Role statement - Victorian Council of Churches - Emergencies Ministry

Victorian Council of Churches - Emergencies Ministry

The Victorian Council of Churches, Emergencies Ministry (VCC EM) provides its services through volunteers from several religious and cultural groups including Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, Sikh and Hindu, trained in Psychological First Aid (PFA), Emotional Spiritual Care and personal support to respond to all affected persons following disasters and emergencies in Victoria.

Mitigation

Activity	Critical task alignment / activity source
Provide information, education and training to cultural and faith communities, Council emergency management staff and other agencies	1.2, 1.6
Provide advice on policy and practices that support preparedness and resilience in the community	1.2, 1.4

Response (including Relief)

Activity	Critical task alignment / activity source
Activate Emergency Operations Centre to provide higher level support as required	3.3
Provide psychosocial support including emotional spiritual care under the SEMP Health Emergencies Sub-Plan (HESP)	15.3
Support DFFH to coordinate the multi-faith multicultural response to emergencies	3.2
Relief Lead Agency (RelLA) to provide psychosocial support services in the form of personal support (psychological first aid and emotional and spiritual care) to communities via relief centres and through community outreach programs.	Table 12: Relief coordination

Recovery

Activity	Critical task alignment / activity source
Recovery Lead Agency (RecLA) to: provide psychosocial support services to affected people and communities (where agreed and/or funded).	Table 15: Recovery coordination: Social environment 3.2, 15.2, 15.3, 20.1, 20.6
Recovery Support Agency (RecSA) to: Victim Services, Support and Reform to provide support in emergencies caused by crimes against the person, an act intended to cause harm to the community or as a result of a Class 3 emergency event VIFM (coronial) and DH (non-coronial) to provide support for the bereaved DH to provide and promote advice on wellbeing in recovery	Table 15: Recovery coordination: Social environment
Provide DFFH and activating agencies regular reports on community wellbeing, needs and issues	20.1, 20.5
Support DFFH to assist DPC in the development and coordination of state services of worship and assist in the organisation of public memorials and gatherings to support the recovery of affected communities	3.2, 15.5

Assurance and Learning

For assurance and learning activities, refer directly to the agency for further information.