Reviews into recent flood events and the Victorian Emergency Management Reform White Paper, have highlighted the need to build community resilience and for robust emergency plans to be in place.

The management of flood emergencies is clearly enhanced when communities have previously been well engaged, are aware of their risks and have participated in emergency planning processes. Flooding is often regarded as the most manageable of natural hazards, where proactive responses can be well planned to ensure strategies are available to guide the response to flood incidents. However, planning and community engagement have not historically received the priority which they deserve. VICSES in response to experiences from recent flood events is leading four innovative programs to improve planning and community engagement, these include:
• Development of localised community engagement programs which include resources outlining local flood risks and triggers for community action
• Development of Flood Emergency Plans, incorporating community consultation in high risk communities and available flood intelligence
• Development of a strategy to include local knowledge before, during and after flood operations
• Development of agreements with flood consultants to improve the provision of flood intelligence during flood events

This paper will outline in the context of recent flood reviews these programs and explore the challenges which VICSES has faced to manage their implementation.