Victorian Farmers Federation Emergency Response



In the event of an emergency effecting rural Victoria the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) may be called upon to provide emergency response services to affected parties. Obvious examples of emergencies include fire and flood, but could also include events such as exotic animal disease outbreaks. The response will generally occur in collaboration with other groups including government departments and charities.

All VFF members should be aware of the VFF’s procedures in the event of an emergency. This document provides a summary of these procedures, with more information being relevant information through the VFF website.

As any initial response will be undertaken by VFF permanent staff it is necessary to ensure that all staff are briefed so as to be familiar with their likely roles and responsibilities they may be asked to fill. Depending on the roles that the VFF fills for a particular event additional staff may be brought in.

VFF Emergency Response Summary



In the event of an emergency event occurring the VFF will appoint an Incident Controller. This person will have overall responsibility for the VFF response effort and would usually be the CEO or a nominated officer. Once appointed the Incident Controller will as deemed appropriate direct the following to occur;

• Setup communication lines with the appropriate agencies (i.e. DPI, CFA, local council)
• Activate VFF Emergency website page
• Direct VFF Public Affairs to call for donations to the VFF Emergency Relief Fund and/or other goods and services as appropriate (i.e. fodder, volunteers).
• Appoint a Fodder Coordinator and direct them to activate the Fodder Emergency Response procedure. This may include;
• Setting up depots and appointing depot managers
• Coordinating donations
• Managing funding for fodder and/or transport
• Liaise with relevant government organisations
• Appoint a Fencing Coordinator and direct them to activate the Fencing Emergency Response procedure. This may include;
• Appointing area fencing coordinators
• Coordinating donations
• Liaise with relevant government organisations
• Direct VFF Member Services to contact members in affected areas
• Provide briefings to VFF office bearers on the emergency

In the event of an emergency the VFF Regional Managers will often provide the local first point of contact for the VFF. Their primary roles in the event of an emergency will include;

• Relay information on the scale of the emergency and appropriate emergency responses to the Incident Controller by;
• Contacting local VFF Office Bearers and other members
• Contact local emergency response agencies
• Providing relevant information to members on the emergency
• Indentifying appropriate locations for emergency response depots
• Assisting in coordinating emergency response efforts to affected areas

VFF Emergency Fodder Response Procedure Summary



In the event of an emergency event requiring the supply of fodder for livestock the following procedures will be put in place by the VFF.

• In the event of an emergency requiring a fodder donation and coordination effort the VFF CEO will appoint a Fodder Coordinator.
• The Fodder Coordinator will liaise with local VFF members and RM’s to coordinate a fodder depot.
• Any expenditure in relation fodder depots and transport of fodder must be approved by the Fodder Coordinator prior to the activity starting.
• The VFF’s role as per the partnership agreement with DPI is to coordinate the supply of emergency fodder for 4 weeks from the start of the emergency event to ensure that the animal welfare needs in the affected area are met.
• Fodder donations will be coordinated through the VFF office.
• Authorisation of funding for fodder transport will be at the discretion of the Fodder Coordinator based on the policy of using a strong preference for accessing the most cost efficient and closest fodder in a timely manner.
• Delivery of fodder to affected areas to be primarily to the VFF depots or other location as appropriate.
• Fodder is available to all effected livestock owners in the area.
• Freight will not be paid on fodder organised outside the VFF process and guidelines.
• No freight will be paid without an invoice.

Disaster Relief Fund (349kb)

Fire,Flood and other Emergencies



Prepare,Respond and Recover from Natural Disasters

http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/agriculture/farming-management/fire-flood-other-emergencies