Glossary

The executive command to mount an operation whereby all required personnel are called to their posts.

A geographic area affected by an emergency for the purpose of response and recovery arrangements.

A government agency or non-government agency.

The period when the Regional or Municipal Emergency Response Coordinator believes an emergency may occur and requires all, or designated functional services to increase their level of preparedness to cope.

A designated location used for the assembly of emergency affected persons. The area may also incorporate an Emergency Relief Centre.

The organisational hierarchy of an agency. It is the identifiable line up and down the hierarchy from any individual to and from their supervisor and subordinates. The chain of command identifies people or positions with accountability.

The direction of human and material resources of an agency in the performance of an agency's roles and responsibilities.

The direction of human and material resources of an agency in the performance of that agency's roles and tasks.

An agency nominated to control the response activities to a specific type of emergency.

The bringing together of agencies and resources to ensure effective response to and recovery from emergencies, primarily concerned with the systematic acquisition and application of required resources.

An emergency due to the actual or imminent occurrence of an event which in any way endangers or threatens to endanger the safety or health of any person in Victoria or which destroys or damages, or threatens to destroy or damage, any property in Victoria, or endangers or threatens to endanger the environment or an element of the environment in Victoria including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing: a. an earthquake, flood, wind-storm or other natural event; and b. a fire; and c. an explosion; and d. a road accident or any other accident; and e. a plague or epidemic; and f. a warlike act, whether directed at Victoria or part of Victoria or at any other State or Territory of the Commonwealth; and g. a hi-jack, siege or riot.

People, other than emergency management personnel, who experience losses or injury or are affected by an emergency. Usually understood to exclude the deceased.

The organisation and management of resources for dealing with all aspects of emergencies. Emergency management involves the plans, structures and arrangements which are established to bring together the normal endeavours of government, voluntary and private agencies in a comprehensive and coordinated way to deal with the whole spectrum of emergency needs including prevention, response and recovery.

The provision of immediate shelter, life support and human needs of persons affected by, or responding to, an emergency. It includes the establishment, management and provision of services to Emergency Relief Centres.

A building or place established to provide life support and essential needs to persons affected by or involved in the management of an emergency.

See Emergency Grant.

Any unplanned event requiring emergency intervention.

The Officer with overall responsibility for emergency response operations. A controller is a member of the control agency appointed to have overall responsibility for emergency response operations.

The Agency designated to coordinate the provision of a functional area of emergency relief and supplementary supply.

A Municipal appointee responsible to the Municipal Council for ensuring the coordination of Municipal resources to be used in emergency recovery.

The area within the defined boundaries for Local Government responsibility of a Council, Shire, Borough, Town or City.

A place of last resort for people in bushfire prone areas to go to in the event of a bushfire.

The elimination or reduction of the incidence or severity of emergencies and the mitigation of their effects.

The Agency to be first considered by a Municipal Emergency Response Coordinator for support in an emergency role.

The assisting of persons and communities affected by emergencies to achieve a proper and effective level of functioning.

A building in which a coordinated process of support to affected communities in the restoration of their emotional, social, economic and physical well being is provided.

A geographic area comprising a number of Municipal districts and specific Victorian waters.

The planned relocation of persons from dangerous or potentially dangerous areas to safer areas and eventual return.

The combating of emergency and the provision of rescue and immediate relief services.

A concept that relates to the number of groups or individuals that can be supervised by one person.

The order given by the Regional or Municipal Emergency Response Coordinator that allows personnel to cease operations reflecting the termination of the emergency.

That period normally following alert, when the RERC or MERC, or the Chief Officer of a control agency, believes that the occurrence or the affects of the emergency, are imminent. Members of the relevant agencies are placed "on standby", thus being ready to respond immediately.

Those resources requested under emergency supply unable to be obtained by Emergency Response Support Agencies.

An agency which provides services, personnel, or material to support or assist a control agency of affected persons.

A volunteer worker who engages in emergency activity at the request (whether directly or indirectly) or with the express or implied consent of the chief executive (however designated), or of a person acting with the authority of the chief executive, of an agency to which either the state emergency response or recovery plan applies.