What are LEMA?
Under the Emergency Management Act 2005, Local Governments must have Local Emergency Management Arrangements (LEMA) in place. These include all emergency management plans, agreements, and documents, supporting coordinated responses during emergencies.
Local Governments develop, maintain, and test these arrangements to enhance community resilience across all phases of emergency management:
- Prevention/Mitigation
- Preparedness
- Response
- Recovery
The LEMA Improvement Program
The State Emergency Management Committee (SEMC) initiated the LEMA Improvement Program to enhance the capability and resilience of communities in Western Australia. This Program implements key activities outlined in the WALGA LEMA Review Project Summary, which is founded on extensive consultations with Local Governments.
The LEMA Improvement Program represents a collaborative partnership between WALGA and the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES), acting on behalf of the SEMC.
LEMA Improvement Program Highlights
Importance of Local Government Involvement
Mid 2024 WALGA established a Local Government LEMA Working Group with representatives from 10 diverse Local Governments. This group collaborates monthly to develop and inform new local emergency management resources, tools, and guidance material, including:
- Local Government Incident Support Handbook
- Local Government Emergency Management Policy Template
- Local Government Emergency Management Action Plan
Recommendations Report
In late 2024, WALGA submitted a detailed LEMA Recommendations Report to the LEMA Improvement Board, incorporating feedback from WA Local Governments. Key recommendations include:
- Improving Local Emergency Management guidelines
- Defining roles and responsibilities more clearly
- Adjusting local emergency processes, guidelines, and templates
- Creating an online knowledge hub for statewide emergency management practices
Important Notice
Until LEMA reforms are fully implemented, continue with your scheduled LEMA reviews to comply with the Emergency Management Act 2005. If your LEMA is due or overdue for review, proceed to fulfil your obligations under the Act. For assistance, consult your local District Emergency Management Advisor.
