Image: National Guard.
They may be on opposite sides of the Pacific Ocean, but that hasn’t stopped two state governments from different nations from agreeing to share important information in mitigating natural disasters.
That’s the motivation behind an historic agreement between Victoria and the State of California in the United States, where both state governments have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in Sacramento.
This MOU is a landmark deal that’s intended to make both states safer during disasters by sharing expertise, technical knowledge and training in bushfire and flood management.
Relatively recent bushfires that have ravaged Victoria and forest fires that continually cause trouble during California’s times of drought have led to significant losses in life, finance and infrastructure.
But now, the Garden State and the Golden State have positioned themselves to trade tips on how to manage these problems, and participate in joint initiatives in emergency management designed to help individuals, families, communities and businesses that have been impacted by disasters.
Victoria’s Minister for Emergency Services, Jane Garrett, and Emergency Management Commissioner, Craig Lapsley, signed the MOU with the Director of the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services and Governor Brown’s Homeland Security Advisor (Cal OES), Mark Ghilarducci.
Ms Garrett’s visit to the United States has also included studying the latest technologies, capability and systems that will help Victoria to achieve its shared goal to build safer and more resilient communities.
It’s not the first time this year a state government representative from Australia has had such a high profile tour of the United States.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk visited the US in June 2015 in order to promote the Sunshine State to potential investors in the entertainment and information technology industries.
Ms Garrett said the Andrews Labor Government is proud to have a partnership with the State of California that will produce real and tangible outcomes to create safer communities in both states.
“California’s emergency management agencies are renowned for their expertise and experience in disaster preparedness and this partnership allows Victoria to tap into that expertise,” Ms Garrett said.
Mr Lapsley said the agreement focuses on fostering the joint development of initiatives that support and promote improved service delivery to the community and improved capability to manage major emergencies.
Mr Ghilarducci said the similarities between California and Victoria’s climates and hazards create a mutually beneficial learning opportunity for our communities and governments.
