The ACT Emergency Services Agency (ESA) and NSW State Emergency Service (NSW SES) have signed an agreement to ensure consistent cross-border warnings for severe weather events.
Under the agreement, the NSW SES will incorporate the ACT in severe weather warnings that affect the wider region. These warnings will be issued under the Australian Warnings System – a nationally consistent approach to warnings across Australia.
This means that if members of the community look at the NSW SES website or the Hazards Near Me NSW app they will soon be able to see severe weather warnings for both NSW and the ACT, the Government said in a statement.
It’s envisaged the changes will be implemented over the next few months and be in place for the next storm season.
ACT Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services, Dr Marisa Paterson, welcomed the agreement.
“Given that the ACT is surrounded by NSW, strong collaboration with our cross-border partners is crucial for the benefit of our community. This agreement between the NSW SES and ESA highlights the power of sector cooperation, enhancing the way our community receives timely and effective warnings,” she said.
“A strong relationship is founded on trust and mutual support. Once again, our NSW counterparts are demonstrating this commitment, which will not only enhance the effectiveness of severe weather warnings but also strengthen the long-term partnership between us.”
ESA Commissioner, Wayne Phillips said the agreement will provide the ACT community more opportunities to be alerted and take action to stay safe in emergencies.
“Storms and other high-risk weather events are not bound by borders and our warnings for them shouldn’t be either,” said Commissioner Phillips.
“I would like to thank the NSW SES for their commitment and cooperation to working to protect all communities through consistent, targeted and timely warnings. The NSW SES have and always will be a close partner of the ESA and agreements such as this show how strong our relationship is, which I know will only grow over time.”
NSW SES Commissioner Mike Wassing AFSM said the agreement was an important step forward to ensure people can access information whether they are travelling within the ACT or NSW.
“Storms and floods don’t stop at state and territory boundaries. NSW SES is delighted to continue to work with the ESA to help keep communities informed and safe,” he said.
