Craig Lapsley to head Victoria's emergency responses

The Victorian government has appointed Craig Lapsley as Victoria’s first emergency management commissioner.

Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Bushfire Response Kim Wells said Lapsley, who has served as fire services commissioner since 2010, would commence his new role from 1 July this year.

“Mr Lapsley has performed an outstanding job as fire services commissioner, where he has seen the state through several emergencies, including the Latrobe Valley mine fires earlier this year,” Wells said.

“Victoria has multiple emergency services agencies with different responsibilities and this fire season we saw the most coordinated approach to Victoria’s emergency management response in the state’s history.

“I expect he will bring the same drive and commitment to his new role as emergency management commissioner where he will be responsible for further improving the way we manage emergencies.”

As emergency management commissioner, Lapsley will take an over-arching management role during major emergencies to ensure a systematic and coordinated response. It will be his job to ensure there is no duplication or overlap of roles.

The appointment of the inaugural emergency management commissioner delivers on a key component of the Victorian Coalition Government’s reforms to emergency management in Victoria, as set out in the white paper document.

“These reforms will change the way we prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies. It is the first major overhaul of Victoria’s emergency management system since the 1986,” Wells said.

The Victorian parliament passed the Emergency Management Act in December 2013 and the legislation will take effect on 1 July 2014. The umbrella emergency management agency Emergency Management Victoria (EMV) will also begin operation on 1 July.

In addition to creating the role of emergency management commissioner, the Act establishes the role of inspector general of emergency management, who will review and monitor performance. An inspector general is expected to be appointed soon.

“I am confident that Mr Lapsley’s new role alongside our broader suite of reforms will ensure Victoria’s emergency management system provides the best possible response to future emergencies in the state,” Wells said.