Former fire and emergency chiefs meet with new Federal Government to advise on climate-disaster preparedness and response
FORMER FIRE and emergency service chiefs today met with new Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen, Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy Jenny McAllister and Emergency Management Minister Murray Watt in Canberra.
The group discussed how urgent action on climate change is crucial to slow down worsening disasters in Australia.
The Emergency Leaders for Climate Action (ELCA) group, led by former Fire & Rescue NSW Commissioner Greg Mullins, has developed a six-point plan for the incoming government.
Among the group’s asks are: the development of a national climate change risk assessment and national climate change mitigation and adaptation strategy, redirection of subsidies for fossil fuels into disaster preparedness and emergency services, and increased funding for communities to prepare for climate-fuelled disasters.
ELCA founder and Climate Councillor Greg Mullins said: “After drought, heatwaves, Black Summer bushfires, then catastrophic floods, all Australians are well aware of how dangerous climate change has become. Our new Federal Government has a mandate for strong climate action, and deep emissions cuts will help to keep communities safe. It must be of the highest priority.
“Together with retired Commissioner of ACT Emergency Services, Major General Peter Dunn, and David Templeman, the former Director-General of Emergency Management Australia, today I met with the Ministers, at their request.
“That this new government has requested a meeting with us as being among their first orders of business sends a promising signal that experts will be listened to, after many years of being ignored. We had a constructive discussion, including outlining our group’s plan to better prepare for and respond to worsening disasters.
“We have a small and closing window to reset, get climate policy right and ensure Australia’s emergency services and communities are better prepared for what’s to come. The choices our new government makes are absolutely critical and we will be watching closely.”
Former Commissioner of the ACT Emergency Services Authority and ELCA member Major General Peter Dunn (ret) added:
“There is no doubt what lies ahead for Australia will not be easy. Disasters will continue to test us and we have to be as well equipped as possible to rise to this challenge. Unless we change, future disasters will overwhelm the emergency services’ and our Australian Defence Force’s initial response capacity. But unprecedented shouldn’t mean unprepared.
“Communities felt totally let down by the Federal Government during Black Summer and after the recent floods. Frankly, we don’t want to see such a bungled disaster response repeated ever again.”
Former Director General of Emergency Management Australia, David Templeman, said:
“We need a national reset in disaster management. The vast majority of money is spent after a disaster in rebuilding and recovery. We must get ahead of the game and invest in stronger communities, stronger infrastructure, and better resourced emergency services.
“Adapting to worsening climate change will be expensive, and can only succeed if it happens at the same time as mitigation, with significant cuts to emissions this decade so that we reach net zero as soon as possible.”
ELCA* is calling for six key issues to be addressed urgently to ensure the safety of communities:
- Strong, immediate emissions cuts: A 75% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, recognising that climate change has become an existential threat.
- Show strong leadership and collaboration: Australia must cease the political “climate wars” and lead and encourage other countries to act, not continue to lag.
- Put communities first: Governments at all levels must significantly increase funding that builds local community resilience, improves infrastructure, and increases the capabilities of emergency response and recovery agencies.
- Properly resourced emergency services: Additional ongoing funding to state and territory governments to increase the size and capability of volunteer and career emergency services, funded by ceasing subsidies being paid to fossil fuel companies.
- National risk assessment and climate strategy: Prioritise the restoration of climate research capabilities and funding, and immediately commence a national climate change risk assessment that will underpin a national climate change mitigation and adaptation strategy.
- Deliver adaptation programs in tandem with emissions reduction: The Australian Government must ensure that adaptation programs are rolled out in parallel with urgent emissions reduction programs, or efforts will ultimately become futile due to catastrophic warming.
