Local government from South West received an allocated emergency officer to assist during emergency situations

The Shire of Dardanup is getting a new community emergency services manager to help protect communities before, during and after emergency incidents. The State Government program has been in place since 2003, with the managers helping mitigate risks to the community and supporting local governments with compliance, emergency management requirements, as well as developing volunteer bushfire brigade capability and capacity. There are currently 35 CESMs assisting 57 local governments across the State, with Dardanup, and Northampton and Chapman Valley, now allocated a manager. Collie-Preston MLC Jodie Hanns was thankful for the new instalment in Dardanup. “I’m proud to be part of a government that is bolstering support in our regions as the bushfire season approaches - support I have consistently fought for on behalf of our community,” she said. “I want to thank the local volunteer and career firefighters who work hard to protect us day in day out.” Emergency Services Minister Paul Papalia said the expansion meant local governments and their communities were better supported across the prevention, preparedness, response and recovery phases of emergency management. “It was important the State Government continued its support for a program that has achieved outstanding results in emergency management across three decades,” he said. “The CESM Program helps to enhance a co-ordinated and collaborative approach to emergency services between State, local government, bushfire brigades and the community. “Bushfire brigades in the three shires will have greater access to training and administrative support and the new CESMs will also boost the emergency management capacity, skills and knowledge within the local government areas.”