EMV will work with responder agencies to ensure that the assets, tools and equipment required to effectively and safely respond to bushfire emergencies in a changing climate and physical environment are identified and incorporated in future business cases.

As part of the development of a contemporary emergency management operating model identified in the response to the Review, EMV will work with the sector to review workforce needs, to inform the design of a capability model that incorporates strategic recruitment, accreditation and retention, in paid and volunteer workforces. This model will focus on new opportunities to educate the sector, providing leadership development pathways for all personnel. This review will also identify investment required in infrastructure, systems, governance and processes.

The sector, supported by EMV’s leadership, commits to:

• Working with agencies to develop and document the services and supports they bring to the management of emergencies. This will provide clarity in respect to community expectations and responsibilities.

The sector, supported by EMV’s leadership, commits to:

• Recruiting the necessary resources to manage seasonal risks in the lead-up to the 2020–21 season and including this within the EMC’s annual attestation

The sector, supported by EMV’s leadership, commits to:

• Commencing a review of the current training and accreditation program for incident management personnel and critical emergency management roles, that informs an action plan supporting the building and sustainment of the sector’s capability requirements into the future.

The sector, supported by EMV’s leadership, commits to:

• Adapting emergency management training and accreditation programs in the lead-up to the 2020–21 fire season to maintain delivery during COVID-19 response restrictions, including eLearning and eBriefing processes. This approach will be reviewed with a view to informing the longer-term approach detailed below.

Local Government Victoria will continue its work with local government authorities to implement its Councils and Emergencies Project. This multi-year project utilises the Victorian Preparedness Framework to model capability and capacity of local government in emergency management.

EMV and sector partners have been and will continue to utilise the Victorian Preparedness Framework to assess the capability and inform capacity requirements required to plan for, withstand and recover from emergencies.

EMV has appointed critical roles following the response to the 2019-20 fire season. The creation of the Cross-Border and Preparedness Operations Manager and a Strategic Communications Manager are part of the first steps in addressing gaps identified.

EMV will, in consultation with all agencies, develop consolidated fatigue management guidance to inform multi-agency incident operations.