Emergency Management

The requirement to plan for disasters in the Northern Territory is prescribed by the Disasters Act 2007 and the Local Government Act 2008.

It is a function of the Local Government:

“to carry out measures to protect its area from natural and other hazards and to mitigate the effects of such hazards;”

(Local Government Act 2008, Section 12 (1) (d))

The impact of emergencies and disasters is felt most keenly at the human level and in the Territory, the community is the focus in prevention, preparedness, response and recovery. The Territory Government has strengthened Local Government arrangements with a new framework enactment on 1 July 2008. Under the new Shire structure, emergency management is identified as a core function of the eight regional Shire Councils. Consequently, as the arrangements mature, Shire Councils will play an increasingly important role in emergency management planning at both local and regional levels. The basic requirements for effective emergency management arrangements at a local level are:

• an alert, informed and active community which supports it voluntary organisations;
• an active and involved local government;
• agreed and coordinated arrangements for prevention, preparedness, response and recovery and
• an emphasis upon helping communities to help themselves.

 The Disaster Act provides the legislative framework for the adoption of measures necessary for the protection of life and property from the effects of disasters and emergencies and for other purposes.

Basis for Emergency Management arrangements is through:

• Legislation

-          Disasters Act

• Administration

-          All Hazards Emergency Management Arrangements

• Plans

-          All Hazards Plans

-          Special Plans

-          Commonwealth Plan

There are three levels of command:

• Local Controller (section 28) is normally the OIC of the local police station
• Regional Controller (section 22) is appointed by the Territory Controller and is a member of the Police Force of the Northern Territory
• Territory Controller is the Commissioner of Police and includes a person appointed under section 12 (1) of the Police Administration Act