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Green Paper On Emergency Management Reform Released The state‟s emergency services, volunteers and communities will be able to have their say as the Victorian Coalition Government initiates major reform to Victoria‟s crisis and emergency management arrangements. By Russell Northe - 15th September 2011 - Back to News Nationals Member for Morwell Russell Northe said the Green Paper Towards a More Disaster Resilient and Safer Victoria marked the start of a two month consultation process that sought innovative ideas and feedback to improve the way Victoria responded to emergencies.
"While we have one of the best emergency services in the world, the Green Paper offers the opportunity for all of us to consider new ways to ensure we are equipped to deal with the increased risks of fire, flood and other natural disasters," Mr Northe said.
"The Green Paper will challenge current thinking about Victoria‟s crisis and emergency management arrangements and pose proactive questions about the practical options for reform.
"We want to get the structures, response and laws right and the Green Paper will help develop options that will improve support for the thousands of volunteers and staff in our emergency services organisations who sacrifice so much to protect our communities."
Mr Northe said the Green Paper process would also take into account the valuable lessons and recommendations from the 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission and the current Flood Review.
"The Green Paper consultation process will seek input from experts, those at the coal face and from Victorians to get a range of views of this important reform program," Mr Northe said.
"Victoria‟s resilience has been tested in recent years, with extreme events proving too big for any one emergency services agency to manage alone.
"Gippsland unfortunately has endured many significant major emergency events such as floods, fire and landslips over the past few years; however this has also placed our region as one of the leaders in emergency management response.
"These reforms will ensure the state is fully prepared for future emergencies and able to recover more quickly from their impacts."
Mr Northe said the reform process was taking place alongside a range of other initiatives to support emergency services in Victoria, particularly in the lead up to the bushfire season.
"The Coalition Government is providing record funding for emergency services to help the state prepare for the possibility of further flooding and for the upcoming bushfire season," Mr Northe said.
"The Fire Services Commissioner Craig Lapsley will work with emergency service agencies to better meet „surge capacity‟ needs during major events.
russell.northe@parliament.vic.gov.au www.russellnorthe.com.au 66 George St, Morwell VIC 3840 ph 03 5133 9088 fax 03 5133 9388
"As part of this, Mr Lapsley will roll out a program of exercises across regional Victoria in October and November involving a broad range of people from emergency services, volunteers, emergency broadcasters and the broader community."
Mr Northe welcomed the support of the state‟s emergency services agencies for the Green Paper process now underway.
"Recent events have highlighted the need for reform of Victoria‟s emergency management arrangements," Mr Northe said.
"The Coalition Government and every person involved in emergency management wants to ensure Victoria has a world‟s best practice emergency management framework for now and into the future."
The Green Paper can be accessed at www.dpc.vic.gov.au and submissions can be made until 14 November.
Media: Russell Northe 0408 225 523 / Julia Auciello 5133 9088
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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