Overview
IGEM Review of 10 years of reform in Victoria's emergency management sector
2019 marked the 10-year anniversary of the bushfires that claimed 173 lives, destroyed over 2,000 homes and devastated Victorians.
The Inspector-General for Emergency Management (IGEM) considered that the 10-year anniversary of the 2009 Victorian Bushfires presented an opportunity to consider whether the significant program of reforms introduced since 2009 are effective in supporting Victorians to become safer and more resilient.
In December 2019, IGEM provided the Review of 10 years of reform in Victoria's emergency management sector report to the Victorian Government.
In its report, IGEM identifies good practice and opportunities for ongoing improvement through:
- 8 observations
- 33 findings
- 5 recommendations.
The recommendations relate to the critical areas of:
- risk management
- community information
- recovery
- outcomes frameworks
- capability and capacity.
IGEM Inquiry into the 2019-20 Victorian Fire Season - Phase 1 report
On 14 January 2020 the Victorian Government announced an independent Inquiry into the 2019-2020 Victorian fire season. This would be conducted by the Inspector-General for Emergency Management (IGEM).
In October 2020, IGEM provided the Inquiry into the 2019-20 Victorian Fire Season - Phase 1 report to the Victorian Government.
The report identifies good practice and opportunities for ongoing improvement through:
- 66 observations
- 36 findings
- 17 recommendations.
The Phase 1 report should be read in conjunction with the Review of 10 years of reform in Victoria’s emergency management sector. Its recommendations are relevant to the findings of the Inquiry and are referenced throughout the Phase 1 report.
Victorian Government response to the IGEM recommendations
On 14 October 2020, the Victorian government responded to both the IGEM:
- Review of 10 years of reform in Victoria's emergency management sector
- Inquiry into the 2019-20 Victorian Fire Season - Phase 1 report.
The Victorian Government response commits to implementing all of IGEM’s recommendations.
Implementation plans
Implementation plans have been established to support the government response.
IGEM has released its first progress report detailing the Victorian Government’s progress towards delivering actions within the implementation plans.
At the time of IGEM’s assessment of progress, it was noted that the Victorian Government had made substantial progress towards delivering its commitments, with 58 of the original 139 actions closed or complete, 75 actions in progress and only six at the time that were yet to commence.
The implementation plans below provide further detail on the implementation of these actions, reflecting the most recent of IGEM’s progress reports as well as additional changes to timelines or scope of actions recently agreed by government.
Updated