Emergency Management Act 2013

The functions of the Emergency Management Commissioner are to—

be responsible for the coordination of the activities of agencies having roles or responsibilities in relation to the response to Class 1 emergencies or Class 2 emergencies; and

ensure that control arrangements are in place during a Class 1 emergency or a Class 2 emergency and that the relevant agencies act in accordance with the state emergency management plan and any directions made under section 60AL; and

appoint a State Response Controller in relation to a Class 1 emergency; and

manage the State's primary control centre on behalf of, and in collaboration with, all agencies that may use the primary control centre for emergencies; and

ensure that the Minister is provided with timely and up to date information in relation to—

the actual or imminent occurrence of events which may lead to major emergencies; and

the response to major emergencies; and

be responsible for consequence management for a major emergency in accordance with section 45; and

be responsible for coordinating recovery under Division 5; and

lead and promote the implementation of the Strategic Action Plan to the extent that it relates to the improvement of the operational capability of responder agencies; and

where relevant, oversee the continuation of the operational reforms provided for in the fire services reform action plan; and

develop and maintain operational standards for the performance of emergency management functions by responder agencies; and

develop and maintain incident management operating procedures for responder agencies; and

coordinate data collection and impact assessment processes; and

provide advice to the Minister on any matter relating to the functions of the Emergency Management Commissioner; and

issue guidelines in relation to community emergency management planning; and

be responsible for the preparation and review of the state emergency management plan; and

consider any regional emergency management plan submitted by a Regional Emergency Management Planning Committee for approval; and

provide guidance to Regional Emergency Management Planning Committees in relation to compliance with the requirements of Parts 5 and 6A; and

share information with Regional Emergency Management Planning Committees to assist effective emergency management planning in accordance with Part 6A; and

perform any other function conferred on the Emergency Management Commissioner by or under this or any other Act.

In performing the functions specified in this section, the Emergency Management Commissioner must have regard to the fundamental importance of the role that volunteers play in the performance of emergency management functions in Victoria.