By Linley Brown and Su Groome, Department of Fire and Emergency Services, WA

Department of Fire and Emergency Services’ scope as an end-to end emergency management agency is unique in Australia. Our responsibility covers it all, from community prevention and preparedness, all the way through an emergency response and into the long recovery process.

Responsibility for the State Emergency Management Committee and Emergency Management policy framework and State Recovery, were transferred to the Department of Fire and Emergency Services in 2018. Since that time, the business has been on a significant journey to build our capability as an emergency management partner to the sector and as lead agency for recovery, working to create effective integration and end-to-end practices across the Emergency Management cycle.

The paper maps out the steps, activities and challenges to build this capability with a focus on solutions, change management and how lessons have been addressed. The paper also explores the benefits and complexities of this multi-hazard, response and recovery structure. It draws on our experience in recent emergency incidents to demonstrate the ways in which information sharing and bringing internal teams in earlier puts responders on the front foot when dealing with an emergency. This in turn, enables recovery teams to move quickly into recovery activities, contributing to improved recovery outcomes and increased community resilience.