Emergency Management Australia (EMA) is conducting national preparedness briefings with police, fire authorities and other emergency services in each State and Territory in preparation for the upcoming bushfire and disaster season.
Minister for Emergency Management Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie said the virtual briefings – continuing today with New South Wales – will be held with authorities around the country and include information from EMA, the National Recovery and Resilience Agency, the Bureau of Meteorology, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and Services Australia.
“Fortunately last bushfire season was far less intense but the Australian Government responded to requests for assistance when New South Wales experienced extreme flooding,” Senator McKenzie said.
“This assistance supported search and rescue and clean-up and waste removal efforts, specialised search and rescue helicopter capability, and involved almost 850 Defence personnel.
“Significant financial assistance has been provided to 78 local government areas through jointly funded Australian Government-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
“Defence personnel are supporting many COVID-19 quarantine compliance operations, contact tracing and vaccinations and the Australian Public Service Commission has provided surge staff to assist in vital contact tracing efforts.”
Preparations for the upcoming disaster season over summer have been underway for several months, with Australian Government agencies ready to deploy to assist where needed.
“Today’s preparedness briefing will include advice from Bureau of Meteorology experts about the types of threats facing NSW this summer,” Senator McKenzie said.
“EMA will provide a comprehensive overview of the support and services available to states and territories during disasters and emergencies.
“The Australian Government works with communities to prevent, prepare, respond and recover from disasters – from disaster mitigation initiatives, and community awareness and warning measures, through to disaster relief and recovery support.”
