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
Emergency risk management is the process of determining what impacts a hazard might have on a community and then developing actions or controls to minimise those impacts. Hazard Management Agencies and District Emergency Management Committees, should work with local governments to understand the level of risk and support planning for hazards relevant to local communities.
Local emergency management arrangements must include a description of emergencies that are likely to occur in the local government district (s41.2(d)).
The State Emergency Management Committee (SEMC) is responsible for developing risk management strategies to assess community vulnerabilities to emergencies. The SEMC has delegated this work to state agencies and local governments (s3.2).
Local governments are responsible for developing local scale Emergency Risk Management (ERM) plans for hazards that may occur within their jurisdiction, in consultation with the LEMC.
Local emergency management arrangements (LEMA) must be informed by an understanding of emergency risk and identify and describe the emergencies most likely to occur in the district. This ensures emergency management priorities, planning and activities are based on the hazards, impacts and community needs most relevant to the local area.
Local governments may use the emergency risk management methodology outlined in the State Emergency Risk Management Guideline, but this is not mandatory. They may instead use a risk assessment approach that suits their capacity, local context and available information. Existing information, such as District Risk Profile Reports, local hazard history, community profiles and local knowledge can be used to inform a local risk assessment.
The Local Emergency Management Plan guidance and template provide a practical approach local governments may follow to develop a local risk-informed LEMA.
A risk workshop is another way to bring together local stakeholders and partners to develop a shared understanding of local emergency risk. Participants may include local government staff, elected members, LEMC members, Hazard Management Agencies, Support Agencies, essential service providers, local industry, community organisations and groups that support people at higher risk. This can help identify local hazards, vulnerable groups in community and assets, community strengths, and opportunities to reduce risk and strengthen preparedness.
Local governments can seek advice from their District Emergency Management Advisor (DEMA) about risk workshops or other suitable approaches to risk assessment.
Risk information should be used to inform the LEMA and other local government planning and decision-making, including land use planning, asset management, business continuity, waste management, community development and recovery planning.
A Local Emergency Management Plan template and guidance are available on EngageWAEM for sector use and feedback until 15 June 2027.
The Local Emergency Management Plan helps local governments use local risk information to set emergency management priorities and guide prevention, preparedness, response and recovery planning.
The State Emergency Risk Management Guideline (Appendix E) has advice on how to facilitate a risk workshop, while the SEMC Risk Toolbox has other templates and tools that may be useful.
Related plans and functions of local government including but not limited to:
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A Bushfire Risk Management Plan assists a local government to identify, assess, prioritise, treat and monitor bushfire risk throughout its local government area.
Hazard Management Agencies (HMAs) may assign specialised Emergency Risk Management planning requirements within their respective State Hazard Plans.
Local governments identified in Appendix G as having high or extreme bushfire risk must maintain an endorsed Bushfire Risk Management (BRM) Plan that applies to the entire local government area (s2.2.1).
Bushfire risk management is a shared responsibility across the community. A BRM Plan applies to the entire local government area to encourage a coordinated approach to bushfire mitigation between local and State governments, industry, private landowners, and other community members.
While local government leads the planning process, they do so on behalf of all stakeholders and are not solely responsible for managing the risks outlined in the plan.
Local government have a responsibility to manage fuel on local government managed land and play an important role in encouraging bushfire preparedness and enforcing mitigation on privately managed land.
DFES Rural Fire Division and regional offices are available to support local governments to identify and assess bushfire risks and treat risks through the development of BRM Plans.
Local governments required to develop a BRM Plan are listed in the State Hazard Plan - Fire.
It is recommended that other local governments with significant bushfire risk also develop and implement a BRM Plan.
BRM Plans require endorsement by DFES, through the Office of Bushfire Risk Management (OBRM), to be eligible to apply for the Mitigation Activity Fund Grant Program (MAFGP).
Guidelines and resources to assist local government with all aspects of Bushfire Risk Management.
The Bushfire Risk Management Planning Portal has been developed by OBRM to assist local governments prepare, develop, maintain and review their BRM Plans. Access to the portal can be requested by contacting OBRM@dfes.wa.gov.au
Guidance has been developed to support fire management personnel in understanding and upholding their responsibilities to protect Aboriginal heritage during fire management. This guidance is available through OBRM and the DFES Volunteer Hub.
Related functions of local government:
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