Emergency Management Health Check

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On this page you will find everything you need to help you participate in the Emergency Management Health Check for NSW Local Government.

This is a state-wide project initiated by the Sydney Coastal Councils Group (SCCG), funded by the State Emergency Management Program (SEMP) and endorsed by the State Emergency Management Committee (SEMC).

Your Health Check Toolkit

Click on the links below for more information.

  • Project Background – Get the backstory on the inspiration, drivers and stakeholders involved in this state-wide initiative.
  • Benefits for Council – Review feedback on the benefits and value of the tool in better preparing councils and regions around NSW.
  • Guides & Templates – Learn how to use the tool, interpret your results and create action plans to improve your readiness.
  • Engaging Stakeholders – Use our step by step approach to engaging stakeholders to facilitate completion of the Health Check.
  • Resource Links – All the resource links you will need for emergency preparedness and grant funding applications.
  • Case Studies – Read case studies on better practice local emergency management and building the readiness and resilience of communities.

Project Background

PHASE 1

Piloting an Emergency Management Health Check

The NSW Office of Emergency Management (OEM) awarded grant funding under the State Emergency Management Projects (SEMP) Program, 2012-13 to the SCCG to complete a Phase 1 Project entitled “Emergency Management Planning – Piloting a Health Check for Local Government.”

The project’s aim was to improve the emergency management capability of local government for harm minimisation in response to natural hazards.

A fundamental assumption of emergency management is that response starts at the most immediate level, and scales up as required. In NSW primary responsibility for planning for emergency management at the local level lies with the Local Emergency Management Committee (LEMC). While local government acts as a partner in emergency management, legislation does not define clearly the tasks required of local government.

The primary output of Phase 1 of this Project was to develop a Health Check Tool to enable local councils to review their role in emergency management in terms of prevention, preparation, response and recovery, and identify opportunities for improved outcomes. The contents and format of the Health Check Tool were based on the National Strategy for Disaster Resilience (COAG, 2011) and its seven key priorities.

The SCCG engaged thirty (30) councils across NSW to test and trial the Health Check Tool. The Pilot Health Check Tool was developed in a spreadsheet format with an additional user guide and useful documentation. Feedback provided by Local Government participating during the pilot indicated that the Health Check Tool was not user-friendly, created a disconnect between the Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMC) and councils, and there was limited understanding of the value the tool would deliver.

In order to address the challenges of the Phase 1 Health Check Tool and provide maximum opportunity for a successful implementation and uptake by all local councils within NSW, Phase 2 of the project “Implementing and Embedding an Emergency Management Health Check for Local Government” received approval for grant funding through the SEMP program in 2015.

PHASE 2

Implementing and embedding an Emergency Management Health Check Tool for local government

In 2016, the Sydney Coastal Councils Group (SCCG) initiated Phase 2 of this project ‘Development and Implementation of an Emergency Management Health Check Tool for Local Government’ supported by a State Emergency Management Project (SEMP) grant from the NSW Office of Emergency Management.

As part of this process, we engaged consulting firm Janellis to develop a functional online emergency management health check tool and resource package, and facilitate a series of regional Stakeholder Workshops for councils and relevant State Agencies across NSW. Workshops were held in Sydney, Western Sydney, Newcastle, Ballina, Dubbo and Ulladulla.

The Emergency Management Health Check allows councils, Local Emergency Management Committees, regions and government representatives to identify areas for improvement in council’s resilience and readiness capability; build a case for funding to address emergency management needs; ensure integration between local emergency planning, risk management and Integrated Planning & Reporting Framework; and provide a platform to identify best practice emergency management and share lessons across NSW.

The Health Check Tool and online resource were launched in January 2017 on the emhealthcheck website (Note: This website is no longer active and resources and information have been transferred here instead).

Download the Stakeholder Briefing Template on Phase 2.

Benefits for Councils

Feedback and insight into the value of the Health Check for local government.

WORKSHOP FEEDBACK

A summary of facilitated discussions at the Emergency Management Stakeholder Workshops held in 2016.

A collation of workshop feedback found the following benefits identified by participants:

  • Allows for continuous improvement within emergency management at the local level;
  • Elevates the conversation to the General Manager / Executive level within local councils;
  • Alignment with current internal auditing requirements;
  • Creates a baseline from which to measure improvement;
  • Validation of local emergency management planning and capability;
  • Provides a business case for funding and resources;
  • Drives internal and external stakeholder engagement and collaboration;
  • Fit for purpose and user friendly.

Please review the Project Update sent to all workshop participants in December 2016 with more details on the workshops and feedback.

Guides & Templates

GUIDELINES

Using the Health Check to improve your Emergency Management Readiness

  • Health Check Guide – Everything you need to know about how the Health Check works, how to implement it within your council and how to create action plans for improvement.
  • Quick Check List – Use the Quick Check List to see a summary of the recommended process for participating in the Health Check and monitoring your progress.
  • Stakeholder Engagement Process – An overview of the recommended process for engaging stakeholders and facilitating workshops to discuss and collate responses to the Health Check.
  • Glossary of Terms – Definitions and terminology used throughout the Health Check, this website and the Guides.
  • Sample Health Check Summary Report (PDF) – An example of how the high level summary report displays in PDF once downloaded.
  • Sample Health Check Detailed Individual Response Report – An example of how the detailed response report displays in PDF once downloaded.

TEMPLATES

Pre-developed documents for you to customise for your Council’s Health Check Initiative 

DISCLAIMER

The information contained on this website and associated material comprises general statements based on investigations into the development of policy and practice related to Emergency Management. The SCCG advises the reader that information on the website and in uploaded documents may be incomplete and unsuitable for use in any specific situation without seeking prior expert professional and technical advice.

To the extent permitted by law the SCCG (including its employees and consultants) excludes all liability to any person or organisation for any consequences, including but not limited to all losses, damages, costs, expenses and any other compensation, arising directly or indirectly from using this website and any information or material contained in it.

The views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the views of the NSW Government or the Commonwealth of Australia.

Engaging Stakeholders

A simple 6 Step guide to help you get the stakeholders you need on board for this initiative.

As with any initiative, project or program, the key to success is a strong and effective stakeholder engagement and communications strategy. To assist councils in getting the Health Check off the ground, socialised and successfully implemented we have developed some simple guidelines for stakeholder engagement.

  1. Identify the key stakeholders for the Health Check initiative
  2. Develop your Stakeholder Briefing Document
  3. Develop your Stakeholder Engagement and Communication Plan 
  4. Facilitate Meetings and Workshops
  5. Complete the Offline Health Check Questionnaire
  6. Complete the Online Health Check Tool 

1. Identify Key Stakeholders

Multiple local government stakeholders will need to be involved in participating in the Health Check. As an example you may wish to consider council representatives with a role to play in emergency management such as:

  • General Managers
  • Local Emergency Management Officers (LEMO) and alternates
  • Risk Managers
  • Infrastructure
  • Strategic Planning
  • Community Engagement
  • Environment and sustainability
  • Governance
  • Business Continuity Planning
  • Corporate services

You may also wish to involve or consult with members of the LEMC and other external stakeholders, consultants or experts who have been involved in your emergency capability development.

We recommend recording your key stakeholders in a register that will include:

  • Name
  • Role
  • Stakeholder category
  • Contact details
  • Record of communications made – type, date, by who

2. Develop your Stakeholder Briefing Document

The Stakeholder Briefing Template has been provided to assist in creating the first line of communication to a potential project sponsor or other key stakeholders about the Health Check initiative. Completion of an initial ‘draft’ document is recommended which can then be socialised with the relevant council staff members for review and consideration.

Download the Stakeholder Briefing Template.

3. Create your Stakeholder Communications Plan

We also recommend developing a simple Stakeholder Communication Plan in order to map out your strategy for engaging with the revelant internal or external parties.

The Communications Plan would include an indication of:

  • The various stakeholder groups you have identified above;
  • Key messages to each that will communicate what’s in it for them, why it’s important and what action is required of them;
  • Methods of communication to each group eg. email, presentation, briefing document, meeting or workshop;
  • Timing of communication e.g. when does it need to happen by;
  • Who will deliver the message e.g. sponsor, facilitator or others.

4. Facilitate Meetings or Workshops

In order to complete the Health Check you will require input from your various stakeholder groups. You may choose to gather their input in a number of ways:

  • By sending them the relevant questions to review and complete
  • By meeting your stakeholders one-on-one to assist you in completing the relevant questions or sections
  • By facilitiating a workshop or series of workshops to enable group discussion on the questions and responses.

We would recommend ideally a blend of the above according to what will be appropriate for your council, your risk profile, size, complexity or internal culture.
Prior to undertaking any of these interactions you should develop a clear plan that includes consideration of the following for each meeting or workshop:

  • Aim
  • Objectives
  • Key Messages
  • Success Criteria
  • Agenda or Flow
  • Participants
  • Duration
  • Location
  • Logistics

The aim of the meeting or workshops is to generate the discussion on emergency management, uncover potential discrepancies in thinking, seek alignment and ultimately provide the platform for completion of the Offline Health Check Questionnaire.

Download a copy of Offline Health Check Questionnaire.

5. Complete the Offline Health Check Questionnaire

The Offline Health Check Questionnaire is a Word Document that allows users to review all the questions, response scales and best practice indicators prior to inputing into the Online Health Check Tool. Responses can be checked using check boxes and commentary on your response can be added in the ‘comments’ field.

A final review of the Offline Health Check Questionnaire can be made by the relevant stakeholders prior to proceeding with completion and submission of the Online Health Check.

Download a copy of Offline Health Check Questionnaire.

6. Complete the Online Health Check Tool

Login into the Online Health Check Tool to complete and submit your responses using your Council ID Authenticator. The Reports generated will assist you in preparing an improvement plan and executive report to present to key stakeholders for review and action.

Note: The online tool is no longer available. The offline hardcopy can be used instead, as the questions and rating system in the offline version are the same. 

Access to resources and grant funding information

HELPFUL LINKS

To assist you in improving readiness within Council and your local area

RISK MANAGEMENT

PLANNING

STAKEHOLDER ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

TRAINING

RECOVERY

AWARDS

STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT AND COMMUNICATION

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

COMMUNITY AWARENESS AND EDUCATION

Bushfires

Floods

Storms

Tsunami

PODCASTS

INFORMATION ON GRANT FUNDING

To help your Council identify opportunities for funding to build resilience. 

Grant funding applications for some of these programs link to the outcomes of risk assessments and management plans which identify treatment options and works programs. Examples of these include bushfire, floodplain or coastal zone risk management plans as well as an Emergency Risk Management Study.

Funding aims to address priorities identified in risk assessments and management plans as well as in documents prepared under the IP&R legislation.

For more information on NSW Natural Disaster Resilience Programs (NDRP) please contact the Office of Emergency Management Grants Unit on (02) 9212 9252 or email ndrp@mpes.nsw.gov.au.

BUSH FIRE RISK MANAGEMENT GRANTS SCHEME (BFRMGS)

Funding from the NDRP to address bush fire risks is allocated through existing programs managed by the NSW Rural Fire Service. These programs are for local governments and eligible public land managers to maintain and improve fire trail networks and undertake hazard reduction and other bush fire community resilience projects.

For more information on the Bush Fire Risk Management Grants Scheme (BFRMGS) please email bushfiregrantprogrammes@rfs.nsw.gov.au

FLOODPLAIN RISK MANAGEMENT GRANTS SCHEME (FRMGS)

Funding to address flood activities is allocated through the existing Floodplain Management Program managed by the Office of Environment and Heritage. This program provides financial support to councils and eligible public land managers to:

  • make informed decisions on managing flood risk by preparing floodplain risk management plans (and associated background studies) under the floodplain risk management process
  • implement floodplain risk management plans to reduce flood risk to both existing and future development, and reduce losses through a range of property, flood and response modification measures as outlined in the manual
  • provide essential information to the State Emergency Service to enable the effective preparation and implementation of local flood plans to deal with flood emergency response.

Further information can be found on the Office for Environment and Heritage website.

COMMUNITY RESILIENCE INNOVATION PROGRAM (CRIP)

The Community Resilience Innovation Program (CRIP) is designed to build disaster resilience within communities through projects that identify community needs, mobilise partners, and create innovative and effective solutions that can be grown, sustained and replicated. The CRIP supports grass roots initiatives designed to encourage community sector cooperation, collaboration and education by bringing together local community organisations with agencies that have emergency services responsibilities to enhance local community capacity and resilience.

Review examples of CRIP funding approved in 2014/15.
Review examples of CRIP funding approved in 2013/14.

For more information visit the Community Resilience Innovation Program (CRIP) page on emergency.nsw.gov.au.

Case Studies

Evidence of best practice emergency management from around Australia.

LEARNINGS IN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

How local government, emergency services and community groups are buidling readiness and resilience within their local areas. 

NSW Office of Emergency Management

Attorney General’s Department

Sand Management Working Group

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The Sand Management Working Group was established in November 2019.

The group’s purpose is to ensure a collaborative approach and peer-to-peer learning in tackling sand management issues faced by councils in Sydney such as beach erosion and accretion on coastal and estuarine beaches. The group comprises member councils with an interest in sand management including Sutherland Shire, Bayside and Northern Beaches councils and Woollahra Municipal Council. It also includes key representatives from Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) as well as industry and academic representatives. Meetings are held quarterly and include expert presentations and project presentations and updates from member councils.

Sand Management, in particular beach nourishment, has been recognised as a potential adaptive option to offset the adverse impacts of seal level rise and increasing storm intensity on coastal assets including the retention of public beaches. (Gordon, 2009 ‘The Potential for Offshore Sand Sources to Offset Climate Change Impacts on Sydney’s Beaches’). The potential devastating impacts are evident from the 2016 ‘D Day Storm’ which moved 410,000m3 of sand from the Collaroy-Narrabeen beach alone during this time. Several other councils are also experiencing beach erosion and, in some areas, unwanted beach accretion which also has an impact on private and public assets. Short term and long term impacts are considered in both local and regional contexts and opportunities for broad scale regional beach nourishment programs are explored.

To date, presentations have been provided by representatives from DPIE, NPWS, University of New South Wales, Geological Survey of NSW, MidCoast Council, Hunter & Central Coast Development Corporation and all participating councils on the Sand Management Working Group. All presentations have been recorded and are available for members in the ‘Members Area’ of the SCCG website.

A copy of the Terms of Reference is also available for members in the ‘Members Area’.

Landslide Risk Management: Geotechnical Investigations

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Introduction

In recognition of the challenge between development pressures and landslide hazard, in the year 2000 the Australian Geomechanics Society (AGS) published a benchmark technical paper “Landslide Risk Management Concepts and Guidelines” (AGS, 2000) – which significantly updated an earlier 1985 guideline. It was recommended in the report of the Coroner’s Inquiry into the 1997 Thredbo landslide that AGS (2000) be taken into account – through directions in the Building Code of Australia and local codes dealing with planning, development and building approval procedures – when assessing and planning urban communities in hillside environments.

Whilst AGS (2000) presented concepts and guidelines to assist practitioners, there remained a need to provide supplemental information to further assist practitioners, to assist regulators and to provide advice to the broader Australian population. This was recognised by the SCCG who in turn submitted a successful grant application under the NSW and Commonwealth Governments’ National Disaster Mitigation Program.

Outcomes / Outputs

The project(s) are intimately related to management of risk associated with landslides in all parts of Australia, covering sloping terrain generally and with applicability to the coastal and near-coastal environment. The project involved the development of two guidelines, two commentaries and a suite of GeoGuides. These provide assistance variably to regulators, practitioners and owners and occupiers of property and land potentially subject to landslide hazards.

  1. The Landslide Zoning Guideline covers landslide susceptibility, hazard and risk zoning for land use planning. It provides guidance to government regulators (officers of local government and state government instrumentalities) and geotechnical practitioners in the methods of Landslide Hazard Zoning. Such characterisation provides input to the land use planning process in areas of landslide hazard. This guideline is supported an associated commentary document.
  2. The Slope Management Guideline – known as the Australian GeoGuides for Slope Management and Maintenance – provides owners and occupiers, and therefore the public in the broader sense, with guidance on management and maintenance of properties subject to landslide hazard. These two guidelines are important contributions to the management of landslide hazard at both ends of the process – initial identification of landslide hazard in the planning process, and management of properties prone to landslide hazard by the end-user.
  3. The guidelines benefit the general community (Australian GeoGuides) and Local Government regulators (Landslide Zoning) through achieving safer, more sustainable communities in relation to their exposure to landslide risk, and reduce risk to the community through improved planning and slope management practices. These guidelines link with the risk management practices presented in AGS (2000) and the recently published Building Code of Australia (BCA) Guideline, and will provide long-term natural disaster mitigation benefits to housing and infrastructure.

The LRM Practice Note provides guidance to practitioners in the performance of project specific landslide risk assessment and management, and also to government officers in interpretation of the reports they receive. The Practice Note is suited to be an external reference document for legislative requirements. The Practice Note supersedes the recognised industry “standard” on LRM in Australia – AGS (2000).

The guidance provided by the Practice Note is of a technical nature and is mainly for the geotechnical practitioner for the production of landslide risk assessment and management for development in areas prone to landslide hazard. This includes guidance on appropriate methods and techniques, and tolerable levels of risk. Currently, an acceptable level of risk to life for the individual most-at-risk is reasonably well identified, though perhaps conservatively so. As a result of a number of issues, there has been no similar guidance for risk to property, which is now provided in the Practice Note.

Project Awards

Warren Medal – Civil Collage

In early 2008 the SCCG and Australian Geomechanics Society Landslide Risk Management Project was awarded the prestigious Warren Medal the premier award of the Civil College.

Australian Safer Communities Awards 2008

“AGS (2007)” was submitted for judging in the Australian Safer Communities Awards 2008 in the category of “Projects of National Significance”. The project received a ‘High Commendation’. Award winners are recognised “throughout the emergency management sector for their outstanding achievement, innovation and professional standing”.

 

Guideline for Landslide Susceptibility, Hazard and Risk Zoning for Land Use Management

Commentary on Guideline for Landslide Susceptibility, Hazard and Risk Zoning for Land Use Management

Landslide Practice Note – Practice Note Guidelines for Landslide Risk

Journal of Emergency Management in Australia, Landslide Risk Management for Australia.

Australian GeoGuides for Slope Management and Maintenance

Australian GeoGuide on Landslides

Australian GeoGuide on Soil Slopes

Australian GeoGuide on Rock Slopes

Australian GeoGuide on Water and Drainage

Australian GeoGuide on Retaining Walls

Australian GeoGuide on Landslide Risk

Australian GeoGuide on Hillside Construction

Australian GeoGuide on Effluent and Surface Water Disposal

Australian GeoGuide on Coastal Landslides

Australian GeoGuide on Record Keepings

A Method for Assessing the Vulnerability of Buildings to Catastrophic (Tsunami) Marine Flooding

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Introduction

Sydney’s low-lying coastal infrastructure is vulnerable to the impact of catastrophic marine floods associated with tsunami and storm surges. The future impacts of such floods will be worse than in the past because of climate related sea level rise and increased exposure at the coast. Coastal planners and risk managers need innovative tools to undertake assessment of the vulnerability of buildings and infrastructure and likely probable maximum loss located within their areas of responsibility. Such assessments will enable risk mitigation measures to be developed and challenges of long-term sustainability to be addressed. In 2008, the SCCG together with the Australian Tsunami Research Centre at the University of New South Wales commenced a collaborative research project titled “A method for assessing the vulnerability of buildings to catastrophic (tsunami) marine flooding”.

Aim and Objectives

The aim of this project was to apply a newly developed GIS vulnerability assessment tool to selected coastal suburbs of Sydney, evaluate and quantify the vulnerability of buildings at those locations to a hypothetical tsunami (or storm surge) flood based on the latest scientific understanding.

Outcomes / Outputs

The results are presented via a series of thematic vulnerability maps, in which different types of buildings are displayed using a colour code corresponding to the RVI score.

The overall project outcomes are delivered in three forms:

  1. 1:5000 scale maps of the RVI scores of all buildings within the two study areas;
  2. A report including a detailed description of the method, the results and a series of potential recommendations for Government(s) to increase their capability to deal with long-term risk mitigation
  3. A step by step ArcGIS user’s manual for applying this model to other coastal areas including a specific tool to be installed onto the GIS platform.

The project outputs, finalised in August 2009, include the Final Report, User Manual and Project Fact Sheet click on the links below.

Final Report

User Manual

 

In November 2011, the SCCG partnered once again with the UNSW Pacific Tsunami Research Centre and Natural Hazards Research Laboratory (UNSW APTRC) to build upon this project and assess coastal vulnerability to multiple inundation sources. This 2-year project will develop a multi-hazard tool to assess the vulnerability of buildings and critical infrastructure to extreme marine inundatations caused both by tsunamis and storm surges.

 

Coastal Vulnerability to Multiple Inundation Sources Project (COVERMAR)

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A prize winning project!

This project received State and National recognition, winning both the New South Wales and Australian 2014 Resilience Australia Awards (local government category). The Awards recognise innovative practices and achievements across the nation which support and strengthen community disaster resilience.

Intoduction

The Sydney Coastal Councils Group Inc. (SCCG) partnered with the University of New South Wales Australia – Pacific Tsunami Research Centre & Natural Hazards Research Laboratory (UNSW APTRC) to undertake a research project addressing coastal vulnerability to multiple inundation sources.

The project has developed a multi-hazard tool to assess the vulnerability of buildings and critical infrastructure to extreme marine inundations caused by both storm surges and tsunamis. Inundation scenarios were simulated using state-of-the-art numerical models, under present and predicted future climate conditions, and tested at three NSW study sites.

The project was coordinated by the SCCG and carried out by Dr. Filippo Dall’Osso and Assoc. Prof. Dale Dominey-Howes.

The project Fact Sheet can be viewed by clicking on the image below.

Stages
  1. We developed a multi-hazard tool to assess the vulnerability of buildings and critical infrastructure to extreme coastal inundation caused by storm surges and tsunamis, modelling 36 tsunami scenarios combining two sources, three annual tsunami probabilities, the current and two future sea levels and high tide and mean sea level.
  2. We undertook a multicriteria analysis of the vulnerability of our 15 Member Councils and identified Botany Bay and the adjoining Port Hacking and Bate Bay as an appropriate case study location.
  3. We surveyed the physical and engineering attributes of all buildings in the study area (~4000 buildings) and imported them into a GIS system.
  4. State of the art building fragility models were applied to assess the level of damage of each individual building
  5. We then calculated expected economic losses (Probable Maximum Loss) drawing upon current building construction, demolition and replacement costs. Results were displayed on a series of coded high-resolution colour coded maps.

Project deliverables inform coastal strategic planning, development assessment and emergency management. They expand awareness and understanding of the vulnerability of NSW coasts to inundation (from storm surge and tsunami) and its impact on infrastructure, canvassing recommendations in relation to planning and development and coastal and emergency management. Many elements of the project methodology can be applied to other hazards such as bushfire and flooding.

Funding

This project is funded by the Australian and NSW Governments and conducted under the Natural Disaster Resilience Program, as described in the National Partnership Agreement on Natural Disaster Resilience and the NSW Implementation Plan 10/11.

Project Outputs

Literature Review Report

A Literature Review Report has been prepared that provides contextual knowledge and information regarding the project. It reviews relevant past, existing and emerging work that has been synthesised into five sections:

    1. Scope
    2. Risk, hazard, vulnerability and exposure
    3. Extreme inundation events
    4. NSW policy framework on coastal and flood risk
    5. Review of methods for assessing the vulnerability of buildings and infrastructure to extreme inundations.

The Hazard Assessment Report reviews the numerical simulations of the selected tsunami and storm surge inundation scenarios: 1/100 yr storm surges, and 1/100 yr, 1/1,000 yr and 1/10,000 yr. tsunamis under present and future sea level conditions.

Outcomes Report

This report describes the methodology and presents the results of the building and infrastructure vulnerability assessment at a NSW case study location.

Project Launch

On 17 February 2014, at Customs House, Sydney, the project deliverables were launched. Presentations from the principle researcher and three other industry stakeholders (Geoscience Australia, NSW SES and the Hazards Research Group, University of Sydney) were delivered to 62 attendees representing 40 different organisations. Presentations provided an overview of storm surge and tsunami risk in Australia, reflected on the role of the NSW State Emergency Service and the contribution to research and information by Geoscience Australia. It also reviewed the development of the tool, project methodology, benefits afforded by the Advisory Committee, case study locations and the results thereof. An end-of-launch panel discussion provided an opportunity for participants to explore issues further.

Overall, 80% of respondents considered the event very good or excellent, and very or extremely unique. Ninety-two percent thought it was well structured and 50% said it exceeded expectations. Notably, 92% indicated that their skills and knowledge of coastal hazards such as storm surges and tsunamis improved by attending the event. Presenters were well prepared (100% agreement) and communicated well (90% agreement). It was also a good networking opportunity (87% agreement).

The subject matter, structure, duration, high calibre of presenters and the contribution of participants ensured that the event was a success. Lessons learned and evaluation results will be applied to future activities to ensure continuous improvement of SCCG events.

 

The following presentation slides from the Launch are available for download:

Associate Professor Dale Dominey-Howes, University of Sydney

Australian Tsunami – An overview from hazard to community risk perception.

Dr. Filippo Dall’Osso, UNSW
Coastal vulnerability to multiple inundation sources

Belinda Davies, NSW SES
Emergency management of coastal hazards in NSW

Mark Edwards, Geoscience Australia
Natural hazards impact accessment at Geoscience Australia

Emergency Management Planning: a Health Check for Local Government (EMP Stage 1)

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The outputs of the Stage 1 Emergency Management Planning Project are below.

Project Aim and Objectives

By working closely with Local Government and the major combat agencies, the SCCG explored current practice in NSW and reviewed best practice approaches from other States and Internationally. A key element of the project is the building of resilience, both organisationally and within the community, to provide adaptive and flexible responses to emergencies. The project also investigated limitations and opportunities for Local Government practice due to other areas and responsibilities of Emergency Management.

The SCCG engaged with emergency management staff from SCCG Councils and the lead agencies. A Steering Committee with representation from those organisations was established to draw upon viewpoints and needs from all perspectives.

The objectives were to:
  1. Clarify the roles and involvement of Local Government in Emergency Management
  2. Engage stakeholders in Emergency Management Planning to define areas of need and to refine the scope and focus of the proposed tool
  3. Identify information relevant to community engagement and participation in emergency management through structured interviews
  4. Examine use of resources for Response and Recovery to evaluate efficient and economic use
  5. Evaluate individual and organisational learning in all phases of Emergency Management
  6. Identify data to inform future planning and decision-making relevant to emergency management
  7. Investigate how Emergency Management functions of Local Government are incorporated into the Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework and identify relevant parameters and performance indicators
  8. Investigate monitoring and evaluation frameworks relevant to Emergency Management
  9. Develop a tool, the Health Check, which will provide a means to assess the level of emergency management preparedness of Local Government
  10. Foster uptake of the tool in Local Government by conducting workshops and other means of promotion.

The project has relied on the contributions from Member Councils and other interested councils from across the State. The initial consultation clarified the views of emergency management personnel as the roles of, and the opportunities and challenges for, local government in supporting their communities in dealing with hazards and emergencies.

A workshop in December 2013 clarified the structure of the Health Check in the context of the National Strategy for Disaster Resilience (NSDR). The participants began populating the evaluation questions for each of the “goals” and KPIs, formulated by the group, within the NSDR structure. This information was collated and edited, and circulated for review and correction by attendees before being distributed to all stakeholders and interested councils. Feedback from the councils guided a significant revision of the Health Check, focusing on simplifying the questions and using the KPIs as “prompts” to provide information on the frame and context of the question, and the kinds of actions that could be considered both in evaluation and to progress emergency management within a council. The revised structure has been improved through iterative reviews and support for improved functionality. The Health Check was demonstrated at the Project Launch in September, with ongoing minor revisions to improve outputs for councils.

A revised User Guide accompanies the release version of the Health Check to explain installation, and the options for using the Health Check.

For more information see the Fact Sheet.

An important part of the Health Check will be to provide resources for Local Government to promote learning from the experience of others. The SCCG would be pleased to receive suggestions as to useful publications, policies, plans and procedures that might be adapted by councils seeking to improve their contributions to Emergency Management.

The SCCG is grateful for the funding and support from the Ministry of Police and Emergency Services, and our Advisory Committee with representatives of member councils, universities, OEH, DoPE, DoH, DLG, SES, RFS.


Project Launch

On 17 September 2014, the SCCG launched the project outcomes. A Forum and Panel Discussion featured a keynote presentation by Mr. Phil Koperberg AO BEM AFSM looking at the role of Local Government in emergency management, supported by other speakers who looked at approaches for improving capability and resilience of Local Government in emergency management, supported by other speakers who looked at approaches for improving the capability and resilience of Local Government fulfil their roles in emergency management.

The broad themes that cover the concerns of the participants include:

    • The need for leadership in emergency management with improved understanding and coordination between agencies and levels of government.
    • Clarity on the role of local government in PPRR and local government capacity and capability to respond to large scale emergencies.
    • The lack of resources at all levels of government, particularly for Prevention and Preparation, and the implications of the new plans and procedures for local emergency management planning.
    • Complacency and lack of commitment to planning between emergencies and the need to support the necessary work to prepare the community and to share responsibility for emergency management planning and to build resilience.
    • Co-ordination and communication can work together to inform and engage the community to build resilience. Complacency and different concerns and priorities can undermine clear and consistent messages leading to confusion and apathy.

The Launch Report is available here.

Implementing and Embedding an Emergency Management Health Check for Local Government (EMP Stage 2)

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The SCCG received funding from the Office of Emergency Management under the State Emergency Management Projects Program to continue Stage 2 of the Emergency Management Health Check.

In late 2015 SCCG commenced the state wide project to enhance, implement and embed the Emergency Management Health Check into local government processes and frameworks.

The project objectives are to:

  1. Develop the Pilot Health Check (from the stage 1 project) into a functional tool, enabling strategic assessment of emergency management responses in Local Government
  2. Develop and implement a state-wide engagement program to raise awareness of and assist councils in embedding the Health Check tool
  3. Enable integration of emergency management actions across relevant functional areas of Councils including Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework (IPRF), Asset Management and Business Continuity Plans
  4. Increase the capability of Local Councils to plan for emergencies and engage with stakeholders
  5. Quantify local and regional emergency management commitments and improve reporting and follow up action by local councils.

A Project Advisory Committee was set up to support and advise on project deliverables; including representatives from the Office of Emergency Management, local councils, state government and Universities.

SCCG engaged consulting firm Janellis to functionalise the tool, facilitate stakeholder workshops and to develop a resource package for local councils.

View the project factsheet here.

Stakeholder engagement workshops were undertaken across NSW to raise awareness and gain feedback and input into the draft tool, particularly the questions framework. Workshops were held at North Sydney, Newcastle, Dubbo, Ballina, Ulladulla and Lidcombe.

Workshops were open to all Councils including staff involved in emergency management, risk management, business continuity planning, governance, environment, asset management and community services. The Regional Emergency Management Officers and representatives of the combat agencies were also invited to provide feedback.

As a component of the project an online ‘Health Check Tool’ and an online resource toolkit have been developed and can be accessed from the project website.

This website is now live – go to: emhealthcheck.com.au

The Tool will enable councils to assess their own level of performance ‘health’ in relation to emergency management planning, preparedness, response, recovery and overall resilience.