Council's role in an emergency

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Council’s role during a local emergency is to:  

  • Serve as a conduit for key information on the emergency event from the emergency service providers, such as the State Emergency Service (SES), Rural Fire Service (RFS), Police Force, Health, etc.  
  •  Support the lead emergency service provider with the resources, people and equipment they need to manage the emergency and any follow-up recovery actions (as per legislative requirements of the Northern Rivers Local Emergency Management Plan (EMPLAN) 
  • Continue constant and close monitoring of Council-managed open spaces, reserves, facilities, telemetry, levee system, and roads for impacts. 
  • Mobilise Council resources, people and equipment to respond to identified impacts. 
  • Provide key information to the community and relevant stakeholders about how Council’s services or facilities, such as water and sewer services, waste collection and other essential services, are impacted. 
  • Drive community-led approaches to coping with the emergency. 
  • Provide executive support to and work closely with the Local Emergency Management Committee (LEMC) to ensure that all aspects of Emergency Prevention, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery are well-supported and resourced. 
  • Lead a Local Recovery Committee following a significant adverse event, working with the NSW Government and other state agencies to provide cohesive support in the recovery and clean-up phase. This includes providing recovery support and information to impacted residents at recovery assistance points (recovery hubs) and through various other channels.  
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