Inquiry Search
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
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REC314-3261 | 24 - Govt responsibility | Consider amending the Fire and Emergency Services Act 2005 to align SAFECOM Board operations with accepted governance standards with the Minister appointing an Independent Chair of the SAFECOM Board. The SAFECOM Chief Executive (CE) should report to the Board and maintain SAFECOM’s role at the direction of the Board. Alternatively, SAFECOM could be abolished, moving to a model of a Department of Fire and Emergency Services where the departmental head reports to the Minister but the value proposition of any such machinery of government change would need to be thoroughly examined. |
REC314-3260 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Align risk assessment tools and processes to Risk Management Standard ISO 31000 and the National Emergency Risk Assessment Guidelines (NERAG) and communicate these on public-facing platforms. Make Bushfire Management Area Plans (BMAP) accountable for managing and reporting on region-specific risk and identifying critical infrastructure such as mobile phone towers as key risks. |
REC314-3259 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Implement previous review recommendations for bushfire management including those relating to the 2009 amendments to the Fire and Emergency Services Act 2005, State Bushfire Coordination Committee operation, State Bushfire Management Plan, as well as urgent completion of Codes of Practice for fuel hazard reduction on all land tenures, and redevelopment of Bushfire Management Area Plans accompanied by effective community engagement to build an understanding of risk. |
REC314-3269 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Develop and practice procedures for the CFS, DEW and local governments to access and deploy heavy plant and machinery for fuel reduction operations both before and during bushfires. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
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REC295-1287 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | That the glossary of terms in the State Emergency Management Plan be reviewed to ensure all relevant language is included. All agencies need to ensure the use of clear communication and accurate use of terminology, including in describing the status of critical services e.g. Triple Zero (000), SA Government Radio Network, electrical and water supplies and infrastructure. |
REC295-1314 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | That an Emergency Management Assurance Framework be established as soon as possible to support the emergency management arrangements and the State Emergency Management Plan. Consider establishing an Inspector General Emergency Management department or position. |
REC295-1292 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | That, giving consideration to the previous recommendation, the Flood |
REC295-1319 | 24 - Govt responsibility | That a single emergency service multi-agency control centre be established with sufficient capacity and capability to deal with all types of emergency incidents in SA. Also consider Police and State Emergency Centre. |
REC295-1274 | 35 - Business and Industry in relation to industry | That relevant agencies, such as the Department of State Development, SA Police and emergency services, collaborate to establish an education campaign to encourage businesses in South Australia to develop Business Continuity Plans which, among other potential hazards such as flood and fire, also take into account the potential impact of an extended power outage. |
REC295-1306 | 9 - Community education | Develop practical policy outcomes to support resilience (e.g. the 72- hour model) and promote this broadly to community through media, awareness campaigns, policies etc. Research should be undertaken to gain insight into the types of messaging and activities that have the most impact on sustained behaviour change within the community before committing to a particular model. |
REC295-1331 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Task South Australian Fire and Emergency Services Commission with further developing the Emergency Alerts capability across government agencies including to: a) establish and maintain a centralised training program for emergency alert initial and refresher training. b) establish a pool of endorsed Emergency Alert personnel from across government agencies to enable control agencies to assist each other with the emergency alert function during emergencies. c) develop supporting processes to ensure that the capability supports: emergencies involving any hazard; consistent issuing of alerts and warnings; consistent messages; and effective communication and notification of alerts issued to relevant internal and external stakeholders |
REC295-1282 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | That the Office for Digital Government, in close partnership with telecommunications companies (e.g. Telstra, Optus, Vodaphone), develop a Control Agency Plan for Information and Communication Technology including mobile communications. The plan should consider: |
REC295-1312 | 24 - Govt responsibility | That the Department of Education and Child Development be included as a member of State Emergency Management Council and represented in the State Emergency Centre. |
REC295-1291 | 24 - Govt responsibility | That the Flood Reform Task Group, as proposed by the Department |
REC295-1318 | 24 - Govt responsibility | That the recommendation made following the Pinery bushfire, ‘to review control facilities at State, region and incident level’, be expanded to include all emergency services facilities that will be utilised for major incidents other than bushfire e.g. flood and earthquake and to also be extended into metropolitan areas, and implemented. |
REC295-1302 | 28 - Personal responsibility | That the State Emergency Service together with the Local Government Association and Country Fire Service establish a plan for coordinated provision of sandbags to the public, including options for what is provided, where and when, and the process for effective communication of availability to the public. |
REC295-1330 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Update the Public Information Functional Support Group Plan to include: a) standards, outputs, systems and processes required to be used by control agencies and the Public Information Functional Support Group during emergencies b) guidance on the public information cycle through the prevention, preparedness, response and recovery phases which includes the responsibilities and information requirements during different phases, and effective transition between phases c) establishing a public information intelligence cell within the Public Information Functional Service Group; and d) identifying tools or resources to monitor social media |
REC295-1281 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | In order to increase resilience and public safety during emergencies, the State Emergency Management Committee should request the Australia and New Zealand Emergency Management Committee to place on the agenda, and consider establishing a national position, on redundancies for mobile communications (including phone tower back-up power) and the National Broadband Network. |
REC295-1311 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | That the State Emergency Management Plan be reviewed and updated including: a) a better description of the responsibilities of Hazard Leaders Page xx b) establish a mechanism for a hazard leader to identify systemic failures in coordination of their hazard, with a clear process to raise those issues with SEMC and seek a remedy c) establish resilience as a key heading in the plan, with clearly documented strategies and responsibilities; and d) consider the Schar/Mulroney submission and taking a ‘fresh eyes’ approach |
REC295-1290 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Continue development of the Damage Assessment Support Plan to: |
REC295-1317 | 25 - Inquiry, audit, lessons management and after action review | Review representation in the State Emergency Centre including: a) determining if there is a more suitable functional support group e.g. the Procurement Functional Support Group, to replace the Logistics Functional Support Group, and if so, Chief Procurement Officer, DPC, has responsibility for the management of this role within the State Emergency Centre. b) That when the State Crisis Centre is not operating from a physical location, a State Crisis Centre liaison officer is attached to the State Emergency Centre. |
REC295-1301 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Establish an ‘Interstate Deployment Support Plan’ for incoming interstate resources. The plan should outline responsibilities and arrangements for this function. Consider including this plan into the State emergency management arrangements. |
REC295-1328 | 25 - Inquiry, audit, lessons management and after action review | Update the SEMP Part 3, Annex F ‘Debriefs’ to provide more guidance regarding the types of debriefs, when they are required to be undertaken and at what level and guidance for undertaking and recording debriefs, and implementing lessons identified. |
REC295-1280 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | That a State Plan be developed for managing the consequences of a black system event or other major power outage. The plan should include: |
REC295-1310 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | That additional guidance be provided in the State Emergency Management Plan regarding the activation, structure and operation of Zone Emergency Support Teams. This should include: a) the reporting relationship between the Zone Emergency Support Teams, the State Emergency Centre and the State Coordinator b) briefing requirements between the State Coordinator (or their representative) and the Zone Emergency Support Teams when the State Emergency Centre is activated c) responsibilities for provision of local public information; and d) the appointment of public information officers in Zone Emergency Support Teams (where there is no incident management team (established) to provide information to local communities |
REC295-1289 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | That SA Police, emergency services, health facilities, utility providers and other key service providers, review their Business Continuity Plans giving consideration to factors such as: a) identification of: business critical needs; essential services power requirements; back-up power requirements for all facilities including State, regional and local facilities such as Police, SES, MFS and CFS stations; the need for any arrangements for back-up power to be included in contracts for design and or lease of Government premises b) contingencies for black system events and extended power outages c) regular back-up generator testing regime protocols, including testing under load and for long durations d) contingencies for communications when mobile, landline and/or radios are not operational e.g. satellite phones; and e) alternative State control centre facilities that are pre-identified, equipped and have procedures for moving to the alternative facility. |
REC295-1316 | 24 - Govt responsibility | That the position of Deputy Director, Office for Digital Government is dedicated to the Office for Digital Government; and that people throughout DPC are identified and trained to perform appropriate roles within the State Crisis Centre |
REC295-1297 | 25 - Inquiry, audit, lessons management and after action review | Engage an independent business analyst to review the current call, receipt and dispatch process for emergency services i.e. the Metropolitan Fire Service, Country Fire Service and State Emergency Service, from the initial call for assistance through to response of emergency service resources, including the allocation and coordination of multiple taskings. |
REC295-1327 | 25 - Inquiry, audit, lessons management and after action review | Establish a lessons management capability across the SA emergency management sector to collect, analyse and track lessons identified during debriefs and reviews following events and other sources such as interstate and oversees reviews and inquiries. |
REC295-1277 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | That the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure review their Business Continuity Plan to: |
REC295-1309 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | That members of Emergency Management Council ensure they are prepared to undertake their roles and responsibilities during emergency events, including establishing: a) contingencies for communication e.g. satellite phone b) access to relevant documents such as the State Emergency Management Plan, supporting plans, ministerial guidelines, agency plans and contacts in hard copy and/or portable device c) formalised arrangements for briefings (up and down), and d) arrangements for suitable representation e.g. relevant Chief Executive(s) or their deputy, at all Emergency Management Council meetings . |
REC295-1333 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Develop a State Relief and Recovery Plan as a distinct part of the State Emergency Management Plan which should include: a) potential locations for suitable facilities for relief and recovery centres which: are in locations safe from hazards such as flooding and bushfire; and, have appropriate access and suitable ablutions. b) formalisation of roles and capabilities of non-government organisations such as Red Cross |
REC295-1288 | 24 - Govt responsibility | That Attorney General’s Department explore options to overcome fatigue and welfare issues of SAGRN staff associated with emergency events of extended duration. |
REC295-1315 | 25 - Inquiry, audit, lessons management and after action review | That a review of the role and effectiveness of the State Emergency Management Committee (SEMC) including: the legislative functions; membership including the chair; roles and responsibilities; and, SEMC Advisory Groups be undertaken. |
REC295-1295 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | That resources be provided to support the implementation of recommendations in the South Australian Levee Bank Management Issues Paper (DEWNR, 2015) including: a) development of relevant policy; and b) identification of responsibilities in relation to levee management and flood mitigation |
REC295-1323 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Review and update the role, function, workload and focus of the groups/committees that contribute to incident management and emergency management capabilities including the State Emergency Management Training Committee, Interagency Incident Management Sub-Committee and the Central Exercise Writing Team. |
REC295-1276 | 25 - Inquiry, audit, lessons management and after action review | That SA Health undertake a review of their emergency management arrangements. Health State Controllers should be consulted during this review and arrangements should be consistent throughout the department and across the State and compatible with State emergency management arrangements and information systems |
REC295-1308 | 24 - Govt responsibility | That the Department of the Premier and Cabinet revise the ministerial documents relating to emergency management. |
REC295-1332 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Develop a Disaster Waste Management Plan to form part of the State Emergency Management Plan which describe participating agencies and responsibilities for various aspects of waste management during and after emergencies. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
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REC273-1129 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Incorporating ‘triggers’ within Chief Officers Standing Orders No. 17, which requires the escalation of the State Controller role to the rank of Assistant Chief Officer or greater, depending on the increased risk or activity. |
REC273-1128 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Incorporate in operational doctrine the ability for the State Controller to determine the operational readiness levels of the state or regions based on either the predicted and/or actual risk and/or activity to some or all of the regions. |
REC273-1145 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Review relevant Legislation associated Acts and Plans to establish a consistent approach to fire and emergency management to minimise duplication and risk of contradiction. That the Hazard and Functional area plans be amalgamated and establish a SA Bushfire Plan, under the SEMP, which clearly define role of SACFS. |
REC273-1143 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | That SACFS in consultation with SAMFS consider adopting common terminology and capability requirements for strike teams being ‘4-5 appliances and a group officer’ in line with other jurisdictions. |
REC273-1141 | 21 - Role of Commonwealth Government | SACFS and the BoM review current weather, fuel loads and curing rates to determine the most appropriate and accurate forecast is prepared, issued and validated against current conditions. |
REC273-1133 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | That a complete review of current naming conventions of personnel and centres, in accordance with the outcomes of the Victorian Bushfire Royal Commission is undertaken, to ensure clarity around command, control and coordination within SA. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
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REC264-1084 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | GDF Suez revise its Emergency Response Plan, to: • require an increased state of readiness on days of Total Fire Ban; • require pre-establishment of an Emergency Command Centre; • require pre-positioning of an accredited Incident Controller as Emergency Commander; and • require any persons nominated as Emergency Commander to have incident controller accreditation and profciency in the use of the Australasian Inter-service Incident Management System. |
REC264-1075 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The State: • bring forward the commencement date of s.16 of the Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Amendment Act 2014 (Vic), to facilitate the requirement that approved work plans specifcally address fre prevention, mitigation and suppression; and • acquire the expertise necessary to monitor and enforce compliance with fre risk measures adopted by the Victorian coal mining industry under both the mine licensing and occupational health and safety regimes. |
REC264-1083 | 9 - Community education | The State, led by Emergency Management Victoria, develop a community engagement model for emergency management to ensure all State agencies and local governments engage with communities and already identifed trusted networks as an integral component of emergency management planning. |
REC264-1074 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The State enact legislation, to: • require Integrated Fire Management Planning; and • authorise the Emergency Management Commissioner to develop and implement regional and municipal fire management plans. |
REC264-1080 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The State develop and widely disseminate an integrated State Smoke Guide, to: • incorporate the proposed State Smoke Plan for the management of public health impacts from large scale, extended smoke events; • include updated Bushfre Smoke, carbon monoxide and PM protocols; and 2.5 • provide practical advice and support materials to employers, communities and individuals on how to minimise the harmful effects of smoke. |
REC264-1088 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | GDF Suez adopt and apply the firefghter carbon monoxide response protocol. |
REC264-1072 | 25 - Inquiry, audit, lessons management and after action review | The State empower and require the Auditor-General or another appropriate agency, to: • oversee the implementation of these recommendations and the commitments made by the State and GDF Suez during this Inquiry; and • report publicly every year for the next three years on the progress made in implementing recommendations and commitments. |
REC264-1079 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The State review and revise the Bushfre Smoke Protocol and the PM Health Protection Protocol, to: 2.5 • ensure both protocols are consistent with each other; and • ensure both protocols include assessment methods and trigger points for specifc responses. |
REC264-1087 | 25 - Inquiry, audit, lessons management and after action review | GDF Suez: • practice and ensures that, by taking a risk management approach, it is suitable for fire prevention, mitigation and suppression in all parts of the Hazelwood mine; and review its ‘Mine Fire Service Policy and Code of Practice’ so that it refects industry best • work plan for the Hazelwood mine. incorporate the revised ‘Mine Fire Service Policy and Code of Practice’ into the approved |
REC264-1078 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The State review and revise the community carbon monoxide response protocol and the firefghter carbon monoxide response protocol, to: |
REC264-1086 | 25 - Inquiry, audit, lessons management and after action review | GDF Suez: • consequences of fire in the worked out areas of the Hazelwood mine, and an assessment of the most effective fre protection for the exposed coal surfaces; conduct, assisted by an independent consultant, a risk assessment of the likelihood and • controls are in place to eliminate or reduce the risk of fre; and prepare an implementation plan that ensures the most effective and reasonably practicable • implement the plan |
REC264-1077 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The State take the lead in advocating for a national compliance standard for PM |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
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REC244-2600 | 25 - Inquiry, audit, lessons management and after action review | An external audit of shared services performed by SAFECOM and services now provided by the three ESOs which have the potential to be shared, be undertaken to determine the most efficient and cost effective way such services can be delivered to the sector. The three ESO Chiefs need to have input into this process. |
REC244-2622 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Amend Sections 28, 61 and 110 to provide the Chief Officers greater flexibility over organisational structure. |
REC244-2607 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Amend Regulation 41 to exempt the use of prescribed appliances when a Hot Work Permit compliant with AS1674.1 has been issued. |
REC244-2628 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Amend the F&ES Act to reflect the SES expanded responsibilities as Hazard Leader for ‘Extreme Weather’ including their community education role. |
REC244-2612 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Develop a code of practice which is referenced by the F&ES Act for burning off including the option to issue seasonal permits for relevant purposes throughout the State. |
REC244-2633 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Amend Section 143 to strengthen the capacity of the ESOs to recover outstanding debts (e.g. penalty for late payment provisions). |
REC244-2599 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | That the MFS, CFS and SES be incorporated into a departmental structure under the direction of a Chief Executive based on interstate developments over the past two decades, which establishes this arrangement as the benchmark for the governance of Emergency Services in Australia. The MFS, CFS and SES would operate as separate units under the ultimate direction of the CEO. |
REC244-2620 | 25 - Inquiry, audit, lessons management and after action review | Review employment conditions under the F&ES Act to align with those under the Public Sector Act unless there is a compelling reason to the contrary. |
REC244-2606 | 22 - Role of local Gvt | The Act be amended to require the mandatory appointment of Authorised Officers by each rural council or council that has within its area a Designated Urban Bushfire Risk Area(s) with an option for the CFS Chief Officer to exempt council from this requirement (similar to Section 105B). |
REC244-2626 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Section 70 (5) be amended to preclude a person from being elected as a group officer, brigade captain or brigade lieutenant if he or she is an employee of the CFS. |
REC244-2611 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Review the format and necessity for Schedules 9 and 10 of the Regulations |
REC244-2632 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Section 142 be amended to include the SES |
REC244-2617 | 25 - Inquiry, audit, lessons management and after action review | When judging major incidents in the future, consideration be given to Eburn and Dover’s proposal to establish processes with a statutory basis that sufficiently balance the community’s interests in ensuring that true lessons, including lessons of error or neglect, are identified, whilst also protecting members of the emergency services. Processes need to be developed for emergency services such as those used in aviation and medicine, to facilitate open and honest disclosure of errors. |
REC244-2603 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Should the State Bushfire Coordination Committee continue to exist under the F&ES Act, then Section 71 of the Act be amended to provide for the appointment of an independent presiding member of the committee. |
REC244-2625 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Sections 42 and 97 be amended to provide greater flexibility in the engagement of contractors by Senior MFS and CFS Officers. Consideration be given to providing similar powers in Section 118 to enable the SES to engage contractors. |
REC244-2610 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Amend Regulation 33 (6) and (8) to include respectively ‘notice given’ and ‘permit application’ using the online medium. |
REC244-2631 | 25 - Inquiry, audit, lessons management and after action review | Review Section 134 to ensure that it is not a deterrent to a group of farm fire units operating at an incident. |
REC244-2615 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | In consultation with stakeholders including CFA, develop a Forest Industry Brigade standard for inclusion in the Fire and Emergency Services Regulations. |
REC244-2602 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | That South Australia’s Hazard Leader Plan for Rural Fire, prepared in accordance with the State Emergency Management Plan, replace the F&ES Act requirement for a separate State Bushfire Management Plan. |
REC244-2624 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The F&ES Act be amended to clarify the meaning of ‘closure’ in Section 38 and that provisions relating to the extension and rescission of closure orders be reviewed. |
REC244-2609 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | That the proposed ‘Permit Information Management System’ (PIMS) be implemented as soon as possible and incorporated into the Call Receipt and Dispatch process. Following implementation, amend Regulation 33 (5) (d) and (10) (c) in line with the automated notification process. |
REC244-2630 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Clarify that Section 128 of the F&ES Act is not compromised by any other legislation. |
REC244-2614 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Consider the amendment of Section 82 (2) to include the power to order the cessation of harvesting or any other actions (including the lighting of fires authorised under Section 81) that because of the weather conditions, may cause a fire, if ignited, to get out of control. |
REC244-2636 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Amend the F&ES Act to provide for the operation of interstate fire and emergency service workers in South Australia. The issue of liability may need to be considered. |
REC244-2601 | 25 - Inquiry, audit, lessons management and after action review | That an independent review of the operational and geographic boundaries of the ESOs be conducted recognising the limitations of the current governance structures to adequately address such issues. Such a review needs to be performed periodically, but not less than every 8 years. |
REC244-2623 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | That the F&ES Act be amended to enable fire safety inspections in and outside fire districts. |
REC244-2608 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Consider whether Regulation 71 be amended to extend the range of offences for which expiation fees apply to include a breach of any permit condition imposed by an authorised officer. |
REC244-2629 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The power of the Chief Officer to appoint officers from the staff of the SES as well as appoint volunteer officers of the SES be clarified. A command structure section (similar to Section 70) be incorporated into the Act and include the power to register, appoint, disqualify and terminate volunteer members. |
REC244-2613 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Should the State Bushfire Coordination Committee continue to exist under the F&ES Act amend Section 94 (4) (c) to refer to the ‘State Bushfire Coordination Committee’. |
REC244-2635 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The requirement to consult with members of the unit and the SESVA before an SES Unit is dissolved should remain but the need for public meetings be removed from the regulations. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
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REC199-0407 | 25 - Inquiry, audit, lessons management and after action review | the state: • undertake a strategic review to identify areas at risk from flash or riverine flooding. Shortcomings in the flood gauging networks identified in the review should then be the focus of remedial action • seek to address as a priority any notable gaps in the total flood warning system as apparent in the 2010–11 floods (including south west Victoria, Wimmera and north central region) by enhancing mapping, gauging and education programs; and • seek a commitment from the Bureau of Meteorology to ensure any new gauges installed are utilised to enhance flood prediction capability and coverage. |
REC199-0450 | 25 - Inquiry, audit, lessons management and after action review | the state ensure that appropriate record management processes are developed and implemented and that these processes also provide record accountability for multi-agency operations. Agency processes should be standardised to the fullest extent possible |
REC199-0482 | 25 - Inquiry, audit, lessons management and after action review | the state task the Emergency Services Commissioner with the responsibility to develop and undertake the regular audit of emergency management plans at all levels. |
REC199-0423 | 21 - Role of Commonwealth Government | the Bureau of Meteorology expand its volunteer amateur weather watch groups to enhance its weather and flood information gathering procedures. |
REC199-0459 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | the state undertake a complete review of emergency management legislation. This should include agencyspecific emergency management legislation and should focus on service interoperability and securing an ‘all hazards, all agencies’ capability |
REC199-0400 | 24 - Govt responsibility | The state take the necessary measures to clarify roles, responsibilities and cost-sharing arrangements for flood warning systems, including tasking state and regional bodies to be responsible for the flood warning system. This will require engaging with the commonwealth to amend the 2001 arrangements, updating the 1998 floodplain management strategy accordingly and continuing to support commonwealth initiatives designed to improve flood mapping standards and associated issues. |
REC199-0428 | 25 - Inquiry, audit, lessons management and after action review | the state clarify which agency is responsible for collecting post-flood extent and related data. This should include: • the development of guidelines to ensure consistent standards are applied to post-flood data collection; and • an appropriate process to ensure funding availability for such activities. |
REC199-0467 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | the state review and align all policies and procedures for evacuation, such as the interim evacuation guidelines and the State Health Emergency Response Plan, to ensure consistency and to clarify roles and responsibilities. |
REC199-0406 | 24 - Govt responsibility | the state expand the Regional Water Monitoring Partnerships model to include all flood warning gauges. |
REC199-0445 | 25 - Inquiry, audit, lessons management and after action review | the state develop and implement operational performance standards for each state agency involved in emergency management response and recovery and that: • each agency be assessed by the Emergency Services Commissioner periodically against these performance standards for both capability and capacity; and • where performance against these standards for either capability or capacity cannot be demonstrated by any agency – appropriate advice is communicated to the relevant Minister, departmental/agency head and State Emergency Response Coordinator; and – an action plan is developed and implemented to address the relevant capability or capacity deficiency in both the short and longer term. |
REC199-0481 | 24 - Govt responsibility | the state (consistent with recommendation 46) develop a model for determining the capability and capacity of departments and agencies with roles and responsibilities in large scale or protracted emergencies. The issues of capability and capacity should be addressed at all levels of emergency management planning. |
REC199-0419 | 21 - Role of Commonwealth Government | the Bureau of Meteorology provide Incident Control Centres with real-time access to flood data held by the Bureau of Meteorology. This will require Bureau of Meteorology staff making themselves available to respond to enquiries from Incident Control Centres during a flood event. |
REC199-0457 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | the state: • revise the Emergency Management Team Practice Note to include a template to ensure an appropriate and consistent approach to Emergency Management Team operations • provide the revised Emergency Management Team Practice Note to all stakeholders to enable familiarisation; and • ensure that there is regular exercising of Emergency Management Teams with an `all hazards’ focus. |
REC199-0487 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | the state develop and incorporate into emergency management planning regimes plans based on geographic risk, such as sub-regional plans |
REC199-0427 | 35 - Business and Industry in relation to industry | the state require dam owners and operators provide regular situational reports to the relevant control agency where dam issues may impact incident management. |
REC199-0466 | 24 - Govt responsibility | the Departments of Health and Human Services finalise the definition of ‘vulnerable person’ and the list of facility types where vulnerable people are located and ensure that the definition and associated policy(ies) are applicable across ‘all hazards’. |
REC199-0405 | 21 - Role of Commonwealth Government | the state and the Bureau of Meteorology liaise to ensure the existence of appropriate quality control processes for gauges and contingency measures in the event that gauges are damaged during flood events. |
REC199-0443 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | the state reconfigure the Victorian Emergency Management Council and the supportive committee arrangements to ensure a comprehensive, accountable, effective and integrated approach to the development of emergency management arrangements is in place for Victoria. The process should also include consideration of the Security and Emergencies Committee and Central Government Response Committee roles, functions, reporting arrangements and relationships with other state level emergency management groups. Settled arrangements must be clearly articulated to ensure stakeholder understanding. |
REC199-0477 | 21 - Role of Commonwealth Government | the state review the potential for National Registration and Inquiry System 6 to provide a single point of information collection to both register individuals and plan the delivery of recovery services. If the review determines National Registration and Inquiry System 6 is unable to fulfil this function, the state should work with the commonwealth and other states to implement the necessary changes to National Registration and Inquiry System 6. If National Registration and Inquiry System 6 is unable to be developed as a single information collection system: the state should develop and implement a single point of information collection system, including how information obtained from outreach activities can be incorporated into this system and how such information may be linked into the Rapid Impact Assessment process. |
REC199-0412 | 21 - Role of Commonwealth Government | the Bureau of Meteorology adjust its flood prediction models to incorporate water storage conditions (to enable it to issue more timely and useful flood predictions for communities based downstream of water storages). |
REC199-0456 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | the state: • ensure an ‘all hazards, all agencies’ approach to Incident Action Plan compilation is developed and implemented to enable the timely issue of functional Incident Action Plans. All agency incident action planning processes should be standardised to the fullest extent possible, including consideration of a library of pro-forma Incident Action Plans; and • develop and implement mechanisms to test and ensure that agencies possess satisfactory incident action planning capability and capacity for ‘all hazards’ at all levels of operations. |
REC199-0486 | 22 - Role of local Gvt | the state, following the completion of the Municipal Association of Victoria Improving Emergency Management in Local Government program, work with municipalities to revise the role and responsibilities of local government in emergency management. The issue of capability and capacity of each local government should be addressed in all related emergency management arrangements. |
REC199-0426 | 35 - Business and Industry in relation to industry | the state require that dam owners and operators inform people situated downstream of water storages if the owners/operators become aware of an immediate threat arising from the dam to the safety of those people. The owner/operators should provide this information as soon as the owner/operators become aware of the threat. |
REC199-0465 | 24 - Govt responsibility | the state undertake major reform of Victoria’s emergency management arrangements to bring about an effective ‘all hazards, all agencies’ approach, incorporating: • clarity of command and control in all emergencies • common operating platforms, including communications and information technology • interoperability between all agencies • regular joint training and exercising by all agencies • the development and implementation of performance standards for each emergency management agency • the development and maintenance of effective planning arrangements at all levels of emergency management • a meaningful monitoring and audit regime for designated standards and planning requirements; and • an effective accountability mechanism to support the maintenance of legislative and other agency obligations. |
REC199-0404 | 21 - Role of Commonwealth Government | the state engage with the Bureau of Meteorology to establish a joint initiative to review existing flash flood warning systems in Victoria and identify where additional systems are needed, with a particular focus on urban centres with a history of flash flooding. This review should seek to achieve outcomes similar to those implemented in NSW. Subject to those outcomes being implemented, the state should determine which agency is responsible for flash flood warnings. |
REC199-0442 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | the state appoint a state emergency controller who is ultimately accountable for all major emergencies. |
REC199-0470 | 21 - Role of Commonwealth Government | the commonwealth consider including (as part of its review of standards for aged care services) requirements for: • robust ‘all hazards’ evacuation plans that include current after-hour contact details of people who are able to make authoritative decisions during an emergency; and • rehearsal of those plans. |
REC199-0411 | 21 - Role of Commonwealth Government | the Bureau of Meteorology undertake a review of its radar coverage in the context of flash and riverine flood warnings for Victoria, with a particular focus on known gap areas such as the Horsham/Nhill region. |
REC199-0455 | 24 - Govt responsibility | the state conduct an ‘all hazards’ needs analysis to determine requirements for level 3 Incident Control Centres with a focus on ‘all hazards’ and multi-agency capability. Following this analysis, the state take steps to ensure the availability of sufficient and functional level 3 Incident Control Centres across the state with an ‘all hazards’ and multi-agency capability |
REC199-0484 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | the state: • assess current risk and risk mitigation strategies for essential services, with a focus on ensuring that risks are appropriately identified at all levels of emergency planning; and • ensure that the responsible authority or owner/ operator of essential services put in place appropriate strategies to mitigate any risk to service continuity |
REC199-0425 | 35 - Business and Industry in relation to industry | the state require that dam owners and operators inform the control agency and the Bureau of Meteorology about the management and operation of dams and weirs consistent with the flood warning requirements of the relevant river systems, including providing telemetry at sites as necessary. This may require the state proactively liaising with other states to ensure equivalent obligations are placed on interstate dam operators where the dam may impact Victorian communities. |
REC199-0464 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | the state develop and implement a strategy that maximises the flexibility and united capacity of the Country Fire Authority and Victoria State Emergency Service to respond to emergencies. |
REC199-0403 | 21 - Role of Commonwealth Government | the state and commonwealth undertake a review into the appropriate institutional arrangements for the forecasting and predictions function currently undertaken by Melbourne Water for the Port Phillip and Westernport region. |
REC199-0431 | 9 - Community education | the state allocate core funding for the ongoing delivery of the ‘FloodSafe’ program to flood prone communities across Victoria. |
REC199-0469 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | the state update the current fire specific guidelines and resources for evacuation planning to take an ‘all hazards’ approach |
REC199-0409 | 21 - Role of Commonwealth Government | the Bureau of Meteorology should present water levels in both local datum and Australian Height Datum (gauge zero) for all its published information and warnings |
REC199-0454 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | the State Emergency Response Coordinator further develop the Strategic Emergency Management Assurance Team process by involving subject matter experts from relevant emergency management control agencies who are the subject of Strategic Emergency Management Assurance Team focus. |
REC199-0483 | 9 - Community education | the state ensure: • where external assistance is provided to Victoria during emergencies, communities are advised of the specific purpose of that assistance, through media and other information channels; and • all agencies provide incident management personnel with information regarding the arrangements for tasking Australian Defence Force resources and that this advice is reinforced during emergencies where Australian Defence Force support is provided. |
REC199-0424 | 35 - Business and Industry in relation to industry | the state require dam owners and operators to review storage operating manuals to incorporate lessons from the 2010–11 floods and make this information publicly available. The manuals should include a clear policy on dam surcharging and pre-release. |
REC199-0461 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | the state ensure: • water rescue/swift water rescue definitions, roles and responsibilities are clarified and communicated to all stakeholders to ensure common understanding • appropriate training, equipment and support is provided to those required to perform water rescue/swift water rescue. Common training programs, standards and accreditation should be utilised wherever possible to increase potential for joined up operations and maximised capability • that based upon the experiences of these flood events, an appropriate level of water rescue capacity and capability is established and maintained • flood plans (all levels) and flood emergency response planning incorporate consideration of pre-positioning of appropriate water rescue capability in the event that such services should be required; and • that revised water rescue roles, responsibilities and arrangements are clearly defined in the Emergency Management Manual Victoria and such definitions are replicated in all individual agency planning and operational documents |
REC199-0401 | 25 - Inquiry, audit, lessons management and after action review | the state task the Emergency Services Commissioner with the responsibility to establish an effective audit regime of the total flood warning system. |
REC199-0430 | 9 - Community education | the state undertake a community education program to inform households of their respective flood risk. This may include information on rate notices of heights of houses above flood level and educating people about flash flooding. |
REC199-0468 | 22 - Role of local Gvt | municipal councils undertake a risk assessment of caravan parks and decide if any should be included in the list of facilities where vulnerable people may be located. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC197-1741 | 9 - Community education | A. The CFA further develop community education programs to specifically engage culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities to address the importance of ethnic diversity. |
REC197-1733 | 25 - Inquiry, audit, lessons management and after action review | That a review of the Country Fire Authority Act 1958 and the Country Fire Authority Regulations 2004 be undertaken. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC151-3106 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | A schedule for revocation of permits be included in the Regulations. |
REC151-3068 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The FES Act be amended so as to allow the Chief Executive (CE) to manage the Commission (SAFECOM) Office by removing provisions relative to the SAFECOM Board’s managerial and administrative oversight of the Commission. |
REC151-3089 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The definition of ‘officer’ in Section 3 be amended to include reference to the designation being made by the Chief Officer. |
REC151-3094 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Where in the FES Act reference is made to ‘South Australian Volunteer Fire-Brigades Association’ this be removed and replaced with, ‘Country Fire Service Volunteers Association’. |
REC151-3073 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Sections 56 and 83 be repealed and replaced with a single section which unifies their provisions. |
REC151-3100 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Section 70(12) (relating to disciplinary action) be amended to include, where the officer is an employee of a government agency, the Chief Officer shall advise an appropriate representative of the agency prior to any disciplinary action being taken. |
REC151-3082 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The Regulations be amended to include appropriate references to the Unit Managers Advisory Group (SASES) consistent with those of the Group Committee (SACFS). |
REC151-3105 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | With the implementation of the Ministerial Review of Bushfire Management in South Australia, the provisions in Sections 84 and 85 be reviewed in terms of enforcing hazard reduction on council or Crown land. |
REC151-3065 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The FES Act be amended to create the position which currently has the working title of ‘Commissioner of Fire and Emergencies’ to replace the position of CE and that the FES Act be amended in places where this position is mentioned. |
REC151-3088 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Sections 68 and 116 – provisions relating to the establishment/dissolution of SACFS Brigades and SASES Units be amended so as to retain the head of power in the principal FES Act and that the procedural provisions within each of these sections be placed in the Regulations. |
REC151-3093 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Where in the FES Act reference is made to, ‘an officer of the National Parks and Wildlife Service’ this be removed and replaced with, ‘an officer of the Department for Environment and Heritage’. |
REC151-3072 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Provisions in the FES Act relating to, “land management principles” be reviewed in consultation with appropriate agencies and having due regard to the recommendations of the Wangary Coronial Inquest. |
REC151-3097 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Regulation 8(4)(b) be amended to allow persons of or above 16 years of age to register as fire-fighters. |
REC151-3081 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | So as to increase the pool of volunteers from which the Minister can appoint Advisory Board members, Section 18(3)(c) and (d) be amended to include nominations from the Group Committee (SACFS) and Unit Managers Advisory Group (SASES). |
REC151-3104 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | SAFECOM in consultation with SAMFS consider the merits of amending Sections 49- 51 to replace the right to appeal from the District Court to the South Australian Industrial Relations Commission. |
REC151-3064 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The FES Act be amended to include a definition of ‘operations’ and/or ‘operational’. |
REC151-3087 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Section 90 – provisions relating to smoking, and throwing burning material be removed from the principal FES Act and placed in the Regulations. |
REC151-3092 | 19 - Offences | Expiation fees be reviewed so as to be consistent with the seriousness of the offences. |
REC151-3071 | 24 - Govt responsibility | The comprehensive prevention, preparedness, response and recovery (PPRR) approach to the management of bushfires as recommended by the Ministerial Review of Bushfire Management in South Australia is supported: its implementation should consider issues raised by councils and should also be considerate of the recommendations of the Wangary Coronial Inquest. |
REC151-3096 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | All Regulations relating to constitutions be deleted; the FES Act be amended to allow the Chief Officers to prescribe the constitution; and the process for the management of a SACFS brigade/group and a SASES unit to be in the form of an administrative instruction. |
REC151-3076 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Provisions in Section 11(1)(e)(i) and (ii) relating to appointments of volunteer associations to the SAFECOM Board be removed. |
REC151-3103 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Provisions be included in the Regulations for mediation in appropriate circumstances. |
REC151-3063 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The preamble of the Fire and Emergency Services (FES) Act be amended to include a stronger emphasis on the strategic and policy purposes of the Commission, highlighting its key role in the governance of the emergency services sector. |
REC151-3086 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Section 88 – requirement to carry fire extinguishers in a caravan be removed from the principal FES Act and placed in the Regulations. |
REC151-3091 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Regulation 48 regarding prescribed offences be amended to include Section 79(2)(e) or its equivalent under the amendment proposed in Recommendation 22 above. |
REC151-3111 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Crown law opinion be obtained as to what amendments, if necessary or appropriate, are required to satisfy Recommendation 29.9(7) of the Wangary Coronial Inquest, that a dedicated bushfire prevention officer be appointed. |
REC151-3070 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Crown law opinion be obtained to determine whether additional functions now undertaken by the Commission following the devolvement of the functions of the Security and Emergency Management Office (SEMO) require an amendment to the FES Act. |
REC151-3095 | 24 - Govt responsibility | SAFECOM re-evaluate and determine a more meaningful definition of fire districts. |
REC151-3075 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Section 92 include the facility to issue a warrant for the relevant authority to break into land or buildings for the purposes of determining what measures have been taken for the prevention, control or suppression of fire or for the prevention of, or for dealing with, the escape of hazardous materials; and that costs and expenses in doing so are recoverable. |
REC151-3102 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Regulations 22 and 62 be reviewed to ensure reports regarding conduct must be relevant to the enquiry. |
REC151-3085 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | With the implementation of the Ministerial Review of Bushfire Management in South Australia, consideration should be given to provisions within Part 4, Division 7 of the principal FES Act which would be more appropriately placed in the Regulations. |
REC151-3090 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Following the amendment to Section 79 as proposed above in Recommendation 22, a definition of, ‘properly constructed fire place’ and ‘properly constructed incinerator’ be included in the new Regulation. |
REC151-3110 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Further to Recommendations 11 and 12 above concerning the joining of Sections 56 and 83 of the FES Act, that these existing provisions be examined to determine whether they provide sufficient authority to address Recommendation 29.9(4) of the Wangary Coronial Inquest so as to require the owners or occupiers of rural land to create fire breaks and/or the removal of flammable materials from the land, as measures for preventing the outbreak of a bushfire, or for preventing the spread or extension of a bushfire. |
REC151-3069 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Consistent with the requirement for Emergency Service Organisations, the FES Act be amended to require South Australian Fire and Emergency Commission (SAFECOM) to submit a workforce plan to the Board. |
REC151-3094 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Where in the FES Act reference is made to ‘South Australian Volunteer Fire-Brigades Association’ this be removed and replaced with, ‘Country Fire Service Volunteers Association’. |
REC151-3074 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Sections 56 and 83 (amended as suggested above) include the facility to issue a warrant for the relevant authority to break into land or buildings to carry out requirements regarding flammable undergrowth or material; and that costs and expenses in doing so are recoverable. |
REC151-3101 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Divisions and Subdivisions and Regulations 22 and 62 headings relating to conduct and discipline be changed to have similar wording and should include, “Conduct, Discipline and Grievance Procedures for Members”. |
REC151-3084 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Section 79(1) – provisions relating to lighting or maintaining a fire in the open air during the fire danger season be retained in the principal FES Act; Section 79(2) be amended to provide that a fire may be lit or maintained in accordance with the Regulations; provisions specifying the conditions under which a fire can be lit or maintained, and currently under Section 79(2), be placed in the Regulations. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC132-3595 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Development of framework document investigating future direction of VBIL including its role during incidents and its role in the transition from bushfire preparation to incident to bushfire recovery phases |
REC132-3592 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Clarifying protocols for activating VBIL beyond normal working hours and for 24 hour activations |
REC132-3591 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Joint development of templates for provision of core incident information by regional Incident Management Teams to CFA and DSE emergency coordination centres as basis for updates to the VBIL and other authorised information recipients |