Thread: All 2019/20 bushfire comments here.

Originally Posted by 101RRS

As an aside - does anyone know why the Victorian Emergency Management Commissioner has such a high rank compared to other Australian (and world) Military/Para-military ranks.

His rank insignia indicates he is one rank higher than any military officer could ever be. A full General (Chief of the Defence Force equivalent) insignia has crossed swords indicating General rank, then a crown and pip which together make up a General. A Field Marshall, a rank not normally used in peace has a Field Marshal crossed swords and a crown but is the equivalent of of a General's insignia but with and extra pip - so crossed swords, a crown and two pips.

The Victoria Emergency Services commissioner has the Commissioner "emblem" but then a crown and three pips (Brigadier) as well as his Commissioner emblem. On the basis of his rank insignia he is two ranks higher than any other Military Officer (including the CDF), two ranks higher that any other commissioner anywhere is Australia, at least 3 ranks higher than the Federal Emergency Management Commissioner (a public servant) and at least one rank higher than the highest 5 star military officer in the world (these are only activated in times of World War).

So anyone got a reason - tried googling it but nothing comes up.

Cheers

Garry

The best I can find is he/she is responsible for management of emergencies up to and including an act of war. To have the equivalent rank of Sir John Monash, not sure about that.

Emergency Management Commissioner
The EMC provides leadership for emergency management in Victoria, including driving improvements, particularly for operational capability and interoperability. During a major emergency, the EMC has an over-arching management role to ensure that the response is systematic and coordinated. The EMC has the following functions under section 32(1}

(a) coordinate the activities of agencies having roles or responsibilities relating to the response to Class 1 emergencies and Class 2 emergencies

(b) ensure that control arrangements are in place during a Class 1 emergency and Class 2 emergency

(c) appoint a State Response Controller in relation to a Class 1 emergency

(d) manage the State’s primary control centre on behalf of, and in collaboration with, all agencies that may use it for emergencies


Emergency Management Manual Victoria
Victoria’s Emergency Management Framework Page 1–12 December 2015

(e) ensure that the Minister is provided with timely and up to date information in relation to: (i) the actual or imminent occurrence of events that may lead to major emergencies, and (ii) the response to major emergencies

(f) responsible for consequence management for major emergencies

(g) responsible for coordinating recovery4 (h) lead and promote the implementation of the Strategic Action Plan to the extent that it relates to the improvement of the operational capability of responder agencies5

(i) where relevant, oversee the continuation of the operational reforms provided for in the fire services reform action plan

(j) develop and maintain operational standards for the performance of emergency management functions by responder agencies

(k) develop and maintain incident management operating procedures for responder agencies

(l) coordinate data collection and impact assessment processes

(m) provide advice to the Minister on any matter relating to the functions of the EMC

(n) perform any other function conferred on the EMC by the 2013 Act or any other Act. In performing the functions specified, the EMC must have regard for the fundamental importance of the role that volunteers play in the performance of emergency management functions in Victoria.

Three of these were busy all day filling from the river at Moruya and dropping on a fire on the edge of town.

Fire bomber.jpg