wa emergency risk management treatment manual...wa emergency risk management treatment manual •...

WA Emergency Risk Management

Treatment Manual

Prototype March 2019

WA EMERGENCY RISK MANAGEMENT TREATMENT MANUAL • PAGE 2 WA EMERGENCY RISK MANAGEMENT TREATMENT MANUAL • PAGE 3

This document contains Standards Australia Ltd and ISO copyrighted material that is distributed by SAI Global on Standards Australia Ltd and ISO’s behalf. It may be reproduced in accordance with the terms of SAI Global Ltd’s Licence 1411-c083 to the Commonwealth of Australia (“the Licensee”).

All licensed copies of this document must be obtained from the Licensee. Standards Australia Ltd and ISO’s material is not for resale, reproduction or distribution in whole or in part without written permission from SAI Global Ltd: tel + 61 2 8206 6355 or [email protected].

The State Emergency Management Committee’s (SEMC) State Risk Project is an initiative of the State Government of Western Australia and is jointly funded under the Commonwealth Government’s National Partnership Agreement on Natural Disaster Resilience.

Disclaimer

The information contained in this manual is provided by the SEMC and DFES Risk, Capability and Analysis portfolio voluntarily as a public service.

This manual has been prepared in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate at the time of publication. Nevertheless, the reliability and accuracy of the information cannot be guaranteed and the SEMC and DFES Risk, Capability and Analysis portfolio expressly disclaims liability for any act or omission done or not done in reliance on the information and for any consequences, whether direct or indirect, arising from such act or omission.

This manual is intended to be a guide only and readers should obtain their own independent advice and make their own necessary enquiries.

Images

Front cover image: Quokkas (Setonix brachyurus) on Rottnest Island – Tourism Western Australia.

6: Marmion Coast coastal remediation – Mike Norman.

Back cover image: Western Australian Christmas tree (Nuytsia floribunda) and grass tree (Xanthorrhoea preissii), Cape Le Grand National Park – Tourism Western Australia.

Version Date Comments1.0 January 2019 This manual is a companion to the WA ERM Guide 2017, specifically

designed to assist local governments in treating identified risks.


Table of ContentsChapter 1: Introduction ....................................................................................................................4

Why manage risk? .....................................................................................................................4

What is risk evaluation? ............................................................................................................5

What is risk treatment? ..............................................................................................................5

How to use this manual .............................................................................................................6

Overview of the treatment process ............................................................................................7

Chapter 2: Consider treating ...........................................................................................................9

Assessment of current controls (Option 1) ................................................................................9

What are controls? ..............................................................................................................9

How to assess current controls .........................................................................................10

Sample control assessments ............................................................................................11

Decide based on community priorities (Option 2) ...................................................................13

Other things to consider ..........................................................................................................14

Update the risk register ...........................................................................................................14

Chapter 3: Treat.............................................................................................................................15

Review current controls ...........................................................................................................16

Generate treatment ideas and/or control improvements .........................................................16

Rate treatment ideas ...............................................................................................................18

Full treatment scorecard (Option A) ..................................................................................19

Limited treatment scorecard (Option B) ............................................................................19

Treatment plan ........................................................................................................................19

Update the risk register ...........................................................................................................20

Chapter 4: Pathways for the treatment process ...........................................................................21

Chapter 5: Monitor & review ..........................................................................................................23

Appendices ....................................................................................................................................25

Appendix A: Treatment compendium ......................................................................................26

Appendix B: Auto-generated treatment recommendations ......................................................48

Appendix C: Glossary ..............................................................................................................50


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Chapter 1: IntroductionThis book is a companion to the WA Emergency Risk Management Local Government Handbook 2017 (the Handbook). It is aimed at local governments that undertake all-hazards risk assessments and coordinate the treatment of these risks at the local level. In particular, it provides details for conducting the steps of ‘Risk Evaluation’, ‘Risk Treatment’ and ‘Monitor & Review’ as set out in the Handbook (Chapters 7, 8 and 9). It guides local governments through the risk treatment process consistent with best practice.

The manual summarises:

• risk evaluation, referred to here as ‘consider treating’;

• approaches that can be used to conduct risk treatment discussions;

• appropriate steps for monitoring & reviewing; and

• treatment ideas for different hazards (Appendix A).

Local governments provide leadership at the community level for emergency management in Western Australia (WA). They have the responsibility to protect the health, safety and welfare of their communities. Proactive treatment actions and plans help reduce risk and thus create safer, more resilient communities. They are an investment in your community’s future sustainability. Proactive treatment plans:

• identify actions for risk reduction that are agreed upon by stakeholders;

• focus resources on the greatest risks;

• build partnerships by involving the community, organisations and businesses;

• increase education and awareness of hazards and their risks; and

• align risk reduction with other community objectives.

While the decision-making process will be different for each local government, this manual will assist with robust assessment of treatment options that can also be used as evidence for future funding applications.

Why manage risk?The primary reason for managing risk is to enable local governments to successfully achieve their goals. With the growing need for transparent decision making, a structured, systematic risk management process demonstrates the due diligence that is required and provides an audit trail for decision making. A comprehensive understanding of the risk exposures facing a local government also facilitates effective planning and resource allocation, and encourages a proactive management culture, with flow-on benefits for every aspect of a local government’s operation.

!For treatment to be effective, action is needed now (that is, before the next disaster happens) to reduce future consequences.

https://www.semc.wa.gov.au/Documents/Resources/RiskTools/toolbox/WAERMHandbook2017.pdf



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What is risk evaluation?Since identified risks may have varying impacts on the local governments, not all risks carry the prospects of loss or damage. Risk evaluation helps to decide which risks may require further detailed assessment or treatment and sets priorities on the measures chosen to reduce risk levels. Through the evaluation process, local governments can assess whether the magnitude of a risk is acceptable or tolerable. Having identified and evaluated the risks, the next step involves treating these risks.

What is risk treatment?‘Risk treatment’ is the name given to a wide range of activities that are used to reduce, remove, avoid, transfer or otherwise alter the risk. Treating risks should result in eliminating or reducing their impact on communities while increasing resilience.

The objective of treatment is to effect a downward ‘step change’ in risk. This step change is the measure of a significant decrease in either the likelihood and/or consequence of a risk. For example, Figure 1 shows Treatment A reduces a generic risk from ‘high’ to ‘medium’ by reducing the consequence; Treatment B reduces the risk from ‘high’ to ‘medium’ by reducing the likelihood; and Treatment C offers the greatest risk reduction from ‘high’ to ‘low’ by reducing both the consequence and likelihood. Although Figure 1 provides an example of a single risk, there may be instances where multiple risks can be addressed by one treatment activity.

Figure 1: Example of a step change in risk showing a ‘high’ pre-treatment original risk and ‘medium’ or ‘low’ post-treatment residual risks.

Consequence level

Likelihood Insignificant Minor Moderate Major Catastrophic

Almost Certain Medium Medium High Extreme Extreme

Likely Low Medium High Extreme Extreme

Unlikely Low Low Medium High Extreme

Rare Very low Low Medium High High

Very Rare Very low Very low Low Medium High

Extremely Rare Very low Very low Low Medium High

Pre-treatment original risk Post-treatment residual risk

Treatment A

Treatment B

Treatment C


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Figure 2 shows four areas in which treatment activities may be implemented under the emergency management prevention, preparedness, response and recovery (PPRR) model. Looking at the risk treatment options, prevention should be addressed first, followed by preparedness.

Figure 2: The prevention, preparedness, response, recovery (PPRR) model.

Prevention

Prevention can be divided into two types: hazard prevention and impact prevention.

Hazard prevention is the elimination of a hazard or the reduction in its severity and/or likelihood. It is particularly effective for non-natural hazards like transport accidents, chemical spills and energy disruptions (it is easier to eliminate a chemical spill, for example, than a natural hazard such as cyclone).

Impact prevention is the elimination or reduction of impacts caused by any, natural or non-natural hazard. This includes, for example, reducing cyclone impacts through engineering, or building embankments that eliminate flood risks.

There are some hazards, including animal and plant: pests and diseases, where actions can be taken to both prevent the disease from entering the State and to reduce the impacts if it does become established.

Preparedness

If a hazard or impact cannot be prevented, then preparedness is vital to minimising the impacts of the event. Preparedness covers arrangements to ensure that, should an emergency occur, all the resources and services that are needed to cope with the effects can be efficiently mobilised and deployed. It includes developing plans for what to do, where to go, or who to involve in the response before an event occurs. In other words, preparedness comprises actions that will improve your chances of successfully anticipating, responding to and recovering from the impacts of an emergency.

How to use this manualThis manual assumes that you have completed the first three stages of the emergency risk management (ERM) process according to the WA Emergency Risk Management Local Government Handbook 2017. These stages are: ‘Establish the Context’ (Chapter 2), ‘Risk Identification’ (Chapters 3 and 4) and ‘Risk Analysis’ (Chapters 5 and 6). It is also assumed that your local government has a completed risk register of all the hazards that were assessed.

Some of the steps outlined in this manual use features of the SEMC's WA Risk Register Tool. If you have not used this tool in your ERM process before, the treatment process in this manual can still be followed.

Prevention

Preparedness

Response

Recovery



https://www.semc.wa.gov.au/resources/risk-tools/the-toolbox


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MONITOR & REVIEWCONSIDER TREATINGTREAT

TOOLBOX

Overview of the treatment processThe primary focus of this manual is to outline steps to be taken by local governments in determining risk treatments for hazards. The steps follow the overall treatment process presented in Figure 3. The steps in the flow chart, are discussed in four chapters:

• Consider treating (Chapter 2)

• Treat (Chapter 3)

• Pathways for the treatment process (Chapter 4)

• Monitor & review (Chapter 5)

The manual also includes the following appendices:

• Appendix A: Treatment compendium. Provides a range of potential treatment options for reducing risks from hazards.

• Appendix B: Auto-generated treatment recommendations. Shows the process the WA Risk Register Tool uses to auto-generate treatment recommendations.

• Appendix C: Glossary.

A toolbox with a collection of tools and templates is available on the SEMC website (https://semc.wa.gov.au/state-risk-project/risk-tools/treatment-toolbox) to assist local governments through the process.

Where an item in the online toolbox is available to assist, you will see this symbol:

If you have used the WA Risk Register Tool, you will see that the tool has automatically generated a recommendation for each risk statement. These recommendations are based on the likelihood, consequence and confidence levels of the statements (see Appendix B for more details).

The three recommendations are as follows:

Depending on the recommendation, your pathway through the treatment process flow chart will change (Figure 3).

https://semc.wa.gov.au/state-risk-project/risk-tools/treatment-toolbox


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Figure 3: Overall treatment process.

Risk assessments & risk registers completed Summary Report Document

Risk statements from risk register

3. MONITOR & REVIEW(Chapter 5)

Monitoring of risks should be ongoing, with regular updates provided at LEMC meetings.

A full review of risks should be conducted:• if there is a significant

change in circumstance of the community and/or

• if there is a significant change in the circumstance of the hazard and/or

• every 5 years

1. CONSIDER TREATING(Chapter 2)

Option 1:

Assessment of current controls:• Rate the effectiveness of

current controls using the control assessment matrix

Option 2:Decide based on community priorities.

Decisions can be made by:

• Emergency management staff

• LEMC members• Local Government

2. TREAT(Chapter 3)

For each risk requiring treatment:

• Review current controls

• Generate treatment ideas and/or control improvements

• Discuss and rate treatment ideas and control improvements using:

Option A:full treatment scorecard

Option B:limited treatment scorecard

OR OR

4. TREATMENT PLAN

(Chapter 3)For each treatment option, create a treatment plan. The treatment plan should indicate which of the categories shown below best fits the treatment:

1. Can do now: responsibility of the local government and within your capacity to treat.2. Will require funding when available: responsibility of the local government but beyond

your current capacity to treat.3. Raise at district or State level: responsibility of external organisations.

Notes:

• All options can be undertaken either by hazard or by risk theme (e.g. business, education, utilities).• Options can be mixed and matched (see Chapter 4).• When considering the options, you may want to consider which will provide sufficient evidence for

future funding applications.

Output

Activity

Practical tip

Preferably go through this treatment process one hazard at a time.


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CONSIDER TREATING

Option 1:

Assessment of current controls:

• Rate the effectiveness of current controls using the control assessment matrix.

Option 2:

Decide based on community priorities.

Decisions can be made by:

• Emergency management staff

• LEMC members• Local Government

Chapter 2: Consider treating

Figure 5: Options for how to categorise ‘consider treating’ risk statements into ‘treat’ or ‘monitor & review’.

A number of risk statements in your risk register will appear with a ‘consider treating’ recommendation. In your group discussion, these risks will need to be evaluated and then designated as either risks to ‘treat’ or to ‘monitor & review’.

Two effective ways to evaluate whether a risk requires treatment are as follows (choose only one option):

Option 1: Carry out a formal, structured assessment of controls that are currently in place to address the risk.

Option 2: Conduct a semi-structured assessment of the priority of the risk based on community values.

These options are detailed below.

Assessment of current controls (Option 1)

What are controls?Controls are measures that are currently in place to reduce identified risks, predominantly by modifying the level of impact. These measures can be any activity, strategy or physical entity that reduces the risk of a hazard, and can be implemented across the prevention, preparedness, response and recovery spectrum (Figure 6).


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A number of controls may be in place for a single risk; however, not all controls are equally effective in reducing the risk. In addition, while some controls may be easily administered or applied frequently, others may be more difficult to implement or unsustainable.

CONTROLS

Prevention Preparedness Response Recovery

National Building Code of Australia

Land-use planning

Routinemaintenance of critical infrastructure

Pre-season briefing

Community education

campaigns e.g. ‘Are you cyclone safe?‘

Alerts and warnings

State Emergency Services (SES)

Evacuation response plans

Traffic management

Local Government Recovery Plans

Business or organisational continuity plans

Community restoration activities

Figure 6: Example of current controls that may be in place.

How to assess current controlsFor each risk statement categorised in your risk register as ‘consider treating’, conduct an assessment of current controls. The easiest way to carry out this process is one hazard at a time through group discussion.

For each hazard, you will need to categorise your ‘consider treating’ statements according to their impact area (people, economy, public administration, social setting and environment).

Follow these steps for each impact area:

1. List the controls that are currently in place to mitigate against all the risk statements.

2. For each risk statement, use the matrix below (Figure 7) to decide if this list of controls (step 1) are collectively:

a. effective in reducing the risk; and

b. applied.

The matrix will suggest whether this risk statement should be ‘treated’ or ‘monitored & reviewed’.

3. Repeat the above two steps for all of the remaining impact areas.

Tables 1 and 2 show sample control assessments. Further practical tips on how to undertake these steps are included on page 13.

TOOLBOX


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!In addition to assessing the effectiveness of controls, consider the confidence, expertise, evidence and agreement reached in your initial risk assessment.

People

List of controls Risk statement Control assessment

• Evacuation plans, routes and designated centres

• Alerts and warnings from HMA

• Alerts through ABC radio

• Land-use planning

• State Hazard Plan (Westplan) Flood

• Flood mapping

• Levee

• Flood marker signage

• Education on not driving through floodwaters

A flood will impact the health of people and cause death(s).

Unsatisfactory Treat

A flood will impact the health of people and cause injury.

SatisfactoryMonitor

& Review

Frequently applied

Oftenapplied

Sometimes applied

Rarely applied

Highly effective

Highly satisfactory

Highly satisfactory Satisfactory Unsatisfactory

Effective Highly satisfactory

Highly satisfactory Satisfactory Unsatisfactory

Someeffect

Satisfactory Satisfactory Unsatisfactory Unsatisfactory

No effect Unsatisfactory Unsatisfactory Unsatisfactory Unsatisfactory

ApplicationHow easily and often is the control applied?

Effec

tive

ness

How

effe

ctiv

e is

this

cont

rol i

n re

duci

ng ri

sk?

Treat

Monitor &

Review

Figure 7: Control assessment matrix.

Sample control assessments

Table 1: Sample control assessment for the ‘people’ impact area.


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Table 2: Sample control assessment for the ‘economy’ impact area.

When it comes to risks requiring treatment, if a control is highly effective but rarely applied, think about why it is rarely applied. For instance:

• Is it cost prohibitive?

• Is the control understood and resourced sufficiently?

• Is the control too hard to implement?

• Is there too much administration associated with the control?

• Is there a better way to ensure the control is implemented?

If a control has no or only some effect but is applied often, think about:

• Why is the control implemented so frequently?

• Is the current investment into the control commensurate with the reduction in risk?

• Is there a more effective way to reduce the risk?

It is recommended that you assess the current controls either in an Local Emergency Management Committee (LEMC) meeting or as an out-of-session workshop. This method will work best with representatives that have knowledge and experience of the current controls that are in place. It may also be valuable to have input from local government representatives across different business areas.

Economy

List of controls Risk statement Control assessment

• Public road signage

• Road closure procedures

• Alternative routes provided when road closures in place

• ‘Travel Map’ provided by Main Roads WA, providing real-time information to drivers.

• Land-use planning

• State Hazard Plan (Westplan) Flood

• Alerts and warnings

• Flood gauging stations

• Potable water contingency for livestock

• Animal-specific warnings provided by the Bureau of Meteorology

• WANDRRA/DRFA-WA

A flood will impact road infrastructure, incurring costs.

SatisfactoryMonitor

& Review

A flood will cause disruption to major freight routes, resulting in financial losses.

SatisfactoryMonitor

& Review

A flood will impact agricultural infrastructure, incurring costs and financial losses.

Unsatisfactory Treat

A flood will impact livestock, resulting in financial losses.

SatisfactoryMonitor

& Review


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Practical tipsThe following steps explain how you can conduct a control assessment in a group.

Templates are available in the online toolbox.

1. Using the template in the online toolbox called ‘Control assessment poster writable A3’, create sheet(s) for each impact area (people, economy, public administration, social setting and environment) pre-populated with ‘consider treating’ risk statements for that impact area. (These sheets can be printed as posters to be put on the wall or on A3 paper for each participant.)

2. As a group, brainstorm all the current controls in place for the ‘consider treating’ risk statements for each impact area. Write these ideas on the printed control assessment sheets.

3. For each impact area, rate whether the collective group of controls is ‘highly satisfactory’, ‘satisfactory’ or ‘unsatisfactory’ for each risk statement using the control assessment matrix (Figure 7). (This could be done by placing dot stickers or another visual marker on the posters, by a verbal vote or by the raising of hands.)

4. At the end, the facilitator can count the votes to determine if the risk statement should be ‘treated’ or ‘monitored & reviewed’. If there is a tie between the votes, then the facilitator can encourage participants to discuss until they come to an agreement.

TOOLBOX

Decide based on community priorities (Option 2)Community priorities will vary across the State depending on demographics and the economy of your local government area. If you are not able to convert your ‘consider treating’ risk statements into ‘treat’ or ‘monitor & review’ by using the matrix (Figure 7), the next best thing is to decide your response based on the values and priorities of your community.

This decision should be made by one, or a collaboration, of the following:

A. Local government emergency management staff: Based on their expertise and knowledge of community values.

B. LEMC members: A conversation within an LEMC meeting about the ‘consider treating’ statements is an excellent way to gain a broad range of opinions. As it is likely to be the same group who will help generate treatment options (in the next step), this is a good introduction to the process. Take note of any treatment suggestions made, but keep this discussion focused on deciding what to treat rather than how to treat the risks. A short explanation of the results of the risk assessment will give the group context, including the number of high or extreme risks, the impact areas or hazards that have the greatest number of high risks, and key themes. Provide a list of the risks already recommended for treatment for the group's reference.

C. Wider local government staff: Try to include people from different business areas who understand the community and the context. Including a variety of business areas will allow discussion of some existing controls that other areas may not be aware of.



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When having these discussions, be sure to ask the following questions:

• Is the at-risk area/asset of value to the community?

• Does the risk require urgent attention?

• Is more investigation required?

• Was enough information available at the time of the assessment?

• Can the confidence of the initial risk assessment be increased?

Other things to considerWhen evaluating risks to see if they require treatment, further investigation can be beneficial. In order to generate valid treatment ideas (regardless of which option is chosen), you may need to:

1. gain a more detailed understanding of the impacts posed by the hazards; or

2. identify vulnerable assets and the consequences if they are impacted.

For example, for flood, you may not have detailed information about how high the floodwaters would be and which buildings might be under water. Where the water goes, which asset(s) would be vulnerable and the consequences of damage (including repair costs, service disruptions, public health advisories and environmental impacts) is knowledge that will inform your evaluation.

Update the risk registerOnce you have evaluated each of the ‘consider treating’ risk statements (using either Option 1 or 2 above), update your risk register with its new designation as ‘treat’ or ‘monitor & review’. If using the WA Risk Register Tool, you should have a list that is red (‘Treat’) and green (‘Monitor & Review’). Be sure to make comments about why a risk will or will not be treated.

!If further investigation is required to determine whether an identified risk should be treated, record it as an action item for the LEMC and ensure it is followed up and progress is tracked.


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TREATMENT PLANFor each treatment option, create a treatment plan. The treatment plan should indicate which of the categories shown below best fits the treatment:

1. Can do now: responsibility of the local government and within your capacity to treat.2. Will require funding when available: responsibility of the local government but

beyond your current capacity to treat. 3. Raise at district or State level: responsibility of external organisations.

TREAT

For each risk requiring treatment:

• Review current controls

• Generate treatment ideas and/or control improvements

• Discuss and rate treatment ideas and control improvements using:

Option A:full treatment scorecard

Option B:limited treatment scorecard

Chapter 3: TreatSeveral risk statements in your risk register will have a ‘treat’ recommendation. These risks must be treated due to their potential to adversely affect the community. This section will guide you through the process of generating potential treatment ideas and the recommended approach for rating them using two different options (Figure 8).

Figure 8: Options for how to generate and evaluate treatment ideas.


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Review current controlsFor each risk statement requiring treatment, list the controls already in place that are intended to mitigate the risk by reducing the likelihood and/or consequence. This will give you an understanding of what is already being done and provide a basis for generating control improvements. You may have already completed this for some of your risk statements in Chapter 2, depending on which option you chose.

A review will work best if the LEMC and local government participants have knowledge and experience of the current controls. Input from representatives across your different business areas may also be valuable. Discussions with relevant government agencies may complete your understanding of current controls.

Generate treatment ideas and/or control improvementsOnce you have an understanding of the current controls in place, the next step is to generate new treatment ideas and/or improvements to the controls. Treatments should aim to reduce the risk level of a particular risk statement.

Identifying treatment ideas is a combination of drawing from the work and lessons of others and creative thinking. A good way to generate ideas is by group discussion in a ‘brainstorming session’ with LEMC members or other local government representatives. When determining ideas, you do not need to be concerned about whether they are feasible or not, as you will evaluate this in the next step. For now, think broadly and creatively.

Treatment ideas may cover the following four broad themes:

Planning and regulations

These are government measures, policies or codes that influence the way land and buildings are developed and built. This category reduces the introduction of new risk to future developments and avoids creating more legacy issues that must be resolved.

!The presence of numerous current controls in place for any particular ‘treat’ statement could indicate they may be ineffective at reducing risk. These controls should be investigated to see if improvements can be made or if resources can be refocused elsewhere.

Practical tip

Generating treatment ideas can be done as part of your LEMC meeting. At the start of the session, it is a good idea to present the risk statements and their risk level to give participants the context of why these statements need treatment.

The best approach to generating treatment ideas is to have participants brainstorm treatment ideas individually for about 10 minutes. The facilitator can then discuss the different treatment ideas with the whole group and organise them into common themes. This activity is best done on a whiteboard so participants can see all treatment ideas.

Use the themes below to help generate ideas and to categorise them.


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!Be sure to consider treatment options that apply to multiple risks and those that address the highest consequence risks.

!It is best to determine treatment options collectively and discuss who should carry them out in a later phase.

Risk understanding and awareness

These ideas inform and educate citizens, elected officials and property owners about hazards and potential ways to mitigate them. Although this category reduces risk less directly, it is important because a greater understanding and awareness of hazards and risks is more likely to lead to direct actions.

Physical works and infrastructure

These ideas modify existing structures and infrastructure to protect them from a hazard or may remove them from hazardous areas altogether. This category could apply to public or private structures as well as critical facilities and infrastructure. Projects that reduce the impact of hazards on structures (such as clearing of vegetation) are also pertinent.

Natural environment protection

These actions minimise damage and losses and also preserve or restore the functions of natural systems. A recognition and understanding of the natural state of the environment offers substantial protection, as some features provide inherent protection (for example, mangroves and dune systems offer significant coastal protection). Respect for the function and location of natural features can provide ‘free’ protection of infrastructure assets.

A comprehensive treatment compendium (Appendix A) contains a variety of treatment ideas for a range of hazards. These ideas may be used to treat your risks or inspire you to think of new treatment ideas. We highly recommend that you familiarise yourself with this compendium before starting this risk treatment process.

While participants may desire to know immediately who should treat the risk, it is helpful to delay until all treatment options are discussed and rated for two reasons:

• First, there is often more than one treatment option for a risk. To say that only one organisation should treat the risk ignores the complexity and integrated nature of our systems. For example, power infrastructure is owned and operated by a company and it is their responsibility to restore the network after a disaster. However, a realistic timeframe associated with any repairs means power losses should be expected and these consequential impacts must be treated first by those likely to be affected. Treatment options could include the purchase of a backup power generator for critical assets or business continuity plans for continued operation.

• Second, simply assigning a risk to an owner could mean the risk is not addressed appropriately, particularly if the owner has not been engaged in the risk assessment process. The involvement of all stakeholders in the discussion will ideally lead to greater support for solutions.


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Rate treatment ideasNow that you have a list of potential treatment options, the next stage is to evaluate and rate them. Not all treatment options can or will be implemented. Technical and political feasibility, such as development pressures and social acceptance, will need to be balanced against cost. At this point, a high-level cost–benefit analysis will suffice.

Below are two different options you can use to rate your treatment ideas:

Option A: score treatment options against 10 questions.

Option B: score treatment options against four questions (limited process).

For both options, use the following rating scale:

1 = Yes

0 = Neutral

-1 = No

This rating scale provides a numerical score that allows you to compare all of your treatments. It allows you to determine which treatment option(s) could be implemented to reduce your risks. The options with the highest score are the most effective/suitable to implement.

A template and spreadsheet are available in the online toolbox to assist with scoring and comparing of different treatment options against the criteria outlined below. The scoring spreadsheet will calculate the average score across all participants for each treatment option.

!Keep in mind that budget should not be the sole consideration when determining which options to pursue.

Practical tip

Before you rate your treatment ideas, define them clearly so that all participants fully understand what the idea covers. For example, the treatment idea of ‘community education’ could be defined as ‘community education for homeowners for storm impacts and how they can protect their homes’.

To rate your treatment ideas, first number them on a whiteboard. Then have participants rate the ideas using the ‘treatment rating scorecard’ from the online toolbox (see next page for more details).

After the workshop, enter the participants' rating data into the spreadsheet tool which, will automatically calculate the overall treatment rating.

TOOLBOX

TOOLBOX



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TOOLBOX

TOOLBOX

TOOLBOX

Full treatment scorecard (Option A)

The full treatment scorecard asks you to rate each of your treatment options against 10 questions using the rating scale presented above (1, 0, -1). These questions are:

• Risk reduction potential – Will the treatment reduce the risk?

• Cost – Is this option affordable? Is it the most cost-effective?

• Continuity – Will the effects be sustainable over time?

• Risk creation – Will new risks be avoided?

• Technical feasibility – Is it technically possible?

• Ease of administration – Can it be administered easily?

• Effects on society – Will the effects be fairly distributed?

• Equity – Will the costs of the risk reduction be fairly distributed?

• Synergies – Is it compatible with and will it advance community objectives (for example, economic development or environmental quality)?

• Primacy of life – Will it protect lives and prevent injuries?

This is the preferred option for rating your treatment ideas, as it covers a broad range of criteria and provides a robust, high-level assessment of each option.

Limited treatment scorecard (Option B)

The limited treatment scorecard asks you to rate each of your treatment options against four questions using the same rating scale presented above (1, 0, -1). These questions are:

• Risk reduction potential – Will the treatment reduce the risk?

• Cost – Is this option affordable? Is it the most cost-effective?

• Continuity – Will the effects be sustainable over time?

• Effects on society – Will the effects be fairly distributed?

This option should only be used if you have limited time, as it is less robust than the full treatment scorecard (Option A) above.

Treatment planOnce you have decided which treatments to implement, the next step should be to create a treatment plan.

This plan should detail the risk statement(s) being addressed, the potential options to reduce each risk, who is responsible for taking action, costs, funding sources (for example, grant funds, capital expenditure) and a timeframe for completion. A treatment plan template is available in the online toolbox.



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From the above steps, it is likely you will determine treatment options that fall into one of the following three categories:

Category 1 – the responsibility of the local government and within your capacity to treat now;

Category 2 – the responsibility of the local government and are beyond your current capacity to treat now (that is you will need to wait until suitable funding is available); or

Category 3 – the responsibility of external agencies or organisations, to be raised to the district or State level.

A treatment plan should be created for each of the treatment options, regardless of which category they fall into.

Category 1 and 2 treatments

For Category 1 or 2 treatments, a simple cost–benefit analysis should be completed as part of the treatment plan to more accurately determine the cost of the treatment and benefits to the community. A cost–benefit analysis, along with the treatment plan, will likely be required for any future funding applications.

Depending on the size and cost of Category 1 treatments, these options may be completed through internal routine work orders, capital improvement planning or supplemental funding. Best practice has shown that using multiple funding avenues is most effective.

For Category 2 treatments, funding may not be immediately available. However, it may still be beneficial to complete a detailed treatment plan so that when funding does become available the treatment can be implemented quickly. Treatment plans can also be used to demonstrate that your local government acknowledges the risk(s) and intends to treat them as soon as funding becomes available.

Category 3 treatments

For Category 3 treatments, a treatment plan should be created to provide the external agency/organisation with the background risk information and potential treatment options they could implement to reduce the risk to your community. These treatment plans will be required when escalating the treatment actions to the district or State level.

Update the risk registerAfter you have generated treatment options, rated them and decided on who is responsible for taking action, update your risk register. If using the WA Risk Register Tool, place the information in the columns for ‘Treatment strategies’ and ‘Risk/treatment owner(s)’. Include the treatment rating score in the ‘Treatment strategies’ column.

!The most effective way to ensure implementation of treatment options is to integrate them into existing plans and procedures. Treatment should be part of business as usual.

!If you are aware of other local governments with similar risk/treatments, a collective bid for funding may be beneficial, as the risk reduction potential is larger.


Ch 4

PATHWAYS FOR THE TREATM

ENT PROCESS

!Whichever options you chose, Steps Two and Three will always be required.

Chapter 4: Pathways for the treatment process As you have seen, there are different ways to take a risk statement from ‘consider treating‘ or ‘treat’ through to a complete treatment plan.

Some options will give you more robust treatment plans and greater evidence to support funding applications. Other options may be used if you have minimal resources or little time; however, these options may not be sufficient when it comes to acquiring significant financial assistance. It will be up to you as the local government to decide the trade-off between the input of time and resources versus the robustness of your assessment and, consequently, your ability to deliver effective treatments. Carefully consider what might be required in future so that you have sufficient evidence or plans that can withstand scrutiny.

All the options and possible pathways are shown in Figure 9. However, the preferred options and pathways (considered ‘best practice’) are highlighted with an asterisk (*). You can mix and match in Steps One and Four depending on your circumstances.

The most robust pathway, which will provide you with the best data for your treatment plan and sufficient evidence to support a detailed funding application, would be:

• Step One: Option 1 – conduct a control assessment using the matrix (page 9)

• Step Two: Review controls

• Step Three: Generate control improvement and treatments

• Step Four: Option A – rate each treatment using the full scorecard (page 19)


Ch 4

PATH

WAY

S FO

R TH

E TR

EATM

ENT

PROC

ESS

Figure 9: Potential pathways to take a risk statement through to either ‘monitor & review’, or ‘treat’. Preferred best practice pathways are highlighted with an asterisk (*). Note: Whichever options are chosen, Steps Two and Three will always be required.

STEP ONE

For each ‘treat’ risk statement:

MONITOR & REVIEW

Option 1*Conduct an assessment of current controls and rate their effectiveness using the control assessment matrix

Option 2Decide based on community priorities

STEP TWO• Review current controls in

place

STEP THREE• Generate control

improvements

• Generate treatment ideas

TREAT

STEP FOUR

Discuss and rate each treatment and control improvement using:

Option A*Full treatment scorecard

Option BLimited treatment scorecard

TREATMENT PLAN

CONSIDER TREATING


Ch 5

MONITOR &

REVIEW

MONITOR & REVIEW

Monitoring of risks should be ongoing, with regular updates provided at LEMC meetings.

A full review of your risks should be conducted:

• if there is a significant change in circumstance of the community and/or

• if there is a significant change in the circumstance of the hazard and/or

• every 5 years

!It is especially important to review hazards and risks after an emergency event has occurred, as information from these events can improve your understanding of risks and lead to better treatment strategies.

Chapter 5: Monitor & review

Figure 10: Monitor & review risks.

A number of risk statements in your risk register will appear with a ‘monitor & review’ recommendation. It is essential that these risks and in particular the current controls in place for these risks, are reviewed regularly. Ensure they are operating effectively and identify any changes that may have occurred or are anticipated.

We recommend that risks are regularly monitored and reviewed at each LEMC meeting. All changes in circumstances or any modifications should be documented in your risk register.

In addition, a full review of your local government’s risks should be conducted:

• if there is a significant change in circumstances of the community and/or

• if there is a significant change in the circumstances of the hazard(s) and/or

• every 5 years as per the Local Emergency Management Arrangements (LEMA) review cycle.

Examples of factors that may change and affect the risk level of the community are shown in Figure 11.


Ch 5

MON

ITOR

& R

EVIE

W

Figure 11: Factors that may change and affect the risk level.

FACTORS THAT MAY CHANGE

Economy Social Setting Environment

Local economy

Predominant industry

Tourism

Commercial/residential developments

Infrastructure development

Changes to the transport network

Conservation areas

Ecologically sensitive areas

Areas of high environmental value

National parks

Marine parks

Water bodies

People

Population

Movement of population

Demographics

Public Administration

Hazard

Frequency of the hazard

Scale of the hazard

Likelihood of the hazard

Exposure to the hazard

Vulnerability of infrastructure and population to the hazard

Climate change

Emerging hazards

Resilience of the community

Community health services (e.g. GP)

Facilities for vulnerable people

Community services

Major events

Capability of governing bodies

Location of government services/offices


Appendices


APPE

NDIX

A Appendix A: Treatment compendium

Introduction ....................................................................................................................................27

Biosecurity .....................................................................................................................................28

Bushfire .........................................................................................................................................29

Coastal inundation/storm surge .....................................................................................................31

Cyclone..........................................................................................................................................32

Earthquake ....................................................................................................................................34

Energy supply disruption (electricity, gas, fuel supply disruption) .................................................35

Flood..............................................................................................................................................37

HAZMAT ........................................................................................................................................39

Heatwave.......................................................................................................................................40

Human epidemic............................................................................................................................41

Landform collapse .........................................................................................................................42

Marine emergencies ......................................................................................................................43

Storm .............................................................................................................................................44

Structural fire .................................................................................................................................46

Transport incidents (air crash, road crash, rail crash) ...................................................................47


APPENDIX A

IntroductionThe purpose of this compendium is to provide a range of potential treatment ideas for reducing risks to hazards in WA. Treatment ideas in this compendium cover the whole spectrum of prevention, preparedness, response and recovery (PPRR):

Prevention – mitigation or prevention of the probability of the occurrence of, and the potential adverse effects of, an emergency;

Preparedness – preparation for response to an emergency;

Response – combating the effects of an emergency, provision of emergency assistance for casualties, reduction of further damage, and help to speed recovery;

Recovery – support of emergency affected communities in the reconstruction and restoration of physical infrastructure, the environment, the community and psychosocial and economic wellbeing.

However, many of the ideas relate to prevention and preparedness, as these are the most effective approaches to minimise risks before an event occurs. Treatment ideas for various hazards are categorised under (and listed in no particular order):

• planning and regulations

• risk understanding and awareness

• physical works and infrastructure

• natural environment protection

This document is intended as a starting point for gathering and generating ideas and should not be the only source for identifying options. Local governments are encouraged to think about different strategies and seek advice from State agencies where required.

When generating or selecting treatment ideas, the following questions should be considered:

Risk reduction potential: Will the treatment reduce the risk?

Cost: Is this option affordable? Is it the most cost-effective?

Continuity: Will the effects be sustainable over time?

Risk creation: Will new risks be avoided?

Technical feasibility: Is it technically possible?

Ease of administration: Can it be easily administered?

Effects on society: Will the effects be fairly distributed?

Equity: Will the costs of the risk reduction be fairly distributed?

Synergies: Is it compatible with and will it advance community objectives (for example, economic development, environmental quality)?

Primacy of life: Will it protect lives and prevent injuries?

!Please note that not all ideas listed in the compendium are necessarily eligible for current and/or future State funding. State funding priorities and mechanisms are adjusted as required. Therefore, we recommend you keep up-to-date through the appropriate channels.


APPE

NDIX

A BiosecurityAnimal disease Description:

• A known disease that does not occur in endemic form in Australia, and for which it is considered to be in the national interest to be free of the disease; or

• A variant form of an endemic disease which is itself not endemic, which if established in Australia, would have a national impact; or

• A serious infectious disease of unknown cause, which may be an entirely new disease; or

• Outbreak of a known endemic disease far beyond the severity expected, that an emergency response is required to ensure that there is not either a large-scale epidemic of national significance or serious loss of market access.

Plant pestDescription: Any species, biotype or strain of invertebrate pest or pathogen injurious to plant health, unprocessed plant products, bees or fungi provided that it is discrete, identifiable and genetically stable, but excludes genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

Planning and regulations• Exercise emergency management plans and consider significant worst-case scenarios.

• Exercise recovery of a large-scale pest or disease outbreak.

• Create a toolbox, including templates, to reduce the administrative burden in an animal or plant biosecurity threat event.

• Conduct targeted surveillance of foot-and-mouth disease.

• Implement disease management strategies.

• Keep an up-to-date resource register that includes equipment, such as earth-moving machinery (and operators), which may be required in the event of an outbreak.

• Identify suitable facilities for use as control centres.

• Pre-identify waste management disposal sites.

• Improve awareness and understanding.

• Conduct biosecurity awareness campaigns.

• Encourage on-farm biosecurity measures, including signage, farm hygiene and surveillance.

• Promote biosecurity practices to farmers and industry on potential threats, surveillance and diagnostic protocols.

• Encourage early notification to the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), if an animal is suspected to be affected by a reportable disease.

• Make information regarding biosecurity available at local government offices and on local government websites.

For more information:DPIRD is the Hazard Management Agency (HMA) for animal or plant: pests or diseases, and has key information on biosecurity strategies.

https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/biosecurity-quarantine


APPENDIX A

Bushfire Description: Any actual or impending bushfire that impacts and/or causes or threatens to cause injury, loss of life and/or damage to property or the natural environment that may require a response. Local governments are encouraged to liaise with their Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) regional office regarding contemporary approaches to the management of bushfire-related risk. Some potential considerations are:

Planning and regulations• Consider bushfires in land-use planning, with particular focus on the peri-urban fringe and

high population areas.

• Apply specific guidelines and procedures for new construction in bushfire-prone areas.

• Apply the Building Code of Australia (BCA).

• Encourage the use of fire-resistant construction in bushfire-prone areas.

• Implement additional green waste collection prior to bushfire season.

• Prepare a plan for rebuilding and recovery of specific high threat areas or buildings.

• Exercise emergency management plans and consider significant worst-case scenarios, including those that take into account the rural-urban interface and places of last refuge.

• Encourage comprehensive business continuity planning.

• Pre-identify multiple evacuation centres that are appropriately positioned away from fire hazards.

• Pre-identify multiple coordination centres.

• Conduct pre-evacuation planning (including coordination and communication with vulnerable groups—for example, evacuation of aged-care facilities, allowing sufficient time for transferring patients).

• Reduce existing single-entry access roads and eliminate future bottlenecks in any planning proposals.

• Work with residents living in communities with a single access road in and out to plan for bushfire escape and identify opportunities for developing secondary access points.

• Establish contingencies for essential services such as power, water, wastewater and communications (for example, backup power generators).

• Enforce burning permits and restrictions.

• Develop strategies to reduce bushfire risk through mitigation measures, such as a bushfire risk mitigation plan.

Awareness and understanding• Identify areas prone to bushfire and identify high-risk areas through a process endorsed by

the Office of Bushfire Risk Management (OBRM).

• Identify strategic community and economic assets in high-risk locations.


APPE

NDIX

A

• Promote education directed at property owners on actions they can take to reduce risks to their property, such as removing dead vegetation, installing interior and exterior sprinkler systems, removing vegetation alongside structures and creating asset protection zones around the property.

• Encourage active participation in community education programs such as the DFES ‘Are you bushfire ready?’ and ‘5 minute fire chat’ programs.

• Support education programs regarding bushfire (for example, school programs, information about evacuation procedures, how to create a bushfire plan workshop).

• Conduct ‘How to create a Bushfire Plan’ workshops for the local community.

• Encourage the creation and maintenance of individual household Bushfire Plans.

• Engage in pre-season and preparedness briefings for your area.

• Work with DFES, the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA), volunteers and the community to ensure bushfire risks are understood.

Physical works and infrastructure• Protect propane tanks or other external fuel sources.

• Create and maintain asset protection and low fuel zones around residential property and critical infrastructure.

• Maintain vulnerable infrastructure such as powerlines, substations, telecommunication towers and water treatment plants.

• Implement strategic fuel management techniques, such as slashing, mulching, planned burning, clearing of dead vegetation, selecting fire-resistant vegetation, and creating mineral earth firebreaks.

Natural environment protection• Promote the conservation of open areas to separate developed areas from high bushfire

threats.


APPENDIX A

Coastal inundation/storm surgeCoastal inundation Description: The temporary or permanent flooding of a portion of land within the coastal zone.

Storm surgeDescription: An intense low-pressure system associated with a low or cyclone can create a ‘bulge’ in the sea surface. When combined with significant onshore winds, a storm surge (higher sea levels) can inundate land near the coast. If a storm surge occurs at the same time as a high astronomical tide, inundation can be extensive, particularly in low-lying areas. Coastal inundation and storm surge can stem from cyclones, storms, floods and tsunamis.

Planning and regulations• Limit or prohibit development in vulnerable coastal areas.

• Consider coastal inundation in land-use planning.

• Consider climate change and sea level rise in all planning and development.

• Adapt shoreline setback regulations to limit storm surge impacts.

• Exercise emergency management plans and consider significant worst-case scenarios.

• Adopt building requirements for higher elevation in inundation zones.

• Develop and maintain beach management plans.

• Plan for future storm surge heights due to sea level rise.

• Improve awareness and understanding.

• Use geographical information systems (GIS) mapping to identify areas at risk of coastal inundation and storm surge.

• Work with industry and the community in high-risk areas to understand and mitigate the potential risks and impacts.

Physical works and infrastructure• Relocate existing vulnerable critical facilities outside of high-risk areas.

• Construct groynes along the shoreline to trap and retain sand.

• Protect the natural environment.

• Maintain natural barriers to reduce the impact of coastal inundation (for example, mangroves).

• Prohibit removal of natural vegetation from dunes and slopes.

• Develop flood protection schemes, such as levees, flood gates, sea walls and/or stop banks.

• Consider ‘living shorelines’ – ‘soft’ shore-protecting techniques involving natural materials that bolster the existing vegetation. This could include the protection/restoration of vegetation that once existed at the site or planting new mangroves or water-absorbing salt marshes.

• Combine hard and soft shoreline protection (for example, granite rock sills with vegetation).


APPE

NDIX

A CycloneDescription: A system of rotating winds that originates over tropical or subtropical waters. Cyclones have gale force winds (sustained winds of 63 km/hour or greater, with gusts in excess of 90 km/hour), which can extend hundreds of kilometres from the centre of the cyclone.

Planning and regulations• Consider cyclone in land-use planning, with particular focus on wind loading.

• Ensure the application of the Building Code of Australia (BCA).

• Encourage wind engineering measures and construction techniques in the architectural design of buildings.

• Encourage business continuity plans, particularly for small businesses in high threat areas.

• Pre-identify coordination centres, with arrangements to maintain essential services (such as back-up power).

• Conduct pre-evacuation planning (including coordination and communication with vulnerable groups—for example, evacuation of aged-care facilities, allowing sufficient time for transferring patients).

• Identify and develop a list of backup generators and prioritise their use in an event.

• Include strategies for debris and waste management in emergency management plans.

• Establish contingencies for essential services such as power, water, wastewater and communications (for example, backup generators).


• Consider waste management strategies in emergency management plans.


Awareness and understanding• Identify areas prone to cyclone, particularly high threat areas.

• Identify critical at-risk assets in threat areas, including those that support major industries.

• Promote public awareness on being self-reliant for at least 72 hours with no electricity or water.

• Encourage community preparedness and participation in the ‘Cyclone Smart’ campaign.

• Consider culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) groups, if relevant.

• Promote awareness through social media sites.

• Consider animal welfare during and post event.

• Improve community awareness of cyclone, including severe wind and wind-driven rain, through education (for example, where to shelter, how to evacuate).

• Work with industry and the community to ensure understanding of cyclone risks.

• Engage in pre-season and preparedness briefings for your area.

• Use GIS to map areas susceptible to inundation by storm surge.

• Use wind impact modelling that takes terrain into account.


APPENDIX A

Physical works and infrastructure• Ensure construction is upgraded to the current National Standards if the purpose of a building/

facility changes.

• Maintain power lines and other utility structures.

• Consider asset hardening against severe wind loading.

• Consider flood mitigation, such as scheduled maintenance programs, to regularly clear drainage pits, culverts and channels for blockage, prior to the onset of the cyclone season.

• Roadside collection for rubbish/green waste prior to the event.

• Check and clear drainage systems prior to the event.

• Inspect assets post event.

• Explore alternate communication methods and/or backup methods.

• Increase maintenance of residential buildings.

• Anchor rooftop-mounted equipment (airconditioning units, satellite dishes).

Natural environment protection• Encourage use of natural environmental features as wind buffers/barriers in site design.

• Use appropriate natural barriers (for example, sand dunes) to minimise storm surge impacts and inundation.


APPE

NDIX

A EarthquakeDescription: The sudden release of stress built up within the earth’s crust. When the crust fails, energy waves are released causing ground shaking.

Planning and regulations• Apply and enforce the Building Code of Australia (BCA) for all building applications.

• Design for earthquakes (Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 1170.4), which includes the seismic zone map.

• Support mandatory accreditation and competency for building industry professionals.

• Develop evacuation plans/procedures for schools.

• Develop evacuation plans/procedures for hospitals, medical centres and aged-care facilities.

• Establish a process to engage with structural engineers to assess structures, buildings and facilities after an earthquake.

• Develop emergency communication plans to inform the community about what to do during and after an earthquake.

• Create and maintain a local government earthquake response plan.


Awareness and understanding• Enable a public education program about what to do during an earthquake (for example,

‘drop, cover, hold’).

• Support education on earthquakes for younger groups through school activities.

• Earthquake exercises involving community members.

• Learn earthquake knowledge and experience from experts in other earthquake-prone countries, such as New Zealand, Japan and the US.

• Develop an inventory of public buildings that may be particularly vulnerable to earthquake damage.

• Promote public education about how to secure homes to prevent damage to contents, such as securing bookshelves, televisions and storage cabinets.

Physical works and infrastructure• Rebuild structures to a higher standard post incident.

• Undertake seismic retrofitting of public facilities and heritage buildings most at risk to earthquakes.

• Upgrade priority buildings to current standards (that is, improve building performance).

• Identify and harden critical infrastructure to withstand earthquake shaking.

• Anchor rooftop-mounted equipment (air-conditioning units, satellite dishes).


APPENDIX A

Energy supply disruptionElectricity supply disruption Description: A loss of, or interruption to, the supply of electricity that is capable of causing or resulting in loss of life, prejudice to the safety, or harm to the health, of a person.

Gas supply disruption Description: A loss of, or interruption to, the supply of natural gas that will have significant impact on the community, energy infrastructure, essential services and domestic gas supply systems.

Liquid fuel disruptionDescription: A loss of, or interruption to, the supply of liquid fuels that will have significant societal and economic impact on WA and the ongoing provision of essential services.

Planning and regulations• Ensure local government emergency management plans contain up-to-date contact

information for the HMA and links to the State Hazard Plan – Energy Supply Disruption.

• Provide the HMA with the contact details of the local government liaison officer.

• Analyse the requirement for redundant energy sources across the local government.

• Develop a register of critical services to identify the number and location of emergency facilities (for example, hospitals, police, fire, ambulance and water supplies) throughout the local government.

• Ensure a comprehensive business continuity framework is in place1. These plans should include:

• consideration of the loss of all energy types;

• a risk assessment of critical processes reliant on energy (develop alternate strategies, particularly for communications and essential services like water and wastewater); and

• a priority list of critical processes so a limited amount of energy can be used wisely.

• Establish contact with fuel/gas/electricity providers to:

• understand where local government sit on the provider's priority list for resupply;

• identify at-risk community members (for example, Western Power life support customers); and

• identify key personnel from these providers for more effective communication during an emergency.

• Encourage energy efficiency measures throughout local government to:

• reduce reliance on individual energy sources (electric or hybrid vehicles versus petrol vehicles);

• reduce reliance on central energy distribution (uptake of solar and battery storage); and

• reduce the overall energy footprint (more efficient households are less impacted by energy disruptions).

• Identify locations where the community can gather, and which the HMA can prioritise during a power outage.


1 This will ensure the local government continues to operate; it is different from establishing emergency arrangements to support the wider community. Local emergency management arrangements are unlikely to work without a functioning local government.


APPE

NDIX

A

Awareness and understanding• Hold community meetings, LEMC and DEMC sessions to increase awareness of:

• the impacts of energy disruptions;

• the need for individuals to consider their own risks and plan appropriately;

• the local, district and State emergency management arrangements; and

• the relationship between severe weather events and supply disruptions (for example, storms and cyclones as catalysts; and heatwaves as high-risk times for the electricity grid).

• Ensure at least one local government officer is fully briefed on energy supply, as it is the most critical service.

• Conduct exercises using energy supply disruption as a focus or a component.

Physical works and infrastructure• Have backup generators or priority contracts for generators in place for critical facilities/

buildings, including communication equipment.

• Ensure comprehensive testing and a maintenance schedule is in place for backup equipment.

• Increase use of solar panels and battery systems on critical public buildings, where possible.

• Establish strategic fuel reserves for use by essential local government vehicles and/or backup generators.

• Prioritise energy-efficient equipment in identified locations (for example, community centres).

• Establish emergency communication infrastructure (for example, battery-operated radios) for use in the event of an outage.

Natural environment protection• Assess possible impacts of an energy shortage to the environment (for example, wastewater

pumps that if unable to function may contaminate the environment).

• Establish clear procedures for refuelling activities during an emergency. (Be aware that an unfamiliar method of supplying or accessing fuel, say, from a backup petrol source, will increase the risk of a fuel spill.)


APPENDIX A

FloodDescription: The partial or complete covering of usually dry land areas with water from the unusual and/or rapid accumulation of surface waters from any source.

Planning and regulations• Implement a floodplain management strategy. The strategy should consider long-term climate

change and will require frequent updating.

• Establish collective watershed/catchment-based planning to address flood hazards across neighbouring local governments.

• Invest in regional-scale flood models.

• Reduce the area of impermeable surfaces (roads, footpaths, parking lots) within local government areas. Consider a requirement for ‘X%’ of open spaces to be permeable.

• Encourage the use of permeable driveways and surfaces to reduce runoff.

• Implement land-use planning to avoid developments in high flood risk areas.

• Use vegetation in and around floodplains to help dissipate floodwater.

• Improve planning and design of drainage systems to increase drainage.

• Increase drainage absorption capacities with retention basins.

• Require all critical facilities (for example, local government offices, emergency operation centres, police stations, fire stations) to be located outside of flood-prone areas.

• Use flood mapping for pre-planning evacuation routes and welfare centres in the lead-up to a flood event.

• Formalise mutual aid agreements/MOUs across local governments and government agencies.

• Enhance timely gathering and dissemination of incident information.

• Develop evacuation planning for high-risk areas.


• Avoid or limit the density of development in floodplains.

• Require drainage studies and flood mitigation for new developments.

• Schedule maintenance programs to regularly clear drainage pits, culverts and channels for blockage.

Awareness and understanding• Educate residents on safety during flood events, including the danger of driving through flood

water.

• Undertake routine cleaning of debris from drains, streams, rivers and under bridges.

• Encourage residents to help keep nearby storm drains clear of debris during storms and not to rely solely on local government crews for assistance.

• Increase awareness of flood hazards by sharing flood inundation maps with the community.

• Encourage homeowners to purchase flood insurance.


APPE

NDIX

A

• Educate and communicate with farmers and related industries about flood hazards and planning.

• Conduct flood exercises with the community.

• Promote public education on how to prepare for a flood (for example, ‘Flood Smart’).

• Distribute safety information to people in flood-prone areas.

• Encourage businesses to understand and prepare for the expected impacts of flood inundation of their premises.

Physical works and infrastructure• Increase the number of river gauge stations to improve data collection for use in flood models.

• Construct infrastructure using design standards that limit their vulnerability to flooding.

• Raise critical utilities above expected flood heights.

• Protect critical facilities in flood-prone areas with levees or other structures.

• Elevate roads and bridges above expected flood heights either pre-emptively or as part of betterment program after a flood event.

• Remove or relocate structures (such as public toilet blocks) from flood-prone areas to minimise future flood damage.

• Install automatic road closure barriers for flood ways.

• Construct flood detention basins in flood prone-areas.

Natural environment protection• Protect and enhance landforms that serve as natural mitigation features (for example, river

banks, wetlands, dunes).


APPENDIX A

HAZMATDescription: An acronym for hazardous materials. A hazardous materials incident means an actual or impending spillage or other escape of a hazardous material that causes or threatens to cause injury or death, or damage to property or the environment. This term encompasses biological, chemical, radiological and/or other substances.

Planning and regulations• Ensure organised response teams are available on standby during the transport of potentially

harmful chemicals.

• Identify locations of containers for disposal of spill clean-up materials.

• Ensure sufficient personal protection equipment is available in the event of a spill.

• Provide training in hazardous materials response to first responders.

• Conduct a commodity transport study to identify areas and times of high risk.

• Conduct an environmental impact analysis for known chemical transports through the area. The analysis should identify what may be required for recovery in the event of a spill.


For more information:

Department of Fire and Emergency Services: dfes.wa.gov.au/safetyinformation/hazardousmaterials/Pages/default.aspx

Department of Mines and Industry Regulation and Safety: dmp.wa.gov.au/Dangerous-Goods/Dangerous-Goods-258.aspx

Department of Health: ww2.health.wa.gov.au/Health-for/Environmental-Health-practitioners/Environmental-hazards

Radiological Council: radiologicalcouncil.wa.gov.au

Department of Water and Environmental Regulation: der.wa.gov.au/our-work/controlled-waste

http://dfes.wa.gov.au/safetyinformation/hazardousmaterials/Pages/default.aspx

http://dmp.wa.gov.au/Dangerous-Goods/Dangerous-Goods-258.aspx

https://ww2.health.wa.gov.au/Health-for/Environmental-Health-practitioners/Environmental-hazards

http://radiologicalcouncil.wa.gov.au

http://der.wa.gov.au/our-work/controlled-waste


APPE

NDIX

A HeatwaveDescription: A period of abnormally hot weather that could impact on human health, infrastructure and services.

Planning and regulations• Consider extreme heat in land-use planning, with a particular focus on increasing green/open

space and providing shade through vegetation, where possible.

• Identify vulnerable people at high risk in a heatwave (for example, elderly, homeless). Consider creating a database to track the vulnerable individuals during an extreme heat event.

• Establish contingencies for essential services, particularly power and potable water.

• Provide early warnings to the public.

• Encourage passive-cooling in new development designs.

• Reduce urban heat islands (UHI). UHI occur are where hard surfaces absorb and retain the sun’s heat, and this heat is not adequately reduced at night. Building orientation, design and materials can all heavily influence the impact of heat on the built environment.

• Make continuity plans which allow for rescheduling of non-essential events if a heatwave is imminent.


• Open up air-conditioned cooling centres to allow local residents respite from the heat.

Awareness and understanding• Engage with key stakeholders and community members to raise awareness about the risks of

extreme heat.

• Identify established and informal networks to connect and engage with vulnerable groups, including CaLD groups.

• Update your local government website to include additional services being provided during the heatwave.

• Increase community messaging through local media and standard communication channels.

• Provide key messaging to the community on what to do if a power outage occurs during a heatwave.

Physical works and infrastructure• Encourage installation of ‘green/cool roofs’ that reflect sunlight and keep heat away from

buildings.

• Provide community ‘cool areas’ such as swimming pools or amenities with cool air flow.

• Increase maintenance of essential services if a heatwave is expected.

Natural environment protection• Increase canopy cover, such as trees, which can reduce the impact of direct sunlight.

For more information:The Department of Health is the HMA for heatwave and has key information on heatwave strategies. See also the HealthyWA website.

https://ww2.health.wa.gov.au/Articles/F_I/Heatwave-strategies

https://ww2.health.wa.gov.au/Articles/F_I/Heatwave-strategies

https://www.healthywa.health.wa.gov.au/heat


APPENDIX A

Human epidemicDescription: The occurrence of more cases of an infectious or transmissible disease than would be expected in the State’s population, or a subgroup of the State’s population, during a given time period that requires immediate actions to limit the spread of disease from infected persons to the wider community.

Planning and regulations• Support environmental health programs to minimise risk of disease transmission, such as

those designed to ensure provision of safe food and water, and effective sewerage systems.

• Support immunisation strategies against vaccine-preventable diseases.

• Support targeted immunisation programs of vulnerable individuals.

• Assist with the identification of vulnerable populations, along with methods to provide advice and support in a timely fashion.


• Ensure business continuity planning is up-to-date and effective in the face of a human epidemic event.

• Assist with monitoring of food safety.

• Ensure safe disposal of contaminated waste.

• Ensure adequate control of vermin or insect infestations, including reservoir (carrier) elimination programs.

Awareness and understanding• Support health promotion and education activities, targeting both health professionals and the

public.

• Provide community education on communicable diseases.

• Campaign to inform public misconceptions around vaccines.

• Tailor community education to the specific disease/epidemic event. For example, preparedness for pandemic influenza may include community education on hygiene, infection control, use of antiviral medications and vaccination.

For more information:

The Department of Health is the HMA for human epidemic and provides guidelines and health advice for communicable diseases.

HealthyWA provides advice on immunisation.

https://ww2.health.wa.gov.au/Articles/A_E/Communicable-disease-guidelines

https://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/immunisation


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A Landform collapseDescription: The collapse of a landform in which people are trapped, and the situation is beyond local emergency management arrangements.

Planning and regulations• Carry out land-use planning that establishes cliff setbacks (which account for annual cliff

recession) and that rezones vulnerable areas.

• Complete an inventory of locations of critical facilities (buildings, infrastructure) in high-risk areas (that is those prone to collapse).

• Relocate at-risk buildings and infrastructure out of high-risk areas.


Awareness and understanding• Conduct education and awareness to increase public safety around areas of risk.

• Encourage residents to manage the risk to their property or business.

• Use GIS to identify and map landform collapse hazard areas.

• Use GIS to identify and map communities vulnerable to landform collapse hazards.

• Implement monitoring and inspections for transport routes passing through or near high-risk collapse areas.

Physical works and infrastructure• Shift towards lightweight, temporary structures that can be moved readily to accommodate

natural shoreline migration.

• Manage drainage systems at the top of cliffs to limit saturation and the erosion of the cliff.

• Locate utilities outside of high-risk collapse areas.

• Make appropriate use of danger signage in publicly assessable high-risk areas.

• Control access to high-risk collapse areas using fences, paths and signage.

• Protect the natural environment.

• Monitor cliff profiles to document cliff erosion hazards.

• Research and analyse data of cliff erosion to increase understanding of cliff behaviours.

• Stabilise cliffs (for example, rock netting, rock bolts, revegetation, seawalls and drainage systems) to reduce collapse risk.


APPENDIX A

Marine emergencies Marine oil pollutionDescription: Actual or impending spillage, release or escape of oil or an oily mixture that is capable of causing loss of life, injury to a person or damage to the health of a person, property or the environment.

Marine transport emergency Description: Actual or impending event involving a ship that is capable of causing loss of life, injury to a person or damage to the health of a person, property or the environment.

Planning and regulations• Identify potential evacuation centres for ship passengers’ accommodation and welfare.

• Provide safety notices when a large vessel is coming into port (particularly passenger vessels).

• Pre-identify waste management disposal sites for spill clean-up or wreck salvage.


• Exercise recovery in a maritime emergency event.

• Maintain a Spontaneous Volunteers Management Plan.

• Establish strategically located caches for oil spill response equipment.

Awareness and understanding• Increase awareness and understanding of shared maritime policies (for example, port, State

and national policies).

• Promote boat safety and licensing laws.

• Promote awareness of the potential impacts of an oil spill on local beaches, environmentally sensitive areas, wildlife and businesses.

• Increase awareness of beach oil spill clean-up methods, the lengthened duration of oil spill recovery and human resource requirements, including how local governments can assist.

• Participate in oil spill exercises.

• Increase awareness of oil spill incident recovery requirements for local government.

• Conduct oil spill modelling to determine potential impact areas.

Natural environment protection• Maintain natural buffers such as salt marshes and mangroves that may reduce the impact and

spread of an oil spill or other contaminants.

• Identify and map critical environmentally sensitive marine areas that would be vulnerable to an oil spill.


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A StormDescription: ‘Storm’ describes thunderstorms but also cold fronts and troughs that produce significant or severe weather. A thunderstorm is a sudden electrical discharge manifested by lightning and thunder. Thunderstorms are associated with convective clouds (cumulonimbus) and are, most often, accompanied by precipitation in the form of rain or hail.

Planning and regulations• Inspect building roofs to ensure adequate wind and water resistance.

• Enforce design standards for buildings located in areas susceptible to storm surge.


• Locate future critical facilities outside of areas susceptible to storm surge.

• Encourage business continuity plans, particularly for small businesses.

• Pre-identify coordination centres.

• Pre-identify evacuation centres, with arrangements to maintain essential services such as backup power.

• Identify and develop a list of backup generators and prioritise their use in an event.

• Include strategies for debris and waste management in emergency management plans.


• Consider storm waste management strategies in emergency management plans.

• Establish contingencies for essential services such as power, water, wastewater and communications (for example, backup generators).

Awareness and understanding• Increase public education on how to prepare for storms and increase awareness. Ensure

CaLD representation where applicable.

• Increase education for homeowners regarding storm impacts and how their property could be impacted.

• Increase engagement with absentee landowners regarding cleaning of properties.

• Increase engagement and participation of utility providers in LEMCs.

• Hold pre-storm/storm preparation community meetings.

• Promote awareness through social media sites.

• Ensure school staff know where safe refuge areas are in school buildings.

• Use GIS to map areas susceptible to inundation by storm surge and high wind zones.

• Educate homeowners in high-risk areas about potential mitigation options.

• Provide early notification to the community of pending storm events, including hail storms.

• Consider animal welfare during and post event.


APPENDIX A

Physical works and infrastructure• Anchor rooftop-mounted equipment (air-conditioning units, satellite dishes).

• Ensure maintenance of power lines and other utility structures.

• Identify low-lying areas prone to regular flash flooding and conduct works to mitigate flooding (see flood section for more options).

• Consider flood mitigation such as scheduled maintenance programs to regularly clear drainage pits, culverts and channels of blockage.

• Explore alternative communication methods and/or backup methods.

• Encourage the use of hail-resistant building materials (glass, shutters, roofing tiles).

Natural environment protection• Encourage the use of natural environmental features as wind buffers/barriers in site design.

• Use appropriate natural barriers (for example, sand dunes) to minimise storm surge impacts/inundation.


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NDIX

A Structural fireDescription: ‘Fire’ refers to any actual or impending property fire that impacts and/or causes or threatens to cause injury, loss of life and/or damage to property or the natural environment that may require a response.

Planning and regulations• Carry out mandatory building inspections following construction to check the buildings follow

approved plans and specified materials.

• Incorporate internal fire protection systems into local government buildings, aged-care facilities and multistorey apartment buildings.

• Require the use of registered and trained tradespeople and builders.

• Enforce the Building Code of Australia (BCA).

• Enhance onsite building inspections, auditing and enforcement.

• Encourage building owners to test fire evacuation plans for large commercial or residential buildings.

• Conduct audits to ensure maintenance of installed fire safety systems is occurring.


Awareness and understanding• Encourage home and building owners to have house/building insurance.

• Encourage homeowners to create and practise fire evacuation plans.

• Increase industry awareness of the potential risks associated with non-compliance with the National Construction Code (NCC).

• Provide ratepayers with education sessions (with the assistance of DFES) on the importance of understanding the risks presented in their building. Provide details of where they can find more information (for example, from DFES and the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS)).

Physical works and infrastructure• Ensure regular maintenance is carried out on all installed passive and active fire safety

systems.


APPENDIX A

Transport incidents (air crash, road crash, rail crash)Description: Collision or imminent collision of a vehicle with a structure, terrain, water, vehicle or other thing, and is of such a nature or magnitude that a significant and coordinated response is required.

Planning and regulations• Identify potential evacuation/welfare locations near airports in case of an emergency event.

• Ensure Aerodrome Emergency Plans (if applicable) are current and reviewed/exercised using significant credible scenarios.


• Identify potential road closures within the vicinity of railway level crossings in the local government’s boundaries in the event of a rail crash.

• Identify potential areas of refuge (for example, community centres) close to level crossings where people (including passengers) affected by the rail crash could be relocated in the first instance, if deemed appropriate.

Awareness and understanding• Increase community awareness about road safety campaigns (for example, ‘Towards Zero

Strategy’).

• Reinforce via local media and other local government communication channels, public education campaigns around rail safety (for example, Public Transport Authority’s safety campaigns and TrackSAFE Education resources).

• Engage and build relationships with rail network operators.

Physical works and infrastructure• Maintain local roads to an appropriate standard to help prevent accidents.

• Improve the safety of roads (if applicable) during maintenance and/or reconstruction (for example, increase the road shoulder width, reduce curvature of sharp turns).

• Keep areas adjacent to level crossings that are not the responsibility of the Public Transport Authority (PTA) clear of obstructions (clear line of sight).

• Liaise with the PTA’s maintenance branches—advising of any PTA property-related issues that become apparent to the local government maintenance staff before the PTA is aware of it.


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B Appendix B: Auto-generated treatment recommendationsTables B1 to B5 below show how treatment recommendations are determined using likelihood, consequence and confidence levels. These recommendations are generated automatically by the WA Risk Register Tool.

The colours in Tables B1 to B5 below relate to the treatment recommendations:

MONITOR & REVIEWCONSIDER TREATINGTREAT

The words (Extreme, High, Medium, Low and Very Low) are the risk level and the numbers (1, 2, 3, 4 and 5) are the priority level. See the WA Emergency Risk Management Local Government Handbook 2017 for more information about the risk matrix and risk priority level.

Table B1: Auto-generated treatment recommendations for highest confidence risk statements.

Table B2: Auto-generated treatment recommendations for high confidence risk statements.

CONSEQUENCE

LIKELIHOOD Insignificant Minor Moderate Major Catastrophic

Almost Certain Medium (4) Medium (4) High (3) Extreme (2) Extreme (1)

Likely Low (5) Medium (4) High (4) Extreme (2) Extreme (2)

Unlikely Low (5) Low (5) Medium (4) High (3) Extreme (2)

Rare Very Low (5) Low (5) Medium (4) High (3) High (3)

Very Rare Very Low (5) Very Low (5) Low (5) Medium (4) High (3)

Extremely Rare Very Low (5) Very Low (5) Low (5) Medium (4) High (4)

CONSEQUENCE











APPENDIX B

Table B3: Auto-generated treatment recommendations for moderate confidence risk statements.

CONSEQUENCE








Table B4: Auto-generated treatment recommendations for low confidence risk statements.

Table B5: Auto-generated treatment recommendations for lowest confidence risk statements.

CONSEQUENCE








CONSEQUENCE








WA EMERGENCY RISK MANAGEMENT TREATMENT MANUAL • PAGE 50

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NDIX

C Appendix C: GlossaryTable C1: Terms used throughout the suite of State emergency management documents have the meanings given in Section 3 of the Emergency Management Act 2005 (EM Act), the State Emergency Management Glossary or the list of definitions in the State EM Policy or the State EM Plan, as applicable. Specific definitions relevant to this manual are listed below.

Term Definition

Confidence The trustworthiness or reliability of the evidence that supports risk assessments.

Consequence The outcome of an event or situation expressed qualitatively or quantitatively, being a loss, injury, disadvantage or gain. In the emergency risk management context, consequences are generally described as the effects on people, social setting, public administration, the environment and the economy.

Control A measure that modifies risk. This may be an existing process, policy, device, practice or other action that acts to minimise negative risk or enhance positive opportunities.

Mitigation Measures taken in advance of a disaster that aim to decrease or eliminate the disaster’s impact on society and the environment.

Risk evaluation Process of comparing the results of risk analysis with risk criteria to determine whether the risk and/or its magnitude is acceptable or tolerable. Referred to as ‘consider treating’ in this manual.

Risk register A table, list or other representation of risk statements describing sources of risk and elements at risk with assigned consequences, likelihoods and levels of risk.

Risk statement Structured statement of risk that details the relationship between the hazard and its potential consequences.

Risk treatment The process of selection and implementation of measures to modify risk.

https://www.legislation.wa.gov.au/legislation/statutes.nsf/main_mrtitle_294_homepage.html

https://semc.wa.gov.au/resources/legislation-and-policy-framework/glossary

https://semc.wa.gov.au/resources/legislation-and-policy-framework/policy

https://semc.wa.gov.au/resources/legislation-and-policy-framework/plan

WA EMERGENCY RISK MANAGEMENT TREATMENT MANUAL • PAGE 50

STATE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

20 Stockton Bend, Cockburn Central Western Australia 6164E. [email protected]. www.semc.wa.gov.au