Planning for emergencies

30 November 2023
planning
The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing’s (the department’s) Social services sector emergency management policy outlines the responsibilities and important considerations organisations must comply with when preparing for, responding to, and recovering from emergencies.

As we approach the high-risk emergency season, this is a critical moment to emphasise the importance of complying with the policy by preparing and reviewing emergency management plans for the services your organisation provides.

In addition to increased fire risk, during the summer period, clients may also be affected by extreme heat and bushfire smoke pollution or inhalation, or as experienced last year, floods or various other types of major emergencies.
 
These events highlight the critical need for thorough emergency management planning and preparedness for organisations and services across the state heading into the high-risk summer season.
 
An emergency management plan records an organisation's emergency management arrangements. It also directs management, staff, clients, and others as to what to do before, during and after an emergency.
 
To view the policy and accompanying resources, including an adaptable Emergency management plan template, please visit Emergency management - DFFH Service Providers.
 

REMINDER 
For organisations in scope for the policy: Please urgently review your emergency management plan and attest your organisation's emergency management preparedness to the department by 30 November 2023. 
 
For information about how to complete your organisation's attestation, refer to the Completing the Emergency Preparedness Attestation in the Service Agreement Module within the Funded Agency Channel guidance document.

 
For queries related to emergency management planning and preparedness, please contact the department via email at: empolicy@dffh.vic.gov.au