Emergency Management Australia (EMA) has today begun 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 – starting this morning with Queensland – will be held with authorities around the country throughout September and October and include information from EMA, the National Recovery and Resilience Agency, the Bureau of Meteorology, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and Services Australia.
“Thankfully Queensland’s last high risk weather season was not as severe as other years, so joint Australian and Queensland Government funding has gone in to projects to assist communities deal with future natural disasters, including a significant investment in remote areas,” Minister McKenzie said.
“These investments in risk reduction and mitigation will better prepare Queensland communities in the face of future extreme weather events.
“Australian Government assistance isn’t limited to fires and floods, Defence Force personnel have been supporting Queensland police with COVID-19 quarantine compliance at domestic airports and hotels, and at border control points in to Queensland and into vulnerable communities.”
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 national preparedness briefing will include advice from Bureau of Meteorology experts about the types of threats facing Queensland this summer.
“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,” she said.
