Community Emergency Management Planning

One day. One community. A pathway to resilience.

Rural and regional communities face unique risks—bushfires, floods, storms, droughts, isolation, power outages and disruptions to essential services. When emergencies happen, local knowledge, strong connections and practice preparation can make a real difference.

Our award winning one‑day, CEMP workshop brings communities together to understand their risks, recognise their strengths and create a practical plan to build their resilience.

Click here to read our flyer

Award Winning Community Resilience

In 2025, our Community Emergency Management Planning program was recognised with both the:

🏆Resilient Australia National Business Award
🏆Resilient Australia Business Award – Victoria

The awards recognise the program’s success in strengthening resilience across rural and regional communities and its practical, community-led approach to emergency preparedness and recovery.

CEMP has now been delivered in more than 17 communities across Victoria, including communities with populations of fewer than 100 people.

No community is too small to plan, prepare and build resilience.

The Six C’s – L to R Mat Deans, Commissioner Tim Wiebusch, Sue Rondeau

Why CEMP works

Why this program matters:

🔧 Community‑built, not off‑the‑shelf Each plan is developed with locals, using local knowledge, risks, and strengths making it practical, relevant, and truly owned by the community.
🌿 Expert‑led, trauma‑informed delivery Our workshops are guided by award-winning emergency practitioners with real frontline experience. Sessions are supportive, inclusive, and grounded in lived knowledge.
📍 True equity in small places We’ve worked with communities of fewer than 100 people, no place is too small to plan, prepare, and protect.
🤝 Building social capital We strengthen relationships and trust within communities, fostering a unified, community-led approach to disaster resilience and recovery.
🎯 Addressing what matters most Workshops help identify and act on your community’s unique strengths and vulnerabilities — from power outages to isolation and access to services.
💰 A tool to advocate for funding Completed CEMPs help unlock funding opportunities and support applications by clearly showing local needs, actions, and priorities.
🤗 Foster collaboration By involving everyone — from local volunteers to community groups and agencies — we build a stronger, more inclusive network for future emergencies.
💪 Boost whole-of-community resilience We go beyond logistics to include mental, emotional, and social preparedness building lasting confidence before, during, and after disaster.
🛠️ Hands-on, real-world learning Our interactive workshops are practical and engaging using real scenarios, strategic planning, and localised risk assessment.
⚠️ Raise risk awareness and reduce impact We identify clear mitigation activities that reduce harm to people, properties, and the local environment — turning awareness into action.

What your community walks away with:

A completed Community Emergency Management Plan
Clear priorities, objectives and actions
Identified local strengths, resources and partners
Practical mitigation and preparedness actions
Stronger community connections and shared understanding
A plan that can support funding and advocacy
An editable digital Canva version that can continue to evolve with the community

Our Experience

We have worked alongside communities across rural and regional Victoria including communities supported through:

Ararat Rural City Council
Moira Shire Council
Greater Shepparton City Council
Buloke Shire Council
Horsham Rural City Council

Our CEMP program has supported communities following bushfires, floods and other emergencies, helping local people turn their experience and knowledge into practical preparedness and resilience.

Community Voices

Bunbartha

In 2022, Bunbartha and surrounding districts faced the devastating impact of the Victorian floods. But this community is strong, and together, we’re taking action!

We’ve been working side by side with the Bunbartha community to develop a Community Emergency Management Plan—a plan designed by the community, for the community—to ensure we’re better prepared for whatever comes next.

This is more than just a plan—it’s about empowerment, preparedness, and resilience.

Testimonials

“Mat and Sue from The Six C’s were instrumental in guiding our most flood impacted communities to develop their Community Emergency Management Plans. They didn’t just tell us what to do; they actively listened to our communities’ concerns, incorporated local knowledge, and facilitated workshops that genuinely empowered residents, were light-hearted and fun!

Their expertise ensured our Community Emergency Management Plans were not only comprehensive and robust but also practical and easily understood by everyone. I’d gladly recommend The Six C’s to any community looking to build resilient and community-led emergency preparedness plans and strategies.”

Belinda, Manager, Emergency Management & Resilience
Greater Shepparton City Council

“Our community appreciates the work you and Mat have done to give us more confidence for future emergencies!”

Rosie, Moyston Resident

“Thank you again for a great document.

Each person that I have spoken to has said how good it is, the format is great and also said that you and Mat were great facilitators. This, I fully agree with.”

Kerri, Culgoa Resident

Stronger Together

Disasters are inevitable, facing them alone doesn’t have to be.

Community-led emergency planning helps people understand their risks, recognise their strengths and build the relationships and capability they need to prepare, respond and recover.

Our CEMP program is the starting point.

One day can create the plan.
But the real outcome is a more connected, capable and resilient community.