Emergency management

Natural disasters such as bushfires and floods, along with other health emergencies, can have significant impacts on communities and the health services they rely on. Maintaining access to primary healthcare during these events is critical to protecting community health and wellbeing.

Murray PHN plays an important role in emergency preparedness, response and recovery across the region. Working collaboratively with health services, emergency management agencies and government partners, we help support the continuity of primary healthcare services, facilitate information sharing and coordinate resources to ensure communities can continue to access the care they need during emergencies.

The diagram below illustrates Murray PHN’s role within the emergency management framework, as outlined in the Victorian State Emergency Management Plan (SEMP) Health Emergencies Sub Plan.

Control agency response structure

To learn more about Murray PHN’s role in emergency management, and how primary healthcare organisations can strengthen preparedness and maintain business continuity during emergencies, explore the resources below.

Emergency management resources

Emergency management webpages

True emergency management goes beyond immediate response – it is about strengthening local capacity, building partnerships, and sharing responsibility before, during and after emergencies. It is about continuous learning, adaptation and improvement.

Matt Jones, Murray PHN CEO

For more support

Email primarycareresponse@murrayphn.org.au

Last Update: August 18th, 2026

Murray PHN acknowledges its catchment crosses over many unceded First Nations Countries, following the Dhelkunya Yaluk (Healing River).

We pay our respects and give thanks to the Ancestors, Elders and Young people for their nurturing, protection and caregiving of these sacred lands and waterways, acknowledging their continuing cultural, spiritual and educational practices.

We are grateful for the sharing of Country and the renewal that Country gives us. We acknowledge and express our sorrow that this sharing has come at a personal, spiritual and cultural cost to the wellbeing of First Nations peoples. We commit to addressing the injustices of colonisation across our catchment, and to listening to the wisdom of First Nations communities who hold the knowledge to enable healing. We extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.