Council's Role in an Emergency
The Council appoints a Municipal Emergency Management Planning Committee that will prepare a Municipal Emergency Management Plan, which contains information about identified potential emergency risks and hazards within the municipality.
It also contains general information about the prevention of, preparedness for, response to, and recovery from the impacts of these identified risks and hazards.
Under the Emergency Management Act 1986, the Council must also appoint a Municipal Emergency Resource Officer (MERO) who is responsible for coordinating municipal resources during emergency response and recovery.
Emergency Management Coordinator
The Council's Emergency Management Coordinator (EMC) is responsible for driving emergency management planning, education and continuous improvement in Baw Baw Shire.
The EMC liaises between the Council, emergency services, government agencies and the community to ensure appropriate prevention, preparedness, response and recovery before, during and after emergencies.
Municipal Emergency Coordination Centre
The Baw Baw Municipal Emergency Coordination Centre (MECC) is usually located in the Warragul Council Chambers. In the event of an emergency, the MECC may be activated. It may also be activated to support response and recovery activities in neighbouring municipalities.
The MECC plays an important role in supporting emergency services and recovery agencies to respond effectively to an emergency through the coordination, allocation and provision of resources (human and material) in response to an emergency.
Municipal Emergency Resource Officer
The Municipal Emergency Resource Officer (MERO) is responsible for activating and managing municipal resources in the response and recovery phases of an emergency. The MERO is responsible for maintaining the MECC at a level of preparedness to ensure prompt activation when required.
To achieve an appropriate response to emergencies, the MERO liaises with agencies and services throughout the district and regional authorities, and is responsible for organising a post-emergency debrief if required.
Municipal Recovery Manager
The Municipal Recovery Manager (MRM) is responsible for coordinating municipal resources in the recovery phase of an emergency. The MRM is the Council’s key advocate for ensuring that community needs are met during the recovery phase. To achieve this, priorities are established for addressing community needs and restoring community services through liaison with the MERO, Department of Human Services and other agencies responsible for recovery.
Municipal Fire Prevention Officer
The Municipal Fire Prevention Officer (MFPO), is responsible for implementing the Municipal Fire Prevention Plan, and has the regulatory power to issue fire prevention notices, conduct property inspections and issue burn off permits to fire brigades and members of the public during the fire danger period. The MFPO is a member of the Baw Baw Municipal Fire Management Planning Committee (MFMPC) and is also an active member of the Municipal Emergency Management Planning Committee (MEMPC).