A targeted initial internal review of the State Hazard Plan – Human Biosecurity has been completed by the Department of Health’s Communicable Disease Control and Disaster Preparedness and Management Directorates and is now available for broad stakeholder feedback. Concurrently, the Department of Health will be continuing engagement with health system stakeholders in relation to this Plan.

Concurrent work will also continue in relation to the WA Government Pandemic Plan and recommendations 3 and 4 of the Review of Western Australia’s COVID-19 Management and Response (www.wa.gov.au)

The draft State Hazard Plan – Human Biosecurity provides an overview of arrangements for two hazards; human epidemic and the actual or impending release of a biological substance that is capable of causing loss of life, injury to a person or damage to the health of a person, property or the environment.Collectively these two hazards are referred to as Human Biosecurity. The Chief Executive Officer (Director General) of the Department of Health is the Hazard Management Agency for the two Human Biosecurity hazards.

This is the first review of the State Hazard Plan – Human Biosecurity since the COVID-19 pandemic. Although this Plan is broader than just human epidemic, we do encourage stakeholders to consider lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic in the broader context of Human Biosecurity hazards and provide feedback.

Consultation will be open for 12 weeks from 16 August 2024 to 8 November 2024 . Please submit your feedback by close of business on 8 November 2024. We welcome other questions or comments you have in relation to this plan.

Please note - the survey allows you to upload an additional or formal submission document if your agency or organisation requires this.

The following amendments (not exhaustive) are proposed within the draft State Hazard Plan – Human Biosecurity. For further detail please consult the attached 2024 Amendment Summary for Consultation document and the draft State Hazard Plan – Human Biosecurity.

General

• Redefines agencies’ capability baseline considerations.
• Updates factors for consideration for activation of the State Hazard Plan – Human Biosecurity for a human epidemic incident.
• Incorporates some elements of the WA Government Pandemic Plan into the State Hazard Plan – Human Biosecurity.
• Clarification of scope around Chemical, Biological and Radiological (CBR) events, and arrangements for hostile or terrorist acts.
• Distinguishing recovery arrangements for human epidemic and, separately, biological incidents.

Clarification of roles and responsibilities

• Appendix C Roles and Responsibilities re-written for each agency and organisation across the prevention, preparedness, response and recovery spectrum.
• Site commander functions for biological incidents moved from St John WA to the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) (subject to engagement with St John WA and DFES by the Department of Health).
• Re-alignment of some public health roles from Human Epidemic Coordination Centres to Public Health Units.

Statement of fact amendments

• Updates to contact details, agency names and position titles.
• Updates to related legislation, regulation and other documents.
• Removal of duplication with other State Emergency Management documents.
• Other amendments to simplify language and improve readability