Local Emergency Management Committees

The management of emergencies is complex and often requires the involvement and coordination of multiple agencies.

One-way North Coast Local Land Services plans and prepares for, responds to, and assists recovery from biosecurity emergencies and natural disasters is through participation on Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMC).

In the North Coast there are 10 LEMC’s with representation from organisations and agencies, playing a key role in emergency management within their district.

They are responsible for the preparation and review of plans to the prevention of, preparation for, response to, and recovery from emergencies in the Local Government Area (LGA) for which it is constituted.

Having local staff on these committees is essential to bring local context and knowledge especially in regard to emergencies involving animals and agriculture in our region.

Local Emergency Management Plans are reviewed every three years.

Processes include assessing the key risks existing at a local level and clearly defining the roles and responsibilities of emergency responders and their partners.

For staff this includes examining risks associated with natural disasters, like floods and bush fires, and also includes animal and plant biosecurity risks.

For each likely scenario, sub plans and local consequence management guides are developed and endorsed by the organisations and agencies playing a key role in emergency management.

The past two years has really tested communities on the North Coast with bush fires and flooding.

While North Coast Local Land Service continues to ensure we are as prepared as we can be to help landholders before, during, and after these events, it cannot be overstated the benefit of landholders being prepared themselves.

Being Flood Ready or having a Bush Fire Plan for you and your animals is the single most important factor in being prepared for the next emergency.