Sub Navigation


Return to normal view

Links

Title Summary
2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission Interim Report The 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission Interim Report was tabled in Parliament on Monday 17 August 2009. Download a copy of the Commission's Interim Report and Executive Summary below.
ABC Local Radio As part of an on-going partnership, 774 ABC Melbourne and the Emergency Services provide listeners with quick, free access to the most up-to-date information and advice available during emergencies.
Ambulance Victoria From 1 July 2008, Victoria has had one ambulance service covering the whole state, with the Metropolitan Ambulance Service, Rural Ambulance Victoria and Alexandria and District Ambulance Service merging to create Ambulance Victoria.
Ash Wednesday The bushfires that occurred across Victoria and South Australia on 16 February 1983 became known as Ash Wednesday. In Victoria, 47 people lost their lives, including 14 volunteer firefighters. 210,000 hectares were burnt, 2,090 structures were destroyed resulting in 8,000 people becoming homeless, as well as 25,000 head of stock lost. Ash Wednesday remains one of the worst natural disasters in Victoria's history.
Australian Disasters Conference 2009 - Surviving Future Risks The Australian Disasters Conference 2009 - Surviving Future Risks - is a major national conference exploring the future disaster risk environment for Australia. The conference will be held from 10-13 February 2009, at the National Convention Centre, Canberra. Follow the link below to the Emergency Management Australia website to register on-line. 
Australian Safer Communities Awards The Australian Safer Communities Awards are sponsored by Emergency Management Australia in conjunction with the States and Territories. The Awards recognise best practice and innovation by organisations and individuals that help to build safer communities across Australia. The awards cover all aspects of community safety in the context of emergency management including: risk assessment, research, education and training, information and knowledge management, prevention, preparedness, response and recovery. They awards are judged on two levels each year - State and Territory winners are decided and recognised first, and in turn become finalists for the National Awards. The Office of the Emergency Services Commissioner facilitates the Victorian component of the awards, and has done so for the past eight years.
Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Victorian Squadron The Australian Volunteer Coast Guard website details the operations of the group, as well as providing marine safety information and safety education resources.
Black Friday Opinion by Bruce Esplin, February 2004 To view Bruce Esplin's opinion piece on Black Friday fire of 13 January 1939, please visit the link below
Black Friday The Black Friday bushfires of 13 January 1939 were the result of a prolonged drought and hot, dry and windy weather. Prior to 13 January, many fires were already burning in the affected areas unable to be extinguished. Some started as early as December 1938, but most of them started in the first week of January 1939. Soaring temperatures and severe northerly winds on 13 January led to the fires joining, creating one large fire front that devastated the communities in its path.
Bureau of Meteorology The Commonwealth Bureau of Meteorology's Victorian regional office is a partner to the ABC Victoria and Victorian Emergency Services Organisations Memorandum of Understanding.
Bushfire Mitigation Program The Bushfire Mitigation Program is a national program aimed at identifying and addressing bushfire mitigation risk priorities across the nation. It funds construction and maintenance of fire trails and associated accessibility measures that contribute to safer, sustainable communities better able to prepare, respond to and withstand the effects of bushfires.
Careers with the Victorian Government The 'Careers with the Victorian Government' website provides information about vacancies within the Victorian Public Service, graduate opportunities and senior appointment, as well as informatino about working in the Victorian Public Service.
Climate Change Green Paper The Emergency Services Commissioner, Bruce Esplin, has contributed to the Victorian Government's Climate Change Green Paper. His piece appears on page 76, titled 'Climate change and bushfires', and can be found by clicking the link below.
Combined Emergency Services Seminar 'Dealing With Disaster' is the theme for the Combined Emergency Services Seminar Committee 31st annual seminar, which is being held on 24 October 2009 at the Melbourne University Private Hawthorn Campus.
Community Safety Month Community Safety Month is held every October and reminds us that we all have a role to play in making our communities safer.
Country Fire Authority The Country Fire Authority website includes information about the organisation and its role in emergencies, fire restrictions and a summary of current fire incidents.
Critical Incident Stress Management Foundation Fifth Bi-annual Conference Presented by Critical Incident Stress Management Foundation Australia Inc, the fifth bi-annual conference is on the 9th and 10th of November 2009, at the University of Melbourne.
Department of Human Services - Emergency Management The Department of Human Services' (DHS) website provides information about DHS's responsibilities in emergency management, including emergency recovery and health services and hospitals.
Department of Human Services Emergency Management
Department of Justice Information about emergency policies, procedures and the emergency services is available on the Department of Justice website.
Department of Planning and Community Development Grants The Department of Planning and Community Development has a number of grants available, particularly in relation to the bushfires that devastated parts of Victoria in January and February 2009.
Department of Premier and Cabinet - Recognising Outstanding Achievement The Protocol and Special Events Branch of the Department of Premier and Cabinet manages State aspects of the Australian system of honours and awards in the Order of Australia. Information is also provided about the Order of Australia awards, when they are awarded and the four levels of awards available.
The Department of Primary Industries The Department of Primary Industries is committed to the sustainable development of primary industries for the benefit of all Victoria.
Department of Sustainability and Environment The Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) website includes information about DSE's role in managing fires and other emergencies and up-to-date reports on current fires and burns.
Department of Sustainability and Environment - Fire and Other Emergencies A link to information about fire and other emergencies on the Department of Sustainability and Environment website.
Department of Primary Industries Weblink
Emergency Management Australia Emergency Management Australia is the Australian Government's emergency management website.
Emergency Media and Public Affairs Conference 2009 The Emergency Media and Public Affairs Conference 2009 "Engaging in Emergencies" will be held from 24-26 May 2009, at the RACV Club, Melbourne. The conference will focus on the importance of best practice crisis communications.
Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority The Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority is a multi-agency emergency call taking and dispatch communication service.
Environmental Protection Authority The Environmental Protection Authority's website has information about the organisation and its role in protecting the environment.
Essential Services Commission The Essential Services Commission website has information about the commission's work as Victoria’s independent economic regulator of prescribed essential utility services, including its memorandum of understanding with the Office of the Emergency Services Commissioner.
Fire Awareness Awards The Fire Awareness Awards are a joint initiative of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade, the Department of Sustainability and Environment and the Country Fire Authority.  The Awards acknowledge the hard work and initiatives of individuals, groups and organisations in reducing the incidence and impact of fire in Victoria.
Fire Ready Victoria The Country Fire Authority website contains information about Fire Ready: Prepare. Act. Survive.   This includes information about the Household Bushfire Self-Assessment Tool, Fire Ready Kit for helping you to understand your bushfire risk and develop a Bushfire Survival Plan , fire danger ratings, community meetings, Community Fireguard and general bushfire information.
Government Response to the 2002-2003 Bushfire Inquiry The Victorian Government's response to Final Report of the Inquiry into the 2002-2003 Victorian Bushfires is available on the Department of Premier and Cabinet website.
Great Divide Bushfire 2006-07 The Great Divide bushfire was one of Victoria's largest and longest running bushfires, burning 1.1 million hectares over 69 days, from 1 December 2006 until 7 February 2007.
Introduction to Emergency Management - (VICSES) The Introduction to Emergency Management course is conducted by the Victoria State Emergency Service.
Introduction to Emergency Management for Local Government - (NSCDD) The Introduction to Emergency Management for Local Government course is conducted by the National Security Capability Development Division
Introduction to Emergency Recovery - (DHS) The Introduction to Emergency Recovery course is conducted by the Department of Human Services.
Life Saving Victoria Life Saving Victoria's website provides information about their mission to prevent aquatic related death and injury in all Victorian communities and promote water safety.
Linton Bushfire Linton, south west of Ballarat, was the scene of a tragedy on 2 December 1998, when five Country Fire Authority volunteer firefighters died after their tanker became trapped and destroyed by flames. 
Longford Gas Plant Explosion On 25 September 1998 an explosion at one of three gas plants operated by Esso at Longford killed two employees, Peter Wilson and John Lowery, as well as injuring eight others. The fires caused by the explosion burned for two days, and many Victorian's were left without gas for 19 days. 
Metropolitan Fire Brigade The Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB) website has information about the MFB's work as well as information about current incidents, emergency response, standards and guidelines, and fire safety.
Municipal Assocation of Victoria For information about the Municipal Association of Victoria visit their website.
National Security Capability Development Division - Advanced Training National Security Capability Development Division (NSCDD) formally Emergency Management Australia (EMA) offers a range of units from the Public Safety Training Package that can be used towards the Advanced Diploma in Public Safety (Emergency Management). Click on the link below to see the courses available.
National Security Capability Development Division - Professional Development NSCDD offers Professional Development Training.
National Volunteer Week 2009
Parliament of Victoria - Inquiry Terms of Reference The terms of reference for the Inquiry into the Impact of Public Land Management Practices on Bushfires in Victoria are available on the Parliament of Victoria website.
Royal Commission homepage Below is a link to the 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission homepage.
Royal Commission transcript 12 May 2009 The transcript from day two of the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission, 12 May 2009, can be downloaded from the Royal Commission website.
Royal Commission transcript 13 May 2009 The transcript from day three of the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission, 12 May 2009, can be downloaded from the Royal Commission website.
Royal Commission transcript 18 May 2009 The transcript from day six of the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission, 18 May 2009, can be downloaded from the Royal Commission website.
Safety Victoria The Safety Victoria website draws together safety and emergency information from a wide range of government departments and other organisations.
State Library of Victoria - Bushfires in Victoria Guide The State Library of Victoria has a dedicated online resource which provides advise on how to research and find information about Victorian bushfires from 1851 to the present, including books, government reports, websites, statistics, newspaper reports and images.
State Library of Victoria Key Bushfire Reports The State Library of Victoria have made available for download key bushfire reports, including the Royal Commission into the 1939 Black Friday bushfires and the report into the Ash Wednesday bushfires in 1983. Click on the link below to visit the State Library of Victoria website and view the reports.
State of Victoria's Submission for the Interim Report of the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission The State of Victoria's Submission for the Interim Report of the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission was filed Friday 3 July 2009.
Submissions to the 2002-2003 Bushfire Inquiry Submissions to the 2002-2003 Bushfire Inquiry Report are available on the Department of Premier and Cabinet website.
Valuing Volunteers Program The Valuing Volunteers Program is a Victorian Government initiative funded through the Community Support Fund.
VicRoads The VicRoads website includes information about traffic and road conditions, including in the event of an emergency that affects roadways.
Victoria Police The Victoria Police website includes information about calling Emergency Assistance (000).
Victoria State Emergency Service The Victoria State Emergency Service website includes information about its roles, including planning for and responding to floods, severe storms, earthquakes, road accident rescue and search and rescue.
Victorian Volunteer Small Grants program The Victorian Volunteer Small Grants program runs until 2011, and aims to assist Victorian not for profit groups that involve volunteers in their activities and want to attract new volunteers or increase the diversity of their volunteers.
Volunteer Charter In a strong demonstration of continued commitment to volunteer issues in Victoria, the then Minister for Police and Emergency Services signed the CFA Volunteer Charter in December 2001. The CFA Volunteer Charter represents the moral obligations of the Victorian Government, the CFA and its volunteers to each other and to the Victorian Community.
Water Safety website The Water Safety website contains information on being water-safe in a variety of locations, including at the beach, at the pool, at the lake or river, or when boating or fishing. The website also provides information about learning to swim, the location of patrolled beaches in Victoria, and how to read and understand water safety signs.
Water Safety Week Water Safety Week, a key element of the ‘Play it Safe by the Water’ campaign, is now in its eleventh year. During this Week organisations across Victoria provide people of all ages with the opportunity to participate in a range of water safety activities in a variety of aquatic environments. These activities aim to increase participants’ awareness of water safety issues, develop their water safety skills and encourage them to ‘Play it Safe by the Water’.
Victoria Online Emergencies and Safety The Victoria Online - Emergencies and Safety site provides links and information about alerts, warnings and hotlines, emergency management, emergency services, fire prevention, natural disasters, occupational health and safety, personal and public safety, product safety, safety management and transport safety.
Gunammatta Beach Drownings On 8 January 1998, a fun day out at the beach ended in tragedy for two families when four children drowned. The families were of the belief the section of the beach they were at was patrolled, however they had parked at an unpatrolled section of Gunammatta Beach - the patrolled section was 800 metres further away at another car park.