Shoalhaven City Council's Local Emergency Management Officer (LEMO), Kim White, has been named Winner of the Alternative Pathways Award in the 2020 Ministers' Awards for Women in Local Government.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Alternative Pathways Award recognises a female staff member who breaks down gender stereotypes and makes an important contribution to their local council and community's overall success.
"In a traditionally male-dominated role, Kim has delivered reliable and sound management of local emergency planning, preparation and response to Shoalhaven emergency situations since 2010," said Shoalhaven Mayor Amanda Findley.
"With a 28-year career in local government, Kim is a valued member of the team at Shoalhaven City Council.
"Kim is known throughout the organisation for her big heart and outstanding work ethic and is highly regarded by local emergency agencies for her dedication to her position," she said.
Ms White has helped the Shoalhaven lead the way in emergency management, shaping Shoalhaven emergency planning and response.
"Her role as LEMO is essential in Shoalhaven City's preparedness for and response to an emergency," Cr Findley said.
"This has never been more apparent than during the recent 74-day fire event experienced in NSW that began on 26 November 2019. The Currowan fire claimed three lives, damaged houses and infrastructure and burnt through over 80 per cent of the Shoalhaven, totalling some 4567 square kilometres," she said.
As LEMO, Ms White worked quickly to stand up the Local Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) and was instrumental in establishing the format of the centre, which is widely known in the industry as best practice in local emergency management.
"It is a credit to Kim, the Rural Fire Service and the emergency agencies involved that there wasn't further loss of life and damage to townships and villages," Cr Findley said.
"Kim worked in the EOC throughout the emergency period, supporting the Local Emergency Operations Controller (LEOCON) in their duties, providing assistance to emergency agencies and keeping up to date with the latest developments as they happened. Kim was working through this disaster as her own house was under direct threat of the fire."
The Emergency Operations Centre operated for 74 days during the bushfire crisis before being stood down. It reopened shortly afterwards to deal with the February flood emergency.
Ms White also assisted Shoalhaven residents throughout the 2018 Kingiman Fire, the 2013 Deans Gap Fire and the 2015 Shoalhaven Floods.
