1. “Creating communication pathways to help incorporate local knowledge into emergency management and decision making” Andy Sheehan Victorian Flood Forum Mildura October 2014

2. Challenges Science & local knowledge balance Transient populations & demographics Incentives Long periods between emergencies SES unit presence System and structural issues Why is incorporating local knowledge a challenge in our work?

3. Flood / Drought Cycle Response Recovery Planning Mitigation No ongoing investment Knowledge loss Planning controls lapse Less resilient communities

4. Questions for the audience…  Who uses local knowledge in the work they do?  Is incorporating local knowledge in flood initiatives important?  What are some typical existing networks that can provide valuable local information?  Are the local knowledge networks you would engage with the same in planning and response?  How do you identify people within communities who may be key sources of local knowledge?  Who is aware of the SES Local Knowledge Policy?  In your organisation do you have arrangements to capture and incorporate local knowledge?

5. Reviews, Inquiries, Commissions, Strategies, Policies Key findings or outcomes Provided a policy platform for VICSES to implement local knowledge initiatives Bushfire Royal Commission 2009 Victorian Floods Review 2011 ENRC Inquiry into Flood Mitigation 2012 North East & Gippsland Flood Reviews 2012 Local Knowledge Policy 2013 Identified shortfalls in AIIMS doctrine National Strategy for Disaster Resilience 2011 Victorian Emergency Management Reform White Paper 2012 Strategy defined what a disaster resilient community looks like Review identified positives and shortfalls for consideration of local knowledge White Paper identified importance of volunteers Inquiry identified issues for incorporation of local knowledge and advocated for accreditation & training NE Region Review identified community didn’t know where to go to for reliable info and misinformation issues Gippsland Review identified shortfalls in plans and warnings that didn’t account consider local knowledge 2009 2011 2012 2013

6. What are we doing? And what can we do? What are we doing?  Provided a policy platform  Pre-identifying ‘trusted sources’ in emergency plans  Local input to flood studies (increased significantly)  Local input to flood mapping (increased significantly)  Facilitating new roles (Community Observers and Local Information Officers)  Incident management structure changes What else is happening in this space? What else can we do?

7. Sector Command Point (SCP) Division Command Point (DCP) Intelligence Unit at Incident Control Centre (ICC) Bureau of Meteorology Intelligence Officer(s) Mapping Staging Area Manager Radio Operations Division Support Division Commander Local Information Officer Community Observer Sector SupportSector CommanderLocal Information Officer OIMS Operations Fire Commander Catchment Management Authority Technical Specialist Community Observer Radio Operations Local Information Officers may be incorporated into sector or division command locations. In some incidents Local Information Officers may be located in Intelligence units at Incident Control Centres. Proposed Incident Management Structure

8. Examples of tools and processes RatingDescription 1 Confirmed by other sources 2 Probably true 3 Possibly true 4 Doubtful 5 Improbable 6 Truth cannot be judged  Validation process (including local knowledge sources)  Community reps on flood study committees  Other examples?

9. Risks and Limitations Safety of people Operational activity Willingness of community Heavy reliance on history Risks Accreditation Training System constraints Limitations

10. Potential benefits and opportunities Potential benefitsOpportunities Emerging trends and technologies Best practice from other sectors and hazards Better understanding of community vulnerabilities Providing forums for recognised community leaders Reduced likelihood of avoidable impacts Build higher confidence in predictions Fill gaps in understanding and knowledge Research – what does it tell us?

11. Questions ses.vic.gov.au  For more information speak to your regional / local contacts of go to:  http://www.ses.vic.gov.au/prepare/em-planning/local- knowledge http://www.ses.vic.gov.au/prepare/em-planning/local- knowledge