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Working Together On Emergency Planning

Training sessions this week in Wonthaggi will ensure Bass Coast is well prepared to deal with an emergency.

By Bass Coast - 29th July 2011 - Back to News

Emergency Management training sessions at the Bass Coast Civic Centre included Council staff and representatives from The Australian Red Cross, The Victorian Council of Churches, Gippsland Lifeline and Bass Coast Regional Health.

Bass Coast Shire Council’s Community and Economic Development Director, Steven Piasente said that councils have key responsibilities when it comes to emergency planning. "It is not always possible to predict the type or scale of a municipal emergency; however training such as this prepares Council and other organisations to respond to different types of emergency scenarios as a coordinated team.

Over 30 Council staff were given a detailed overview of the principles of emergency management, the responsibilities of other agencies and the roles of each tier of government.

Mr Piasente said that as Council has an ongoing responsibility for the wellbeing of the community, as distinct from response and recovery agencies such as emergency services, The Salvation Army and The Australian Red Cross that are actively involved during and after an emergency.

It is important that we work well together during an emergency and training together ensures that we are well prepared for such events. "We have access to specialised knowledge about Bass Coast and its people and we are able to share this information during emergences to help agencies respond to the communities needs," explained Mr Piasente.

"Our role includes the assessment of the impact of the emergency and managing recovery activities. This includes setting up relief centres within the Shire, and working in consultation with Department of Human Services,"
said Mr Piasente.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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