Victoria's gender and disaster taskforce

Victoria is modelling an innovative way to mitigate the impacts of disaster on individuals, communities and emergency services organisations through its Gender and Disaster Taskforce. This may well be the first of its kind in the world. The Taskforce was established in 2014 and is led by the Victorian Emergency Management Commissioner, Craig Lapsley, and Susie Reid, Executive Officer of Women's Health Goulburn North East. It brings together the energy and commitment of Emeritus Professor Frank Archer from the Monash University Injury Research Institute and Professor Bob Pease from the University of Tasmania, together with other high-level players from Victorian emergency services organisastions, local government and the community. Representation includes the Department of Health and Human Services, Country Fire Authority, State Emergency Services, Metropolitan Fire Brigade, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Victoria Police, Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority as well as community consultants, Municipal Association of Victoria, and Save the Children.