Western Australia’s State Support Plan – Animal Welfare in Emergencies was put to the test recently in an exercise to strengthen response capability and preparedness.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) coordinates the plan, which may be activated when Local Government or incident management requires additional support.
Exercise Assisi – named after the patron saint of animals Saint Francis of Assisi – was hosted by DPIRD and included other emergency government departments, Local Government and several animal welfare support organisations.
The exercise focused on operational coordination of welfare services under the State Support Plan, guided by DPIRD’s animal welfare emergency arrangements.
Once the plan is activated, DPIRD coordinates support services to protect and manage livestock, horses, companion animals and wildlife during emergencies, such as bushfires, cyclones, storms, floods and heatwaves.
DPIRD State Animal Welfare in Emergencies Coordinator Brett Hopley said Exercise Assisi would aid future emergency animal welfare responses.
“The exercise brought government agencies and support organisations together to test procedures, identify gaps and build preparedness for future emergencies,” he said.
“The scenario simulated a catastrophic bushfire in the Perth Hills, spanning peri-urban livestock properties, wildlife reserves and national parks, that exceeded Local Government capacity and triggered activation of the State Support Plan.
“The exercise examined governance, coordination, operational planning and communication arrangements during a large-scale emergency response.
“The initial feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, with comments the exercise gave them a better understanding of the plan and others saying it would help strengthen their organisation’s role in supporting DPIRD in a response.”
Lessons learned from Exercise Assisi will inform future emergency responses and improve animal welfare arrangements across Western Australia.
For more information about the State Support Plan – Animal Welfare in Emergencies visit the Animal Welfare in Emergencies webpage.
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