Glossary

Advice

The Advice section in the EM Hub provides recommended practices and advice to help local governments meet the Primary Requirements. It may include:

• Suggested methodologies
• Planning tips
• Stakeholder engagement strategies
• Description of reference materials
• Integration with broader local government functions

Annual Capability Review

A yearly assessment conducted by local governments to evaluate their readiness and capability to manage emergencies.

Bushfire Risk Management Plan (BRM)

A plan that outlines strategies for identifying and mitigating bushfire risks across a local government area. BRM Plans are prepared by the local government and endorsed by DFES Office of Bushfire Risk Management.

Communicating in Recovery

The process of providing timely, clear, and relevant information to support community recovery after an emergency.

Disability Inclusive Emergency Management (DIEM)

A planning approach that can be undertaken by local governments to ensure people with disability are actively included in emergency management plans and arrangements, using person-centred and inclusive engagement practices.

District Emergency Management Advisor (DEMA)

A DEMA is an all-hazards strategic advisor employed by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) to assist local governments prepare for, manage, and recover from emergencies by strengthening local and district emergency management arrangements.

Emergency Management Act 2005 (EM Act)

The legislative framework for emergency management in Western Australia. The EM Act establishes the roles and responsibilities of state, district, and local authorities across the four phases of emergency management: prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery. It enables coordinated planning and response to emergencies and provides powers for managing declared emergency situations. The EM Act is supported by the Emergency Management Regulations 2006.

Emergency Management Capability Framework

A framework that defines the core capabilities required for effective emergency management across prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery. Local government exercises should test these capabilities, and local governments should report against these capabilities in the Annual Capability Review.

Exercise Schedule

A three-year plan outlining a schedule of exercises to test and improve local emergency management arrangements, developed by the local government.

Impact Statement

An Impact Statement provides local governments, State Recovery Coordinator and other agencies with a role in recovery with a point-in-time overview of known, anticipated and emerging impacts arising from the emergency.

Incident Support Handbook

(May also be known as Grab and Go, Resource and Contacts Register, Incident Support Plan, Incident Toolkit)

A handbook that collates all the key information, flowcharts, contacts and resources that will be required during an emergency incident. This is a component of the LEMA required by section 41 of the EM Act.

LEMA Improvement Project

(LEMA Improvement Program)

A sector-led project to assess and improve local emergency management arrangements (LEMA), and co-design practical, flexible, and integrated emergency management tools tailored for Local Governments.

LEMA Pilot project

A sector led trial to develop new processes, tools and templates for the local emergency management arrangements (LEMA).

Local emergency management arrangements (LEMA)

The LEMA refers to the suite of plans, policies and procedures for managing emergencies that must be prepared by local governments as per section 41 of the EM Act.

Local Emergency Relief and Support Plan (LERSP)

A plan developed by the Department of Communities in consultation with the local government, detailing the management and coordination of emergency relief and support services. The LERSP is to be read in conjunction with the local governments LEMA and State Support Plan – Emergency Relief and Support.

Local Government Emergency Management Knowledge Hub (EM Hub)

An online resource describing local government responsibilities for emergency management and providing links to legislation, policy, plans and reference documents.

Local Government Emergency Management Plan (LG EM Plan)

A strategic plan, endorsed by Council, that defines a local government’s objectives, strategies, policies and priorities for emergency management.

Local Government Emergency Management Work Plan

A document that outlines a schedule of operational activities to deliver priorities of the LG EM Plan and develop the emergency management preparedness and capability of the local government.

Local Operational Recovery Plan (LORP)

A plan developed by the local government after an emergency to guide recovery efforts. The LORP is informed by the Impact Statement and coordinated by the Local Recovery Coordinator and Local Recovery Coordination Group.

Local Plan for Animal Welfare in Emergencies (PAWE)

A local government plan identifying facilities and resources to support animal welfare during emergencies.

Local Recovery Coordination Group (LRCG)

A working group established by the local government to coordinate and advise on local recovery activities. Membership may include local government officers and elected members, community representatives, state agencies and services providers.

Local Recovery Coordinator (LRC)

A local government officer appointed by the local government to manage and coordinate recovery activities on behalf of the local government.

Local Recovery Guideline

A resource to assist local governments in preparing and implementing recovery plans and activities.

May

Is a direction by the SEMC that the action may be undertaken after taking into account the circumstances.

Must/Responsible

Is a direction by the SEMC that the action must be undertaken by the nominated public authority/authorities.

People at Higher Risk

Individuals and groups of people who may be at higher risk in an emergency due to personal attributes or the location in which they live. Other terminology may include Vulnerable People or Vulnerable Communities.

Person-Centred Emergency Preparedness (P-CEP)

A planning approach that supports individuals with disability to identify their functional support needs and develop a personalised emergency plan. P-CEP can be undertaken by individuals with disabilities and their support providers. P-CEP promotes inclusive preparedness through collaboration with support networks and service providers, focusing on capabilities rather than impairments.

Primary Requirements

Primary Requirements is used in this Knowledge Hub to describe the responsibilities of local governments as prescribed or recommended in the Emergency Management Act 2005 and State EM Framework. They summarise the specific sections of legislation or policy where the relevant requirements are described.

Recovery Transition

The process of formally transferring responsibility for recovery from the Controlling Agency to the local government.

Resources

(within the EM Hub)

These are tools, templates, guidelines, and links that can support implementation of both Primary Requirements and Advice and help local governments operationalise their emergency management responsibilities.

Should

Are recommendations by the SEMC that the action be undertaken by the public authority as best practice.

Spontaneous Volunteers

Individuals who offer help during or after emergencies but are not affiliated or registered with formal volunteer organisations.

State Emergency Management Framework

(State EM Framework)

The State Emergency Management (EM) Framework is the legislation, policy, plans, procedures and guidelines that together facilitate effective management of emergencies in WA.

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The framework incorporates a suite of documents endorsed by the State Emergency Management Committee (SEMC) under powers provided in the EM Act.

State Hazard Plan

A Plan developed by a Hazard Management Agency to describe the arrangements for managing a prescribed hazard across PPRR. State Hazard Plans form part of the State EM Framework and may define roles for local governments in relation to specific hazards.