The ACT Emergency Services Agency (ESA) and the NSW State Emergency Service (NSW SES) have signed an agreement to ensure consistent cross-border warnings for severe weather events.
Under this agreement the NSW SES will now 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.
With the agreement being signed this week, these changes will be implemented over the next few months and in place for the next storm season.
The Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services, Dr Marisa Paterson, welcomes this agreement and the benefits it will have for the ACT.
"Given that the ACT is surrounded by New South Wales, 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.
"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."
Quotes attributable to ESA Commissioner, Wayne Phillips
"Storms and other high-risk weather events are not bound by borders and our warnings for them shouldn't be either. This agreement will provide the ACT community more opportunities to be alerted and take action to stay safe in emergencies.
"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."
Quotes attributable to NSW SES Commissioner Mike Wassing AFSM
"Storms and floods don't stop at state and territory boundaries. This is an important step forward to ensure people can access information whether they are travelling within the ACT or NSW. NSW SES is delighted to continue to work with the ESA to help keep communities informed and safe."
