Council's role in an emergency
What does Council do before, during and after an emergency?
Before
Before an emergency Council will do the following:
- Prepare, maintain, test/exercise and train personnel in emergency management plans and procedures.
- Implement risk reduction and prevention measures, such as planning and building codes, private property fire prevention inspections, and roadside slashing.
- Contribute to community education and awareness to improve preparedness.
- Identify and prepare Emergency Relief Centres and Neighbourhood Safer Places.
During
Depending on the nature of the emergency Council will provide the following services.
Personnel and equipment
Council will provide Council personnel and equipment to assist in managing the emergency. This includes the provision of graders to assist with installing fire breaks and water trucks to provide additional water to fire trucks.
Emergency Relief Centre (ERC)
A relief centre may be opened by in a Council building or public hall during an emergency at the request of the Incident Control Centre (ICC).
The centre provides people with a temporary place to get information and basic support like somewhere to sleep, food, water, mental health first aid and financial aid. It should be considered an option only if going to family, neighbours or friends is not feasible.
Important: a Neighbourhood Safer Place - Bushfire Place of Last Resort (NSP-BPLR) is different from an Emergency Relief Centre (ERC).
After
After an emergency, Council will coordinate clean‑up services, oversee the repair of public assets, and ensure food and sanitation safety to protect community health.
Recovery centres
Once the immediate danger has passed after an emergency, it is likely that a recovery centre will be established. This is a 'one-stop-shop' for people affected by an emergency.
A recovery centre is usually located in the affected community and provides a place where residents can access support and services such as clothing, food, legal advice, financial support and counselling.
In an emergency
If you need urgent emergency assistance please call:
- 000 for police, fire or ambulance
- 132 500 for flood and storm assistance