The SEMC's advisory groups

The State Emergency Management Committee (SEMC) has advisory groups to guide us in our role as the peak emergency management body in Western Australia.
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The SEMC plays a key role in setting the strategic policy framework for emergency management in WA.

At state level, we have subcommittees and reference groups to provide expert advice on a range of topics. Government agencies and other organisations are represented on these groups, who play an important role in ensuring progress, coordination, review and improvement in emergency management. 

The SEMC is responsible for establishing the subcommittees. Due to the dynamic nature of emergency management, effective subcommittees and reference groups are critical to the success of the SEMC. 

At district level, District Emergency Management Committees (DEMCs), help to establish and maintain effective emergency arrangements across WA. There are also Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs) established by local governments, which are supported by and report to the DEMCs.

Our subcommittees

  • Climate Change Subcommittee - Provides leadership, advice and oversight to prepare and respond to the impacts of climate change on emergency management.
  • Community Resilience and Recovery Subcommittee - Provides leadership, support and advice to strengthen community engagement and disaster resilience in WA, and to enhance the preparedness and capability of State and local governments to undertake disaster recovery.
  • Public Safety Communications Subcommittee - Supports the development and operation of effective and efficient Public Safety Communications (PSC) in WA. PSC includes radio and mobile data and community-facing capabilities, for example, Triple Zero and Emergency Alert.
  • Response Policy Subcommittee - Provides leadership, advice and oversight of WA’ Emergency Management Framework and ensures that response arrangements are contemporary in order to meet the emerging challenges and reflects best practice.
  • Risk and Capability Subcommittee- Supports the State to reduce the risk and impact of emergencies through an effective emergency risk management framework and practice.  Leads the assessment and development of emergency management capability, responsive to risk.

Our reference groups

  • Essential Services Network Operators Reference Group - Provides a forum to assist and improve the operation of essential services functions in relation to emergency management for the benefit of the community.
  • Lessons Management and Exercising Reference Group - Supports the State’s Lessons Management and Exercise Framework through state level exercising and identification and prioritisation of lessons.
  • Public Information Reference Group - Provides advice in relation to the operationalism of public information and awareness campaigns.

Organisations represented

Government agencies and other organisations represented include: 

  • Arc Infrastructure 
  • ATCO Gas Australia
  • Australian Broadcasting Corporation
  • Australian Red Cross
  • Bureau of Meteorology 
  • City of Perth
  • City of Perth, Lord Mayor’s Distress Relief Fund
  • Coalition of Volunteer Emergency Services Associations
  • Commonwealth Department of Human Services
  • Dampier Bunbury Pipeline 
  • Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions 
  • Department of Communities
  • Department of Defence 
  • Department of Education 
  • Department of Fire and Emergency Services
  • Department of Health
  • Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation  
  • Department of Justice
  • Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries 
  • Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety
  • Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage
  • Department of the Premier and Cabinet    
  • Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development 
  • Department of Transport
  • Department of Treasury
  • Department of Water and Environmental Regulation 
  • Horizon Power
  • Insurance Council Australia
  • Landgate
  • Local governments
  • Main Roads Western Australia
  • National Insurance Brokers Association
  • NBN Co Ltd
  • Perth Airport 
  • Public Transport Authority
  • Public Utilities Office
  • Radio 6PR Perth Pty Ltd
  • Riskcover
  • St John WA 
  • Volunteer Bush Fire Brigades Association
  • Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services Association
  • Volunteer Marine Rescue WA
  • Volunteer SES Association
  • Volunteering WA
  • Telstra Corporation Limited
  • Water Corporation
  • Western Australian Council of Social Service 
  • Western Australian Local Government Association
  • Western Australia Police Force