Fire or life threatening emergencies: 000
Emergency Information: 13 3337
SES Emergency Assistance: 132 500
Fire or life threatening emergencies: 000
Emergency Information: 13 3337
SES Emergency Assistance: 132 500
The local emergency management arrangements sets out the local government’s commitment, approach, arrangements and resourcing for emergency management across prevention, preparedness, response and recovery within its local government district.
Local emergency management arrangements (LEMA) must set out (s41):
Local emergency management arrangements are to be available to members of the public (s43).
Two or more local governments may have a combined LEMA subject to State Emergency Management Committee (SEMC) approval (s34(1)).
The community and key stakeholders must be identified and consulted during the development of LEMA.
LEMA should be endorsed by the Local Emergency Management Committee (LEMC) prior to approval by Council. The approved documents are then progressed to the District Emergency Management Committee (DEMC) and SEMC for noting.
The Emergency Management Act 2005 (EM Act) requires local governments to prepare local emergency management arrangements (LEMA). LEMA is often organised as a set of related documents that work together to support emergency management and address the minimum requirements of the EM Act and State EM Framework.
A LEMA must be specific to the local government district and include, at a minimum:
Local governments may choose to prepare additional plans, procedures or guidance documents beyond the minimum requirements to address specific local risks, priorities or operational requirements.
The LEMC can be a valuable source of information and input during the development and review of LEMA. Members can assist to identify information and resources that emergency management agencies may need during emergency incidents, identify local risks, gather information, validate planning assumptions and coordinate input from relevant agencies and stakeholders.
As per the provisions of the Local Government Act 1995, the Local Emergency Management Plan (or other strategic EM document) should be approved by Council and the Incident Support Handbook, Emergency Management Workplan and other operational documents may be approved by the CEO.
The local government should provide a copy of the Local Emergency Management Plan, or equivalent strategic document, to the DEMC and SEMC. They should also make operational information readily available to Hazard Management Agencies and Support Agencies for use during emergencies.
Local governments are also required to make the strategic level LEMA documents available to the community for viewing, such as at the library or on the website.
Guidance on the minimum requirements that LEMA must address and include is provided in the Overview section.
A Local Emergency Management Plan, Incident Support Handbook and Emergency Management Workplan template and guidance are available on EngageWAEM for sector use and feedback until 15 June 2027. The templates support local governments to plan for emergency management and meet the minimum requirements for LEMA. However, use of the new templates is optional, and local governments may continue to use the existing LEMA template in the LEMA Guideline or an alternative format, provided the minimum requirements are addressed.
Provides guidance to support local governments in preparation of LEMA and the current template for a model LEMA.
Template and guidance on developing a Local Recovery Plan.
An overview of the ERM planning process local government is required to undertake to support LEMA development.
The DFES District Emergency Management Advisor (DEMA) can provide advice and support to local government.
Local government documents that will be useful in preparing LEMA:
Back to top
Local governments should engage communities inclusively to raise awareness of local risks, promote preparedness actions, and ensure emergency communication meets diverse needs.
Community engagement is an underpinning principle of emergency management in WA (s2.1.3).
Local government should undertake programs to support and educate communities to increase preparedness for emergencies (s4.5).
Community engagement plans should include specific arrangements for engaging with people at higher risk about emergency preparedness and during emergencies (s.4.6.1).
Local governments play an important role in helping their communities prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies. Planning how you will communicate and engage with your community before an emergency happens can make it easier to share information and support people when it matters most.
To help the community prepare, local governments should:
Community preparedness activities should reflect local risks, seasonal hazards and community needs. Hazard Management Agencies (HMA), such as Department of Fire and Emergency Services and Department of Health, can provide resources and advice about community preparedness for specific hazards.
In an emergency, local governments have a role to share information with their community in support of the HMA. To plan for this, local government should identify relevant staff and should plan for communication with individuals and communities who may be at higher risk, including arrangements for translation of information or alternative engagement approaches for communities who do not engage with online material.
These arrangements will also be important in recovery when local governments can share information about available recovery support and activities.
Good community engagement helps build awareness, supports informed decision-making and strengthens community resilience before, during and after emergencies.
Created by Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience the handbook outlines the principles, approaches and core elements of effective community engagement.
The Australian Disaster Resilience Knowledge Hub includes resources for engaging with CALD communities and with young people.
Resources for disability inclusive emergency management and planning.
P-CEP promotes inclusive preparedness through collaboration with support networks and service providers, focusing on capabilities rather than impairments.
Back to top
A local government must convene one or more Local Emergency Management Committees to provide them with advice on emergency management matters and assist with preparing and maintaining local emergency management arrangements (LEMA).
Local governments must establish and administer a Local Emergency Management Committee (LEMC) for their area (s38 (1)).
A local government may establish more than one LEMC or may decide to combine with other local governments to establish a combined LEMC (s34 and 38).
The function of the LEMC is to advise and assist the local government to develop, review and test local emergency management arrangements (LEMA) (s39).
Each LEMC must prepare an annual report to the District Emergency Management Committee (DEMC) (s40).
Sets out the LEMC functions and requirements as per the EM Act and states the function of the Local Emergency Coordinator on the LEMC (s2.5).
Provides an overview of how LEMC’s should function, including suggested membership, meeting agendas and meeting frequency (3.7) and annual reporting (3.17).
Local governments are responsible for establishing and supporting a Local Emergency Management Committee (LEMC). This includes appointing a Chair, developing Terms of Reference, inviting appropriate members, scheduling meetings and planning the agenda.
The LEMC is an advisory group that brings together local government, emergency services, government agencies and other stakeholders to support local emergency management planning and preparedness. The Chair should be an elected member of Council; however, the LEMC does not need to be established as a Committee under the Local Government Act 1995.
LEMC membership should not be limited to response agencies and should seek to involve broader parts of the community in preparing for emergencies. The membership could include other state agencies based in the district, non-government organisations, businesses that operate hazardous or critical facilities within the district, as well as representatives from key industry sectors and community groups at higher risk during emergencies.
Terms of Reference for the LEMC should be reviewed regularly and at least every 5 years, however best practice is to review every 2 years following the local government election cycle. An example Terms of Reference is included in the LEMC Handbook.
LEMCs should meet at least quarterly or more frequently as required to:
The Emergency Management Workplan can be used to plan future LEMC agenda items, priorities and activities. This helps support proactive and purposeful LEMC meetings, while providing a mechanism to track actions and maintain progress over time.
Where the LEMC identifies an issue that cannot be addressed locally, it may seek advice or support through the District Emergency Management Committee (DEMC) via the District Emergency Management Advisor (DEMA).
The LEMC is also responsible for preparing an annual report to the DEMC outlining its activities and achievements over the previous 12 months. Annual reporting requirements are set out in State EM Preparedness Procedure 3.17.
An Emergency Management Workplan is available for sector use and feedback until 15 June 2027. The Workplan can assist local government to meet the requirements for LEMC governance and administration.
Provides guidance on how to establish and administer LEMC, the work they should undertake and their reporting requirements. The DFES District Emergency Management Advisor (DEMA) can also provide advice and support to local government.
Provides advice about the Local Government Act 1995 and establishing a LEMC.
Back to top
Regular exercising, training and review activities help local governments test their arrangements, build capability and identify opportunities for improvement.
Local governments must (s4.8.8):
Provides further guidance about requirements for exercising, training and lessons in sections 4.7 and 4.8.
Local governments should regularly exercise their emergency management arrangements and provide training for staff and others who have emergency management responsibilities.
Local governments must conduct at least one emergency exercise each year to test their LEMA arrangements and capabilities. A three-year exercise schedule must also be created and if required updated each year to reflect local risks, emerging priorities and lessons from recent exercises or emergencies. It is recommended that local governments invite organisations listed in their LEMA to take part in or observe the exercise and share observations and insights. This helps to strengthen relationships and improve coordination during real events.
Training and briefing activities should be provided to staff and others who have emergency management responsibilities to ensure they have the knowledge and skills required to perform their roles. This may include incident support, recovery, evacuation centre support, community engagement, logistics or other functions identified in local arrangements.
After exercises, incidents or activations, local governments should capture observations and lessons identified, review what worked well and identify opportunities for improvement. Lessons should be used to inform future training, exercising, work planning and updates to LEMA documents.
The LEMC should provide input into the development of the exercise schedule, participate in exercising and review activities where appropriate.
An Emergency Management Workplan is available for sector use and feedback until 15 June 2027. The Workplan can assist local government to plan and monitor exercising, training and lessons.
Provides guidance and templates for undertaking an annual capability review.
Provides guidance and templates for exercising.
Provides guidance on systematic processes for collecting, analysing, sharing and applying learning from exercises and emergencies.
The DFES District Emergency Management Advisor (DEMA) can provide advice and support to local government on exercising.
Back to top
It is important to keep local emergency management arrangements current and up-to-date to reflect changes in resources, risks, processes and lessons.
The local government may amend or replace local emergency management arrangements (LEMA) whenever required and, at minimum, in accordance with the review procedure established by the State Emergency Management Committee (SEMC) (s42).
LEMA must be reviewed:
The LEMA must be reviewed after an emergency that involved an Incident Support Group or required significant recovery coordination to capture learnings from that incident.
A major review of the LEMA is needed at least every five years to ensure they are consistent with the State EM Framework and accurately reflect changing risks and the capacity and capability of the local government.
Reviews and updates should be undertaken in consultation with internal and external stakeholders.
Where a major review has taken place or major amendments are proposed, the local government must follow a full review process, including stakeholder engagement, endorsement by the Local Emergency Management Committee (LEMC) and approval by Council (strategic documents only). This process is described in State EM Preparedness Procedure 3.8.
If the amendments are minor, then these may be made by the local government and advice provided to the LEMC, District Emergency Management Committee (DEMC) and SEMC.
New templates and guidance are available for sector use and feedback until 15 June 2027. The guidance documents provide advice on the review and approval process for LEMA. Use of the new templates are optional. Local governments may continue to use the existing LEMA template in the LEMA Guideline or an alternative format.
Provides guidance on the LEMA review process and approval requirements.
The DFES District Emergency Management Advisor (DEMA) can provide advice and support to local government on the process of reviewing LEMA.
Back to top
Animal welfare is ultimately the responsibility of individual owners or carers, however in an emergency they may be unable to keep the animals safe. Local governments are encouraged to undertake planning for arrangements to support animal welfare during emergencies.
Local government may develop an emergency animal welfare plan (s2.1.4).
Arrangements for animal welfare in emergencies may be activated by the Hazard Management Agency (HMA) where animal welfare is a risk in an emergency. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) is responsible for coordinating animal welfare when activated.
Local governments may develop, maintain, and review emergency animal welfare plans to support HMAs or DPIRD during an emergency response, and to meet the needs of their community in a smaller emergency.
The purpose of a Local Plan for Animal Welfare in Emergencies (PAWE) is to document arrangements, identify local facilities and resources such as kennels, stables, evacuation locations, feed sources, transportation, wildlife carers and veterinarians, that can assist with managing animal welfare when needed. To the best of their ability, local governments should engage with these facilities to confirm their capacity to assist in an emergency.
The Local PAWE should reflect the animal profile of the local government district. This may include pets and companion animals, horses and livestock, intensive farming and animal shelters or boarding kennels.
Local governments with livestock industries and/or transport routes in their district should consider the management of wandering, injured, stranded or deceased livestock in an emergency, including arrangements for feed and temporary holding and for euthanasia and burial/disposal where required.
During emergency response, the Incident Controller may request DPIRD to activate State AWiE arrangements for all animals, in which case DPIRD should coordinate with the local government.
In recovery, animal welfare considerations for wildlife, horses and livestock, and companion animals should be included in the Local Recovery Plan if there are ongoing requirements.
The Local Plan for Animal Welfare in Emergencies Guide has been developed by DPIRD to provide guidance for development of a Local PAWE.
Back to top
Local governments should develop plans and arrangements that are inclusive of people who may be at higher risk in emergencies, including evacuation arrangements for people who may require extra assistance.
Emergency management planning should consider where special arrangements will be required (s4.6).
Local emergency management arrangements (LEMA) should consider specific requirements for people and groups at higher risk (s4.6.1).
LEMA should document specific plans and arrangements for the evacuation of people at higher risk during emergencies (s3.3.4).
Emergency management planning should consider the needs and safety of people in the community who may be at higher risk in an emergency.
LEMA should identify the groups at higher risk who require assistance during evacuation, e.g., a register of higher risk sites such as schools and aged care facilities. Where plans have been developed, this information should be documented in the LEMA so they can be accessed by the Hazard Management Agency or Controlling Agency.
The Disability Inclusive Emergency Management (DIEM) Toolkit outlines best practice frameworks to engage people with disabilities and their families and carers to ensure emergency management plans are person-centred and encompass community needs.
Local governments may also include strategies for emergency preparedness engagement with individuals and communities who are at higher risk. This includes strategies for sharing of emergency information with at-higher risk communities and ensuring that evacuation facilities are inclusive and accessible. This may include consideration of:
The Emergency Evacuation Plan Template provides an example of registers of higher risk sites.
Resources, tools and information to support agencies and their staff in bushfire emergency planning.
Resources for including people with disability and other at-higher risk communities in emergency management and planning.
P-CEP promotes inclusive preparedness for individuals at higher risk through collaboration with support networks and service providers, focusing on capabilities rather than impairments.
The Australian Disaster Resilience Knowledge Hub includes resources for engaging with CALD communities, young people and LGBTI inclusion in emergency services.
Back to top
Print this page