The Department of Health and the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) have customised the Emergency WA online platform as part of a joint venture.
According to the Departments the move will allow future COVID-19 public health alerts to be published on the Emergency WA website.
Managed by the DFES, Emergency WA is the State’s official website for community warnings for a range of emergencies, including bushfires, cyclones and floods.
The platform can now be used to provide geographically targeted information to communities affected by a localised outbreak of COVID-19.
Minister for Health, Roger Cook said a ‘human pandemic’ icon had been created to identify alerts and warnings specific to COVID-19.
“If required, the Department of Health has also investigated the use of, and access to the national Emergency Alert telephone warning system, which delivers emergency messages to fixed phone lines and mobile phones in a defined area,” Mr Cook said.
“This service is used by the DFES in situations where there is a direct and imminent threat to lives and properties.”
Minister for Emergency Services, Francis Logan said it was a logical step to use an established platform to immediately send warnings and instructions if required during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I commend the Department of Health and the Department of Fire and Emergency Services for collaborating on this important project and providing another avenue for Western Australians to get timely and reliable information on COVID-19,” Mr Logan said.
The Emergency WA website can be accessed at this PS News link.
