response (including relief) of major emergencies. This Emergency DACC categorisation is principally based on immediate threat to life, property and the environment; alleviating suffering, and the activation of Australian Government Disaster Response Plan (COMDISPLAN) arrangements |
Recovery
For recovery activities, refer directly to the agency for further information.
Assurance and Learning
For assurance and learning activities, refer directly to the agency for further information.
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.