The National Preparedness Summit for the 2024-2025 Higher Risk Weather Season (HRWS) was held at Hotel Realm, Canberra on 18 and 19 September 2024.
The Summit brought together critical stakeholders from:
Together, the Summit explored how the national system would prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters across Australia during the 2024-25 HRWS.
The Delegate Guide (PDF 27.93MB) provided an overview of the event. This included information about the agenda, information to support participation, panellist biographies, and participating organisations.
Breakout sessions were held in the following locations:
We are committed to continuous improvement. We would appreciate you taking the time to complete our feedback survey. This survey will help to ensure the program remains useful for future participants.
Access the feedback survey.
We encourage participants to submit their observations through the link below. We will use this information for evaluation, identifying priorities, and providing feedback.
Access the participant observation form.
Ngunnawal and Wiradjuri woman LaToya Kennedy designed Caring for Country for our National Preparedness Program. Read the artwork story (PDF 1.68MB).
Caring for Country designed by LaToya Kennedy.
The Bureau of Meterology provides long-range forecast, summaries, climate indicators and historic climate data. You are encouraged to stay up to date with current information by checking the Bureau’s website throughout the season.
Access NEMA’s presentation on Australian Government Arrangements and National Coordination (PDF 6.05MB)
Access the scenario pack (PDF 2.43MB) and the CASP (PDF 888KB) for the National Preparedness Exercise.
First Nations Communities – Best Practice in Evacuations
Access the Australian Institute Disaster Resilience (AIDR) Planning Evacuations with Indigenous Communities Handbook.
Access Bhiamie Williamson and Nell Reidy’s presentation (PDF 2.31MB)
Warnings and Community Messaging
Access Barbara Ryan’s presentation (PDF 842 KB)
Access Jason Heffernan’s presentation (PDF 1.59MB)
Read information on the Australian Warning System.
Energy and Telecommunications
Access Michael Gatt’s presentation (PDF 1.04MB)
Collaboratively delivering integrated recovery outcomes
Access the session presentation (PDF 2.4MB)
Climate and Severe Weather
Access Kevin Kehl’s presentation (PDF 339KB)
Access Alistair Dawson’s presentation (PDF 1.17MB)
Emergency Shelter
Access Bridget Tehan’s presentation (PDF 1.4MB)
Gendered Violence Post Disaster
Access Mary Barry and Melessa Osborne’s presentation (PDF 2.7MB)
The AIDR Major Incidents Report provides a record of national incidents. Access the 2023-2024 report (PDF 6.74MB).
The National Indigenous Disaster Resilience Gathering
On 24-26 September, the National Indigenous Disaster Resilience Gathering was held in Lismore. It brought together representatives from disaster resilience and emergency management sectors, government, researchers, non-government organisations, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, Indigenous ranger groups, Native Title groups, and other land and water management organisations. The event aims to build awareness, share knowledge, connect, and support an Indigenous-led conversation on disaster resilience.
The National Emergency Management Stockpile (NEMS)
The National Emergency Management Stockpile (NEMS) is an emergency response and relief capability we administer. Find out more on the NEMS webpage.
For further information email NEMS@nema.gov.au.
Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) Roadshow
To improve awareness and evaluation of DRFA programs, and in partnership with state and territory governments, we have embarked on a DRFA Roadshow. The roadshow will:
For further information on the DRFA Roadshow please email recovery@nema.gov.au.