Emergency preparation reports show progress made

The State Government today released the State Emergency Management Committee's (SEMC) inaugural report into Western Australia's preparedness for emergencies.

  • SEMC's report shows State better prepared for emergencies

The State Government today released the State Emergency Management Committee's (SEMC) inaugural report into Western Australia's preparedness for emergencies.

Emergency Services Minister Troy Buswell said the Emergency Preparedness Report highlighted the broad scope of work occurring across the emergency management sector.

"The report shows the State is better prepared to respond to emergencies, due to the increased resources allocated to the SEMC and the State Government's prompt response to major reviews into bushfires.

"In the past year, the Government has introduced a wide package of initiatives and reforms to enhance the safety of the community, and invested an additional $81million into agencies to allow for better bushfire preparedness.

"We have made very significant changes, including appointing the State's first fire commissioner; establishing the Department of Fire and Emergency Services; opening the new $40million Emergency Services Complex at Cockburn; and establishing the Office of Bushfire Risk Management.

"The Government wanted an independent assessment of our capabilities, and this report highlights the good work that has been undertaken in emergency management.  It will be used as a benchmark for assessing future emergency management activities.

"Of the 55 recommendations of the Perth Hills Special Inquiry, 43 have been fully implemented and the remaining 12 are in progress.  The Government accepted all 10 recommendations of the Margaret River Special Inquiry and these are currently being progressed."

Also released today were two independent post-incident analyses, known as the Noetic reports, of the November 2011 Milyeannup (Nannup) and Ellensbrook (Margaret River) bushfires and the SEMC's report on the Post Incident Analysis of the 2011 Margaret River and Nannup bushfires.

      Fact File

  • State Govt invested an additional $81million towards bushfire response capabilities

  • Major reforms include appointing the State's first fire commissioner and new Department of Fire and Emergency Services

Minister's office - 6552 6400