Emergency Relief and Support team member Brodie Werner.
From bushfires in the Wheatbelt, South West and Perth Hills to tropical cyclones in the Pilbara and Kimberley, the Department of Communities Emergency Relief and Support (ERS) team are there for community members during times of great uncertainty.
Over the last 12 months, ERS or the Purple Shirts as they are affectionately known, have provided support and care to hundreds of Western Australians, responding to 41 emergency events, and opening 48 evacuation centres to offer shelter and a safe place for impacted people.
Brodie Werner joined the team five years ago. She said working in ERS was demanding but extremely rewarding.
“The work is challenging, diverse, and often unpredictable, but it is also meaningful. I feel fortunate to have a job that allows me to support communities when they need it most,” she explained.
Brodie was just 21-years-old when she started working at Communities on the front desk of the Cannington Child Protection office. She was immediately surrounded by people who were making a positive difference in the lives of young people.
Inspired by her colleagues, Brodie followed her sense of social justice and studied social work at university while continuing to work at Communities.
Lending a helping hand
In 2019 when devastating floods hit Townsville, ERS invited expressions of interest from staff who wanted to support disaster recovery efforts in the region, Brodie put her hand up and took the opportunity. It was while she was working in Queensland that she realised ERS was where she felt she could have the most impact.
Following that experience, Brodie realised her social work skills were transferable and she pursued a permanent role in ERS.
In ERS, no two days are the same and that’s why Brodie loves her role. She was recently deployed to the Northern Territory to support the community displaced by Tropical Cyclone Narelle and she has worked on countless projects and emergency responses across Australia.
When there are no active emergencies, her days are office based and much like any other public servant. The difference is that everything can change in an instant. When an emergency warning is issued or a cyclone is approaching landfall, priorities shift quickly.
“One day I might be boarding a small plane bound for the Kimberley, driving several hours to support an evacuation centre during a bushfire, or coordinating workforce deployments and recovery planning,” Brodie said.
Memorable moments
The role has provided her with some unforgettable experiences, including travelling by helicopter and small aircraft into communities like Exmouth and Fitzroy Crossing. One moment that stands out was when she briefed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and former Premier Mark McGowan during the Kimberley floods response.
“It was an experience I will remember despite looking very tired and with very frizzy hair all over the news for a couple of days,” Brodie said.
The Cyclone Seroja Recovery Program also stands out for Brodie as one of the most meaningful responses she has been involved in.
“It was where I learnt the most and had a great leadership team to work with,” Brodie reflected. “I led the implementation of financial assistance, helped deploy 250 Communities staff and supported local and state partners with capacity ‘uplift’ initiatives, responding to increased community need. It was a defining experience that taught me a great deal about both policy and practice. Many of the lessons from that recovery continue to influence our work today,” she added.
A self-described ‘disaster recovery nerd’, Brodie loves working on anything that helps to improve practice and involves research. An important part of her role includes conducting outreach to understand community needs and build effective recovery programs to meet those needs.
Team work
During her time at Communities Brodie has worked in the Office for the Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence at Communities as well as CPFS and ERS.
“Communities support people during some of the most difficult periods of their lives, and it is a privilege to contribute to that work. While I have appreciated every area of the department I have worked in, Emergency Relief and Support is where I have found a role that truly aligns with my interests and values,” she said.
“Within Emergency Relief and Support, there is a strong sense of purpose. People care deeply about the work and the communities we serve, and that passion is something I see reflected throughout the department. I feel incredibly fortunate to work in an area that is both meaningful and rewarding, supporting communities through some of their most challenging times.”
The Department of Communities is always looking for dedicated individuals to join our team. For more information and current opportunities, please visit Careers at Communities .
