Council plays a key role in Victoria’s emergency management arrangements. This role is defined in the Emergency Management Act 2013 and the State Emergency Management Plan (SEMP).
Some things Greater Dandenong Council does to support the community in preparing for, responding to and recovering from emergencies includes:
- Supporting emergency services responding to incidents in the local area.
- Fire prevention program.
- Educating the community about preparing themselves and their homes for emergencies.
- Providing information to the community after an emergency.
- Coordinating municipal relief and recovery activities and local support as required. This may include opening emergency relief centres (ERC) for displaced community members.
Council also chairs the Municipal Emergency Management Planning Committee (MEMPC). The Committee is responsible for preparing and maintaining the Municipal Emergency Management Plan (MEMP). The MEMP outlines the muti agency arrangements for mitigation, response (including Relief) and recovery for the Greater Dandenong Local Government Area. The MEMPC also participates in various regional and state committees on a regular basis.
Emergency Relief Centres
In a larger scale emergency events Municipal Councils may open an Emergency Relief Centre (ERC).
An Emergency Relief Centre is opened so the community can access essential supports, this may include, shelter, food, water, material aid, first aid and emergency information.
An Emergency Relief Centre will be located away from the emergency and impacted area.
Greater Dandenong City Council has various facilities within the municipality that can be used as Emergency Relief Centres during an emergency. The location and type of the emergency will play a role in considering which facility is opened to the community. Trained staff may also be deployed to offer support and assistance to other municipalities with the operation their relief centres.
An Emergency Relief Centre serves as a temporary solution to offer support until individuals can safely return to their homes or until more stable, long-term emergency housing options can be arranged. Council staff and relief organisations strive to ensure that an ERC offers a secure and comfortable environment, however it typically only provides basic living conditions.
The Vic Emergency App, 774 ABC Melbourne and council’s social media will advise if an Emergency Relief Centre is opened and give the location.