Partnering agreement : the provision of mutual aid for recovery during emergencies / Metropolitan North & East Recovery Group.

Entrant: Post-disaster Category, Combination Stream, Safer Communities Awards 2005.

On October 5, 2004, the Mayors or appropriate dignitaries of seven local government authorities, signed a Partnering Agreement in relation to the provision of mutual aid for recovery during emergencies. The Partnering Agreement was formulated by the members of the Metropolitan North and East Recovery Group, who are representatives of six Local Emergency Management Committees located in Perth, Western Australia. Local Government Authorities that are parties to the agreement will have an increased capability to ensure: all recovery activities are conducted in accordance with the Western Australian Emergency Management Arrangements; the provision of mutual aid for recovery management activities during emergencies to assist other parties to the agreement; and recovery planning is undertaken using an "All Agencies" approach in accordance with the Perth Metropolitan Region - Local Recovery Arrangements Guide and Policy Statement No. 7. Expectations of the partnering agreement include, information on the type of resources required, requests for support, duration of support, insurance needs, cost allocation, declaration of a disaster, rotation of the chairman's position and review of the agreement. The document also provides guidelines on the duration, amendment, termination, withdrawal and notices on the agreement. The Partnering Agreement shall be included as an appendix to the Recovery Plan in the Emergency Management Plans of each participating Local Government Authority. To ensure effective dissemination, the current Partnering Agreement shall be included in the Emergency Management Plan distribution list of all parties. this shall occur on the next review, and in future reviews, of each respective Emergency Management Plan.