EMERGENCY COORDINATION
The Office of State Security and Emergency Coordination provides advice and support to the Premier and promotes whole-of-government management and coordination of significant security incidents and emergencies.
Western Australia’s emergency management arrangements are based on the provisions of the Emergency Management Act 2005 and associated policies. The Act formally established the State Emergency Management Committee (SEMC) as the peak emergency management body in Western Australia. The Minister for Police and Emergency Services has appointed a representative from the Department of the Premier and Cabinet as a member of the SEMC.
The SEMC currently has six subcommittees:
- Emergency Services Subcommittee
- Health Services Subcommittee
- Lifelines Services Group
- Public Information Group
- Recovery Services Subcommittee (chaired by the Department of the Premier and Cabinet)
- State Mitigation Committee
In response to a significant emergency a State Emergency Coordination Group (SECG) may be established to:
- ensure the provision of coordinated emergency management by public authorities and other persons;
- provide advice and direction to public authorities and other persons to facilitate effective emergency management, and;
- liaise between emergency management agencies and the Minister.
The composition of the SECG will vary depending on the type of emergency.
The Office of State Security and Emergency Coordination (OSSEC) has received funding to enhance Western Australia’s State Crisis Centre capability. A State Coordination Centre has been established to provide a venue for the coordination of the State’s comprehensive approach to emergency management activities (Prevention, Preparedness, Response and Recovery) that involve multiple agencies, so as to improve emergency management outcomes.
The State Coordination Centre provides an opportunity to better coordinate emergency management at the policy and strategic level through collocation and collaboration. OSSEC will be collocated at the Centre with elements of the WA Police, Fire and Emergency Services Authority and the Department for Child Protection.