Established on 1 July 2014 by the Emergency Management Act 2013, the IGEM works with emergency management partners and the community to strengthen emergency management arrangements and community safety in Victoria.

IGEM’s primary role is providing assurance to government and the community regarding the emergency management arrangements in Victoria and fostering their continuous improvement.

IGEM undertakes objective reviews, evaluations and assessments of Victoria’s emergency management arrangements and the sector’s performance, capacity and capability.

Through reliable, evidence-based information, IGEM identifies what is working well and where improvements can be made in the state’s emergency management arrangements.  This includes monitoring the implementation of recommendations and actions identified through reviews to ensure they are effective and sustainable in the long-term.

IGEM strives to give Victorians confidence that the emergency management arrangements are effective and are actively helping to keep communities safe.

Watch Inspector-General Tony Pearce share a short history on IGEM and highlights of activities since 2014.

 

 

Strategic objectives

Our focus areas for 2020-24 are:

We strive to give Victorians confidence that the state’s emergency management arrangements are effective.

 

Read IGEM's Strategic Plan 2020-24

 

Legislation

The commencement of the Emergency Management Act 2013 in July 2014 implemented many government reforms to emergency management arrangements - including the establishment of the IGEM to provide assurance to the government and the community regarding Victoria’s emergency management arrangements.

The 2013 Act defines key elements of Victoria’s emergency management structure, assigns significant roles and responsibilities, and provides clear accountability regarding the management of major emergencies. The operational roles of most of the organisations that participate in emergency management are detailed in specific legislation and plans.

On 17 October 2018 the Inspector-General became a Governor in Council appointment.

The Inspector-General reports to the Minister for Emergency Services (the minister), and office provided by the Department of Justice and Community Safety assists the Inspector-General in the performance of his functions and exercise of his powers.

Under the 2013 Act, IGEM’s key functions include:

  • developing and maintaining an assurance framework for emergency management, including measures for assessing the capacity, capability and performance of the emergency management sector
  • undertaking system-wide reviews, including reviewing the emergency management functions of responder agencies and departments in relation to the assurance framework
  • at the request of the minister, providing advice to, or preparing a report for, the minister on any matter relating to the IGEM’s functions
  • evaluating statewide training and exercising arrangements to maintain and strengthen emergency management capability
  • monitoring and reporting to the minister on the implementation progress of recommendations in relation to the emergency management sector in whole or in part
  • monitoring and reporting to the minister on the implementation progress of recommendations from system-wide reviews delivered under IGEM’s Annual Forward Plan of Reviews
  • monitoring and reporting to the minister on the implementation of the Victorian Emergency Management Strategic Action Plan (External link) by:
    • responder agencies
    • departments
    • the Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority (ESTA)
    • Emergency Management Victoria
  • monitoring, reviewing and assessing critical infrastructure resilience at a system level
  • monitoring and investigating the performance (in non-financial matters) of ESTA regarding the provision of services to emergency services and related organisations
  • making recommendations to the minister regarding matters arising from monitoring and investigating ESTA
  • monitoring, reviewing and assessing emergency management planning at a system-level undertaken in accordance with Part 6A of the Act.

In performing his legislated functions and making recommendations, IGEM must have regard to the resources that agencies have to implement such recommendations.

It is proposed that the 1986 Act will be repealed pending future amendments to the 2013 Act. Currently, the 1986 Act and 2013 Act are to be read and construed as one Act.

You can read all Victorian Acts and Bills online legislation.vic.gov.au (External link)

 

Legislative reform

The Emergency Management Legislation Amendment Act 

The Emergency Management Legislation Amendment Act 2018 amends the Emergency Management Act 2013 to establish new integrated, coordinated and comprehensive arrangements for emergency management planning in Victoria. 

The Emergency Management Legislation Amendment Act also addresses a number of other operational issues that have been identified in relation to Victoria's emergency management arrangements. 

Included in the reforms is provision for the appointment of the Inspector-General for Emergency Management (IGEM) by the Governor in Council, in addition to other minor amendments relating to the functions of IGEM. 

On 17 October 2018 the Inspector-General became a Governor in Council appointment, reporting to the minister. This legislative change gives greater independence to the crucial assurance position.

An office provided by the Department of Justice and Community Safety assists the Inspector-General in the performance of his functions and exercise of his powers.

These Acts, the Emergency Management Legislation Amendment Act Bill - explanatory memorandum and second reading speech - are available on the Parliamentary documents section of legislation.vic.gov.au (External link)

 

Victoria's emergency management arrangements

In addition to the Emergency Management Act, details about the functions and responsibilities different organisations play in Victoria’s emergency management arrangements are described in:

State Emergency Management Plan

The Victorian State Emergency Management Plan (SEMP) (External link) outlines the emergency management arrangements for Victoria to inform all levels of planning – state, regional and municipal.  

Victorian Emergency Operations Handbook

The Victorian Emergency Operations Handbook (External link) summarises the operational management structures and systems used by agencies and government departments in preparing for and responding to major emergencies in Victoria.

 

Working with IGEM

Made up of people passionate about building safer and more resilient communities, IGEM is a small organisation that makes a big difference.

We are a specialist assurance entity within the Department of Justice and Community Safety. Our employees are key to our success and bring new and creative responses to issues and challenges we face in our work and the delivery of quality services to the Victorian community.

We provide assurance that emergency management arrangements are in place and effective, and foster the continuous improvement of emergency management in Victoria. We do this by monitoring the capacity, capability and performance of the emergency management sector and undertaking system-wide reviews. We engage with emergency management partners and the community to offer assurance to government and the community that lessons from emergencies will be turned into sustainable improvements that make a lasting difference.

IGEM is a child safe employer and is committed to ensuring that policies, practices and assurance activities reflect and consider the protection, wellbeing and empowerment of children and young people.

IGEM offers our people the advantages of a small, supportive and collaborative workplace alongside the resources, systems and development opportunities that come with being part of the department.

We embrace diversity and strive to have a workforce that reflects the community we serve.

We're all about recruiting the best people, regardless of gender, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation or cultural background. 

If you are interested in working with IGEM or in the broader emergency management sector, search for job vacancies on careers.vic.gov.au (External link) and seek.com.au (External link). You can also follow us on Twitter @IGEM_Vic (External link) and Facebook @IGEMVictoria (External link) to find out about our assurance activities and job opportunities.

Current opportunities (2)

Assurance Analyst (VPS4 | Full time | 3 year fixed term) 

Reporting to the Manager Assurance Frameworks, the Assurance Analyst applies expertise and knowledge of the emergency management sector by contributing to the development and implementation of monitoring and assurance processes to support continuous, effective and sustainable improvement in Victoria’s emergency management sector. 

The Assurance Analyst undertakes complex quantitative and qualitative data extraction, collation and analysis to support monitoring, reviewing and assessment of critical infrastructure resilience and emergency management planning arrangements at a system level. As Assurance Analyst you will contribute to all our assurance activities, with a particular focus on:

  • contributing to the maintenance and application of the Assurance Framework for Emergency Management including supporting plans, approaches and resources
  • developing and providing expert strategic advice on assurance approaches and methodologies for selected areas or components of the emergency management system
  • contributing to IGEM’s legislated critical infrastructure resilience and emergency management planning system level assurance functions.

Applying for this role

The full position description and how to apply are available on careers.vic (External link).

For further information contact Chaoms Xu, Manager Assurance Frameworks on 0403 960 148 or email chaoms.xu@igem.vic.gov.au

Applications close 25 June 2023.

Evaluation & Review Project Officer (VPS4 | Full time | 3 year fixed term) 

Reporting to the Manager Evaluation and Review, the Evaluation and Review Project Officer supports the coordination, collection, collation and analysis of data as part of the evaluation and review program and contributes to the planning and conduct of system wide evaluations and reviews of the emergency management sector. The Evaluation and Review Project Officer: 

  • supports the coordination, collection, collation and analysis of data as part of the evaluation and review program through a range of methodologies including written evidence, surveys, meetings and interviews
  • supports the promotion of a learning environment and sharing of lessons, knowledge and experience
  • supports the development, implementation and maintenance of leading methodologies for assuring the emergency management sector, including IGEM policies, processes and activities
  • represents IGEM at stakeholder meetings and forums
  • produces a range of reports on relevant issues which provide a sound basis for decision making
  • understands and applies advanced computer skills to complex word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, or database functions.

Applying for this role

The full position description and how to apply are available on careers.vic (External link)

For further information contact Anne-Louise Lindner, Manager Evaluation & Review on 0409 249 054 or email anne-louise.lindner@igem.vic.gov.au

Applications close 6 June 2023.