Andrew Gissing

There's a lot happening in the EM industry at the moment, with NSW Premier's Dept reviewing, updating and delivering a broad suite of EM products, plans, (sub-plans, supporting plans), guidelines, templates, and the LEMC handbook for members. Additionally, the inclusion of representatives from the EM sector at region and now local level, contributing to this review process, is unprecedented and welcomed by the industry. Whilst modernising the suite of EM training programs, both on-line and F2F, Premier's Dept has reached out to the NSW Emergency Management Officer Network (EMON) to engage Local Emergency Management Officers (LEMOs) in order to contribute to the development and evaluation, by way of conducting User Acceptance Testing, of the product and process. Thankyou to the Premier's Dept. EMON is partnered with the Australasian Institute of Emergency Services (AIES) to strengthen it's influence and support to the EM sector nationally. AIES is prepared to act in an ambassador capacity aiding EMON to enhance the Network and it's membership in order to support new initiatives in the sector. Thankyou to the AIES Team. Through it's membership, EMON is engaged in several new initiatives being rolled out by the NSW Reconstruction Authority (NSWRA), this includes grant funding opportunities for Supporting Spontaneous Volunteers Program (SSVP), this is a $5 million open competitive grant program established in response to the 2022 NSW Flood Inquiry's recommendation that the NSW Government create a program to support better coordination of community efforts to save life and property during a disaster. Additionally, EMON members will be evaluating the Draft NSW Disaster Adaptation Plan (DAP) Guidelines soon to be disseminated by the NSWRA. The Regional DAP's, are a biproduct of the NSW State Disaster Mitigation Plan 2024 – 2026, developed in accordance with the National Strategy for Disaster Resilience (the Strategy) in February 2011. Thankyou to the NSWRA. https://lnkd.in/gYQ3E9PU. Communications, collaboration, consultation, and engagement are key in developing systems and processes to modernise EM practice to benefit our communities, enhance disaster resilience at all levels, and adapt to change. The State Disaster Mitigation Plan (SDMP) and place-based Disaster Adaptation Plans (DAPs) will chart this course to a better prepared NSW. Further information is available @ https://lnkd.in/gYQ3E9PU.

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📌 DLGSC Quarterly Update Webinar 🗓 Wednesday 26 June 2024 🕥 10.00am - 11.00am 🎥 Online via zoom We are excited to continue partnering with DLGSC throughout 2024 to host quarterly update webinars for the local government sector. The webinar series aims to improve sector capacity building through collaboration, education and providing best practice tools and resources. The next webinar will take place on Wednesday 26 June at 10.00am. At this we will be joined by Dr Kelsie Prabawa-Sear PhD, CEO, Nature Play WA who will be discussing the Nature Play in the Park program that they have delivered with several local governments. Nature Play are currently evaluating the programs and have some interesting insights to share with the sector. We will also be joined by Tom Fleming, Principal Policy Officer, Child Safeguarding Implementation Unit, DLSGC who will be discussing Child Safety Self-assessment for Local Governments. The Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries has been working with the local government sector to help them improve the safety and wellbeing of children and young people in their communities. As part of this work, the Child Safeguarding Implementation Unit within DLGSC has developed a child safety self-assessment for local governments. Once completed, the self-assessment will provide local governments with resources about the child safe reforms that do, or will, impact their organisation based on their level of engagement with children and young people. The self-assessment will also provide valuable data to the Unit to assist them in planning and delivering further tailored supports to assist the sector the implement child safe reforms. Registration is complimentary for LG Professionals WA individual members and $50 for non-members and employees from subscribing local governments. Online registration can be completed here: https://lnkd.in/gwFyjeCs #localgovernment #education #webinar #collaboration Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries

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Good air is essential to human health. The links between population exposure to air pollution and adverse health effects are now well established. Evidence tells us air pollution is connected to poor health, even when pollution levels are below our current air quality standards.

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🔥 Australia is confronting a heightened bushfire threat this summer, with significant regions across the country identified as high-risk, as per AFAC, the Australian and New Zealand National Council for fire and emergency services. (For more information, see comments) Below-average rainfall and above-average temperatures across southern and eastern Australia contribute to this increased risk. These conditions have reduced soil moisture, creating an environment conducive to bushfires. 💡 #EigenPrism now offers a real-time data feed from Geoscience Australia, enabling users to:  ✅ Track active fires in real time to monitor fire perimeters and understand their spread.  ✅ Assess proximity to current fire zones for improved planning and decision-making.  ✅ Get state-wide overviews to stay informed on all active fires within specific regions.  ⚠️ EigenPrism users can set up alerts to receive instant notifications when an asset is at risk (within a specific distance of an active fire). Stay informed and respond quickly to protect what matters. To find more information about this, existing users can log in to #EigenPrism: https://lnkd.in/dZ_q99BD

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CRS Hurricane Helene Recovery: Brief Overview of FEMA Programs and Resources [27 September 2024] https://lnkd.in/gD65T4V7 [excerpt] Before midnight on September 26, 2024, Hurricane Helene made landfall as a Category 4 major hurricane in northwestern Florida in the Big Bend area of the Gulf Coast. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Hurricane Center, the storm poses a major flood risk, with flash flood warnings extending into Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. The hurricane also caused widespread power outages and damaging wind gusts. On September 24, 2024, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. issued an emergency declaration for Florida under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (the Stafford Act, P.L. 93-288, as amended; 42 U.S.C. §§5121 et seq.), authorizing Public Assistance (PA) Category B—emergency protective measures to support mass care, including evacuation and shelter support. On September 26, 2024, the President also issued emergency declarations authorizing PA Category B for Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. If the President signs a major disaster declaration for any of the states affected by Hurricane Helene, he may authorize FEMA to provide a suite of disaster assistance programs, including Individual Assistance, Public Assistance, and Hazard Mitigation Assistance. The situation in several southern states is still dynamic; additional declarations, including for other states and designated areas (counties), or additional forms of assistance may be forthcoming if the President determines that such federal assistance is necessary to support state and local response and recovery. Information about state and county disaster assistance authorizations is published in FEMA’s declaration database. FEMA’s Hurricane Helene webpage provides information on and directions to apply for disaster assistance.

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What is NEMA's National Disaster Risk Reduction Framework? The National Disaster Risk Reduction Framework and Australia’s National Strategy for Disaster Resilience provide the overarching frameworks guiding the National Emergency Management Agency’s work to reduce disaster risk and improve Australia’s resilience. The National Disaster Risk Reduction Framework, unveiled in April 2019, serves as the cornerstone of our nation's strategy to mitigate disaster risks and bolster resilience. It establishes the groundwork for coordinated action across sectors, ensuring a comprehensive approach to addressing both existing and emerging risks. Aligned with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals, the 2030 vision is clear: to cultivate a society where every sector is empowered to make informed decisions, be accountable for risk reduction, and invest in resilience-building measures. The launch of the Second National Action Plan on 25 August 2023 serves as a blueprint for collective action and was developed in consultation with stakeholders including industry, academia, non-governmental organisations, communities, Commonwealth agencies and local, state and territory governments. With strategies centred around understanding risk, fostering accountability, enhancing investment, and strengthening governance, the plan is to create a safer, more resilient Australia. #DisasterResilience #RiskReduction #NEMA

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The recent Independent Review of Commonwealth Disaster Funding (the Colvin Review) highlights the growing emergency management pressures on Local Government and the need to invest in preparedness, risk reduction and resilience. WALGA’s 2025 State Election Priorities calls on the State Government to: 🔹Replace the All-West Australians Reducing Emergencies (AWARE) Program with a more robust funding program of $9 million per year to build Local Government emergency management preparedness. 🔹Establish a dedicated betterment fund to enhance infrastructure resilience and deliver financial savings in future disasters. Learn more: https://ow.ly/jfxi50U4Qrp

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The Australian and New Zealand National Council for fire and emergency services (AFAC) has released the Australian Seasonal Bushfire Outlook for Summer. The outlook shows an increase in fire potential for most of western Victoria, as well as northeastern Victoria, parts of greater Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula and southwest Gippsland. Victoria’s emergency services remain well prepared, with at least 54 dedicated aircraft positioned across the state for the higher risk weather season. This fleet will support the efforts of thousands of dedicated personnel on the ground. The rest of the state is forecast to be at a normal risk, which means fires can still occur and fast running fires are possible on hot, dry and windy days. Read more:  https://lnkd.in/g5t46qcj 

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In looming Northern Territory environmental regression, Environment Centre NT has revealed that a leaked Lia Finocchiaro MLA CLP government briefing document details a secret CLP plan to pass laws that give the Chief Minister and an unelected bureaucrat (the Territory Coordinator) sweeping powers to fast-track and override environmental laws in the NT 🤯 😠 According to ECNT's press release, "These regressive laws could apply to some of the most controversial and environmentally harmful projects in Australia, including fracking in the Beetaloo Basin, the Singleton Station development, carbon capture and storage and land clearing and water licence approvals for expansion of the cotton industry in the NT." This'll be a test for the federal govt. Minister Tanya Plibersek, what do you say of these NT govt plans that mock environmental laws? #NaturePositive? ECNT press release: https://lnkd.in/gsExfJ8E

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The Australian Government launched the new Australian Government Crisis Management Framework (AGCMF) at the recent 2024–25 Higher Risk Weather Season National Preparedness Summit. The Framework is the Australian Government’s key policy for Australia’s national crisis management arrangements. It acknowledges the pivotal role states and territories play as the first responders to crises and enables consistency in how the Australian Government supports these efforts. The new Framework enhances coordination arrangements and better clarifies the roles of Australian Government ministers and agencies in the face of increasingly complex crises: https://lnkd.in/gs78bq3n

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The Australian Government launched the new Australian Government Crisis Management Framework (AGCMF) at the recent 2024–25 Higher Risk Weather Season National Preparedness Summit. The Framework is the Australian Government’s key policy for Australia’s national crisis management arrangements. It acknowledges the pivotal role states and territories play as the first responders to crises and enables consistency in how the Australian Government supports these efforts. The new Framework enhances coordination arrangements and better clarifies the roles of Australian Government ministers and agencies in the face of increasingly complex crises: https://lnkd.in/gs78bq3n

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ONRSR has today released an Australian first Code of Practice – Level Crossings and Train Visibility.   Australia’s Infrastructure and Transport Ministers tasked ONRSR with developing the code as part of a suite of actions that are needed by governments, industry and regulators to improve level crossing safety.   The code is the result of engagement with a wide range of stakeholders, including those with lived experience of rail collisions, industry representatives, unions, governments, and subject matter experts and provides the Australian rail industry with best practice guidance to support operators to strengthen the controls in place to address the safety risks posed by level crossings.   It is not a ‘silver bullet’ but a well-considered and responsibly developed safety tool backed by a significant body of independent research which will help address part of the level crossing safety challenge.   You can download a copy of the Code and view a series of related documents and resources via this link https://lnkd.in/g-bm4U-c.

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Queenslanders are better prepared for future floods, fires, cyclones and storms thanks to the Queensland Resilience and Risk Reduction Fund (QRRRF).   The five-year program has taken a proactive approach to disaster management, funding resilience projects informed by local needs and priorities, and tailored to the communities they’re delivered in.   This final round of the QRRRF backs 25 new projects for Queensland, with almost $15 million of state and federal investment going towards disaster mitigation initiatives, preparedness assets, technology innovations and resilient infrastructure.   Since 2019-20 the QRRRF has supported 252 projects to the tune of $76 million, helping build a more resilient Queensland.

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Monday 9 December is International Anti-Corruption Day. Join us online for webinar “From insight to action: intelligence based corruption prevention”

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Join our keynote speaker Mona Curry & over 460 delegates for the 2024 Disaster & Emergency Management Conference hosted on the Gold Coast next week - July 22 & 23rd. https://hubs.li/Q02G7lVL0 The conference program has been designed around the theme: "Leading in a Time of Crisis: Empowering Change and Recovery through Learning, Innovation and Adaptation". So, if you work in, lead or support Disaster & Emergency Management teams then #DEMC24 is the event you won't want to miss! It is our biggest yet! In-Person and Virtual Registrations are still available, but don't delay, register your place today before it is sold out: https://hubs.li/Q02G7lVL0 #emergencymanagement #disastermanagement #demc #em #crisis #disasterrecovery #emergencyplanning #incidentmanagement #preparedness #firstresponse #firstresponders

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