Inquiry Search
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
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REC325-4329 | 8 - Communications and warnings | The Inspector-General of Emergency Management recommends Queensland Fire and Emergency Services implement the Australian Warning System for all nationally agreed hazards by 1 November 2023. Implementation should include guidance and training to all local governments and agencies operationally involved in disaster management, with emphasis on those agencies with hazard specific responsibility. |
REC325-4332 | 8 - Communications and warnings | The Inspector-General of Emergency Management recommends that all local governments that do not have pre-formatted messages and polygons engage with Queensland Fire and Emergency Services and determine whether their local disaster management group capability could be improved through the development of pre-formatted polygons and messages. |
REC325-4332 | 8 - Communications and warnings | The Inspector-General of Emergency Management recommends that all local governments that currently use pre-formatted messages within the Emergency Alert system review and, where necessary, redraft messages using the principles of Clear Explicit Translatable Language (CETL). |
REC325-4336 | 8 - Communications and warnings | The Inspector-General of Emergency Management recommends Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, in consultation with the Queensland Police Service, incorporate into the workflow of the current Emergency Alert system a process that ensures the inclusion of an ‘urgent approval and distribution without delay’ process for Emergency Alert messages by 1 November 2022. |
REC325-4322 | 24 - Govt responsibility | The Inspector-General of Emergency Management recommends the Dam Safety Regulator review the Emergency Action Plan for Referable Dam Guideline with particular regard to the distinction between the process required by a flood event as compared to a dam failure event by 1 November 2023. The Emergency Action Plan for Referable Dam Guideline review will be informed by a discussion, facilitated by the Dam Safety Regulator, between dam owner Seqwater, the Brisbane City Council Flood Information Centre, the Brisbane Local Disaster Management Group and the Brisbane District Disaster Management Group. The purpose of the facilitation is to achieve inter-agency understanding of warning and notification responsibilities. The reviewed Emergency Action Plan for Referable Dam Guideline should be published, promoted and shared via a stakeholder engagement exercise with Queensland’s referable dam owners, disaster management stakeholders including local disaster management groups and district disaster management group. |
REC325-4337 | 8 - Communications and warnings | The Inspector-General of Emergency Management recommends Queensland Fire and Emergency Services lead an urgent multi-agency (including but not limited to the Queensland Police Service and Brisbane City Council) review of the workflow, of the current Emergency Alert system, including requesting, composing, authorising and issuing of Emergency Alerts by 1 November 2022. |
REC325-4323 | 7 - Inter-agency communication | The Inspector-General of Emergency Management recommends Queensland Fire and Emergency Services adopt measures to achieve a common operating picture between deployed Queensland Fire and Emergency Services assets in disaster management operations by 1 November 2023. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
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REC322-4235 | 14 - Incident Mgt Teams | The Inspector-General Emergency Management recommends the Department of Environment and Science review the resourcing model to ensure surge capacity is available to support incident management functions during response operations. This includes processes to request assistance from other departments and entities with responsibilities for fire and incident management. |
REC322-4227 | 34 - Local knowledge | The Inspector-General Emergency Management recommends the membership of the K’gari Locality Specific Fire Management Group be expanded to include representatives of the Butchulla people, community associations from each township and tourism and business operators with interests on the island. |
REC322-4243 | 14 - Incident Mgt Teams | The Inspector-General Emergency Management recommends the Department of Environment and Science identify opportunities to increase Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service’s capability in incident management and multi-agency fire response, through exercising plans and procedures in collaboration with other stakeholders, including disaster and fire management groups at all levels. |
REC322-4228 | 8 - Communications and warnings | The Inspector-General Emergency Management recommends a public information resource be developed by Queensland Fire and Emergency Services to inform the community and stakeholders about aerial assets utilised in bushfire response. |
REC322-4245 | 14 - Incident Mgt Teams | The Inspector-General Emergency Management recommends the Department of Environment and Science establish pre-determined financial delegations and authority for Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service Incident Controllers. |
REC322-4230 | 34 - Local knowledge | The Inspector-General Emergency Management recommends Queensland Fire and Emergency Services engages with land managers and other stakeholders on K’gari to source data to inform Predictive Services products. |
REC322-4250 | 34 - Local knowledge | The Inspector-General Emergency Management recommends the Locality Specific Fire Management Group for K’gari meet at least twice per year, in person or virtually. |
REC322-4231 | 8 - Communications and warnings | The Inspector-General Emergency Management recommends Queensland Fire and Emergency Services examines the use of predictive service capability to inform prevention and preparedness in addition to response activities. |
REC322-4232 | 11 - Evacuation and shelters | The Inspector-General Emergency Management recommends the Maryborough District Disaster Management Group works with the Fraser Coast Local Disaster Management Group to plan for the evacuation of K’gari due to bushfire. Once developed, the plan should be exercised and regularly reviewed. |
REC322-4225 | 8 - Communications and warnings | The Inspector-General Emergency Management recommends the Maryborough District Disaster Management Group works with the Fraser Coast Local Disaster Management Group to prepare and exercise a communications sub-plan with all responsible agencies, to clarify the roles, responsibilities and communication channels used for restricting access to K’gari. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
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REC311-2491 | 10 - Infrastructure | To enable a shared understanding of the risk, changes in the risk profile of referable dams be clearly communicated by entities that own dams to stakeholders and the community likely to be affected. The communication process starts immediately after the change is identified, is tailored to its audience, makes clear the scale of the change, and is documented so that stakeholders and the community can make informed decisions for managing risks. |
REC311-2496 | 10 - Infrastructure | To enhance shared capacity and collaboratively manage risk, the Chair of the Bundaberg LDMG use the Queensland Emergency Risk Management Framework (QERMF) process to determine if dam failure for Paradise Dam should be reported as a residual risk to the Bundaberg DDMG in this instance due to known changes in the risk profile. |
REC311-2495 | 10 - Infrastructure | To increase understanding of hazards and manage risks, dam failure for Paradise Dam be included as a separate risk within the Bundaberg LDMP. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
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REC309-2479 | 34 - Local knowledge | Local groups should plan for and establish clear arrangements to effectively manage offers of assistance including the management of goods, services and volunteers. |
REC309-2476 | 11 - Evacuation and shelters | Energy Queensland and local groups consider establishing formal arrangements that embed measures that assist evacuation plans to increase levels of safety. |
REC309-2475 | 15 - Inter-service cooperation | Greater emphasis be placed on pre-planned and pre-determined arrangements between the Australian Defence Force and State and local agencies. |
REC309-2470 | 11 - Evacuation and shelters | Evacuation centre plans be revised to better manage vulnerable persons, including the safe storage of medications and providing alternate arrangements for evacuees with additional needs. (e.g. evacuation centre for aged persons). |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
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REC308-2457 | 8 - Communications and warnings | Efforts are made to improve the timeliness, accuracy and targeting of Emergency Alert messaging by: |
REC308-2463 | 6 - Insurance and legal liability | Principles, applicable to all tourist budgets, covering liabilities for costs and shelter in the event of evacuation should be developed and promulgated as part of tourism marketing. |
REC308-2454 | 10 - Infrastructure | Local disaster management groups should focus on the business continuity of local critical infrastructure and its integration with other plans. |
REC308-2462 | 11 - Evacuation and shelters | Relevant authorities should work with the tourism sector to clarify future arrangements for evacuation. In particular they should look closely at differentiating voluntary and directed evacuations in their messaging, |
REC308-2461 | 24 - Govt responsibility | A strategy should be developed between the key tourism and transport operators, and local and state government. It should address the arrival of visitors and tourists after a disaster, and should ensure that their arrival matches communities’ needs for recovery and return to normal business. The Department of Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games should monitor its implementation. |
REC308-2460 | 11 - Evacuation and shelters | The Queensland Chief Health Officer should work with the Office of the Inspector-General Emergency Management to raise, with the Commonwealth, the need for all aged care providers to plan and exercise for evacuation to a similar safe establishment. |
REC308-2459 | 14 - Incident Mgt Teams | Significant effort should be invested to provide disaster decision-makers at every level with a shared understanding of risks, the situation, and capability, so that they can agree on the best decisions for the communities they serve. |
REC308-2465 | 29 - Operational Health and Safety | Fatigue management strategies and guidance should be improved to ensure sustainable staffing practices are incorporated into disaster management planning. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
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REC307-2433 | 24 - Govt responsibility | To make planned burning and land clearing easier to understand and implement for landholders, a single point of contact for all bushfire mitigation inquiries and permits should be established. |
REC307-2446 | 14 - Incident Mgt Teams | Coordinated arrangements for liaison officer deployment should be considered and documented by disaster management groups across the full spectrum of risk identified for their area of responsibility, and not rely on a singular inflexible approach. |
REC307-2440 | 8 - Communications and warnings | Communications protocols about hazard-specific events should be developed to clarify responsibilities and the principles for the release of information and warnings. They should be included in all related hazard-specific plans and published on relevant websites, and used during events. |
REC307-2438 | 8 - Communications and warnings | The national messages for catastrophic fire danger ratings should be integrated with all existing and new community bushfire safety information. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
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REC306-2425 | 24 - Govt responsibility | We recommend that the Department of Natural Resources and Mines and the four councils work together to effectively and economically regulate levee banks. |
REC306-2422 | 24 - Govt responsibility | We recommend that, in the absence of stand-alone catchment management authorities, the Department of Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning fulfil its obligation under the State Disaster Management Plan to drive the enhancement of flood resilience in the four catchments by: |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
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REC294-1364 | 24 - Govt responsibility | The Chairpersons of disaster management groups within the Mackay Disaster District, supported by the Queensland Police Service and Queensland Fire and Emergency Services recommend implementing the Mackay District Improvement Strategy (refer to page 53 of the inquiry). |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
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REC272-1420 | 24 - Govt responsibility | The Department of Housing and Public Works should consider preparing an annual communique to asset owners of, and local governments with access to public cyclone shelters, outlining the maintenance and certification process and pre-season status. |
REC272-1418 | 24 - Govt responsibility | A state-wide engagement strategy is coordinated to ensure community messaging is consistent across all levels of Queensland’s disaster management arrangements. |
REC272-1416 | 24 - Govt responsibility | A state-wide strategy, including a common definition, is developed for identifying and engaging vulnerable people in emergencies. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
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REC271-1533 | 14 - Incident Mgt Teams | State Disaster Coordination Centre considers requesting a representative from critical infrastructure owners be present as a liaison officer in the State Disaster Coordination Centre during activations for events that may impact on their assets. |
REC271-1529 | 8 - Communications and warnings | As part of the above, both the Banana Shire Council and SunWater ensure Emergency Alert messages are pre-formatted, consistent, polygons are identified according to risk, and that they are tested and practiced with the State Disaster Coordination Centre. |
REC271-1528 | 8 - Communications and warnings | Prior to September 2015, SunWater and the Banana Shire Council jointly develop a multi-channel, common warning strategy, including common language and consistent messaging, for residents downstream of |
REC271-1527 | 8 - Communications and warnings | Prior to September 2015, the Banana Shire Council develops a multi-channel warning strategy and associated public information campaign, including common language and consistent messaging, for the Banana Shire. |
REC271-1525 | 6 - Insurance and legal liability | The Department of Energy and Water Supply, in conjunction with SunWater, seek clarification of the dam owners’ legal obligation to comply with Emergency Action Plans and, if required, investigate how a more flexible approach may be adopted. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
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REC268-1425 | 8 - Communications and warnings | The Public Information and Warnings Sub-plan Guide is reviewed to include: |
REC268-1433 | 8 - Communications and warnings | Queensland Fire and Emergency Services should consider supporting local government in the annual development of at least one pre-formatted Emergency Alert message and polygon map based on a risk assessment and hazard modelling. |
REC268-1431 | 8 - Communications and warnings | Queensland Fire and Emergency Services should consider new and emerging technologies for issuing warnings (including opportunities for Emergency Alert to be distributed in other languages or to people with vision or hearing impairment). |
REC268-1429 | 2 - Emergency powers | A dynamic online list of positions and contact details is published for those able to authorise Emergency Alert, and made accessible to local government. |
REC268-1427 | 8 - Communications and warnings | The Warning and Alert Systems training package is updated to align the content to the Standard for Disaster Management in Queensland and to include advice and scenarios from the Information Commissioner. |
REC268-1426 | 8 - Communications and warnings | A qualitative assessment of public information and warnings arrangements is undertaken as part of the 2016 disaster management plan assessment process. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
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REC241-0965 | 29 - Operational Health and Safety | That the number of Bushfire Safety Officer positions be, over time, increased so that one BSO operates out of each District office. |
REC241-1016 | 6 - Insurance and legal liability | That a volunteer shall not be liable for any act or omission made in good faith provided it is not proven to be reckless, negligent or malicious. This protection is to be afforded in both Criminal and Common law. |
REC241-0954 | 24 - Govt responsibility | That a Ministerial Advisory Council be established to inform the Minister of matters relating to Rural Fire Service and SES volunteers. |
REC241-1015 | 29 - Operational Health and Safety | That the First Officer or Brigade Officer retain the ability to seek assistance from any person whose services are available at the fire. Any person appointed to provide this assistance should be protected under relevant Workplace Health and Safety and Workcover legislation. |
REC241-1004 | 15 - Inter-service cooperation | That a memorandum of understanding be developed between RFSQ and other organisations with fire fighting capacity at state level, to establish operational procedures when these organisations may be required for a joint response roles. Specifically, the intent will be: Vegetation Fire in a Rural Area: The Rural Fire Brigade in that area (boundary) is in charge and is the first Brigade called by Firecom. Structural Fire in a Rural Area: Firecom calls the Urban Brigade first and they control the incident. Local Rural Fire Brigade must also be notified by Firecom at the same time. Vegetation Fire in an Urban Levy Area: Firecom call the local Urban Brigade first and they control the incident. At their discretion they may call Rural Fire Brigades for assistance. Structural Fire in an Urban Levy Area: Firecom call the local Urban Brigade first and they control the incident. |
REC241-1001 | 24 - Govt responsibility | That the extent of forest and plantation fuel load fire risk in South East Queensland requires a designated government resources fire team to manage this risk and proactively conduct fuel mitigation burning; and provide a wildfire response to government land. |
REC241-0979 | 24 - Govt responsibility | That the Queensland Government liaise with the Federal Government with a view to securing incentives for employers that recognise loss of income and employee time for emergency operations. |
REC241-1022 | 29 - Operational Health and Safety | That Rural Fire Service Queensland in consultation with the Rural Fire Brigades Association Queensland will undertake a full review of the medical and health protocols to support the new Volunteer organisation. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
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REC190-1928 | 24 - Govt responsibility | That the Queensland Reconstruction Authority finalise the value for money policies and procedures, particularly those that take into account the role and responsibilities of the external service providers. |
REC190-1927 | 24 - Govt responsibility | That the Queensland Reconstruction Authority agree on and finalise the work plan and attach it as a Schedule to the Agreement as required in section 15 of the Agreement. |
REC190-1926 | 24 - Govt responsibility | That the Queensland Reconstruction Authority clarify and communicate the roles of the Lines of Reconstruction sub-committees to the Chairs of each committee. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
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REC150-3122 | 29 - Operational Health and Safety | QFRS implement a system to monitor the condition and safety of brigade buildings and equipment. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
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REC111-3936 | 24 - Govt responsibility | To enhance the governance of the Queensland disaster management system, it is recommended that the State Disaster Management Group supported by the Department of Emergency Services ensure that — |
REC111-3935 | 24 - Govt responsibility | To provide the strategic leadership and governance required to implement the Disaster Management Act 2003, it is recommended that the State Disaster Management Group supported by the Department of Emergency Services develop a suitable governance framework for disaster management which includes the establishment of — |