Government

Page contents: State Government departments and agencies | Local Government | Human influenza Pandemic Management Plans | Business continuity planning resources

State Government departments and agencies

In Victoria, executive government, government departments and agencies are generally well prepared for emergencies that could impact on normal functioning and service delivery. Amendments to regular business continuity planning and reviews have been necessary, as the influenza pandemic scenario is unlike other hazards in many respects.

Government departments and agencies could have their staffing dramatically reduced for a period of weeks or even months. These absences may coincide with a surge in demand for the services of departments and agencies involved in the pandemic response. All departments and agencies are asked to have two levels of planning in place:

1. Supporting the maintenance of society during a pandemic by:
   • ensuring appropriate plans and processes are in place to enable the continuity of their services that would be essential in the event of a pandemic; and
   • assisting and supporting local government, communities and businesses in addition to government essential service providers within their portfolios with pandemic planning.
2. Supporting the control of the spread of the influenza virus by:
   • ensuring appropriate strategies are in place to inform staff and associated stakeholders of actions to be taken in the event of a pandemic; and
   • creatively using existing networks to further communicate public health messages.

Local government

Local government is the closest level of government to the community and is often the first point of contact for assistance, advice and information. It is therefore expected that local government will provide a level of leadership during a pandemic and establish partnerships with respective service providers within its community. This role can be best described under four distinct areas: community support and recovery, public health, business continuity and essential services. These roles are intrinsically linked and are outlined in greater detail in the Victorian Human influenza Pandemic Plan to be released in early 2007.

Provided by the Victorian Government Department of Human Services:

• Preparing for an influenza pandemic: A tool kit for local government
  A practical guide to assist local governments to plan for a human influenza pandemic. The Municipal Association of Victoria, the Australian Institute of Environmental Health (Vic Division), local government representatives and State government departments have worked together to create a single document. The Tool Kit will assist municipalities respond and look after their communities if a pandemic occurs. The Tool Kit covers planning for mass vaccination, business continuity and community support and recovery. It will assist local governments build on their existing emergency management arrangements.

  Preparing for an influenza pandemic: A tool kit for local government (527kb, pdf)

• Preparing for an Influenza Pandemic: A planning guide for local government
  The guide contains templates to assist local government in linking their influenza pandemic plan with their Municipal Emergency Management Plan (MEMP). The templates within the guide are available for download in Word format for local government to modify as required.

  Preparing for an Influenza Pandemic: A planning guide for local government

• Victorian Human Influenza Pandemic Plan: Community Support and Recovery Sub Plan March 2008
  The Community Support and Recovery Sub Plan has been developed to assist community support agencies, government and its partner agencies to plan and prepare for a human infl uenza pandemic. It covers roles, responsibilities, planning considerations and preparedness activities in a recovery context and builds on existing social support networks and the capability of communities to be resilient.

  Victorian Human Influenza Pandemic Plan: Community Support and Recovery Sub Plan March 2008 (307kb, pdf)

Business continuity planning resources

Provided by the Victorian Government Department of Human Services:

• Human Influenza Pandemic - What your organisation needs to do
  If you work in government, the health sector, essential services or for a public infrastructure provider, it’s vitally important that your organisation has a business continuity plan that will enable you to continue operating during a pandemic. This brochure contains advice on how you can contribute to protecting your workplace and your community in the event of a pandemic.

  Human Influenza Pandemic - What your organisation needs to do (345kb, pdf)

Provided by the Australian Government Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources

• Being prepared for an influenza pandemic

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