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Inspector-General for Emergency Management
Review of emergency management for Victorian high risk communities
Julie Hoy A/General Manager Evaluation & Review
SLIDE 2 IGEM Emergency Management Act 2013 (The Act) IGEM established on 1 July 2014 by the Act
An overview of IGEM
Planned Reviews Minister Requested Reviews Implementation Monitoring Performance Monitoring
- Provides assurance to government and community regarding
the emergency management arrangements in Victoria and fosters continuous improvement of those arrangements
- All assurance activities across the state are guided by the
principles outlined in the Assurance Framework
- The Act contains provisions relating to the public release of
IGEM reviews
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Identified in the 2017 Annual Forward Plan of Reviews
Review of emergency management for high-risk Victorian communities
Planned Reviews
Identify and assess current arrangements in Victoria’s emergency management sector for identifying, preparing and protecting high-risk communities. This includes the identification of opportunities for improvement in line with leading practice. Review Aim
SLIDE 4 The Minister seeking response from agencies
Review history
Delayed start after Coolaroo recycling plant fire Literature review finalised Stakeholder interviews Community survey Focus groups Delivered to Minister
2017 2017 Jan - Feb 2018 Feb - Mar 2018 Mar - Apr 2018 June 2018 Now
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21 stakeholders contributed to this review
Stakeholders
Responders Other EM Government Community Service Local Government
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Methods and processes
Background Environmental Scan Analysis Findings & Observations Develop Recommendations Lines of Enquiry Stakeholder Interviews Community Survey Community Focus Groups Third-party Lit. Review
SLIDE 7 Literature review objectives
Define High-risk (HR) individuals / communities Leading practice Relationships: High-risk, vulnerability and resilience Barriers and enablers for leading practice For Victorian hazards:
communities
preparedness / response strategies Identify metrics for evaluating activity / programs for HR
SLIDE 8 Individuals and communities who have the potential to be adversely affected by a disaster or emergency and who, because of the circumstances in their everyday lives, require significant and coordinated priority intervention, response and support from a variety of government and non-government
- rganisations and the broader
community for their safety.
Literature review findings – definition
Define High-risk (HR) individuals / communities
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- Focus on community resilience
has decreased attention on high-risk individuals and communities.
- Command and control culture is
inadequate for a collaborative and participatory approach with non-government stakeholders who can provide valuable experience and insights into the characteristics and needs of those at high-risk from hazards.
Literature review findings – barriers
Barriers and enablers for leading practice
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Literature review findings – gaps
Identifying and assisting in preparing for emergencies and building the adaptive capacity of those at high-risk from hazard does not fit with the focus on community resilience. The definition of vulnerable persons (Vulnerable Persons Policy) is inadequate for the broad purposes of emergency management planning High-risk individuals and communities are not adequately identified on a spatial or socio- economic level within the Victorian population. CSOs involved with high-risk individuals and communities cannot adequately contribute to emergency management sector initiatives to engage and support those at high-risk from hazard.
SLIDE 11 Aware of person with HR Not aware of person with HR 19% HR individual
Limited awareness of vulnerable people
- < 50% of participants were
aware of people who are ‘limited in their ability to respond to an emergency’
▪ 19% believe they have limitations ▪ Most believe vulnerable individuals receive moderate or large amounts
▪ Over one fifth do not know how much assistance vulnerable individuals receive
Survey findings
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- Perceived arrangements are adequate
because:
▪ they were able to look after themselves ▪ the emergency services assisted ▪ they chose to evacuate
Survey findings
Those who believe they have limited ability to respond to an emergency (~19%)
- More likely to discuss their EM needs,
especially with neighbours or friends
- More likely to have arrangements in
place to respond to emergencies and to have used them
SLIDE 13 Emergency response limitations
- Looking after children and pets
- Medical conditions
- Disability
- Lack of mobility
- Peri-urban and rural LGA residents saw bushfire and
grassfire as a threat
- Residents of urban and rural interior LGAs were
concerned about heatwave.
Survey findings
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People with a limited ability to respond to an emergency = more likely to make arrangements to respond to a bushfire or storm event than those with no limitations
Survey findings
Bushfire, grassfire and flood arrangements were primarily evacuation, having a plan and equipment Flood involved seeking assistance from neighbours and the emergency services.
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- Many sector initiatives, partnerships and research
projects related to vulnerability and high-risk community.
- The “all communities, all emergencies” approach, and
the community focused approach to emergency management has identified that the sector has many foundations to support leading practice for high-risk communities in emergency management. IGEM thanks all of those who contributed to the review and looks forward to its release.
In summary
SLIDE 16 2019 – 10 years of reform in emergency management sector Victoria
Review Planning Sector Workshop Local Government Community Views Government department collaboration Annual Forward Plan
Final scope 2019 Review Commences
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https://engage.vic.gov.au/emergencymanagementreform
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Contact Julie Hoy on
julie.hoy@justice.vic.gov.au 8684 7914 Twitter @IGEM_Vic Web igem@vic.gov.au Contact
