Inquiry Search
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
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REC291-1247 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The State Government to create a Rural Fire Service to enhance the capability for rural fire management and bushfire risk management at a State, regional and local level. The proposed Rural Fire Service will: · be established as a separate entity from the Department of Fire and Emergency Services or, alternatively, be established as a sub-department of the Department of Fire and Emergency Services; · have an independent budget; · be able to employ staff; · have a leadership structure which, to the greatest degree possible, is regionally based and runs the entity; · be led by a Chief Officer who reports to the responsible Minister on policy and administrative matters; and to the Commissioner for Fire and Emergency Services during operational and emergency response; · have responsibilities and powers relating to bushfire prevention, preparedness and response; and · operate collaboratively with the Department of Fire and Emergency Services, the Department of Parks and Wildlife, Local Government and volunteer Bush Fire Brigades. In creating the Rural Fire Service, the State Government to consider whether back office and corporate support services could be effectively provided by an existing Department, such as the Department of Fire and Emergency Services or the Department of Parks and Wildlife. The State Government to review the creation of the Rural Fire Service two years after its establishment, to assess whether its structure and operations are achieving the intended outcome. |
REC291-1242 | 15 - Inter-service cooperation | The Departments of Fire and Emergency Services and Parks and Wildlife to investigate and adopt an emergency services resource management system that will enable the registration, tasking, tracking, management and coordination of emergency management personnel, vehicles, plant and aircraft. |
REC291-1241 | 12 - EM agency and authority | The State Emergency Management Committee, in consultation with Western Australian Farmers Federation, the Association of Bush Fire Brigades, the Contractors Association of WA, and the Forest Industries Federation of WA, to establish systems for the voluntary registration of: · farmer firefighting units; · contractor firefighting resources; and · forestry industry brigades. |
REC291-1238 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The State Emergency Management Committee to adopt, across all hazards, the doctrine of: · the primacy of life; · the ‘Strategic Control Priorities’ (as documented by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services); and · community warnings that are timely, tailored and relevant. Agencies will reinforce amongst emergency management personnel the importance of this doctrine through briefings and intent statements. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC290-1209 | 15 - Inter-service cooperation | Coordinated and targeted mitigation of fire risk |
REC290-1217 | 12 - EM agency and authority | IAP formats and processes appropriate to the nature of the emergency response. |
REC290-1208 | 12 - EM agency and authority | A unified and integrated fire sector across the whole fire hazard |
REC290-1216 | 12 - EM agency and authority | Resolve reoccurring issues with systems and processes |
REC290-1212 | 12 - EM agency and authority | Resourcing models appropriate to local needs, including fire risk and remoteness |
REC290-1211 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Review of institutional arrangements in the fire sector |
REC290-1210 | 15 - Inter-service cooperation | Co‐designed arrangements that support a unified response to fire |
REC290-1219 | 17 - Assets and technology | Live resource tracking system that can be used by all response agencies |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC277-1165 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Clarify the role of the ROC and SOC and their reporting relationships: The ROC and SOC have important coordination roles under the State Emergency Management Arrangements to support both the incident and the broader region and state. Clarifying the role of the ROC and SOC, their reporting relationships, and how the command structures of other agencies are integrated, will have three main benefits: the ROC and SOC can perform their functions effectively • no inconsistencies, gaps or duplication in the activities of the IMT, ROC and SOC • transparency of incident management |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
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REC265-1100 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The forthcoming review by SEMC of SEMP 4.4 Recovery Coordination and Westplan – Recovery Coordination and SEMP 4.1 Incident Management should include consideration of: |
REC265-1125 | 33 - Relief and recovery | Consultation with the Board of the Lord Mayor’s Distress Relief Fund and other disaster appeal organisers should be undertaken to determine the potential for software development to consolidate the application and approval process, including provision of templates and application forms; |
REC265-1107 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Standard Operating Procedure 1 (Mobilisation Zone 2, Perth Hills area) should be reviewed to ensure that appropriate escalation triggers and levels of operational readiness are in place for future periods when severe fire weather conditions are forecast. |
REC265-1114 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Procedures should be reviewed to address the risks associated with response aircraft all working from one forward operating base, including the need for a designated fire protection unit to be available in the event of an aircraftrelated fire or other emergency incident |
REC265-1124 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | EMP 4.4 and Westplan – Recovery Coordination should be amended to: clarify the wording around handing over control of the incident from the Controlling Agency to local government and the transition from response to recovery; include principles and criteria that will assist the Controlling Agency and local government to determine the best time to effect a hand over of control of the incident; make explicit the roles and responsibilities of the parties involved in the handover of control of the incident; specify the information required in the needs and impact assessments provided to local government by the Controlling Agency so that local government is given sufficient information to take control of incidents; clarify the roles, responsibilities and the title of the State Recovery Controller and ensure that the appropriate wording is reflected in Westplans and State Emergency Management Policies; Hazard Management Agencies, combat and support agencies and local governments need to fully inform themselves of the role of the State Recovery Controller and implement a more effective approach to communicating |
REC265-1106 | 15 - Inter-service cooperation | In addition to regular meetings of the DFES/DPaW Interagency Bushfire Management Committee, the two organisations should use joint exercises to identify agreed firefighting approaches for common or likely scenarios. |
REC265-1113 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The role of the Ground Controller should be reaffirmed in operational doctrine and reinforced in Incident Management Team training. During incidents involving aircraft the appointment of a Ground Controller should be confirmed by the Incident Controller |
REC265-1123 | 17 - Assets and technology | Every effort should be made to enhance the ability of communications personnel to cope with fast moving and time critical fire events by providing and maintaining: ongoing extensive communications training; advanced vehicle capability for clear communication within areas of radio coverage dead spots; ability to receive Air intelligence live streaming; map production facilities; deployment of multiple Incident Control Vehicles when required; all Incident Control Vehicles with access to DFES Information Technology Systems. |
REC265-1105 | 15 - Inter-service cooperation | The Executive Teams of both DFES and DPaW should meet quarterly to review and agree joint improvements relating to issues of interoperability, complementarity and the alignment of firefighting doctrine. The establishment of a unified command in joint State Operations Centre, Regional Operations Centre and Incident Management Teams should be pursued as an overarching goal. |
REC265-1112 | 17 - Assets and technology | Radio infrastructure in the Perth Hills should be reviewed to assess whether it is practicable for radio and/or mobile phone coverage to be improved to achieve better coverage across the area. |
REC265-1117 | 17 - Assets and technology | Automatic Vehicle Location technology should be adopted to enable a better appreciation of the deployment and location of appliances at an incident, in order to increase situational awareness |
REC265-1104 | 12 - EM agency and authority | DFES should increase and maintain urban interface bushfire skills and expertise. Appointments to senior roles within the agency should include people with experience and credibility in bushfire firefighting and management. |
REC265-1127 | 33 - Relief and recovery | Consultation should be undertaken with agencies and organisations that are engaged in emergency welfare provision to identify more effective ways to provide a consistent message to the community that non-cash donations are not required. |
REC265-1111 | 15 - Inter-service cooperation | All agencies engaged in bushfire response should develop expeditious procedures for the mobilisation of resources in support of other agencies. See discussion in Section 7.1. |
REC265-1116 | 17 - Assets and technology | Procedures should be established to monitor the use of heavy plant during a bushfire incident, including the tasking of support appliances. Procedures should provide for the appointment of a dedicated Machinery Supervisor as prescribed within the Australasian Interservice Incident Management System. |
REC265-1103 | 16 - Training and behaviour | DFES should review its training courses and Standard Operating Procedures to satisfy itself that all incident management personnel have the required level of understanding of WA emergency management arrangements, including those that relate to the roles of the Incident Management Team and Incident Support Group and the declaration of incident levels. |
REC265-1126 | 33 - Relief and recovery | Development of a template contract for the clean-up of affected properties to speed-up the process; |
REC265-1110 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Whenever a Bush Fires Act 1954 section 13 transfer of control is invoked, the Incident level of an event should also be reviewed and any changes documented. |
REC265-1115 | 16 - Training and behaviour | Training and awareness raising should be conducted to enhance the appreciation and understanding of DFES State and Regional operational personnel, including potential Incident Management Team members, of the nationally adopted Bushfire Alert and Messaging Matrix, in order to ensure that the most appropriate alert levels and associated community messaging are applied during bushfire incidents. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC254-1580 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Critical operational procedures such as ‘Red Flag Warnings’, on a common fireground need to be consistent across DFES, DEC and Local Government. In particular, the operational procedure of Red Flag Warnings needs to be adopted by all WA fire agencies. |
REC254-1586 | 15 - Inter-service cooperation | Future coordination/support/control of integrated emergency management across all agencies in Albany needs to be merged and located in a single joint facility. This issue needs to be reviewed statewide. |
REC254-1584 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | DFES or DEC (depending on land tenure) is mandated to take over control of emergency incidents from Local Government once they have been declared Level 2 incidents. WESTPLAN BUSHFIRE and legislation to be amended accordingly. |
REC254-1583 | 16 - Training and behaviour | Once Recommendation 1 has been actioned, all agencies give greater priority to the promulgation of Red Flag warnings in order to enhance situational awareness on the fireground. |
REC254-1582 | 17 - Assets and technology | As a minimum requirement, all vehicles entering the fireground must be fitted with an accessible fire blanket – one per person in each vehicle plus roll down, in-cab, radiant heat shields. |
REC254-1589 | 12 - EM agency and authority | In due course, acts of bravery are considered and recommendations for awards are submitted, including commendations for the delivery of First Aid. |
REC254-1581 | 16 - Training and behaviour | All agencies ensure fire managers are trained to correctly interpret the new Spot Fire Weather Forecast and to familiarise themselves with the entire format – ensuring consideration of the whole forecast - not just the tabular data containing the 12 hour forecast. |
REC254-1588 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | WA fire agencies adopt a common set of standing orders, operational procedures, training and competencies for rural firefighting that are produced in hard copy, leading to integrated multi-agency training, IMTs, Regional and State coordination/control centres. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC226-0548 | 15 - Inter-service cooperation | Inter-agency cooperation to manage fire precincts in a tenure-blind fashion is necessary for effective fire suppression. |
REC226-0580 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The role of district and local emergency management committees should be reviewed to ensure they are appropriately engaged in the active management of emergencies across the PPR R continuum |
REC226-0596 | 33 - Relief and recovery | An early decision on relief funding enables timely responses. D CP should review their communication of relief arrangements to ensure that they are clear. |
REC226-0545 | 26 - Research | Improved understanding of fire behaviour in coastal heathlands would support sound risk management through the southwest of W |
REC226-0579 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Legislative change may be needed to enable FES A to better manage fire- fighting resources across the state. |
REC226-0595 | 33 - Relief and recovery | Shire experiences in managing these traumatic events should be captured and passed into emergency management procedures. |
REC226-0578 | 15 - Inter-service cooperation | There would be benefit in progressively aligning the geographic boundaries of each of the agencies and seeking to co-locate their headquarters within those boundaries. |
REC226-0594 | 33 - Relief and recovery | Procedures to resolve issues surrounding financial assistance need to be reviewed to ensure they are as smooth, fast and transparent as possible possible. Review and streamline current financial relief procedures. |
REC226-0569 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Section 13 arrangements need to be clarified across key agencies. |
REC226-0583 | 17 - Assets and technology | The state should converge on a single communications platform for all emergency management and support agencies. |
REC226-0560 | 15 - Inter-service cooperation | There would be value in progressively aligning the geographical boundaries of emergency management agencies and co-locating where possible within regions and districts. |
REC226-0582 | 17 - Assets and technology | The state should progressively align on a shared platform, such as WebEOC, to establish a COP [Common Operating Picture or Platform?]. |
REC226-0598 | 33 - Relief and recovery | When communities are grieving there is a need to provide special forms of support to affected residents. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC225-0532 | 16 - Training and behaviour | All agencies ensure fire managers are trained to correctly interpret the new Spot Fire Weather Forecast and to familiarise themselves with the entire format – ensuring consideration of the whole forecast - not just the tabular data containing the 12 hour forecast. |
REC225-0531 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Critical operational procedures such as ‘Red Flag Warnings’, on a common fireground need to be consistent across DFES, DEC and Local Government. In particular, the operational procedure of Red Flag Warnings needs to be adopted by all WA fire agencies. |
REC225-0539 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | WA fire agencies adopt a common set of standing orders, operational procedures, training and competencies for rural firefighting that are produced in hard copy, leading to integrated multi-agency training, IMTs, Regional and State coordination/control centres. |
REC225-0536 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | DFES and Local Government Bushfire Brigades ensure that only those with the required AIIMS competence have the authority to manage Level 1 incidents, noting they may not be Fire Control Officers. |
REC225-0534 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Once Recommendation 1 has been actioned, all agencies give greater priority to the promulgation of Red Flag warnings in order to enhance situational awareness on the fireground. |
REC225-0533 | 17 - Assets and technology | As a minimum requirement, all vehicles entering the fireground must be fitted with an accessible fire blanket – one per person in each vehicle plus roll down, in-cab, radiant heat shields. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC223-0520 | 12 - EM agency and authority | The Department of Environment and Conservation review the utility of its current regional model in terms of the capability of operational centres such as Kirup to service major fire activity on land proximate to the rural urban area (this recommendation should also be considered in the context of Recommendation 5). |
REC223-0518 | 16 - Training and behaviour | The Department of Environment and Conservation explore human resourcing models that: · make succession planning a priority; · look at options for the attraction and retention of staff; and · review how the salary levels of staff matches the decision making required in major activities such as prescribed burns. |
REC223-0517 | 26 - Research | The Department of Environment and Conservation be supported to conduct further research into the fuel management of coastal heath in the south west of Western Australia exploring alternatives to burning as well as best practice for burning. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC204-1908 | 39 - Disaster Risk Management | As part of the current revision of its contract template for sponsorship agreements, Tourism WA should ensure that: |
REC204-1907 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The Department of Sport and Recreation facilitate the development of an Adventure Activity Standard for ultramarathons in order to determine a minimum safety standard for the sport. |
REC204-1921 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The Coroner’s Act 1996 should be amended to give the Coroner jurisdiction to investigate fires that do not cause death, and that the Coroner should be suitably resourced to undertake investigations of the kind the subject of this Report. |
REC204-1917 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The review of the Health Act 1911 (WA) should include the following amendments: |
REC204-1914 | 15 - Inter-service cooperation | FESA, WA Police and St John Ambulance establish a uniform protocol for handling multiple agency emergency responses that does not involve callers having to make multiple calls to 000. |
REC204-1912 | 38 - Agency/Department Reporting | The Board of Tourism WA should take action to ensure that it reviews the quality of Board papers that are submitted to it by the executive of Tourism WA. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
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REC203-0296 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Legislative change may be needed to enable FES A to manage fire-fighting resources across the state. |
REC203-0308 | 33 - Relief and recovery | Early resolution and clear communication of the financial and other support measures that will be available to affected residents is an important contributor to community resilience. |
REC203-0295 | 12 - EM agency and authority | There would be benefit in progressively aligning the geographic boundaries of each of the agencies and seeking to co-locate their headquarters within those boundaries. |
REC203-0301 | 15 - Inter-service cooperation | Early in an incident, close and effective liaison needs to be established with local government agencies. |
REC203-0288 | 15 - Inter-service cooperation | The State Duty Officer from DEC and the State Duty Director, FES A need to confer whenever a Level 2 or 3 incident is declared to satisfy themselves that they have appropriate incident management structures and resources across the state are at an appropriate level of preparedness. |
REC203-0299 | 15 - Inter-service cooperation | The state should converge on a single communications platform for all emergency management and support agencies. |
REC203-0287 | 15 - Inter-service cooperation | On a regional basis there would be value in closer working relationship between DEC crews and VBFBs to build mutual trust and confidence. This could be done by opportunity engagement of VBFBs in DEC fire management or through exercises. |
REC203-0298 | 15 - Inter-service cooperation | The state should progressively align on a shared platform, such as WebEO C , to establish a Common Operating Picture (COP). |
REC203-0297 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The role of district and local emergency management committees should be reviewed to ensure they are appropriately engaged in the active management of emergencies across the PPR R continuum |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC202-0499 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The Minister for Emergency Services institute a thorough review by December 2012, including a comparison to other jurisdictions, of the risk analysis processes used by FESA, the Police and DEC to prepare them to protect the State from bushfires and other natural disasters. |
REC202-0509 | 36 - Volunteers | The Minister for Emergency Services and the Minister for Environment develop by December 2012 a Volunteer Charter that recognises the important work undertaken by the State’s volunteer bushfire and emergency services personnel. |
REC202-0496 | 17 - Assets and technology | The Minister for Emergency Services ensure that a whole-of-government equipment register of the firefighting equipment held by FESA, DEC and local government authorities is in place for the 2012-13 bushfire season. |
REC202-0508 | 36 - Volunteers | The Minister for Emergency Services and the Minister for Local Government review and report to Parliament by May 2012 on ways in which the State’s volunteer firefighters and rescue workers can be more effectively managed and valued. |
REC202-0494 | 16 - Training and behaviour | The Minister for Emergency Services introduce by the 2012-13 bushfire season psychological testing of all FESA career staff and bushfire and rescue volunteers. |
REC202-0506 | 17 - Assets and technology | The Minister for Emergency Services ensure that FESA has the funds to implement the installation and use of WebEOC for use during the 2011-12 bushfire season and immediately put in place common protocols with the Police and DEC to record significant events during a bushfire. |
REC202-0504 | 15 - Inter-service cooperation | The Minister for Emergency Services ensure that the annual budget of FESA contains the funds it requires to coordinate an annual multi-agency bushfire field exercise, alongside other desktop exercises, to be held in different regions of the State each year. The outcomes of this field exercise should be included in the proposed annual Ministerial statement to Parliament on bushfire readiness before each season. |
REC202-0502 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The Minister for Environment bring to Parliament by June 2012 amendments to the Conservation and Land Management Act 1984 that reflect the use by the Department of Environment and Conservation of prescribed burns for both biodiversity conservation and community protection purposes. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC201-0257 | 29 - Operational Health and Safety | FESA needs to place greater priority on the appointment of Safety Advisors to Level 3 incidents as is reflected in WESTPLAN Bushfire. |
REC201-0249 | 17 - Assets and technology | FRS fire appliance allocation and training needs to be reviewed to enhance offensive bushfire capability within the metropolitan area. |
REC201-0260 | 15 - Inter-service cooperation | There are a range of opportunities identified from reviewing the three fires that will improve coordination between FESA and DEC, requiring limited resources, potentially generating some efficiencies and reflecting a joint, tenure blind approach to fire management in WA. The MIR acknowledges the progress made through the IBMC in these matters and notes these measures will require ongoing strong leadership. These include: · Clarification and consistent application of the Zone 2 and 2A mobilisation protocols; · Duplicating available information on websites; · Establishing a single State air desk and cross-utilising Air Attack Supervisors; · Completing common training for the conduct of public meetings;· Coordinating IMT training and exercises; · Operating joint IMT‘s during interface fires; FESA utilising the DEC mobile ICC when suitable ICPs are not available; · FESA engaging in daily weather teleconferences with DEC; Engaging a permanent BoM officer to support a common FESA and DEC SOC; · Developing a common ‗Tool Box‘ of forms and operational procedures for fire response; · Developing common jurisdictional arrangements to accommodate interstate support; · Developing a joint FESA/DEC SOC at the new (FESA) Emergency Services facility at Cockburn; · Adopting common and transparent Level 3 IC accreditation · Using a single mapping capability across both agencies and · Using common naming conventions for fires. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC200-0363 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The Fire and Emergency Services Authority develop formal procedures for mandating the completion of Incident Action Plans, ensuring the documents are detailed and that they record critical decision making. |
REC200-1705 | 29 - Operational Health and Safety | The Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA) review its program to decommission vehicles and ensure that when such vehicles are offered during an incident that FESA staff adhere to FESA‟s own policy of „Use of Private Vehicles in Fires‟ |
REC200-0380 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The State Emergency Management Committee amend State Emergency Management Policy 4.1 (Operational Management) to: give clear and explicit direction about when and how an incident should be declared clearly articulate the actions to be taken clearly define accountabilities provide detailed criteria for elevating issues and engaging other agencies. |
REC200-1722 | 39 - Disaster Risk Management | Emergency Management Western Australia and the State Emergency Management Committee amend WESTPLAN-BUSHFIRE to require State Emergency Coordination Group meetings to be held at the State Coordination Centre in West Leederville. |
REC200-0387 | 17 - Assets and technology | The State Government transfer responsibility for the installation, removal, maintenance of fire hydrants to the Water Corporation, in accordance with the Recommendations of the 2006 CDJSC Inquiry into Fire and Emergency Services Legislation. |
REC200-1696 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The State Government reaffirm its 2009 decision to approve DEC exercising greater flexibility in managing smoke within national guidelines, in order to achieve its prescribed burn program. |
REC200-0362 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The Fire and Emergency Services Authority immediately comply with the provisions of WESTPLAN BUSHFIRE and formally declare incidents at their appropriate level and document and communicate those decisions in a similar way to the systems used by the Department of Environment and Conservation and the Western Australian Police. |
REC200-1704 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The Fire and Emergency Services Authority review its use of the Australian Interagency Incident Management System to ensure that the most appropriate resources (including aerial resources) are used to respond to an incident. If resources are rejected during an incident either through the decision making process or other grounds, the reason for the decision should be documented. |
REC200-0378 | 17 - Assets and technology | Western Power and the Water Corporation continue to work collaboratively to assess options to better protect the power supply to water pumping stations in bushfire prone areas. |
REC200-1721 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The State Government amend section 50 of the Emergency Management Act 2005 to allow the Chair of the State Emergency Coordination Group to declare an emergency situation. |
REC200-0386 | 15 - Inter-service cooperation | Emergency service agencies undertake more consultation and joint exercising involving the Fire and Emergency Services Authority, the Department of Environment, the Western Australian Police, the Department for Child Protection, local governments and volunteers – including Volunteer Bush Fire Brigades. This should include field exercises which test: Evacuation centres Critical infrastructure (including at the local level) Traffic management, including road blocks. Consideration should also be given to involving the community in exercising (see Recommendation 7) and using prescribed burns as exercises (see Recommendation 14) More detailed planning for exercises should be included in a revised WESTPLANBUSHFIRE to be endorsed by the State Emergency Management Committee. |
REC200-1680 | 15 - Inter-service cooperation | Emergency Management Western Australia establish an inter-agency working group to continue the development of the new single emergency services Act. |
REC200-0357 | 26 - Research | The Fire and Emergency Services Authority, the Department of Environment and Conservation and local governments closely monitor the research and development of alternative fuel reduction techniques to ensure that the most efficient and effective programs are adopted. |
REC200-1703 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The Fire and Emergency Services Authority develop formal procedures for mandating the completion of Incident Action Plans, ensuring the documents are detailed and that they record critical decision making. |
REC200-0373 | 33 - Relief and recovery | The Department for Child Protection, the Western Australian Police and the Fire and Emergency Services Authority develop improved arrangements for communicating the loss of home and possessions to persons gathered at evacuation centres with a view to increasing privacy. |
REC200-1720 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The State Emergency Management Committee amend State Emergency Management Policy 4.1 (Operational Management) to: |
REC200-0385 | 37 - Funding | The State Government move the responsibility for the management and distribution of the Emergency Services Levy to the Department of Finance. |
REC200-1679 | 15 - Inter-service cooperation | The Fire and Emergency Services Authority and the Department of Environment and Conservation develop and finalise their Memorandum of Understanding and commit to working in partnership. |
REC200-1731 | 16 - Training and behaviour | The Interagency Bushfire Management Committee develop a consistent program of education, training (including media), testing and review of Level 3 Incident Controllers. |
REC200-0341 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The State Government give legislative effect to the Planning for Bush Fire Protection Guidelines. |
REC200-0390 | 16 - Training and behaviour | The Fire and Emergency Services Authority and local governments examine the current competencies of Chief Bushfire Control Officers and Community Emergency Services Managers (or Community Fire Managers) and consider what further development is needed to ensure these staff are capable of: measuring and mapping fuel loads maintaining fuel load databases drawing up prescriptions for, and overseeing controlled burns building effective working relationships with all relevant stakeholders. |
REC200-1702 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The Fire and Emergency Services Authority immediately comply with the provisions of WESTPLAN BUSHFIRE and formally declare incidents at their appropriate level and document and communicate those decisions in a similar way to the systems used by the Department of Environment and Conservation and the Western Australian Police. |
REC200-0365 | 17 - Assets and technology | The Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA) review its program to decommission vehicles and ensure that when such vehicles are offered during an incident that FESA staff adhere to FESA’s own policy of ‘Use of Private Vehicles in Fires’. |
REC200-1709 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The Western Australian Police and the Fire and Emergency Services Authority jointly examine the Traffic Management System developed in response to the 2009 Victorian bushfires and seek its adaptation to use in WA with additional attention to the access and egress by bona fide residents to areas that are evacuated. |
REC200-0383 | 12 - EM agency and authority | The State Government restructure the Fire and Emergency Services Authority as a Department. 22 As part of this restructure, Emergency Management Western Australia should either be: 1. clearly separated from the fire and emergency services response function (see figure 2); or 2. moved to the Department of the Premier and Cabinet (see figures 3 and 4) or 3. moved to the Attorney-General’s department (see figures 3 and 5). |
REC200-1730 | 16 - Training and behaviour | The Fire and Emergency Services Authority and local governments examine the current competencies of Chief Bushfire Control Officers and Community Emergency Services Managers (or Community Fire Managers) and consider what further development is needed to ensure these staff are capable of: |
REC200-0339 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Emergency Management Western Australia establish an inter-agency working group to continue the development of the new single emergency services Act. |
REC200-0389 | 12 - EM agency and authority | The Fire and Emergency Services Authority and local governments ensure that Community Emergency Service Managers are physically based in local government. |
REC200-1698 | 39 - Disaster Risk Management | The Fire and Emergency Services Authority, the Department of Environment and Conservation and local governments jointly develop a single, integrated system for fuel load assessment and management. |
REC200-0364 | 17 - Assets and technology | The Fire and Emergency Services Authority review its use of the Australian Interagency Incident Management System to ensure that the most appropriate resources (including aerial resources) are used to respond to an incident. If resources are rejected during an incident either through the decision making process or other grounds, the reason for the decision should be documented. |
REC200-1708 | 15 - Inter-service cooperation | The Fire and Emergency Services Authority and the Western Australian Police ensure they receive all necessary legal clarification in relation to Bushfire Responsibilities of Police Officers – Powers Used in Assisting Fire Authorities in Responding to Bushfires, to be promulgated across FESA and WAPOL. |
REC200-0382 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Emergency Management Western Australia and the State Emergency Management Committee amend WESTPLAN-BUSHFIRE to require State Emergency Coordination Group meetings to be held at the State Coordination Centre in West Leederville. |
REC200-1725 | 37 - Funding | The State Government move the responsibility for the management and distribution of the Emergency Services Levy to the Department of Finance. |
REC200-0338 | 15 - Inter-service cooperation | The Fire and Emergency Services Authority and the Department of Environment and Conservation develop and finalise their Memorandum of Understanding and commit to working in partnership. |
REC200-0388 | 17 - Assets and technology | The Water Corporation immediately review the outstanding orders for hydrant repairs and develop strategies to reduce the backlog. |
REC200-1697 | 26 - Research | The Fire and Emergency Services Authority, the Department of Environment and Conservation and local governments closely monitor the research and development of alternative fuel reduction techniques to ensure that the most efficient and effective programs are adopted. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC183-0121 | 12 - EM agency and authority | A DEC fire management staff succession plan would minimise the loss of core fire management skills and experience in the future and provide a planned approach to development of prospective fire management staff. |
REC183-0115 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The Hazard Management Agency for bushfire has not been defined. Defining the HMA for bushfire should be addressed. |
REC183-0120 | 17 - Assets and technology | Maintaining the DEC fleet of tankers, bulldozers and low loaders is crucial to DEC’s fire management and control capability. |
REC183-0110 | 16 - Training and behaviour | DEC should emphasise the principle of foresight by adopting an appreciation and decision making process and training staff in that process. |
REC183-0119 | 17 - Assets and technology | The development of a three year aerial firefighting strategy for W.A. would ensure optimal development of a joint air capability. |
REC183-0108 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | DEC should consider publishing a new reference document that describes policy, doctrine and key systems of work of the fire management system. This document would be a “brief case” or “back pack” reference and would be reviewed annually and issued to all senior staff and fire management personnel. |
REC183-0118 | 15 - Inter-service cooperation | A Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Chief Executives of DEC and FESA would be a valuable statement of joint commitment between the two agencies. |
REC183-0107 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The DEC Fire Management Policy should be reviewed and updated. |
REC183-0117 | 15 - Inter-service cooperation | The Interagency Bushfire Management Committee and its sub-committees are the logical central platform for developing and strengthening future joint bushfire strategies and common systems of work between bushfire management agencies in Western Australia. |
REC183-0122 | 16 - Training and behaviour | A staff recognition and reward framework for service to fire management should be considered for DEC fire staff. |
REC183-0106 | 12 - EM agency and authority | The DEC corporate statement should affirm a strong commitment to fire management. |
REC183-0116 | 15 - Inter-service cooperation | Triggers and a process for transfer of command and control from DEC to FESA should be developed and documented. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC182-0128 | 12 - EM agency and authority | FESA establishes a process (and associated systems and policies) to mobilise staff to an incident, incorporating pre-formed multi-agency Incident Management Teams. The development of Incident Management Teams should align with the principles of seamless and integrated escalation of command and control arrangements, and be based on a whole of capability approach (people, organisations, systems, training, procedures etc.). |
REC182-0125 | 15 - Inter-service cooperation | FESA, in partnership with other agencies and the community, develops Western Australia’s urban interface fire fighting capability and capacity. |
REC182-0134 | 17 - Assets and technology | FESA reviews its air reconnaissance capability and determines if multiple multi-sensor air reconnaissance aircraft or unmanned aerial vehicles are required for managing concurrent and/or complex incidents. |
REC182-0124 | 15 - Inter-service cooperation | FESA and DEC take a whole of capability approach to joint operations, including developing joint doctrine that provides a common and articulated understanding of roles and responsibilities, resources and capabilities |
REC182-0133 | 29 - Operational Health and Safety | FESA reviews its approach to safety and safety culture. |
REC182-0135 | 33 - Relief and recovery | FESA revises its standard operating procedures to provide guidance on the format and timing of post-incident community meetings. |
REC182-0123 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | FESA implements measures that will ensure unity and clarity of command. |
REC182-0130 | 12 - EM agency and authority | FESA identifies and documents its information requirements for end-to-end information exchange and then assess the adequacy of current systems to meet these information requirements. |
REC182-0129 | 15 - Inter-service cooperation | FESA maintains inter-agency relationships and arrangements, and develops formalised arrangements across the entire emergency management cycle for joint activities such as training, exercises and procedure development. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC173-0102 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | That further amendments be made to the Bush Fires Act 1954 be drafted to provide fire response agencies with the necessary authorisation and statutory protection to respond to a fire on private property, or land that Local Government, Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) or FESA is responsible for, until such time as the responsible agency is able to attend and take control. The amendments to be drafted, in conjunction with the urgent progression of critical amendments as recommended by the Community Development and Justice Standing Committee. |
REC173-0100 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The prioritising of the critical amendments to the Bush Fires Act 1954 recommended by the Community Development and Justice Standing Committee that relate to fire management, ie: a. Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA)‘s ability to assume control of a fire in specific circumstances b. Amendments to the definition of property c. Providing FESA with the authority to declare a total fire ban |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC172-0047 | 17 - Assets and technology | There is an established need to develop mobile accommodation and accommodation facility support solutions that allows an acceptable standard of accommodation to be provided to fire fighters in close proximity to the incident. |
REC172-0002 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The Emergency Management Act 2005 is amended to provide a mechanism for one HMA to transfer responsibility to another HMA and ensure that both HMA’s are provided the powers and protection necessary under that Act. |
REC172-0021 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Unassigned resources arriving at incidents should be encouraged to make themselves known and to undertake alternate duties. |
REC172-0026 | 17 - Assets and technology | At large incidents a communications bus should be provided for the use by Air Ops and a designated work space should be provided for the Air Ops management group. |
REC172-0041 | 16 - Training and behaviour | Media liaison personnel are needed to ‘ride’ shotgun’ on media personnel to facilitate them getting their stories without imposing on the effectiveness of operations. |
REC172-0001 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The Emergency Management Regulations 2006 be urgently amended to determine a HMA(s) for bushfire. |
REC172-0020 | 12 - EM agency and authority | The role of ‘BFB Task Force Liaison’ be defined and appropriately trained personnel be provided by the HMA (possibly from support brigades) to facilitate brigade movements on and off the fire ground. |
REC172-0025 | 17 - Assets and technology | Suppression resources should be ordered and mobilised as 2 truck Strike Teams with a STL and consistently deployed to the fire ground as a unit. |
REC172-0031 | 16 - Training and behaviour | Pre-season refresher training to include an emphasis on check in/out procedures |
REC172-0019 | 17 - Assets and technology | A centralised, regional, multi-agency resource coordination and tracking system/facility be established to accommodate and coordinate the movement of resources from all agencies within and between regions. |
REC172-0024 | 12 - EM agency and authority | Transport plans for BFB resources should be prepared by the Ground Support Unit in close liaison with FESA who will liaise with the home jurisdictions of the brigades. Moving personnel whilst leaving the equipment at the fire ground staging areas is preferred to moving equipment in and out with every shift. |
REC172-0030 | 29 - Operational Health and Safety | A strategically located Staging Area serviced with check in/out personnel should be considered as early as possible at incidents involving an extended attack. |
REC172-0018 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The Interagency Guidelines need to be amended to reflect what is operationally possible with regard to risk management rather than what is required to achieve an absence of risk. |
REC172-0023 | 16 - Training and behaviour | Pre-season multi- agency refresher training for Ground Controllers should be undertaken each year. |
REC172-0029 | 17 - Assets and technology | Provide a photocopier in the Mobile Communications Facility or the mobile equipment cache that is capable of large volume production of collated documents. |
REC172-0003 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | All incidents where the HMA delegates the authority to manage suppression operations to another agency on its behalf, should be achieved via a written delegation setting out the scope, limitations and duration of the delegation. |
REC172-0022 | 15 - Inter-service cooperation | The declaration of a potential Level 3 incident should be notified to FESA who can facilitate an early warning to CFCO’s in the Shire and surrounding LGA’s. |
REC172-0028 | 17 - Assets and technology | Ensure the S61 helicopter has all appropriate channels for water bombing operations throughout the State by including this requirement on a pre-deployment checklist. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC171-0070 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | That a review be conducted of DEC’s ability to manage major fires and consideration be given to increased direct involvement by FESA in fire management role in the case of major fires on reserves or on unallocated Crown lands. |
REC171-0069 | 17 - Assets and technology | That in any consideration being given to the allocation of responsibility for control of operations in respect of major fires, consideration be given to the availability of technology and other resources, particularly when particular skills are required to make best use of such technology or resources. |
REC171-0068 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | That if the Bushfires Amendment Bill 2009 is to be enacted, procedures be put in place which would ensure that in the event of an escalating fire, FESA would receive sufficient information to make an informed judgment as to whether or not to take control of all operations. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC113-3903 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Government should: establish emergency management legislation which clarifies State and local government responsibilities, and which rectifies the deficiencies in the State’s bushfire Emergency Management Plan, Westplan Wildfire. |
REC113-3905 | 16 - Training and behaviour | Firefighting organisations should: address their key training and development issues |
REC113-3904 | 39 - Disaster Risk Management | FESA should: in addition to its current initiatives, develop and implement structured programs (with clearly identified objectives, target groups and time lines for achievement) aimed at: |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC019-4137 | 12 - EM agency and authority | Before the bush fire season starts, the Minister on the recommendation of the Board nominate a person and a deputy person who will be instructed to take charge of fire fighting operations in each district should a dangerous fire occur and render such an appointment advisable. |
REC019-4145 | 37 - Funding | A fund be established to subsidise the purchase of equipment for bush fire brigades but that the granting of subsidies depend upon a certificate being received from the Bush Fires Board that the brigade in question is of a standard that will be available at all times for effective use and that adequate facilities are available for its storage and maintenance at a centre suitable for the brigade. |
REC019-4154 | 12 - EM agency and authority | A committee be formed and provided with the finance necessary to enable it to supplement the activities of the local bush fire brigades in districts in the far south-west of the State where ratable values are particularly low and the proportion of Crown lands high, and that the Forests Department be authorised to give approval for control burning of Crown lands throughout the State by bushfire brigades within two miles of a State Forest and that outside this distance the Bush Fires Board through its wardens have similar authority. |
REC019-4135 | 12 - EM agency and authority | The Bush Fires Board appoint a Standing Committee of about six of its members, all of whom are likely to be available at any time during the bush fire season to meet and take executive action as necessary. |
REC019-4144 | 16 - Training and behaviour | No opportunity be lost of encouraging the formation of bush fire brigades and the maintenance of enthusiasm and that the Bush Fires Board assist the brigades in any way possible to obtain adequate training and equipment. |
REC019-4153 | 17 - Assets and technology | No opportunity be lost by the Forests Department to improve the efficiency of their fire fighting gangs, radio and other equipment in the light of the latest practical and scientific developments. |
REC019-4134 | 12 - EM agency and authority | All members of the Board be selected for their interest in and experience and knowledge of matters directly associated with bush fire control and not merely as representatives of particular organisations, that the Chairman of the Board be appointed by the Governor instead of being an ex officio appointment of another forester, a member of the timber industry, a police officer and a person with a sound knowledge of weather and its effect upon fire behaviour. |
REC019-4159 | 12 - EM agency and authority | The State Emergency Service be used to meet any additional needs but that as far as possible, requests for assistance be directed in the first instance to the Bush Fires Board or at least referred to that Board by the State Emergency Service for advice before action is taken. |
REC019-4141 | 12 - EM agency and authority | The relative seniority of bush fire control officers be determined with a view to appointing group leaders as chief bush fire control officers. The Shire Clerk should generally be a liaison bush fire control officer rather than a chief fire control officer. |
REC019-4151 | 26 - Research | The Forests Department carry out more research into both the technical and practical side of fire control as a necessary accompaniment to the expenditure of money on other forest works and that forest fire control officers be sent overseas at intervals to gain information regarding the latest developments in this work. |
REC019-4158 | 16 - Training and behaviour | That needs in the direction of a fire emergency service be met as far as practicable by the Bush Fires Board in its training programme and in the tactical organisation of existing brigades for use as reserves in districts other than their own. |
REC019-4140 | 12 - EM agency and authority | Local authorities select bush fire control officers for their knowledge and experience of bush fires and their qualities of leadership and that as far as practicable, they be captains of bush fire brigades so that the person issuing the permit to burn has the responsibility of extinguishing the fire if it escapes. |
REC019-4150 | 12 - EM agency and authority | The Forests Department direct more staff to the planning and co-ordination of its bush fire control organisation so that emergency conditions can be met immediately by ample reserves of labour and equipment and that co-ordination between the Department, the local authority, sawmills and other sources of man-power and equipment in and around forestry districts is as complete as possible. This particularly includes co-operative protective burning around the boundaries of forest areas. |
REC019-4156 | 26 - Research | A fire control research advisory committee be formed to co-operate with the Forests Department in carrying out scientific research into fire control. |
REC019-4138 | 12 - EM agency and authority | That care be exercised in recommending the application of emergency bush fire periods so that they will not be applied to districts where their application is unnecessary. |
REC019-4147 | 12 - EM agency and authority | All local authorities form advisory committees of persons from bush fire brigades and of bush fire control officers to plan co-operation in effort and co-ordination between brigades, to group brigades under brigade group officers and to advise the local authority upon all matters of fire control, including the planning of the district firebreak layout and prosecuting for breaches of the Bush Fires Act. |
REC019-4155 | 12 - EM agency and authority | The management of all National Parks in the State be concentrated under one authority to ensure co-ordination in administration and protective measures. |