Local Government Emergency Management Forum 2026

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Local Government Emergency Management Forum 2026

Elected members, CEO, Officer

Tuesday, 26 May 2026

8:30AM - 3:30PM

Rosemary van den Berg Room, Murdoch University
90 South Street, Perth WA 6150

The venue is wheelchair accessible and equipped with lifts.
Accessible mobility parking bays are available close to the venue.

What to expect

This year's Emergency Management Forum will bring together industry experts, sector leaders, change makers and emergency management practitioners to share insights, learnings, and visionary thinking across all facets of emergency management.

Secure your spot now

One State, Many Realities

This year’s theme 'One State, Many Realities' acknowledges that from bushfires and floods to heatwaves and cyclones, Western Australia’s hazard landscape is diverse and no two emergencies or recoveries are the same.

WALGA's 2026 Local Government Emergency Management Forum will explore WA’s evolving emergency management landscape, highlighting the critical role of Local Government, how diverse local contexts shape emergency management outcomes, and how community connection, engagement and volunteering can build stronger, more resilient places.

Your event at a glance

The Forum will include a full day of practical learning, panel discussions, case studies and sector collaboration, with opportunities to strengthen networks and exchange knowledge.

KEYNOTE

Resilient Ready with Renae Hanvin

A practical, thought‑provoking keynote exploring how relationships shape resilience across WA. Moving beyond plans and systems, this session highlights the power of trust, local connections and social capital with Local Government as a connector at the heart of community strength.

IN CONVERSATION

What California’s megafires mean for WA

Drawing on insights from California’s extreme megafires, Deputy Commissioner Melissa Pexton explores rapid escalation, unprecedented fire behaviour and community disruption, helping Local Governments understand the potential impacts and recovery challenges of an urban scale conflagration in WA.

IN CONVERSATION

Emergency Management over the next decade with industry leaders

Industry leaders examine the forces shaping WA’s emergency management system to 2036, including cascading hazards and overlapping events. With a Q&A, this session considers how climate, processes and strategy will redefine risk, preparedness and future leadership models.

View full program

Renae Hanvin

CEO & Founder, Resilient Ready

Renae is an award-winning disaster resilience expert and CEO & Founder of Resilience Ready, a social enterprise dedicated to helping communities and businesses prepare and recover from disasters. Renae is an Adjunct Fellow at Flinders University and host of the 'Doing Disaster Differently' podcast.

Hon Paul Papalia CSC MLA

Minister for Emergency Services; Corrective Services; Defence Industries; Veterans; Racing and Gaming, WA Government

Minister Papalia was appointed Minister for Emergency Services in March 2025, having previously held Police and Corrective Services portfolios. The Minister entered the Royal Australian Navy in 1978 and served 26 years in the military before being elected to the seat of Peel in February 2007.

Melissa Pexton

Deputy Commissioner Strategy and Emergency Management, Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES)

Melissa Pexton is an exceptional leader in recovery and emergency management, with 20+ years' experience across national, state and local levels. DC Pexton represents DFES and the State on national committees and led the State’s recovery response following Severe Tropical Cyclone Seroja.

Major General Jake Ellwood (Retd)

CEO, Queensland Reconstruction Authority

Since March 2023, Major General Jake Ellwood (Retd) has led the Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA), ensuring it delivers as the lead state agency for disaster recovery and resilience. QRA has helped impacted communities recover from more than 140 disaster events since 2011.

Mr Murray Carter

Executive Director Rural Fire Division, Department of Fire & Emergency Services (DFES)

Murray Carter has 35+ years’ experience in bushfire and emergency management. Over the last seven years, Mr Carter has led rural fire reforms and oversaw the creation of the WA Bushfire Centre of Excellence, He also chairs national and WA bushfire advisory bodies.

Dan Sanderson

President, Bushfire Volunteers Association

Dan is the President of Bushfire Volunteers WA and a respected bushfire volunteer and Fire Control Officer. Dan represents the Great Southern and Upper Great Southern on the State Emergency Management Committee, and brings a strong commitment to community led emergency management.

Rachel Siewert

Deputy CEO, WA Council of Social Service (WACOSS)

Rachel began her career at the Department of Agriculture, working on landcare and salinity after completing a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture. Rachel spent 16 years at the Conservation Council of WA before being elected to the Senate in 2004. After her term ended in 2021, Rachel joined WACOSS.

James Sheridan

CEO, LGIS

James leads LGIS, the mutual indemnity scheme for WA Local Governments. With more than 16 years in public sector risk and insurance, James brings practical expertise in governance, risk solutions and critical incident response tailored to Councils across WA.

Brett Chaloner

Chair, State Emergency Management Committee (SEMC)

Following a 30-year military career, Brett is focused on cultivating strategic partnerships, cross-sector engagement, and evolving systems to address emerging and unprecedented threats in a more holistic manner. Brett serves as an Advisor to UWA’s Defence and Security Institute.

Jai Thomas

Deputy Director General – Coordinator of Energy, Department of Energy and Economic Diversification

Jai leads Energy Policy WA and is responsible for energy policy and regulatory arrangements. Jai advises the Minister for Energy on policy and transition and, as Coordinator of Energy, is the designated Hazard Management Agency for disruptions to electricity, natural gas or liquid fuel supplies.

Gail Ipsen Cutts

Director Community Services, Shire of Manjimup

Gail is the Director of Community Services at the Shire of Manjimup, with more than 30 years in community development. A WALGA Distinguished Officer Award recipient, Gail leads community resilience, recovery and regional development initiatives across WA’s Southern Forests region.

Peter Henry

Alliance Manager, Community Safety & Amenity, City of Perth

Peter leads community health, surveillance, security and emergency management for the City of Perth. Peter served as the City’s Local Recovery Advisor following the Australia Day incident. He is also a Fortem Australia Ambassador and recipient of the WA Police Commissioner’s Cross for Bravery.

Program

8.00am	Registration opens
8.30am	Welcome and housekeeping from MC
8.40am	Welcome to Country: Cr Barry Winmar, WALGA State Councillor, Deputy Mayor, City of Kwinana
8.55am	Minister's Address: Hon Paul Papalia MLA, Minister for Emergency Services; Corrective Services; Defence Industries; Veterans; Racing and Gaming, WA Government
9.05am	WALGA President's Address: Mark Irwin
9.15am	An Interstate Perspective with the Queensland Reconstruction Authority; CEO, Major General Jake Ellwood (Retd)
9.40am	In Conversation: Emergency Management Over the Next Decade with Industry Leaders
10.30am	Morning tea
11.00am	Through the Local Government Lense: WALGA EM Survey 2025 Results
11.15am	What California’s Megafires Mean for WA with Deputy Commissioner Melissa Pexton, Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES)
12.00pm	Keynote: Resilient Ready with Renae Hanvin
1.00pm	Lunch
2.00pm	Connected Communities: Local Government Experiences in Resilience
2.30pm	In Conversation: One State, Many Realities: Charting the Path to 2036
3.30pm	Event closing

*Program subject to change

Three reasons not to miss this year’s Forum

Learn how community connection drives resilience
Discover how local knowledge, engagement and volunteering can positively influence emergency management outcomes and help build safer, stronger communities.
Stay ahead of emerging trends and challenges
Learn about the latest changes in WA’s emergency management landscape, and how Local Governments can prepare for evolving risks, new responsibilities, and community expectations.
Contribute your voice to a statewide conversation
This forum provides a collaborative space for shared learning, peer exchange, and robust sector discussions. Your experience and input help enrich collective understanding.