What Council does before emergencies
To prepare for various emergencies we work closely with the community and other agencies (such as the CFA, Department of Environment, Land, Water Planning, Department of Health and Human Services). We are continuously improving our Municipal Emergency Management Plan. This is our key document that we operate under.
Key areas of the Muncipal Emergency Management Plan include:
We are always looking for ways to engage and educate the community and we do this in collaboration with other emergency service agencies and the community; all with the aim of encouraging residents to develop a Plan and to connect with their community.
Council’s Municipal Fire Prevention Officers (MFPOs) carry out an annual fire hazard inspection program on private properties, commencing early to mid November each year.
The Fire Hazard Inspections continues throughout the Summer period and depending on weather can continue into early Autumn.
If the Fire Prevention Officer deems a property to be an unacceptable fire risk then a Fire Prevention Notice will be issued. This requires the property owner to take action to reduce the risk.
Properties will also be inspected at the request of residents who report fire hazards.
We have a dynamic program in place to reduce the fuel loads along our roadsides. Extensive mapping and survey work is carried out to determine focus areas. We work with other land owners (private and government) to achieve the best outcomes for our community.
Council have staff that are on call 24/7, all year round. On days of higher threat (for example a severe bushfire threat day) a select group of Council Emergency Management Workforce are also placed on call in the event a Municipal Emergency Coordination Centre and/or Relief Centre is required.
We have 19 Neighbourhood Safer Places in our Council. However it’s very important to remember that these locations do not guarantee your safety and it’s unlikely that emergency service personnel would be present. Find more information about Neighbourhood Safer Places.
Council is responsible for key assets which includes the maintenance of existing and installation of new assets (as requested by CFA brigades).
These include:
- Concrete water tanks
- Water fill Points (including signage)
- Fire access tracks
- Helipads
- Fire restriction signage
- Fire hydrants
- Extensive roadside and reserve slashing