MINUTES
THE HILLS SHIRE
LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING
MONDAY 9
thMARCH 2015 COMMENCING AT 1.00PM
THE HILLS SHIRE COUNCIL
3 COLUMBIA COURT, BAULKHAM HILLS (NEXT TO NOVOTEL HOTEL)
COMMUNITY MEETING ROOMS 1 & 2
All correspondence to be addressed to the:
Local Emergency Management Officer
The Hills Shire Council, PO Box 7046, Baulkham Hills BC 2153 Telephone: (02) 9843 0205 Fax: (02) 9843 0409
1. WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION OF NEW MEMBERS/OBSERVERS Michael Lathlean (THSC – Chair LEMC/LEMO)
Steve Coleman (THSC – Alt LEMO)
Rob Critchlow (NSW Police, Hills LAC- LEOCON) Steve Fowler (NSW Police, Hills LAC)
Toby Austin (NSW Police, Hills LAC) Phil Bow (NSW Rural Fire Service) Alex Scott (Fire & Rescue NSW)
Evelyn Lester (NSW State Emergency Service) Josh Atkins (NSW Ambulance)
Craig Hall (NSW Ambulance) Daniel Kenner (REMO)
Erin Walker (Western Sydney Local Health District) Glenn Streat (Red Cross)
John Booth (Hillsbus)
Ian Beasley (St John Ambulance) Darren McMurray (Endeavour Energy) John Pallot (Endeavour Energy)
Hank Gerdink (Norwest Private Hospital) Pat Hobday (Transurban)
2. APOLOGIES
Steve Egginton (NSW Police, Hawkesbury LAC – Deputy LEOCON) Trish Den (Western Sydney Local Health District)
3. LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP LIST
The list of the Committee’s current members and observers will be circulated at the meeting for updating.
4. ADOPTION OF MINUTES OF LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON MONDAY 10th NOVEMBER 2014
A copy of the minutes was distributed with the Agenda.
Recommendation: The Committee adopt the Minutes of the LEMC Meeting of 10th November 2014.
Moved by Alex Scott and Seconded by Phil Bow.
5. OUTSTANDING MATTERS FROM PREVIOUS MEETING
LEMO advised that he needs to finalise the planning for the establishment of an EOC within the Community Meeting Rooms in the new Council Administration Centre. To assist in this process it is suggested that a small working group consisting of three or four committee members meet to assess the requirements for an EOC in order to determine both a potential layout and what type of facilities will be required.
Nominations for the Working Group were received from Michael Lathlean, Rob Critchlow, Alex Scott, Phil Bow, Evelyn Lester and Daniel Kenner.
Recommendation: The LEMO organise a meeting of the Working Group in April in order to determine the layout and facility requirements for an EOC.
Moved by Michael Lathlean and Seconded by Phil Bow.
6. REGIONAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING
The Regional Emergency Management Committee (REMC) meeting is to be held on Friday 13th March 2015 at the Surf Lifesaving Head Office at Belrose.
Any matters of urgent importance arising from the meeting will be conveyed to members and observers by email.
Recommendation: The Committee note the date of the next Regional Emergency Management Committee meeting.
Moved by Michael Lathlean and Seconded by Rob Critchlow.
7. AUSTRALIA DAY 2015
Council’s annual Australia Day celebrations were held at Bella Vista Farm Park on Monday 26th January 2015.
Once again members and observers of the Committee and their respective organisations participated in an Emergency Expo which was conducted as part of the festivities.
Unfortunately the wet weather later in the day reduced the overall number of visitors attending the event. Nevertheless, each of the participating organisations received plenty of interest from visitors and were kept busy all day.
On behalf of the Committee, the Chair has already thanked the various organisations for their attendance and participation.
Recommendation: The information be received.
Moved by Evelyn Lester and Seconded by Phil Bow.
8. UPDATE OF EMERGENCY RISK MANAGEMENT STUDY
In November 2006 the Committee adopted its ‘Emergency Risk Management Study’. The Study included a description of the Shire, the type and nature of major hazards, the vulnerability of the community to such hazards including a risk analysis, and the emergency management process. The Study also included a series of actions.
Given the length of time that has elapsed since these Studies were undertaken by most Committees, the REMO had requested that each Committee review its previous Study to ensure that it is up to date. A template document was prepared for use as the basis of a new Study.
At the LEMC’s meeting on 10th November 2014 it was resolved to establish a working party involving the LEOCON, LEMO and combat agencies. On 25th November 2014 members of the working party participated in a workshop facilitated by the REMO. That workshop identified the major risks that could be experienced in The Hills Shire, their likelihood and consequences. A risk management matrix was subsequently prepared and incorporated into a new Draft Risk Management Study.
A copy of that Draft Risk Management study was attached to the Agenda for discussion and adoption at this meeting.
Representatives of NSW Ambulance requested that their organisation’s name be changed to NSW Ambulance rather than NSW Ambulance Service.
Recommendation: The Committee adopt the Draft Risk Management Study as distributed subject to any references to NSW Ambulance Service being changed to NSW Ambulance.
Moved by Rob Critchlow and Seconded by Alex Scott.
9. LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLANNING
In 2014 the Ministry for Police and Emergency Services undertook a review of local emergency management planning. An outcome from that review is that the SEMC has approved new local emergency management planning processes and guidance documents for use by all LEMCs across the state.
In the second half of 2014 briefings have been provided at REMC meetings to raise awareness and support the implementation of new Local Emergency Management Plans (LEMPs).
The Ministry’s expectation is that the new planning process will be completed within the current calendar year. Fortunately much of that work has already been done including the update to the Risk Management Study and the identification of vulnerable communities and facilities.
It is intended to have a draft version of the revised LEMP available for endorsement and adoption at the Committee’s next meeting.
Recommendation: The information be received
Moved by Michael Lathlean and Seconded by Evelyn Lester
10. REVIEW OF HAWKESBURY NEPEAN FLOOD PLAN
The NSW State Emergency Service is currently undertaking a review of the Hawkesbury Nepean Flood Plan. A number of briefings have been held on key aspects of the Plan as they relate to The Hills Shire including transport arrangements, evacuation arrangements and the management of major flood events in the northern section of the river.
Recommendation: The information be received
Moved by Evelyn Lester and Seconded by Michael Lathlean
11. TRAINING
In 2014 the Chair/LEMO distributed a copy of information provided by the REMO inviting nominations for upcoming emergency management courses. One of those courses is the ‘Introduction to Emergency Management’ which is a pre-requisite for all other higher level courses.
In the information provided by the REMO it was stated that all courses completed prior to 2012 were no longer accepted as a prerequisite for higher courses.
Therefore members interested in undertaking any of those higher courses may have to again undertake the ‘Introduction to Emergency Management’ course.
This is a one day, face to face course. Participants are also required to complete an eLearning online short course titled ‘Emergency Management Overview’ before attending the ‘Introduction to Emergency Management’ course.
The Chair/LEMO and the Committee’s Red Cross representative attended the new
‘Introduction to Emergency Management Course’ at the Blacktown SES
Headquarters on 5th June 2014. It is hoped that other members of the Committee may have attended the same course in recent months.
All members and observers of the Committee are again encouraged to attend this initial training course.
Details on all emergency management training courses can be found on the Ministry for Police and Emergency Services website www.mpes.nsw.gov.au.
Nomination for attendance at any of the courses can also be made through the website.
Recommendation: The information on training be received.
Moved by Michael Lathlean and Seconded by Phil Bow.
12. PROJECT UPDATE – EOC INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
The Ministry for Police & Emergency Services has released a Project Update on the EOC Information Management System.
A copy of the update was distributed with the Agenda. Daniel Kenner also provided some further information on the system.
Recommendation: The information be received.
Moved by Rob Critchlow and seconded by Michael Lathlean.
13. REPORTS FROM MEMBER AND OBSERVOR ORGANISATIONS REMO – REMC meeting later this week
NSW Police Force – nothing to report
Fire and Rescue NSW – staff numbers at Kellyville increased along with new appliance
NSW Ambulance – nothing to report
Rural Fire Service – (i) commencing preparations for Autumn hazard reduction burns with two large burns planned for Glenorie and Maroota (ii) closer liaison with RAFF base at Richmond because of increased aircraft movements (iii) discussions have commenced with schools regarding their emergency management plans with a focus on evacuations (iv) pontoon and mooring for fire boats completed at Wisemans Ferry Park (v) several volunteers recently went to Western Australia to assist with fires
State Emergency Service – (i) approximately 500 jobs attended to with recent storm activity (ii) assistance provided with Lismore floods and several evidence searches (iii) appointment of Adam Dent as new Commissioner (iv) influx of new members now approaching 140
Red Cross – (i) volunteers attended Australia Day Expo (ii) members provided assistance following Martin Place siege and travelled interstate for various emergencies
Endeavour Energy – (i) storm damage repairs (ii) vegetation management program on track
Hills Private Hospital – facility being extended to 300 bed capacity Western Sydney Local Health District – nothing to report
Transurban – (i) M2 repairs finally completed near Vimera Rd (ii) Epping to Thornleigh third track bridge works underway (ii) thanks to emergency services for assistance with fatal accident on eastbound carriageway near Cropley Drive (iv) will make a presentation on NorthConnex at next meeting
St John Ambulance – (i) quiet start to year (ii) influx of new members (iii) new duty uniform adopted
Hillsbus - nothing to report
14. LEMO LEAVE
The LEMO will be on leave from Monday 16th March until Wednesday 1st April 2015 inclusive. During that period the Alt. LEMO will be able to provide any assistance to members and observers.
Recommendation: The information be received.
Moved by Alex Scott and Seconded by Evelyn Lester 15. GENERAL BUSINESS
LEMO advised that he and the REMO attended a Fire Safety and Fire Engineering briefing on the North West Rail Link project last week. There was general agreement that given the size of the project, a representative of Northwest Rapid Transit should be invited to be an observer on the Committee at a suitable time in the future.
16. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Local Emergency Management Committee will be held on Monday 6th July 2015 at the Council Administration Centre commencing at 1.00pm and preceded by lunch at 12.30pm.
