Emergency Management Plans

In South Australia we have become all too familiar with the devastating loss that takes place when natural disasters occur. Bushfires, floods, heatwaves, intense storms and biosecurity incidents have a significant impact on individuals, families and communities, and consequences for our people, economy, environment, and infrastructure. Climate change will continue to increase the frequency and severity of such extreme weather events, leading to even greater impacts upon the South Australian people and government.

South Australia's emergency management arrangements are guided by the key principles of emergency management: prevention, which seeks to eliminate or reduce risk; preparedness, which puts people, plans, training and equipment in place to cope should an emergency take place; response, which involves activating the plans in place; and recovery, which involves community restoration after an emergency occurs.

All sectors of the community have a collective responsibility when it comes to emergency management. The State Emergency Management Plan outlines the roles and responsibilities of all those who play a part in emergency management – from state and local government agencies, to communities and individuals.

The State Government's Emergencies Website will provide vital information to assist you to:

• Understand the support that council and state government can provide before, during and after an emergency
• Identify who to contact for emergency assistance
• Improve your understanding of emergencies
• We strongly encourage you to become familiar with the contents on this website and make the appropriate arrangements to preserve and save the lives of you and your family, as well as to protect the environment, property and infrastructure where possible

Emergency Management Plan Documents:

• Adelaide Plains Community Emergency Management Plan
• Local Emergency Risk Management Implementation Plan

National Disaster Resilience Program Funding

Contact SAFECOM on 8115 3927 or email NDRPCoordinator@safecom.sa.gov.au. Alternatively, you can visit their website here.

Storms and Floods

The Adelaide Plains region is prone to extremes: dry, fire danger days through one season, and fierce storms and flooding the next. For this reason residents are encouraged to remain prepared not only for bushfire, but also for severe storms and possible flooding.

Storms and flood damage in South Australia often has a higher average annual cost than bushfires, and you can be indirectly affected by storm damage if your usual access roads are cut, or you have no power or telephone.

The best advice for storm and flood preparation and response comes from the SES.

• Storms
• Floods
• Heatwaves

The State Government also has some great resources you can use in storm preparation:

• Learn how to develop an emergency plan for your household
• Learn what you can do now to produce an Emergency Kit
• Water connect SA has insurance information

Coastal hazard studies are available via Strategic Projects.

Animals in Emergencies

Flood / Storm

• Horses in Emergencies Fact Sheet

Looking after your pets - Pets are an important part of the family and they are equally, if not more, affected by storms in particular.

• During a storm they could be frightened by thunder, lightning or heavy rain
• If a flood occurs they might need to be evacuated from their usual space
• During a heatwave they will need easy access to shade and cool water
• Make sure you include your pets in your emergency plan, and ensure they have a collar, registration tag and microchip in case you are separated from them

ANIMALS - EXTREME HEAT

• Netball SA Extreme Weather Policy
• Athletics SA Extreme Weather Policy
• Cycling SA Extreme Weather Policy

Bushfire and Prevention

Bushfire prevention is a year-round responsibility and a necessity for property owners in the Adelaide Plains. Your responsibility extends further than just a weekend clean up to a range of actions that minimise the risk to you, your family and your property in the event of a bushfire.

Resources from the CFS provide advice to prepare your property and your family, help you plan for bushfire danger season and develop a Bushfire Survival Plan. Making an informed decision well in advance of a bushfire whether you should stay in your house or go is perhaps the most important decision you and your family can make to protect yourselves.

PLEASE NOTE: It is critical to plan ahead and leave whilst it is safe to do so. It is an extreme risk of driving or being caught out in a vehicle when a fire has taken hold.

• Click here to learn about preparing your Bushfire Survival Plan
• Click here to see a list of Safer Places in our district
• Click here to see a list of Last Resort Refuges in our district
• New rules are now in place to better manage native vegetation, seeking to reduce the impact of bushfire

The Department for Environment and Water (DEW) also conduct a schedule of 'prescribed burning' as part of the department's fire management program. Prescribed burning is the controlled use of fire to a particular area of landscape. The aim is to reduce fire fuel hazards, manage native vegetation and protected biodiversity in strategic areas of South Australia's parks and reserves.

• Click here to see a list of upcoming prescribed burns
• Click here to subscribe to DEW's updates

HUMAN DISEASE AND HEALTH

• SA Government and SA Health Emergency Management Overview

Coastal Hazard Community Emergency Management Plans (CEMP)

The predicted impacts of climate change, including sea level rise and an increase in the frequency and height of storm surge events present a potential risk to coastal settlements, communities, and to Council assets.

Following a recommendation from the Coastal Settlements Adaptation Study, Council is working collaboratively with local coastal communities, Emergency Services, the Coast Protection Branch and service and infrastructure providers to prepare for future flood events through preparing Community Emergency Management Plans (CEMP).

Using information provided in the CEMPs, landowners and residents are strongly encouraged to develop their own Household Emergency Management Plan (HEMP).  A HEMP template has been developed to assist landowners/residents with this task.