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​The SEMC ​​Subcomm​​​ittees and Reference Groups 

 


​The Subcomm​​ittees:

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Risk​

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Objective: To consult and advise on ways to improve the coordination and application of an evidence-based approach to emergency risk management for all hazards.

  • Provide advice to the SEMC on risk assessment, risk treatment and the risk framework.
  • Develop advice and recommendations on emergency risk management, including risk treatment and mitigation options, for SEMC consideration.
  • Provide a forum for continuous improvement, collaboration and the exchange of knowledge, practice and research on initiatives and issues relating to emergency risk management.
  • Provide input to the review of policies and plans.
  • Undertake activities to improve emergency risk management, as requested by the SEMC.

 

Sponsor:  Dr Ron Edwards, SEMC Chair

Chair: Mr Damien Pumphrey, DFES

Executive Officer: Mr Justin Whitney​, DFES

 

Agencies represented on the Risk Subcommittee include:

Bureau of MeteorologyDepartment of Planning, Lands and Heritage
Department of the Premier and CabinetDepartment of Fire and Emergency Services
Department of TreasuryDepartment of Health
LandgateDepartment of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions
Western Australian Local Government AssociationEssential Services Network Operators Reference Group Representative
RiskcoverWA Police
Department of Finance - ​Public Utilities Office 


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Recovery and Community Engagement 

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Objective: To support the SEMC in strengthening the State’s resilience through enhancing emergency management recovery and community engagement capabilities.

  • ​Consider recommendations from inquiries and reviews and develop proposals to address the issues raised and achieve the outcomes sought. 
  • Foster a shared understanding amongst emergency management organisations and raise awareness in the community of emergency management responsibilities which enhance emergency management preparedness, recovery and community engagement. 
  • Identify gaps, provide advice and develop recommendations to achieve best practice in emergency management recovery and community engagement, with particular consideration for those vulnerable and/or susceptible to emergencies. 
  • Anticipate emerging risks and issues in emergency management recovery and community engagement particularly with respect to severe and catastrophic events. 
  • Provide a forum for collaboration and the exchange of knowledge, practice and research on initiatives and issues relating to emergency management recovery and community engagement. 
  • Provide input to the review of the emergency management policy framework in the areas of recovery and community engagement. 
  • Undertake activities to improve the State’s emergency management recovery and community engagement arrangements as requested by the SEMC.
  • Develop and implement a program of work to meet the subcommittee objective.​


Sponsor: Mel Pexton, Deputy Chairperson of SEMC

Chair: Mel Pexton, Deputy Chairperson of SEMC

​Executive Officer: Suellen Flint - DFES

 

Agencies represented on the Recovery and Community Engagement subcommittee include:

​Australian Red Cross​Department of Water and Environmental Regulation 
City of Perth, Lord Mayor’s Distress Relief Fund 
​Essential Services Network Operators Reference Group Representative ​​
Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions Main Roads WA
​Department of Communities WA Public Information Reference Group Representative
Department of Education State Recovery Coordinator
Department of Fire and Emergency Services ​Volunteering WA​
​Department of Health​Western Australia Police Force 
​Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries ​​Western Australian Council of Social Service ​
​Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage - Aboriginal Affairs ​Western Australian Local Government Association​
​Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Recovery  ​

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 Response Capability

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Objective: To provide a forum that promotes collaborative and strategic dialogue to consider and promote strategies to address capability gaps in the state’s emergency response.​​

  • Undertake a program of work, as referred or endorsed by the SEMC, to address the development of emergency management capabilities applicable to emergency response.
  • Consider information referred by the SEMC (e.g. from reviews and evaluations), and make recommendations to the SEMC and/or member agencies, as appropriate, for the development and / or review of processes, systems and controls to improve the State’s emergency response capability.
  • Oversee a risk based emergency response exercise program, including multi-hazard and cross boundary emergencies, as established by the Exercise Management Advisory Group or otherwise directed by the SEMC.
  • Consider identified gaps or issues from post exercise reports, and provide advice or make recommendations to SEMC and/or other member agencies on potential improvements in emergency response capability for consideration.
  • Consider new and emerging trends or response issues referred by member agencies that may improve the State’s emergency response capability and make recommendations to SEMC and/or other member agencies for the development and/or review of processes, systems and controls, as required.
  • Provide feedback to the review of policies and plans. 
  • Through member agencies, promote strategies and programs of work, developed by the SEMC or emergency management agencies that enhance the State’s emergency management response capability.
  • Foster strong cooperative relationships and collaboration on issues relating to emergency response capability between all members. 
  • Undertake additional activities to improve the State’s emergency response arrangements, as requested by the SEMC.​

 

Sponsor: Mr Chris Dawson, Commissioner of Police

Chair: Mr Col Blanch, Deputy Commissioner, WA Police

Executive Officer: Matt Verney, DFES

 

Agencies represented on the Response Capability Subcommittee include:

 

WA PoliceEssential Services Network Operators Reference Group Representative
Arc Infrastructure (formerly Brookfield Rail)Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety
Department of D​​efenceDepartment of Transport
Department of Primary Industries and Regional DevelopmentDepartment of Health
Department of CommunitiesPublic Information Reference Group Representative
Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and InnovationPublic Transport Authority
Department of Biodiversity Conservation and AttractionsSt John Ambulance
Department of Fire and Emergency Services Department of Finance - ​Public Utilities Office 
Western Australian Local Government AssociationCoalition of Volunteer Emergency Services Associations
Water Corporation

 

Public Safety Communications
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Objective: To support the development and operation of effective and efficient Public Safety Communications (PSC) in Western Australia​

  • Develop and maintain the Western Australian PSC Framework.
  • Provide advice to SEMC on PSC matters. This includes identifying capability risks and gaps, opportunities for improvement and greater efficiencies for investment.
  • Coordinate and support inter-agency cooperation and collaboration on PSC development and operation. This includes:
          •      radio capabilities;
          •      mobile data capabilities (including Public Safety Mobile Broadband); and
          •      community-facing PSC capabilities (e.g. Triple Zero and Emergency Alert).
  • Coordinate and support Western Australia's engagement and participation in national PSC bodies and initiatives. This includes:
      • ​     the National Public Safety Mobile Broadband Program;
    •      the National Emergency Communications Working Group Australia/New Zealand (NECWG); and
    •      PSC-related work of the Australia-New Zealand Emergency Management Committee (ANZEMC) and other relevant inter-jurisdictional bodies.
  • Facilitate and support PSC information sharing between Subcommittee member organisations and with other relevant SEMC sub-bodies.  
  • Undertake other tasks as directed by SEMC.



Sponsor:  Director General, Department of the Premier and Cabinet 

Chair: Greg Italiano, Government Chief Information Officer, Department of the Premier and Cabinet​

Executive Officer: Department of the Premier and Cabinet 

 

Agencies represented on the Public Safety COmmunications Subcommittee include:

Department of the Premier and Cabinet 
St John Ambulance Western Australia 
Department of Fire and Emergency Services​
Department of Justice 
WA Police Force Department of Health
Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions​
Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries 
Western Australian Local Government AssociationPublic Transport Authority 
Department of Primary Industries & Regional Development 


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​The Reference Groups:

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 Public Information

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Objective: To provide advice and support to the SEMC and its Sub-committees in relation to arrangements for the provision of emergency public information and public awareness related to emergency management in Western Australia.

Functions:

  1. In relation to public information in emergency management:
     - Monitor emerging trends, identifying and reporting on relevant issues and opportunities.
     - Provide advice to the SEMC and its Sub-committees on policy, planning and education.
     - Maintain a forum for collaboration and networking, encouraging debate and enabling views to coalesce around critical issues.
  2. Maintain responsibility for the State Support Plan - Emergency Public Information including regular review and exercising.
  3. Provide input and representation to the nominated Sub-committees on matters associated with public information.
  4. Other functions as directed by the SEMC.

Chair: Howard Gretton, State Emergency Public Information Coordinator

 

Agencies represented on the PIRG include:

 

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Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
Australian Broadcasting CorporationDepartment of Premier and Cabinet
Bureau of Meteorology Department of Treasury - Public Utilities Office
City of PerthEssential Services Networks Reference Group
Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions Main Roads
Department of CommunitiesPublic Transport Authority
Department of Fire and Emergency Services WA Police Force
Department of Fire and Emergency Services (SEMC representative)Water Corporation
Department of HealthWestern Australian Local Government Association

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Essential Services Network Operators

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Objective: To provide a forum for the exchange of information that will assist or improve the operation of essential services or functions in relation to emergency management for the benefit of the community.

  • Provide advice to the SEMC and its subcommittees on matters relative to the provision of essential network services in the emergency management context including monitoring emerging trends, identifying and reporting on relevant issues, risks and opportunities.
  • Provide a forum for SEMC and its subcommittees to seek advice and information in relation to essential services matters.
  • Provide a forum for essential service network operators, which improve preparedness and response to emergencies through a trusted network, exchange of knowledge and collaboration.
  • Provide input and representation to the SEMC and its nominated subcommittees on matters associated with essential service networks.
  • Engage essential services network operators to work within the emergency management of the State.
  • Undertake and participate in exercises, workshops and seminars to build understanding and capability of essential services network operators in the emergency manag​​ement aspects of Prevention, Preparedness, Response and Recovery; with a focus on Risk and Resilience.

 

Chair: Mark V​​assiliou, Main Roads ​
 

Agencies represented on the ESNORG include:

 

ATCO Gas AustraliaNBN Co Ltd
Dampier Bunbury Pipeline (DBP)Telstra
Horizon PowerWater Corporation
Main Roads WAWestern Power

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State Exercise Coordination Team

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Objective: To be the coordinating body for Emergency Management (EM) exercises in Western Australia that will provide expert advice, assistance and guidance to Emergency Management Agencies (EMA’s) and non-government agencies in the preparation, coordination, delivery and evaluation of EM exercise activities.

Functions:

  • To support emergency management agencies to develop EM capability by providing advice on the development, delivery and reporting of the EMA capability based exercise program.
  • Assist agencies in the evaluating of emergency management exercises.
  • To maintain a State wide calendar of EMA based capability exercises.
  • Coordinate the delivery of exercises to maximise agency outcomes and reduce duplication of effort.
  • Support agency exercise programs by facilitating the provision of ‘exercise management staff’ during major multi-agency exercises. This will include but not be restricted to exercise controllers, umpires, observers, safety and damage control officers.
  • Assist agencies to build capacity by researching, advising, coordinating and facilitating EM exercise training opportunities.
  • Advise the SEMC on the status of the EMA and State-level exercise programs and any other significant emergency management exercises taking place in WA.
  • Develop, coordinate, deliver and evaluate the 3 yearly State-level exercise based on identified risks and gaps in the State’s preparedness.
  • Provide advice to the SEMC on exercise management policy, practice, evaluation and delivery.
  • Review submitted post-exercise reports and provide a summary of the State’s exercise activity regularly to the SEMC, SEMC subcommittees and reference groups as requested.

Chair: Alf Fordham, Water Corporation 
Executive Officer: Krissy Jangi, DFES

Member Agencies:

 

DEMC RepresentativeMain Roads
Department of Primary Industries and Regional DevelopmentPerth Airport
Department of CommunitiesPublic Transport Authority
Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions, Parks and Wildlife ServiceEnergy Policy WA​
Department of Fire and Emergency ServicesSt John Ambulance
Department of HealthWater Corporation
Department of TransportWestern Australia Police Force
Local GovernmentWestern Australian Local Government Association

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Lessons Management Reference Group

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Purpose:

To provide oversight of the State’s lessons management framework, including the identification and prioritisation of lessons and monitoring and reporting on the implementation of resultant actions across the emergency management (EM) sector.

Objectives:

  1. To improve the State’s EM Capabilities through evaluation of lessons and promotion of a continuous improvement ethos.
  2. To integrate lessons management activities into the EM Sector as a normal course of business.

Functions:

  1. To assist the State Emergency Management Committee (SEMC) prepare a report to the Minister on the implementation of recommendations from reviews and investigations into emergencies.
  2. Provide advice to the SEMC on matters relating to lessons management in the emergency management context including monitoring emerging trends, identifying and reporting on relevant issues, risks and opportunities.
  3. Provide a forum for the SEMC to seek advice and information in relation to lessons management issues.
  4. Prioritise and recommend State level lessons for the development of future action.
  5. Monitor the progress and determine completion of all existing and future lessons.
  6. Promote lessons management standards for the development of lessons, to include the use of performance measures and evidence, within internal reviews and external inquiries.
  7. Contribute to the national sharing of emergency management lessons.
  8. Promote skills and training opportunities for lessons management practitioners
  9. Work with relevant partners to further the aims of the Reference Group.

Chair: Ms Linda Savage, SEMC Independent Member
Executive Officer: Ms Tracy Smith, DFES

Agencies represented:

Members representing the all-hazards EM sector will be nominated and selected based on demonstrated experience, expertise to fulfil the functions of the reference group, and representation of one or more of the membership capabilities for a minimum of twelve months. Through its membership, the group aims to ensure all aspects of the membership capabilities are represented.

Police Force Department of Fire and Emergency Services
Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and AttractionsHealth Department
Main Roads WAAll SEMC Subcommittees

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