COVID-19 and Emergency Resource Providers Support Scheme (EmRePSS) insurance
Dear members,
The Victorian Water Industry Association (VicWater) is a “tasking agency” as defined in the Emergency Management Manual Victoria and obtains insurance under Emergency Resource Providers Support Scheme (EmRePSS) on behalf of the water industry, incorporating the 19 water corporation members.
Emergency Resource Providers Support Scheme (EmRePSS) insurance
EmRePSS is “an insurance program that covers an organisation (or an individual) who provides their equipment, labour or professional services to tasking agencies during eligible emergencies”. It is cited in Appendix 11 of the Emergency Management Manual Victoria.
According to the Manual, EmRePSS was created for the below reasons.
"Following government privatisation programs and outsourcing, the ownership of many specialised resources required to support emergency response and recovery operations has transferred from the public sector to the private sector.
Under EmRePSS, the participating government agencies (tasking agencies) can provide assurances (regarding adequate insurance) to the private sector owners of resources that are needed for emergency operations. EmRePSS facilitates the utilisation of privately owned resources for emergency operations and it is designed to ensure that insurance considerations will not be a disincentive to the private sector to provide assistance for emergencies.
Legislated immunities for volunteer emergency workers do not apply because resource providers and their employees are not considered to be volunteers, as they are generally paid for their services (refer to Part 8, Appendix 7)."
The Victorian Water Industry Association (VicWater) is recognised as a "tasking agency" on behalf of all water authorities.
The policy is found here: https://www.vmia.vic.gov.au/insurance/policies-and-cover/emrepss
We would like our members to be aware of this insurance during such times of need and to be in contact should the insurance need to be activated on their behalf.
Please contact Peter Morison, CEO of VicWater, for more information.
Peter Morison
Chief Executive Officer
03 9639 8868
