Our Role in Emergencies

We have a broad role in the planning for, prevention and mitigation of; response to and recovery from emergencies that occur within Bass Coast Shire. Our role encompasses many aspects of its business through strategic and town planning, roads, drainage, urban operations, community compliance, environmental health, building surveying and emergency management. These areas of Council, through their business as usual activities, contribute to the prevention and mitigation of emergencies for the communities of Bass Coast Shire.

We have a legislative responsibility under the Country Fire Authority Act 1958, Emergency Management Act 1986 and Emergency Management Act 2013, where by it must appoint the following:

• An Municipal Emergency Management Planning Committee (MEMPC) that prepares the Municipal Emergency Management Plan .
  
• An officer of Council as the Municipal Emergency Resource Officer (MERO) who is responsible for coordinating municipal resources during emergency response and recovery.
  
• An officer of Council as the Municipal Recovery Manager (MRM) who supports the community in the relief and recovery from emergency activities
  
• An officer of Council as the Municipal Fire Prevention Officer (MFPO), is responsible for implementing the Municipal Fire Management Plan and has the regulatory power to conduct property inspections and issue fire prevention notices.

Under the Emergency Management Manual of Victoria, Council is responsible for the coordination of recovery at a local level for affected individuals and communities. Council has arrangements to work with local partners to manage relief and recovery activities.