What is 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 emergency management at the Local level.
Local Governments develop, maintain, and test these arrangements to enhance community resilience across all phases of emergency management:
- Prevention/Mitigation
- Preparedness
- Response
- Recovery
Further information on Local Government responsibilities in emergency management is available on the Local Government Emergency Management Knowledge Hub, which provides a central online access point for digital resource designed to support Local Governments in developing and maintaining their Local Emergency Management Arrangements (LEMA).
Support for improved LEMA
Following completion of the LEMA Improvement Program in April 2026, WALGA is supporting Local Governments to implement the updated LEMA resources.
The State Government is expected to release updated LEMA templates, guidance and a statement of minimum requirements in mid-2026.
This work is funded by the State Emergency Management Committee (SEMC) through the National Disaster Risk Reduction (NDRR) State Level Project Fund and includes a dedicated Project Officer through to September 2027.
WALGA’s work to support improved LEMA will include:
- delivery of webinars to support understanding and application of updated LEMA resources
- delivery of masterclasses focused on practical LEMA development and implementation
- updating and aligning WALGA Local Government emergency management training materials
- working with Hazard Management Agencies and support organisations to prioritise and coordinate Local Government support needs.
DFES is also undertaking further work to implement improved LEMA. Further information is available here.
WALGA acknowledges the funding contribution of the Commonwealth Government and support from the WA State Emergency Management Committee. This funding supports the delivery of the LEMA Implementation Project and including a dedicated Project Officer through to September 2027.
LEMA Improvement Program Overview
The LEMA Improvement Program was established by the State Emergency Management Committee (SEMC) to address longstanding challenges identified by Local Governments in developing, maintaining and reviewing their Local Emergency Management Arrangements.
SEMC initiated a sector-led review of LEMA in 2019, with WALGA leading Local Government engagement.
The LEMA review identified key challenges for Local Governments, including:
- unclear roles and responsibilities
- limited resources
- poor alignment between emergency management and core business functions.
In response, SEMC initiated the LEMA Improvement Program, delivered in partnership between WALGA and the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) on behalf of SEMC. This Program implemented key activities outlined in the WALGA LEMA Review Project Summary based on extensive consultations with Local Governments.
The Program has now concluded, with WALGA delivering updated LEMA resources informed by extensive Local Government consultation and tested through a Local Government pilot. These resources have been provided to SEMC and informed the development of updated LEMA templates and guidance.
LEMA Improvement Program Highlights
The LEMA Improvement Program was co-designed with Local Governments through a dedicated LEMA Working Group established in mid-2024. Representatives from 10 diverse Local Governments collaborated to develop and inform updated resources, tools and guidance.
Key outputs included:
- Local Government Incident Support Handbook
- Local Government Emergency Management Plan Template
- Local Government Emergency Management Work Plan
- LEMA Improvement Recommendations Report (February 2025)
In 2025/2026 WALGA delivered the LEMA Pilot Program to test and refine proposed new templates and resources. The pilot was a key part of the sector-led insights, aiming to ensure any proposed new LEMA model is practical, scalable, and fit for purpose.
The Five Pilot Local Governments were:
- City of Kwinana, Shire of Manjimup, Shire of Gingin, Shire of Chittering, and Shire of Shark Bay.
The pilot confirmed the need for LEMA templates and guidance that:
- set out clear roles and responsibilities
- provide a structured and consistent approach to LEMA development
- align emergency management with core Local Government business
- can be adapted across diverse Local Government contexts
The pilot also identified practical considerations for implementation, including resourcing, internal coordination and the importance of executive and elected member engagement.
A Pilot Outcomes Report, including lessons learned and recommendations for sector-wide application, is available here.
Important Notice
Until LEMA updates are released, 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.
LEMA Implementation Masterclass
This practical two-day working session supports Local Governments to implement updated Local Emergency Management Arrangements (LEMA).
Participants will work directly with the updated templates and guidance to review and develop their Local Emergency Management Plan (LEMP), Incident Support Handbook and Emergency Management Work Plan, while progressing implementation within their organisation.
The masterclass is supported by three monthly online forums to share learnings, discuss challenges and maintain momentum.
Who should attend?
Local Government Officers responsible for developing, reviewing, maintaining or coordinating LEMA, including:
This is a working session, not introductory training. Participants should come prepared to actively work on their own documents.
What participants will gain
By the end of the masterclass, participants should have:
- A clear understanding of how the LEMA document set works together.
- Made practical progress on their own LEMA using the updated templates and guidance.
- Developed an implementation plan for the next three to six months.
LEMA Implementation Webinar Series
WALGA's LEMA Implementation Webinar Series supports Local Governments to understand and implement updated Local Emergency Management Arrangements (LEMA).
Who should attend?
The webinars are suitable anyone in Local Government that is involved or interested in emergency management.
Webinar Program and Recordings
The webinar schedule will be progressively released and updated as topics, presenters and delivery dates are confirmed.
Where possible, webinars will be recorded and made available on the WALGA website, together with any supporting resources and presentation materials.
