ANNUAL REPORT for the reporting period ending 30 June 2013 ANNUAL REPORT for the reporting period ending 30 June 2013

All correspondence regarding this report is to be directed to: Communications Coordinator SEMC Secretariat 20 Southport Street WEST LEEDERVILLE WA 6007 Telephone: (08) 9482 1700 Email: [email protected] Web: www.semc.wa.gov.au

Acknowledgements The State Emergency Management Committee (SEMC) acknowledges the contribution of the member agencies, the broad range of organisations and committees who support the SEMC in its activities and contributed to the preparation of this Annual Report. The member agencies are: • Department for Child Protection • Department of Environment and Conservation • Department of Fire and Emergency Services • Department of Health • Department of the Premier and Cabinet • Western Australia Police • Western Australian Local Government Association.

SEMC ANNUAL REPORT

Foreword

It is with great pleasure that we present to you the SEMC’s Annual Report. This report provides a summary of the emergency management activities carried out in Western Australia in 2012–2013. The SEMC worked in a very dynamic and stimulating environment and both the Committee and the Secretariat worked closely with member agencies to bring about a number of signifi cant and worthy changes in emergency management in Western Australia. Key changes include the re-formation of the Committee in July 2012, the development of SEMC’s Strategic Plan 2012–2015, which provides a blueprint for the Committee’s key objectives over the next years, the publication of the fi rst report on the State’s preparedness for large scale emergencies in October 2012 and the SEMC Secretariat’s transition to becoming a sub-department of the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) from 1 July 2013. The new arrangements provide for a clearer separation of the roles of the SEMC and the State Emergency Coordination Group (SECG). This assigns the coordination of the actual response during emergencies to the SECG, allowing the SEMC to focus on preparedness including reviewing the policy framework, ensuring role clarity and focusing more on delivery of the Strategic Plan. The Secretariat provides support to the SEMC and its subcommittees as well as facilitating key projects. In this regard the SEMC continues to be well supported in its work by the Secretariat, by member agencies, by the SEMC subcommittees and by the District and Local Emergency Management Committees throughout the State. Their valued contributions to Western Australia’s emergency management are presented in this report and we would like to express our appreciation of this support, particularly the support of the hard-working staff of the Secretariat and member agencies. We look forward to working in a collaborative style with all involved in emergency management to continuously improve Western Australia’s emergency management. We hope you fi nd this report both informative and interesting, and that it will give you a greater understanding of the signifi cant work undertaken. This Annual Report is submitted to the Minister for Emergency Services in accordance with section 25 of the Emergency Management Act 2005.

Ms Kerry Sanderson AO Ms Noelene Jennings Chair Executive Director SEMC SEMC Secretariat

State Emergency Management Committee | Annual Report 2012 – 2013 Margaret River bush fi re: Boodji Creek. Photograph taken by Ivan Flower-Jones.

State Emergency Management Committee | Annual Report 2012 – 2013 Contents

The SEMC Members 2 Acknowledgement to former SEMC member 4 The SEMC Meetings 4 Record of attendance for ordinary quarterly meetings 4 The SEMC’s Strategic Plan 2012–2015 5 The SEMC’s purpose 5 Guiding Principles of the Strategic Plan 7 The SEMC Committee Structure 8 SEMC Key Achievements in 2012–2013 8 Annual Emergency Preparedness Report 8 The SEMC reconstitution and sub-department establishment 8 State-wide Risk Management Project 9 Subcommittee review 9 Season Review meeting 10 Report on Post-Incident Analysis (Noetic Solutions) 10 The SEMC Subcommittees 11 The SEMC Subcommittee Key Activities in 2012 – 2013 11 Associated groups 12 New Subcommittee Structure 12 District Emergency Management Committees 14 Compliance 14 Western Australia’s Emergency Management Districts 14 DEMC Key Achievements in 2012–2013 15 Local Emergency Management Committees 16 Compliance 16 Data collected in 2012–2013 18 State Emergency Management Framework 19 Policy and Legislation updates 20 New and/or changes to State Emergency Management Policies (SEMP) 20 Changes to Emergency Management Regulations 20 Changes to State Emergency Management Procedures 20 New and/or changes to State Emergency Management Plans (Westplans) 20 Status of State Emergency Management Plans – Westplans 21 Status of Westplans 21 Status of State Function Support Plans 22 Hazard Management Agencies – main responses and exercises in 2012 – 2013 23 Enabling Legislation 25 SEMC Membership 25 Responsible Minister 25 Acronyms 26

State Emergency Management Committee | Annual Report 2012 – 2013 1 The SEMC Members

The composition of the SEMC at 30 June 2013

Back row: Mr Frank Edwards CSC, Mr Peter Conran PSM, Mr Wayne Gregson APM, Mr Terry Murphy, Mr James Sharp, Dr Andrew Robertson PSM and Dr Karl O’Callaghan APM. Front row: Ms Noelene Jennings, Ms Sue Ash, Ms Kerry Sanderson AO and Ms Ricky Burges PSM.

2 State Emergency Management Committee | Annual Report 2012 – 2013 CHAIR DEPUTY CHAIR EXECUTIVE OFFICER EXECUTIVE OFFICER Ms Kerry Sanderson AO Ms Sue Ash (from Jan 2013) (from Aug–Dec 2012) Independent Member Independent Member Ms Noelene Jennings Ms Michelle Reynolds SEMC Secretariat SEMC Secretariat

MEMBER MEMBER MEMBER MEMBER (proxy) Mr Frank Edwards CSC Dr Karl O’Callaghan Mr Wayne Gregson Dr Andrew Robertson Independent Member APM APM PSM WA Police Department of Fire & Department of Health Emergency Services

MEMBER MEMBER MEMBER MEMBER Mr Terry Murphy Mr Peter Conran PSM Mr James Sharp Ms Ricky Burges PSM Department for Department of the Department of WA Local Government Child Protection Premier and Cabinet Environment and Association Conservation

State Emergency Management Committee | Annual Report 2012 – 2013 3 Acknowledgement to former SEMC member The SEMC acknowledges the valued contribution of Mr Keiran McNamara, Director General of the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC). Mr McNamara graduated in natural resources from the University of New England in 1976. He then spent seven years with the Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service in Canberra. Mr McNamara joined CALM in July 1985 and went on to become CALM’s Director of Nature Conservation in December 1991 and its CEO in July 2001. When the then Government amalgamated CALM and the Department of Environment to form DEC in July 2006, Mr McNamara was appointed as Director General of the agency and served in that role until March 2013. The Minister for Emergency Services appointed Mr Keiran McNamara as a member of the SEMC on 24 November 2009 in recognition of the signifi cant role that DEC had in the management of fi res across the State. Mr McNamara served as a valued SEMC member until March 2013.

The SEMC Meetings During 2012–2013 the SEMC met on nine (9) occasions: • Rescheduled ordinary meeting of the SEMC prior to reconstitution 3 July 2012. • Extraordinary meeting on 12 July 2012 (Cabinet Decision). • Workshop of the reconstituted SEMC on 7 August 2012. • Four ordinary quarterly meetings (4 September 2012, 4 December 2012, 5 March 2013 and 11 June 2013). • Extraordinary meeting in October 2012 (Preparedness Report). • Season review meeting in May 2013.

Record of attendance for ordinary quarterly meetings

Member Position/Organisation Total number Represented by Proxy/ of meetings number of meetings attended Ms Kerry Sanderson SEMC Chairperson 4 Ms Sue Ash SEMC Deputy Chairperson 4 Ms Michelle Reynolds SEMC Executive Offi cer 2 Ms Noelene Jennings SEMC Executive Offi cer 2* Mr Frank Edwards Independent Member 4 Dr Karl O’Callaghan WA Police 3 Mr Wayne Gregson Department of Fire and Emergency Services 4 Mr Kim Snowball Department of Health 1 Dr Andrew Robertson (3) Professor Bryant Stokes 0† Mr Terry Murphy Department for Child Protection 2 Mr Peter Byrne (1) Mr Peter Conran Department of the Premier and Cabinet 4 Mr Keiran McNamara Department of Environment and Conservation 2 Mr Peter Dans (1) Mr James Sharp 1‡ Ms Ricky Burges Western Australian Local Government Association 2 Ms Allison Hailes (2) * Ms Noelene Jennings replaced Ms Michelle Reynolds in January 2013. † Professor Bryant Stokes replaced Mr Kim Snowball in June 2013. Dr Andrew Robertson is the Deputy Member for Department of Health. ‡ Mr James Sharp replaced Mr Keiran McNamara in June 2013.

4 State Emergency Management Committee | Annual Report 2012 – 2013 The SEMC’s Strategic Plan 2012–2015

The signifi cant changes to emergency management in Western Australia during 2012–2013 emphasised the need to agree the direction and objectives of the SEMC. The inaugural Emergency Preparedness Report in 2012 delivered the fi rst assessment of the State’s preparedness, particularly its capacity to deal with large-scale emergencies and the progress in the emergency management sector. The report highlighted and re-confi rmed four major themes: • Shared Responsibility; • Risk Management; • Improving Coordination particularly in Response; and • Continuous Improvement. The SEMC brought together these themes in conjunction with its renewed commitment towards reviewing and continuously improving Western Australia’s emergency management framework and developed the Strategic Plan 2012–2015.

The SEMC’s purpose The SEMC, as the peak body for emergency management in Western Australia, strategises, organises and oversees the coordination and continuous improvement of emergency management in the State by: • promoting shared understanding and responsibility across whole of government and the wider community; • establishing an emergency management framework based on a risk management approach; • promoting preparedness for emergencies to minimise their impact and accelerate recovery; and • providing advice to government on any matter in relation to emergency management.

State Emergency Management Committee | Annual Report 2012 – 2013 5 The new Strategic Plan refl ects the direction for the SEMC over the next fi ve years, with the purpose being to strategise, organise and oversee the coordination and continuous improvement of emergency management in the State and the fi ve major pillars being:

Strategic Oversight Risk Shared Preparedness Continuous and Coordination Responsibility Improvement Objective Review Emergency Develop and Clarify Assess and Embrace learning Management (EM) coordinate a roles and advise on and continual arrangements so as strategic risk responsibilities preparedness. improvement and to ensure improved framework. of EM partner incorporate into our outcomes. organisations. business. Develop community risk management awareness and capacity. Outcomes Legislative and policy Risk is applied Shared Identify gaps Disseminate expert framework understood across all hazards. responsibility and highlight knowledge on EM. and applied correctly. Future risks ethos and planned identifi ed. enhanced improvements community in annual preparedness reporting. linked to local initiatives. Priority Interoperability of Risk framework Review of Emergency Monitor ongoing Projects communication. developed community Preparedness implementation of Review of and applied alert system. Report both reviews (including subcommittees to emergency Review of local preparation Keelty, Noetic). and communication management. emergency and follow Offi ce of the Auditor- processes to ensure All risks assessed management up of actions General including effi ciency and using ISO structures and identifi ed in the completion of effectiveness. 31000:2009. arrangements. report. actions allocated to SEMC. Emergency Management Act to clarify Act (2005) review. responsibilities. Develop a process to share learnings Policy review. from exercises and Implementation of an incidents. assurance process. Review of the State’s Command, Control, Coordination arrangements. Other Review of State State natural hazard Identify how Establishment EM Extranet or Projects Recovery arrangements. research project. National of Emergency portal website. Development of a Strategy Preparedness State Risk Register. for Disaster Framework for Resilience 2013–2014. Integration of is best National Disaster implemented in Resilience Program WA. arrangements.

6 State Emergency Management Committee | Annual Report 2012 – 2013 Guiding Principles of the Strategic Plan

Strategic Leadership We will provide strategic leadership and direction to continuously improve emergency management in Western Australia.

Community & We will engage with the community on Stakeholder Confi dence emergency management issues, seek feedback and have regard for the needs and views of the community when making decisions.

Collaboration & Teamwork We will work collaboratively to solve issues and achieve better results in emergency management through coordination and teamwork.

Accountability We will work with due diligence, be timely and transparent in our actions as evidenced by our monitoring and reporting of Committee and individual agency performance and establishment of assurance processes.

Dynamic We will be responsive and, acknowledging resource limitations, optimise available resources through innovative solutions and the use of technology.

Continuous Improvement We will seek information, advice and research to continuously improve outcomes.

State Emergency Management Committee | Annual Report 2012 – 2013 7 The SEMC Committee Structure

The SEMC committee follows the three-tiered structure, determined by the Emergency Management Act 2005 (the Act), at the State, District and Local levels and includes the SEMC subcommittees.

State Emergency Management Committee

District Emergency SEMC Subcommittees Management Committees

Local Emergency Management Committees

SEMC Key Achievements in 2012–2013

Annual Emergency Preparedness Report The SEMC presented Western Australia’s inaugural annual Emergency Preparedness Report to the Minister for Emergency Services on 31 October 2012. This report forms the benchmark for future work and is a signifi cant achievement in assessing the State’s preparedness for emergencies. The Emergency Preparedness Report 2012 is a high-level strategic report that assesses the State’s preparedness for emergencies across separate capability areas spanning the prevention, preparedness, response and recovery spectrum. The Emergency Preparedness Report 2012 also contained a specifi c section on seasonal hazards (with particular emphasis on bushfi re), and included a seasonal forecast. Building from the 2012 capability-based approach, the SEMC Secretariat has developed, for the 2013 report, an enhanced capability framework model which balances both strategic and operational elements. The framework has ten overarching capability areas that capture both strategic and operational elements, and spans the prevention, preparedness, response and recovery spectrum. A list of thirty core objectives for the State under the capability areas, detail the emergency management activities that take place under each area. The work for the 2013 report is underway with Tropical Cyclone and Storm to be the key themes in the focus section, as well as a seasonal outlook and an update on the bushfi re actions since the 2012 report.

The SEMC reconstitution and sub-department establishment A major change, resulting from a number of inquiries, was the reconstitution of the SEMC at the end of July 2012. The re-formation of this group includes an independent Chair, Ms Kerry Sanderson AO, and two other independent members. The Committee also includes the Chief Executive Offi cers of the core agencies involved in Western Australia’s emergency management arrangements, as well as a local government representative. A part of this change is a more defi nite separation between the roles of the SEMC and the SECG. While the SECG coordinates the response to specifi c emergencies, the SEMC sets the policy framework, ensures compliance and focuses more on preparedness. The SEMC Secretariat was set-up ready to become a sub-department from 1 July 2013.

8 State Emergency Management Committee | Annual Report 2012 – 2013 State-wide Risk Management Project The draft of the State Emergency Management Policy (SEMP) 2.9 – Management of Risks was presented to the December 2012 SEMC meeting. Following a period of feedback and consultation amongst members it was re-tabled at the March 2013 SEMC meeting for endorsement. This overarching risk policy facilitates a comprehensive and consistent approach to risk assessment in the State at multiple scales including State-wide, district and local levels. Risks are assessed to the people, the economy, the social fabric, the governance, the infrastructure and the environment of the State arising from a variety of hazards. (There are 26 gazetted hazards in Western Australia of both natural and technological origin.) A key feature of this policy is the requirement of the adoption of the AS/NZS ISO 31000:2009 Risk Management — Principles and Guidelines risk assessment methodology. This will allow for a consistent approach across the State’s regions and localities, and facilitate the comparison of risk levels throughout Western Australia. It will also assist the State’s planning process and associated resource allocations towards effective emergency management. In May and June 2013, the SEMC Secretariat successfully facilitated fi ve workshops to assess the State’s risk levels for the natural hazards of Storm, Earthquake, Bushfi re, Tsunami and Heatwave.

Mr Frank Edwards presenting the Bushfi re Risk Management Planning workshop in Albany.

Subcommittee review The re-constitution of the SEMC and the inaugural Emergency Preparedness Report recognised the potential to improve the emergency management framework. One of the fi rst tasks identifi ed was to review the subcommittees. The review of the SEMC subcommittee structure identifi ed opportunities for improvement. Following consultation and feedback from relevant stakeholders, the SEMC Secretariat prepared the SEMC Subcommittee Review Report in December 2012 which was then refi ned after further consultation in June 2013. The review proposed the establishment of four subcommittees (Community Engagement, Response, Risk and Recovery) and two reference groups (Public Information and Essential Services Network Operators). The SEMC endorsed the proposed SEMC subcommittee structure on 11 June 2013. These new groups begin their functions on 1 July 2013. A SEMC member will sponsor each subcommittee.

State Emergency Management Committee | Annual Report 2012 – 2013 9 Bushfi re Risk Management Planning workshop in Busselton.

Season Review meeting The SEMC held its fi rst Season Review meeting, which provided an opportunity for the Committee to analyse events from the past year and consider improvements. This was a successful initiative, which complemented the SEMC’s strategic pillar of continuous improvement and underlined its commitment to learning from and sharing expert knowledge. Several agencies prepared presentations on Bushfi re, Tropical Cyclone, Storm and Heatwave incidents that had occurred during the year. These presentations opened the discussion amongst members about areas and opportunities in which to continue improvement. Some of the key areas considered include communication, interoperability between government agencies, capacity building, and promoting shared responsibility at all levels. The SEMC noted many important improvements implemented by agencies during the year, which will positively contribute to Western Australia being better prepared for future events.

Report on Post-Incident Analysis (Noetic Solutions) In February 2012, the Premier of Western Australia, the Hon. Mr Colin Barnett MLA, tabled in Parliament the report of Mr Mick Keelty AO APM Appreciating the Risk – Report of the Special Inquiry into the November 2011 Margaret River Bushfi re (Margaret River Special Inquiry). The Government accepted all recommendations of that report, including that the response operation to the Margaret River bushfi re be the subject of a review with independent oversight. In March 2012 the Department of the Premier and Cabinet (DPC) commissioned Noetic Solutions Pty Limited (Noetic) to conduct a Post Incident Analysis of the bushfi res that developed in Ellensbrook (Margaret River) and Milyeannup (Nannup) on 23 November 2011. Following receipt of the Noetic reports, the Department of the Premier and Cabinet Director General, Mr Peter Conran, requested that the SEMC advise the Minister for Emergency Services on: • the extent to which the lessons to be learned in the Noetic Reports have been heeded and are being progressed by the agencies responsible; and • the signifi cance and implications of the fi ndings of the reports in the context of the State’s general preparedness for large-scale bushfi re emergency in the lead-up to the 2012–13 bushfi re season. The SEMC provided its advice to the then Minister for Emergency Services, the Hon. Troy Buswell MLA, in late October 2012. The Minister tabled the SEMC’s advice titled Report on the Post Incident Analysis of the 2011 Margaret River and Nannup bushfi res in the Parliament on 15 November 2012. The SEMC report found that the majority of lessons contained within the Noetic reports had been acknowledged and adopted by the agencies responsible. The report also noted that the response to the Noetic reports had been signifi cantly infl uenced by changes implemented across the emergency management sector to give effect to the recommendations of recent inquiries and reviews into bushfi re management, in particular the two Special Inquiries conducted by Mr Keelty.

10 State Emergency Management Committee | Annual Report 2012 – 2013 The SEMC Subcommittees

Section 21 of the Emergency Management Act 2005 allows the SEMC to establish such subcommittees as it thinks fi t to advise the SEMC on any aspect of its functions or to assist with any matters relevant to the performance of its functions. Subcommittees may, but need not, consist of or include members of the SEMC.

State Emergency Management Committee

District Emergency SEMC Subcommittees Management Committees

Local Emergency Management Committees

During the year, the SEMC had the following subcommittees: • Emergency Services Subcommittee (ESS); • Health Services Subcommittee (HSS); • Lifelines Services Subcommittee (LSS); • Public Information Group (PING); • Recovery Services Subcommittee (RSS); and • State Mitigation Committee (SMC).

The SEMC Subcommittee Key Activities in 2012 – 2013

In view of the reconstitution of the SEMC and the work towards the restructure of its subcommittees, the majority of their activity during the year continued to address the issues in their work plans. The Emergency Services Subcommittee initiated the project Command, Control and Coordination (C3) to review existing arrangements in collaboration with emergency management agencies. This and other projects, which are ongoing, include State Crisis Information Management System, Evacuation Flagging and Westplan Support Plan for Evacuation. From July 2013 either the Response or Community Engagement subcommittee will sponsor these. The Health Services Subcommittee developed the new Westplan Heatwave, endorsed by the SEMC in December 2012. The subcommittee endorsed the Aeromedical Evacuation Plan, Hospital Response Team Capability Sub Plan and State Health Business Continuity Plan. In September 2012, the Health Sub Plan to the Contingency for Rail Crash in the Avon Valley was tested in a multiagency exercise. A key project underway is the review of Westplan Human Epidemic. The Lifelines Services Committee maintained and supported its key projects such as Lifeline Radio System, Operation Centre Networking Group and Lifelines Mutual Assistance Policy and Principles Agreement. These are ongoing projects and will be sponsored by the Essential Services Network Operator Reference Group from July 2013. The Public Information Group reviewed Westplan Emergency Public Information and the revised plan was endorsed by the SEMC during the year. Bushfi re emergencies allowed for elements of this Westplan to be exercised. A discussion exercise on Terrorism was conducted in May 2013. The new Public Information Reference Group will continue the work of this subcommittee from July 2013.

State Emergency Management Committee | Annual Report 2012 – 2013 11 The Recovery Services Subcommittee is developing a recovery discussion exercise in partnership with local government to explore the roles and responsibilities of public authorities following an incident. The new Recovery subcommittee will continue most of the projects underway from July 2013. The State Mitigation Subcommittee dissolved all their Working Groups pending the restructure of the SEMC subcommittees. The new Risk subcommittee will continue the work on the State Risk Management Project, the Natural Hazard Risk Research Project and the State Risk Assessment of Sudden Onset Natural hazards.

Associated groups The State Welfare Emergency Committee continued to provide support in reviewing Westplans Welfare, Registration & Reunifi cation and Reception. The State Welfare Emergency Exercise Training (SWEET) package was developed and implemented. Other key tasks include completion of Level 1 (Level 2 ongoing) Personal Support training competency across the agency and engagement with Standing Council on Community & Disability Services Advisory Council Community Services – Disaster Recovery Subcommittee (CS-DRSC).

New Subcommittee Structure

During the year, the SEMC undertook a review of its subcommittee structure, including the terms of reference and membership. Following extensive consultation, the SEMC adopted the establishment of four new subcommittees and two reference groups at its meeting in June 2013.

From 1 July 2013, the SEMC subcommittee structure is as follows:

State Emergency Management Committee

Community Response Risk Recovery Engagement Subcommittee Subcommittee Subcommittee Subcommittee

Public Information Essential Services Network Operators Reference Group Reference Group

12 State Emergency Management Committee | Annual Report 2012 – 2013 The roles of the new subcommittees:

Subcommittee Chair Role Community Engagement Steve Fewster – To support the SEMC in strengthening Sponsor: Deputy Commissioner resilience by providing advice on Wayne Gregson – Capability Command, DFES community engagement and education Commissioner, Department of Fire programs and initiatives and looking for and Emergency Services (DFES) synergies between programs. Response Chris Dawson – To provide a forum for promoting and Sponsor: Deputy Commissioner focusing the development of those Karl O’Callaghan –Commissioner, (Operations), WA Police aspects of the State’s emergency WA Police response capability (including policies, plans, procedures and systems) that are relevant to hazards. Recovery Sue Ash – To provide a forum for promoting Sponsor: Independent Member, SEMC and supporting the development and Sue Ash – Deputy Chair, SEMC maintenance of emergency recovery capability. Risk Noelene Jennings – To act as a reference group to consult Sponsor: Executive Director, SEMC and advise on ways to improve the Kerry Sanderson – Chair, SEMC Secretariat coordination and application of an evidence-based approach to risk management for all hazards.

A SEMC member sponsors each subcommittee and their principal responsibilities will be: • ensuring that the subcommittees work effectively • introducing subcommittee recommendations to the SEMC and leading the process to identify related SEMC decisions and actions, as appropriate • providing assistance to resolve issues, where required • nominating subcommittee chairs. The subcommittee chairs will be responsible for driving the work of their subcommittee, including the development and implementation of their subcommittee business plan.

The roles of the new reference groups:

Reference groups Chair Role Public information Neil Stanbury – To provide advice and support to the SEMC and its Director Media and Public subcommittees in relation to arrangements for the Affairs, WA Police provision of emergency public information and public awareness related to emergency management in Western Australia. Essential services Mark Fitzhardinge – To provide a forum for the exchange of information that network operators Senior Operations Analyst, will assist or improve the operation of essential services Water Corporation or functions in relation to emergency management for the benefi t of the community.

Reference groups have a direct formal reporting line to the SEMC and an indirect reporting line to the subcommittees. They ensure that opportunities to maintain professional networks, monitor emergent trends, encourage debate and knowledge sharing around critical issues in the emergency management sector continue. The SEMC and subcommittees refer matters to reference groups for consideration and likewise reference groups refer matters for SEMC and subcommittee consideration.

State Emergency Management Committee | Annual Report 2012 – 2013 13 District Emergency Management Committees

State Emergency Management Committee

District Emergency SEMC Subcommittees Management Committees

Local Emergency Management Committees

Western Australia has fourteen emergency management districts, each with its own District Emergency Management Committee (DEMC). The key function of the DEMC is to assist in the establishment and maintenance of effective emergency arrangements in their districts. DEMCs meet a minimum of two times per year and have interagency representation, which often includes State Government agencies. They focus on risk within their district and ensure information received from the State fl ows down to the Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs). They support the LEMCs with advice on emergency management arrangements, as well as participating in exercises and testing of arrangements. During the year, six DEMCs in regional districts (South West, Great Southern, Mid West– Gascoyne, Goldfi elds Esperance, Wheatbelt and the Kimberley) were supported by Community Emergency Management Offi cers (CEMOs) from the SEMC Secretariat.

Compliance All DEMCs, under section 33 of the Emergency Management Act 2005, are required to prepare and submit to the SEMC an annual report on their activities during the fi nancial year.

Western Australia’s Emergency Management Districts

Regional Districts Metropolitan Districts

14 State Emergency Management Committee | Annual Report 2012 – 2013 Emergency Management Districts that recorded a signifi cant emergency where an Operations Area Support Group (OASG) was activated:

EM District Location Dates active Description of emergency East Metro Ellenbrook 27 February 2013 Ellenbrook Fires Avon Valley Fire Complex 28 February 2013 Avon Valley Fire Complex Goldfi elds/Esperance Menzies January 2013 Menzies land search Mid West-Gascoyne Tropical Cyclone Narelle 10 January 2013 OASG activated but no signifi cant Tropical Cyclone Rusty 26 February 2013 impact from these events in the area Pilbara Port Hedland February 2013 Tropical Cyclone Rusty South West Shire of Donnybrook– 13 February 2013 Southampton Greenbushes bushfi re Ballingup Shire of Bridgetown

DEMC Key Achievements in 2012–2013

During the past fi ve years, the development of DEMC business plans has aligned with the seven goals set by the SEMC business plan. Each District is required to develop and submit strategies to achieve the outcomes required by the SEMC, along with any additional achievements, outcomes and strategies specifi c to its district or local area for the reporting period. In the 2012–2013 reporting period, the DEMCs that prepared and submitted an annual report provided key achievements against their business plan. A range of the projects and initiatives are included below for illustrative purposes. Following from the Perth Hills Bushfi re review in 2011, the South West DEMC with the support of the Water Corporation established the Essential Services Group (ESG). This group comprises of DEMC members from agencies which include Water Corporation, Western Power, Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES), Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC), WA Police, Telstra and Main Roads WA. The group meets biannually and aims to facilitate strong communications and awareness about risk management strategies, issues and coordination. The City of Stirling (West Metropolitan DEMC) was successful in obtaining a grant to purchase a semi- automated single hopper, twin chute, gravity sandbagging machine. Manual fi lling of sandbags achieves a rate of approximately 60 bags per hour. The new sandbagging machine can operate at a rate of up to 500 bags per hour, which will provide a faster response when fl ooding occurs during severe storms. The City of Greater Geraldton (Mid West–Gascoyne DEMC) developed Operation Runaway 2012 DVD to showcase the Geraldton Airport emergency management exercise and to be used as a training tool for Local Emergency Management Committees. The DVD was presented at the WALGA Emergency Management Forum 2012. The Shire of Irwin (Mid West–Gascoyne DEMC) installed two water tanks at the Dongara airstrip to assist with fi re bomber forward deployment during bushfi res. This area has a signifi cant bushfi re risk and there have been several large bushfi res. The new water tanks will result in better response times by the fi re bombers. Previously, fi re bombers had to refi ll at Geraldton, taking more than an hour for the return trip. In September 2012, the Wheatbelt and East Metropolitan DEMCs participated in “Exercise Avon 2012”, a major multiagency exercise organised to test the WA Contingency Plan for Rail Crash in the Avon Valley. The aim of the exercise was to practise coordination and deployment of responding organisations to a terrorist incident on the rail line in the Avon Valley. The multiagency group included State agencies such as Brookfi eld Rail, Department of Health, and Department of Fire and Emergency Services. Two of the key objectives of the group were to raise awareness of the issues among agencies and develop, test and maintain a WA Contingency Plan.

State Emergency Management Committee | Annual Report 2012 – 2013 15 Local Emergency Management Committees

State Emergency Management Committee

District Emergency SEMC Subcommittees Management Committees

Local Emergency Management Committees

Local Governments are key players in the State’s emergency management arrangements and provide expert knowledge about their communities and environments. It is their role to ensure that local emergency management arrangements are prepared and maintained, and to manage recovery after an emergency. Under section 38 of the Emergency Management Act 2005, a local government is to establish one or more Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs) for the local government’s district. The Local Emergency Management Committee (LEMC) is to be managed and chaired by the Local Government with representation from organisations and agencies that play a key role in emergency management within their district. The functions of a LEMC, in relation to its district or the area for which it is established, are: • to advise and assist the local government in ensuring that local emergency management arrangements are established for its district; • to liaise with public authorities and other persons in the development, review and testing of local emergency management arrangements; and • to carry out other emergency management activities as directed by the SEMC or prescribed by the regulations.

Compliance All LEMCs, under section 40 of the Emergency Management Act 2005, are required to prepare and submit to the DEMC for their district an annual report on their activities during the fi nancial year.

16 State Emergency Management Committee | Annual Report 2012 – 2013 The SEMC would like to acknowledge the following Local Emergency Management Committees for their time and eff ort in preparing and submitting an annual report: Albany Dundas Murray Armadale East Fremantle Nannup Augusta–Margaret River Esperance Nedlands Bassendean Fremantle Northam Bayswater Geraldton Northampton Belmont Gingin Peppermint Grove Beverley Gnowangerup Perenjori Boddington Goomalling Pingelly Boyup Brook Gosnells Plantagenet Bridgetown–Greenbushes Halls Creek Quairading Brookton Harvey Ravensthorpe Broome Irwin Rockingham Broomehill Tambellup Jerramungup Rottnest Island Bruce Rock Joondalup Sandstone Bunbury Kalamunda Serpentine–Jarrahdale Busselton-Dunsborough Kalbarri Shark Bay Cambridge Kalgoorlie–Boulder South Perth Canning Katanning Stirling Capel Kellerberrin Subiaco Carnamah–Coorow Kojonup Swan Carnarvon Kondinin Tammin Chapman Valley Koorda Three Springs Chittering Kununurra Toodyay Claremont Kwinana Victoria Park Cockburn Lake Grace Victoria Plains Collie Leonora Vincent Coolgardie Mandurah Wagin Corrigin Manjimup Wandering Cottesloe Meekatharra Wanneroo Cranbrook Melville Waroona Cue Merredin West Arthur Cunderdin Mingenew Williams Dalwallinu Moora Wiluna Dandaragan Morawa Wongan–Ballidu Dardanup Mosman Park Wyalkatchem Denmark Mt Magnet Wyndham Derby Mt Marshall Yalgoo Donnybrook–Balingup Mukinbudin Yilgarn–Westonia Dowerin Mundaring York Dumbleyung Murchison

State Emergency Management Committee | Annual Report 2012 – 2013 17 Data collected in 2012–2013 In producing an annual report, the SEMC is reliant on reports from all Hazard Management Agencies (HMAs), District Emergency Management Committees (DEMCs), Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs) and its subcommittees.

120%

LEMCs that submitted 100% an Annual Report DEMCs that submitted an Annual Report 80% HMAs that submitted an Annual Report 60% SEMC subcommittees that submitted an Annual Report

40%

20%

0% 2012–2013

In Western Australia, there are currently 138 local governments and, in the 2012–2013 reporting period there were 126 LEMCs which local governments reported as being established. This number includes individual or combined LEMCs. Of the 126 LEMCs, 103 LEMCs submitted Annual Reports for inclusion in the SEMC Annual Report. Of those 103, 100 reported as having Local Emergency Management Arrangements (LEMAs) and 84 Recovery Plans for the local governments they represent.

90%

80% LEMCs that submitted an Annual Report 70% LEMCs that reported having a LEMA 60% LEMCs that reported 50% having a Recovery Plan

40%

30%

20%

10%

0% 2012–2013

18 State Emergency Management Committee | Annual Report 2012 – 2013 State Emergency Management Framework

Emergency Management Act 2005

Emergency Management Regulations 2006

State Emergency Management Policies State Emergency Management Policies are those developed under s.17 EM Act (2005) and should be developed when there is a need to prescribe formal instruction or processes or as a result of governing legislation or a SEMC resolution. Policy should clearly defi ne the required outcome that is to be achieved and explain the roles and responsibilities of all parties involved. Policies may be supported by the following documents which form part of the SEMC framework.

State Emergency Management Plans State Emergency Management Plans are those prepared under s.18 EM Act (2005) to outline State arrangements for the emergency management of hazards and support functions.

State Emergency Management Procedures Management Procedures should be utilised when a process needs to be explained through a step-by-step process, allowing emergency management agencies and personnel to complete tasks in compliance with State Emergency Management Policy.

State Emergency Management Information Sheets State Emergency Management Information Sheets provide additional information that may not be described within legislation, policy, procedures or guidelines. Information Sheets may depict Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), a summary of relevant contact details or any other information considered necessary to distribute.

State Emergency Management Committee | Annual Report 2012 – 2013 19 Policy and Legislation updates

New and/or changes to State Emergency Management Policies (SEMP) The following policies were reviewed: • SEMP 4.1 – Operational Management – (under review). • SEMP 2.5 – Emergency Management in Local Government Districts – (under review). The following policies were developed: • SEMP 2.9 – Management of Risks.

Changes to Emergency Management Regulations Emergency Management Amendment Regulations (No. 2) 2012 addressed the change in title of FESA CEO to FES Commissioner. Emergency Management Amendment Regulations (No. 3) 2012 addressed the critical issue identifi ed with section 50 of the Emergency Management Act 2005. The Emergency Management Regulations 2006 were amended to ensure that all HMAs with a response role are prescribed for “emergency management”.

Changes to State Emergency Management Procedures The following State Emergency Management Procedures were reviewed: • OP-8 – Directions to District Emergency Coordinators; • OP-11 – SECG Activation; • OP-13 – Emergency Situation; and • ADP 10 – Prescription of Combat and Support Agencies.

New and/or changes to State Emergency Management Plans (Westplans) The following State Emergency Management Plans (Westplan) were reviewed: • Westplan Health; • Westplan Gas Supply Disruption; • Westplan Land Search; • Westplan Marine and Search and Rescue; • Westplan Road Crash; and • Westplan Emergency Public Information. The following State Emergency Management Plan (Westplan) was developed: • Westplan Heatwave – Department of Health.

20 State Emergency Management Committee | Annual Report 2012 – 2013 Status of State Emergency Management Plans – Westplans

State Emergency Management Plans in Western Australia are known as Westplans and provide strategic, State-level arrangements for managing the particular hazards to which they apply. The period to review Westplans has been extended by SEMC from two years to fi ve years (or as required). This is as a result of a number of factors including the extensive consultation that is required to ensure the plans are current and meet community and emergency service agency needs. The status of all plans at the end of the 2012–2013 reporting period is as follows:

Status of Westplans

Westplan Hazard Hazard Management Due for Agency (HMA) review by Westplan Animal and Animal, Plant Pests and Department of Agriculture and March 2013 Plant Biosecurity Diseases Food (under review) Westplan Air Crash Air Crash Western Australia Police December 2014 Westplan Bushfi re Fire (Bushfi re) Department of Fire and To be revoked Emergency Services/ once a new Department of Environment Westplan which and Conservation covers this hazard is in place Westplan Brookfi eld Brookfi eld Rail Emergencies Brookfi eld Rail December 2013 Rail Emergencies Westplan CBRN Chemical Biological Department of Fire and June 2013 Radiological Nuclear (CBRN) Emergency Services (under review) Westplan Collapse Management of emergencies Department of Fire and June 2013 associated with a structural Emergency Services (under review) collapse Westplan Cyclone Tropical Cyclone Department of Fire and December 2012 Emergency Services (under review) Westplan Dambreak Dambreak Water Corporation To be revoked Westplan Earthquake Earthquake Department of Fire and May 2016 Emergency Services Westplan Flood Flood Department of Fire and September 2015 Emergency Services

Westplan Gas Supply Gas supply disruption Public Utilities Offi ce, June 2018 Disruption Department of Finance Westplan HAZMAT Hazardous Materials Department of Fire and December 2015 (HAZMAT) Emergencies Emergency Services (including Radioactive Materials) Westplan Heatwave Heatwave Department of Health December 2017 Westplan Human Human Epidemic Department of Health October 2013 Epidemic Westplan Land Search Land Search Western Australia Police June 2018 Westplan Liquid Fuel Liquid fuel supply disruption Public Utilities Offi ce, September 2016 Supply Disruption Department of Finance Westplan Marine Oil Marine oil pollution Department of Transport June 2015 Pollution Westplan Marine Marine Transport Emergency Department of Transport June 2016 Transport Emergency

State Emergency Management Committee | Annual Report 2012 – 2013 21 Westplan Hazard Hazard Management Due for Agency (HMA) review by Westplan MARSAR Marine Search and Rescue Western Australia Police June 2018 Westplan Nuclear Nuclear Powered Warships Western Australia Police December 2015 Powered Warships Westplan Rail Crash PTA Rail Crash Public Transport Authority December 2014 (PTA) Westplan Road Crash Road Crash Emergency Western Australia Police June 2018 Emergency Westplan SPRED Space re-entry debris Western Australia Police March 2015 Westplan Storm Severe Storm Emergency Department of Fire and September 2009 Management Emergency Services (undergoing internal DFES review) Westplan Tsunami Tsunami Department of Fire and September 2015 Emergency Services Westplan Terrorist Act Terrorist Act Western Australia Police September 2014 Westplan Urban Fire Urban Fire Emergency Department of Fire and To be revoked Management Plan Emergency Services once a new Westplan which covers this hazard is in place

Status of State Function Support Plans

Westplan Support Function Agency Responsible Due for review by

Westplan Health Health Department of Health December 2017 Westplan Emergency State Public Information SEMC Public Information July 2017 Public Information Group Westplan Recovery State Level Recovery Department of the Premier April 2013 Coordination Coordination and Cabinet (to be reviewed in 2013–2014) Westplan Registration Registration and Reunifi cation Department for Child January 2015 and Reunifi cation Protection Westplan Reception The reception of Australian Department for Child December 2014 citizens and approved foreign Protection nationals evacuated from overseas Westplan Freight Re-supply Department of Fire and November 2004 Subsidy Emergency Services (new plan under development) Westplan Telecommunications Department of Fire and To be revoked Telecommunications Emergency Services Westplan Welfare The provision of welfare Department for Child March 2014 support Protection

22 State Emergency Management Committee | Annual Report 2012 – 2013 Hazard Management Agencies – main responses and exercises in 2012 – 2013

All HMAs are required to coordinate their emergency responses and exercises in accordance with State Emergency Management Plans. DFES responded to a range of incidents and ensured all hazard management plans were current and tested throughout the year. Exercises conducted in 2012–2013 were: • Westplan Bushfi re in October 2012. Regional Operation Centres were activated including the Metropolitan Regional Operations Centre and City of Cockburn Emergency Services Centre. • Westplan CBRN in March 2013. Exercise “Trinity” Management of CBRN incidents and Exercise “Booster” multiagency response for incidents involving chemicals of concern and homemade explosives. • Exercise “Ausnami 2012” in September 2012 to test the Australian Tsunami Warning System and selected aspects of Westplan Tsunami. • Multiple HAZMAT heat validation drills for the new Emergency Services Complex. • Annual Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) exercise with a structural collapse theme “Operation Castle” in May 2013. This included dual activation of Westplan Earthquake. • Queensland Fire and Rescue Service 48 hour USAR exercise in July 2012. This included activation of Westplan Collapse, DFES USAR team mobilisation, testing interstate USAR team response and mutual support arrangements. • Tropical Cyclones Rusty and Narelle in January–February 2013 served as an exercise for staff and operation centres.

TC Rusty: Satellite image originally processed by the Bureau of Meteorology from the geostationary meteorological satellite MTSAT-2 operated by the Japan Meteorological Agency.

State Emergency Management Committee | Annual Report 2012 – 2013 23 The Department of Health (DoH) activated the newly endorsed Westplan Heatwave twice during the period January to March 2013. They actively participated in multiagency exercises involving the Public Transport Authority, the Avon Valley and Airport exercises. DoH played an active role in the coordination of Tropical Cyclones Rusty and Narelle. The Public Utilities Offi ce activated Westplan Liquid Fuel Supply Disruption in July 2012 and Westplan Gas Supply Disruption three times during January to March 2013. Exercises were carried out in September 2012 and June 2013 for both Westplans, respectively. The Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) maintains Incident Preparedness and Response Plans for each of its Regions and these are reviewed before each bushfi re season. DEC deployed their pre-formed incident management teams to two (Level 3) multiagency fi res during the 2012–2013 bushfi re season: the Kings fi re near Bridgetown and the Walyunga fi res near Perth. In both instances, DFES was the controlling agency. Brookfi eld Rail was actively involved in the planning, preparation and participation in a major multiagency simulated passenger train derailment in the Avon Valley. This exercise also involved the Wheatbelt and East Metropolitan DEMCs, Emergency Services and the Department of Health. The Public Transport Authority (PTA) completed two Crisis Management Group Desktop exercises for the Senior Executive, one multiagency response desktop and a multiagency fi eld exercise during the reporting period. The PTA uses all Operational responses to service disruptions or incidents on the Rail Networks as an opportunity to practise Westplan Rail Crash. The Department of Transport (DoT) responded to four incidents during the year that involved a multiagency response and were coordinated under Westplans Marine Transport Emergency (MTE) and Marine Oil Pollution (MOP). DoT completed “Exercise Protect Koombana Bay” in November 2012. The exercise was based on a ship collision resulting in an oil spill and was supported with umpires and observers from other government agencies, Port Authorities, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) and interstate agencies. The exercise ran over two days and both Westplan MTE and MOP were simulated. The Department of Agriculture and Food WA (DAFWA) is currently reviewing Westplan Animal and Biosecurity for animal and plant pest and disease hazards. The Water Corporation regularly reviews its Dam Safety Emergency Plans (DSEP) at a local level. During the year, two plans were tested with multiagency exercises covering New Victoria Dam/Bickley Reservoir and the Albany Tree Farm Dams. It is anticipated that Westplan Dambreak will be revoked, as the hazard for Dambreak is not prescribed in the Emergency Act 2005. WA Police has conducted a number of multi-emergency response exercises and responded to a number of emergencies over the last 12 months as a hazard management, controlling or combat agency. These emergencies include 15 air crashes, 253 land searches and over 1867 marine search and rescue across the State. Of those, 22 required signifi cant coordination and combat agency support to Level Three emergencies—Blackwood 61 fi re, Lennard Brook fi re and Avon Valley Complex fi r e s .

24 State Emergency Management Committee | Annual Report 2012 – 2013 Enabling Legislation

The SEMC is established by section 13 (1) of the Emergency Management Act 2005.

SEMC Membership

Section 13 of the Emergency Management Act 2005 provides for the membership of the SEMC to consist of: (a) a chairman appointed by the Minister; (b) a deputy chairman appointed by the Minister; (c) an executive offi cer appointed by the Minister; (d) a person who is representative of local government, appointed by the Minister; and (e) such other members as are provided for, and appointed in accordance with, the regulations. The Emergency Management Regulations 2006 provide for the ‘other members’, referred to in section 13(e) of the Emergency Management Act 2005, to consist of: (a) the chief executive offi cer of the department principally assisting the Minister administering the Health Act 1911, or a nominee of that chief executive offi cer, appointed by the Minister; (b) the chief executive offi cer of the department principally assisting the Minister administering the Children and Community Services Act 2004, or a nominee of that chief executive offi cer, appointed by the Minister; and (c) not more than 5 other members appointed by the Minister. The Minister is to ensure that the chairperson has expertise or experience that is relevant to the functions of the SEMC. The SEMC has the following functions under section 14 of the Emergency Management Act 2005: (a) to advise the Minister on emergency management and the preparedness of the State to combat emergencies; (b) to provide direction, advice and support to public authorities, industry, commerce and the community in order to plan and prepare for an effi cient emergency management capability for the State; (c) to provide a forum for whole of community coordination to ensure the minimisation of the effects of emergencies; (d) to provide a forum for the development of community wide information systems to improve communications during emergencies; (e) to develop and coordinate risk management strategies to assess community vulnerability to emergencies; (f) to perform other functions given to the SEMC under this Act; (g) to perform any other function prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this Section.

Responsible Minister

The Hon. Joe Francis MLA, Minister for Emergency Services; Corrective Services; Small Business; Veterans.

State Emergency Management Committee | Annual Report 2012 – 2013 25 Acronyms

AMSA Australian Maritime Safety Authority CALM Conservation and Land Management CEMO Community Emergency Management Offi cer DAFWA Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia DCP Department for Child Protection DEMC District Emergency Management Committee DER Department of Environment Regulation DFES Department of Fire and Emergency Services DPC Department of the Premier and Cabinet EM Emergency Management ESG Essential Services Group ESS Emergency Services Subcommittee HMA Hazard Management Agency HSS Health Services Subcommittee ISG Incident Support Group LEMA Local Emergency Management Arrangement LEMC Local Emergency Management Committee LG Local Government LSS Lifelines Services Subcommittee OASG Operations Area Support Group PING Public Information Group RSS Recovery Services Subcommittee SECG State Emergency Coordination Group SEMC State Emergency Management Committee SEMP State Emergency Management Policy SMC State Mitigation Committee WA Western Australia WALGA Western Australian Local Government Association WAPOL Western Australia Police WESTPLAN Western Australian State Emergency Management Plan

26 State Emergency Management Committee | Annual Report 2012 – 2013