Australia's second National Preparedness Summit will be held this September - bringing together all levels of government, industry, and non-government organisations to better prepare for the higher risk weather season (HRWS).
The Albanese Government's Summit forms part of Australia's National Preparedness Program and will focus on providing information to stakeholders on what they can expect over the HRWS and testing their preparedness to respond.
During the two-day event, held on 18-19 September, participants will be briefed by the Bureau of Meteorology on the Long-Range Forecast and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on capabilities and support during the HRWS.
Briefings will focus on best practice in preparedness, response, and early recovery.
Participants will then be put through their paces, 'war gaming' a set of catastrophic and nationally significant scenarios based the projected forecast.
The Summit will focus on ensuring all stakeholders are working together and are prepared for a range of scenarios before Australia enters the HRWS in earnest.
Participants include Federal, State and Territory emergency services and response agencies. Along with business from logistics, food and groceries, insurance, energy and utilities, telecommunications sectors, and non-government organisations.
Minister for Emergency Management, Jenny McAllister said the Albanese Government is committed to bringing together industry, all levels of government and emergency services to better prepare for the higher risk weather season ahead.
"Australian communities continue to face the risk of disasters across the country - climate change means we can expect the severity and frequency of disasters to increase.
"Communities want to know that, when a disaster strikes, all levels of government are working together to make sure can get back on their feet quickly and be better prepared next time. That's why last year, the Albanese Government launched the inaugural National Preparedness Program." Minister McAllister said.
"This second Summit will allow first responders, industry, states and territories to share lessons from last year, and ensure they are well positioned to keep communities safe this season.
"NEMA is continually identifying lessons from previous events to ensure Australia's emergency management response is best placed to deal with future challenges."
Since the last Summit, efforts to improve the way Australia prepares for the higher risk weather season include:
- Held 75 National Coordination Mechanisms including briefings to priority sectors: Aged Care, Disability, Media, Industry and Local Governments
- Delivery of Crisis Appreciation and Strategic Planning training across Australian and state and territory governments
- Delivery of Exercise Aurora-bringing together Australian governments and industry for a space weather simulation.
- Launched the National Emergency Management Stockpile Standing Offer Panel and continuing to build on the physical stockpile,
- Investing $35m over the next two years to increase the national aerial firefighting fleet, and to expand the fleet to include multi-hazard response aircraft.
- More than $3 billion committed towards risk reduction and resilience.
