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Boost to councils’ emergency management capacity (18 Mar)

18/03/2011
Following an $11.3 million funding commitment from the Baillieu Government, the MAV is currently supporting councils to recruit additional resources to assist councils fulfil their expanding roles in bushfire emergency management.

Cr Bill McArthur, MAV President said it was a significant step in the right direction for councils to be funded for new and expanded emergency management responsibilities following Black Saturday.

“Local government has a genuine commitment to making communities safer. The Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission recognised councils’ key role in local emergency management planning, and acknowledged the financial and resource constraints facing many municipalities.

“Councils not only deal with emergency management planning and community preparation, but they also coordinate local relief efforts, and long-term recovery and rebuilding initiatives.

“This is a critical role for councils but it’s much less tangible than other community services such as delivered meals, kindergartens, street lighting or public libraries.

“We’re seeking 21 Emergency Management (Fire) Coordinators to be employed by councils across the State, with communities from 29 municipalities set to benefit from these State-funded positions.

“The primary focus of the coordinators will be to assist participating councils to meet and implement more than 50 statutory emergency management obligations and deliver numerous Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission recommendations.

“It’s a great opportunity for passionate and qualified people wanting to work on fire planning initiatives that contribute measurable improvements to community safety,” he said.

Emergency Management (Fire) Coordinator positions are funded for an initial contract ending June 2012, with potential to be funded for an additional two-year period.

The Coordinator’s role will include identifying key priorities and developing an agreed work plan in consultation with council staff; contributing to the identification and delivery of local and regional priorities; and regularly reporting on activities and outcomes achieved.

Cr McArthur said the funded positions would strengthen the capacity of under-resourced councils and contribute to integrated regional capacity overall in high fire-risk areas to ensure communities are better prepared.

“The MAV is also seeking a recurrent funding program to assist local government in continuing to manage the ongoing emergency management challenges facing the sector,” he said.

Applications close Monday 4 April at 5.00pm. For further details visit the careers section of our website.

-Ends-

Sixteen councils will be funded for one Emergency Management (Fire) Coordinator each:

  • Cardinia Shire
  • Colac Otway Shire
  • East Gippsland Shire
  • Glenelg Shire
  • Golden Plains Shire
  • Greater Bendigo Shire
  • Hepburn Shire
  • Macedon Ranges Shire
     
  • Moorabool Shire
  • Mount Alexander Shire
  • Mornington Peninsula Shire
  • Moyne Shire
  • Northern Grampians Shire
  • Southern Grampians Shire
  • Surf Coast Shire
  • Wellington Shire

 An additional five Coordinators will work within regions to support 13 councils:

  • Central Goldfields and Loddon Shires (based in Maryborough)
  • Horsham Rural City, Hindmarsh, Yarriambiack and West Wimmera Shires (based in Horsham)
  • Indigo, Alpine and Towong Shires (based in Yackandandah)
  • South Gippsland and Bass Coast Shires (based in Leongatha)
  • Manningham City and Nillumbik Shire Councils (based in Doncaster).

A further four funded positions have separately been appointed by councils including Ballarat; Baw Baw; Greater Geelong; and Knox and Yarra Ranges (shared).