Innovatia

This was humbling. That was a profound shar- ing experience. JK : Yes, I take your point. It’s a reflection of hav- ing become more global and in a world which in many senses is becoming more integrated. I’d like to ask, based on some acquaintances of mine and a little research, about growth in the private sector side of Emergency manage- ment over the past 20 years or so. I am certain there has been a good deal of it but have found no figures. I am thinking about SMEs like Heli- mods which have grown enormously in recent years, and Aspen Medical, now a giant in its field, amongst a fair few other. BM : I’m afraid I do not have figures on this ei- ther. But the growth in the private sector side of our work has indisputably grown. And as said earlier we have many more active participants, and more diversely talented partners than in the past. And these would range from construction companies who have created rapid response building units, to supermarket chains who can assist in supply chain breakages, deliveries and transport. The logistics sector is of course skilled and vital to these missions. Following a disaster services like finance come into play. JK : I’ve read briefly about the National Co-or- dination Mechanism, can you elaborate, as I gather it is run by NEMA? BM : Yes, and this underlines the link we’ve been talking about with the Private Sector, and their co-ordination of it with local, state and fed- eral government and the various other sectors we’ve discussed. Pardon the name, I realize it sounds a little odd to those not familiar …….. we just call it the NCM, but that and another acronym, which I will give you in a moment , I think will be quite interesting for your readers—

in terms of what government does to organize in total a total response system for disasters. JK : It is basically a regular forum for discus- sion, right? BM : Yes. The NCM is a comprehensive national crisis coordination process. The NCM facilitates a sector based, integrated and coherent planning process. It defines problems, reveals escalation triggers, identifies and agrees courses of action and responsibilities. Importantly it establishes oversight and communication arrangements. JK : So it could be called a regular forum to look at and solve potential problems, look at scenarios, new circumstances which arise from a disaster? “ There is something remarkable about the Australian EM sector as to individual’s sense of mission, of devotion and attitude” BM : That’s a fair summary. It exists to antic- ipate problems, and the other key function, or capability, going back to a word we discussed in another context, its scalable, meaning that in the event of a disaster, it can intensify co-or- dinated collaboration, action and response. JK : You had another acronym for me? BM : Yes , and I think it’s useful for your audi- ence to know that such a program exists, being, sorry for another acronym here, but AGCMF -- Australian Government Crisis Management Framework, this is the overarching structure at the highest level, and not just theoretical , but a functioning system , and series of protocols, managed by the Office of Prime Minister and

Cabinet . In a major emergency the PM would become directly involved. JK : And this was created, I believe, in 2010? And I note that The National Emergency Stock- pile, which seems to not have an acronym (joint laughter) – though it is serious business – was established as recently as 2023, and is super- vised by NEMA? BM : Yes 2010, for AGCMF, but the main feature to underline, is, as we have used the word evolve frequently in this conversation, is that it is un- der continual review. The National Emergency Stockpile is a further case of active collaboration between government and the private sector. At various sites around the country there are provi- sions for an emergency, a major disaster ... JK : What sort of provisions? BM : Many things, and a growing list. Hi-tech rapidly deployable shelters, generators for power, food, and catering services for food de- signed for a catastrophic incident, rapid deliv- ery. Things also like sandbags and equipment for dealing with floods. JK : And Medicines, medical equipment? BM : That is handled by a close cousin organ- isation which has been around longer, since 2002 which is called the National Medical Stockpile, under the Department of Health, Disability, and Ageing. JK : I have to say Bendan you look remarkably calm, given what I now understand to be the thoughts and eventualities which ……. inform, … or drive ……. your work life. BM : I think all of us in our sector are preoccu- pied with the notion of what to do when events become bigger than we are ……….and that calm rationality and planning are the only antidotes. JK : Very quotable, “When events become

bigger than we are.” Let’s hope not. May I ask if you have any summary remarks here, as we are now in overtime and you have a busy day ahead …….. BM : We have been speaking about climate relat- ed weather events. But I think your audience ought to know that our work, our duty is to prepare for any kind of hazard, whether climate related, cy- ber -security, space weather, earthquakes, supply chain disruptions, geo-political situations. These events are becoming more complex, and they are likely to coalesce, so we know our capabilities will be stretched, that’s a given. And the only solution are the words we’ve used often here, evolve and increase resilience. JK : And continue to perfect co-ordination, which is now abundantly clearer to me in practice. BM : Yes, Co-ordination, perhaps a bland word but full of meaning and practicality here. JK : This has been actually revelatory Brendan, thank you. I am realizing in full –and I expected some growth and expansion over 20 years, but not to this degree – the extent of evolution in the Emergency and Disaster sector, in Govern- ment planning. It’s a massive and significantly under told story, in my opinion as an Editor.

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