Council’s role during an emergency event

artwork

Council’s role during a local emergency is to:  

  • Serve as a conduit for key information on emergency events from emergency service providers, such as the NSW State Emergency Service (SES), Fire and Rescue NSW, Rural Fire Service (RFS), NSW Police, 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 to constantly and closely monitor council-managed open spaces, reserves, facilities, telemetry, the levee system and roads for any impacts. 
  • Mobilise our resources, people and equipment to respond to identified impacts. 
  • Provide key information to the community and relevant stakeholders on the impact on Council’s services or facilities, such as water and sewer services, waste collection and other essential services. 
  • 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 various other channels.   

Council’s communication channels during an emergency 

Social media

During an emergency event, Council regularly posts important news on the impact on Council facilities, services, assets and managed public spaces on Council’s Facebook and Instagram social media accounts. Important news on the impacts on Council facilities, services, assets and managed public spaces and key information on the emergency event from the leading emergency service providers such as the NSW SES and RFS are also shared.  

Council's website and other media

Key information is also posted on the Council's website and communicated through other channels, such as print advertising, community brochures and local media.

 

Emergency Operations Centre (EOC)  

  • The Northern Rivers Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) may be activated (or stood up) during an emergency event at the discretion of the Local Emergency Operations Controller (LEOCON) or lead emergency agency. 
  • If the EOC is activated during an Emergency event, Council will: 
    • Ensure the EOC is functional and adequately resourced to support an emergency response. 
    • Provide executive support to the emergency response, act as a conduit between the EOC and Council’s teams and provide other support staff such as communications officers, technicians, administration staff and subject matter experts.  
Back to top