Preparing for emergencies

In South Australia, a Hazard Risk Reduction Leader is assigned to each hazard identified under the State Emergency Management Plan. The Hazard Risk Reduction Leader's main role is to ensure that all aspects of the State's approach to a hazard are coordinated.

In addition, a Control Agency is also assigned each hazard, to ensure the State is adequately prepared to respond to an emergency event. The Control Agency may be the Hazard Risk Reduction Leader, or a different state government agency.

Find out more on how the state prepares for potential emergencies:

The Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) is the Animal & Plant Biosecurity Hazard Risk Reduction Leader for SA.  PIRSA responds to a range of emergency events that affect primary producers working in all sectors, including: agriculture, livestock, horticulture, aquaculture, fisheries and forestry. PIRSA is also the Control Agency.

Link to PIRSA website

The SA Police (SAPOL) is the Black System Event Hazard Risk Reduction Leader for SA.  Electricity is a key aspect in the functioning of systems and services within the community. Black System Events are relatively rare in South Australia, however the nature and scope of blackouts indicate that it is possible and that it is appropriate for specific planning to occur. SAPOL is also the Control Agency.

Link to SAPOL website

The Department of the Premier and Cabinet (DPC) is the Cyber Crisis Hazard Risk Reduction Leader for SA.  DPC delivers technology, cyber security, digital leadership and services for the SA Government, industry and citizens. DPC is also the Control Agency.

Link to DPC website

The Department of Infrastructure and Planning (DIT) is the Earthquake Hazard Risk Reduction Leader for SA. Earthquakes can cause short term and long term impacts on people, the economy, the environment, public administration and social setting.  SAPOL is the Control Agency.

Link to DIT website

Link to SAPOL website

The SA State Emergency Service (SASES) is the Extreme Weather Hazard Risk Reduction Leader for SA. The impacts of extreme weather on people, social setting, the economy, public administration and the environment can intensify when compounded with other hazards, for example flood, urban fire, rural fire, animal and plant disease, terrorism and human disease. SASES is also the Control Agency.

Link to SASES Website

The Department of Environment and Water (DEW) is the Flood Hazard Risk Reduction Leader for SA. Flooding can have significant economic, social and environmental impacts. Factors such as urban infill, new developments on floodplains, more intense rainfall events and rising sea levels are leading to an increasing risk of flood impacts and compounding natural disasters is South Australia. The State Emergency Service (SASES) is the Control Agency.

Link to DEW Website

Link to SASES Website - Flood Control Agency

River Murray Flood - Recovery

SafeWork SA is the Hazardous Materials Hazard Risk Reduction Leader for SA. Hazardous material may be considered to be any substance, including dangerous goods and dangerous substances that can escape controlled confinement and produce a risk to persons, infrastructure, the environment or the economy of the State.  The CFS and/or MFS are the Control Agencies.

Link to SafeWork SA Website

Link to CFS website

Link to MFS Website

The Department for Health and Wellbeing (SA Health) is the Human Disease Hazard Risk Reduction Leader for SA.  Human disease is any impairment of normal physiological function affecting all or part of an organism, especially a specific pathological change caused by infection, stress etc, producing characteristic symptoms, illness or sickness in general.  SA Health is the Control Agency.

Link to SA Health Website

The South Australian Country Fire Service (CFS) is the Rural Fire Hazard Risk Reduction Leader for SA. The CFS serves communities through dedicated volunteers delivering professional fire and rescue services to outer metropolitan, regional and rural South Australia. The CFS is an all hazards agency responding to bushfire, building fire, road crash rescue and hazardous material spills. The CFS is the Control Agency.

Link to CFS website

Below are some other bushfire resources to assist with:

  • supporting people
  • property and rebuilding
  • animals and natural resources

Bushfire resources

The SA Police (SAPOL) is the Terrorism Hazard Risk Reduction Leader for SA. A terrorist act is defined as an act or threat, intended to advance a political, religious or ideological cause with the intention of coercing or intimidating an Australian or foreign government or the public, by causing serious harm to people or property, creating a serious risk to the health and safety of the public, or seriously disrupting trade, critical infrastructure or electronic systems. SAPOL is the Control Agency.

Link to SAPOL Website

The South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service (SAMFS) is the Urban Fire Hazard Risk Reduction Leader for SA. Urban fire is defined as uncontrolled burning, which may result in significant risk or damage to residential, commercial, industrial, institutional, transport or other assets in urban, inland waterway or gulf water areas. SAMFS is the Control Agency.

Link to MFS Website