THE HON MARK DREYFUS QC MP
Attorney-General
Minister for Emergency Management
Special Minister of State
Minister for the Public Service and Integrity
THE HON ROB MITCHELL MP
Federal Member for McEwen
MEDIA RELEASE
MINISTER RECOGNISES EMERGENCY SERVICE VOLUNTEERS
Attorney-General and Minister for Emergency Management Mark Dreyfus QC and Federal Member for McEwen Rob Mitchell today launched two important contributions the Australian Emergency Management Institute (AEMI) has made to improving Australia's disaster resilience at the opening of AEMI Gardens in Mount Macedon as part of the Open Garden Australia Scheme.
I am pleased to launch the updated Evacuation Planning Handbook, which is the latest in the Australian Emergency Management Handbooks series, Mr Dreyfus said.
Experts from across Australia worked with the Australian Emergency Management Institute to produce this handbook, which provides valuable information to help emergency managers across Australia plan and prepare for evacuation planning.
Today I am also launching Phase Three of the Australian Emergency Management Knowledge Hub.
The Knowledge Hub was launched in 2012 and is an innovative new online resource that provides the emergency management sector and the general public with access to information and resources.
Phase Three of the Knowledge Hub provides new features including a case study library, an emergency management people network, live conferencing and increased social media interaction through wikis and blogs.
Mr Dreyfus and Mr Mitchell joined emergency service volunteers and paid tribute to their service to the community in often dangerous situations.
Emergency service personnel protect our communities during disasters like bushfires fires, flooding and cyclones. They volunteer their time and are the frontline in natural disasters, working to defend our homes and businesses," Mr Mitchell said.
"I commend the emergency service volunteers here and across Australia for their tireless efforts," Mr Mitchell said.
In 1983 the AEMI and the surrounding Macedon township was impacted by the Ash Wednesday bushfire. Much of the original garden was destroyed and has since been re-established using both native and introduced species.
The Evacuation Planning Handbook is available at: www.em.gov.au/publications. The Australian Emergency Management Knowledge Hub can be accessed at: www.emknowledge.gov.au
SATURDAY, 22 JUNE 2013
