INQ104

TitleLong
Inquiry into the 2002-2003 Victorian Bushfires
INQAuthor
B. Esplin et al.
Year
InquiryType
DisasterType
State
Status

Recommendations for this Inquiry

INQ-ref REC-UID CODE SubCode SrcNUM Recommendation
INQ104 REC104-2263 E - Agency Organisation 16 - Training and behaviour 19.17

That the person appointed by DSE or CFA as Incident Controller for any incident should have formal qualifications and accreditation in the Incident Control System, be fully aware of the Victorian emergency management arrangements and have access to local fire prevention and response planning, inc

INQ104 REC104-2283 C - Response 15 - Inter-service cooperation 21.80

That DSE, CFA, MFESB and VICSES work cooperatively to establish a common system for resource tracking during major fires and incidents.

INQ104 REC104-2284 A - Responsibility 25 - Inquiry, audit, lessons management and after action review 21.14

That DSE and CFA review the management of personnel deployed ensuring that:
• Shift changeovers of fire line personnel and fire line supervisors are conducted in such a way that the fire line is not left inappropriately unattended;

INQ104 REC104-2285 E - Agency Organisation 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform 21.19

That, as a matter of urgency and in consultation with stakeholders, CFA and DSE develop and communicate clear guidelines on how and when privately owned firefighting equipment should be integrated into the fire response.

INQ104 REC104-2286 F - Research and technology 17 - Assets and technology 21.21

That CFA, having regard to terrain, continue to review the mix of firefighting appliances currently in service. In particular, consideration should be given to the number and distribution of smaller ‘slip-on’ type equipment.

INQ104 REC104-2287 C - Response 8 - Communications and warnings 21.31

That DSE and CFA work with the Bureau of Emergency Services Telecommunications to ensure that rural communication issues are appropriately addressed in the Statewide Integrated Public Safety and Communications Strategy, and that priorities and business cases are agreed for critical issues.

INQ104 REC104-2288 E - Agency Organisation 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform 21.32

That CFA develop protocols to integrate Ultra High Frequency and Citizen Band radios into their communication structures.

INQ104 REC104-2289 A - Responsibility 38 - Agency/Department Reporting 22.60

That the joint agencies introduce a system of performance measures for reporting the effectiveness of aircraft in firefighting operations.

INQ104 REC104-2290 A - Responsibility 38 - Agency/Department Reporting 21.61

That instances where demand for air support outstrips the supply of State Fleet Aircraft available are recorded. 

INQ104 REC104-2291 A - Responsibility 28 - Personal responsibility 22.62

That after each fire season, measures of the effectiveness of aerial firefighting be collated, analysed and used for the assessment of the State Aircraft Fleet composition and the adequacy of Training and Accreditation programs.

INQ104 REC104-2292 A - Responsibility 25 - Inquiry, audit, lessons management and after action review 22.63

That a systematic performance audit of State Aircraft Fleet contractors be conducted jointly by agency and SAU personnel.

INQ104 REC104-2293 A - Responsibility 25 - Inquiry, audit, lessons management and after action review 22.64

That aviation contractors be required to submit a copy of their annual independent regulatory compliance audit prepared for Civil Aviation Safety Authority to the State Aircraft Unit.

INQ104 REC104-2294 E - Agency Organisation 16 - Training and behaviour 22.65

That training and competency programs for Incident Controllers should include aircraft firefighting capability training.

INQ104 REC104-2295 C - Response 15 - Inter-service cooperation 22.66

That more emphasis should be given to communication and discussion in regard to State Aircraft Unit’s roles, responsibilities, practices and procedures.

INQ104 REC104-2296 C - Response 8 - Communications and warnings 23.21

That in relation to the provision of information to communities affected by fires and other emergencies, DSE and CFA ensure that:

INQ104 REC104-2297 C - Response 8 - Communications and warnings 23.22

That the model of community engagement developed by DSE and CFA and applied during the 2002-2003 fires is further developed and refined, particularly in regard to short-duration, rapidly escalating incidents.

INQ104 REC104-2298 C - Response 8 - Communications and warnings 23.23

That relevant Government agencies including Emergency Communications Victoria, the Bureau of Emergency Services Telecommunications and the Victoria Police Media Unit, evaluate the proposals put forward by the Australian Communications Authority with respect to the hearing impaired. 

INQ104 REC104-2282 A - Responsibility 25 - Inquiry, audit, lessons management and after action review 20.72

That quality control or performance assessments are routinely completed post fire season, to ensure that contractors who have not performed to an agreed standard are not re-engaged for the consequential rehabilitation works.

INQ104 REC104-2281 A - Responsibility 25 - Inquiry, audit, lessons management and after action review 20.71

That DSE and CFA work cooperatively to review the management and application of bulldozers in fire suppression operations to ensure that they are used effectively, appropriately and are adequately supervised.

INQ104 REC104-2280 C - Response 14 - Incident Mgt Teams 20.67

That DSE and CFA ensure that:

INQ104 REC104-2264 E - Agency Organisation 16 - Training and behaviour 19.18

That CFA and DSE provide media training to all Level 2 and Level 3 Incident Controllers.

INQ104 REC104-2265 C - Response 15 - Inter-service cooperation 19.23

That in the review of Incident Control Centre locations, DSE and CFA give due consideration to:
• Existing public infrastructure that may provide suitable facilities; and
• Opportunities for collocation with Municipal Emergency Co-ordination Centres. 

INQ104 REC104-2266 C - Response 15 - Inter-service cooperation 19.24

That DSE and CFA review their joint planning for Incident Control Centres to ensure that, wherever safe and practicable, those Centres are located close to the fire area.

INQ104 REC104-2267 C - Response 14 - Incident Mgt Teams 19.29

That DSE and CFA develop an agreed process for the effective transfer of control from one Incident Control Centre to another, including processes for communicating this change to fire ground supervisors and local communities.

INQ104 REC104-2268 A - Responsibility 9 - Community education 20.12

That CFA and DSE include agreed Fire Control Priorities in community awareness and education material provided to the community before each fire season. 

INQ104 REC104-2269 C - Response 14 - Incident Mgt Teams 20.13

That the fire agencies ensure that Incident Action Plans developed by Incident Management Teams are consistent with, and built on, the agreed Fire Control Priorities.

INQ104 REC104-2270 E - Agency Organisation 29 - Operational Health and Safety 20.26

That DSE and CFA continue to stress firefighter safety as their highest priority for incident managers and fire ground supervisors

INQ104 REC104-2271 C - Response 14 - Incident Mgt Teams 20.27

That DSE and CFA ensure that agreed strategy and tactics, and the rationale, be communicated to personnel involved in the fire fight and be included in briefings for fire line personnel.

INQ104 REC104-2272 C - Response 14 - Incident Mgt Teams 20.28

That personnel assigned the roles of Division Commander, Sector Commander and Strike Team Leader on the fire ground are actively encouraged to provide input into the selection of strategies and tactics.

INQ104 REC104-2273 C - Response 14 - Incident Mgt Teams 20.29

That personnel assigned the roles of Division Commander, Sector Commander and Strike Team Leader be given flexibility to alter tactics to take advantage of changed conditions on the fire ground.

INQ104 REC104-2274 C - Response 7 - Inter-agency communication 20.38

That when Incident Management Teams implement significant changes to objectives and strategies, these are effectively communicated to firefighters, fire ground supervisors and affected communities, and are incorporated into the broader organisational planning. 

INQ104 REC104-2275 C - Response 14 - Incident Mgt Teams 20.39

That the ‘Incident Objectives’ established for any response should reflect the endorsed Statewide ‘Fire Control Priorities’, and the relevant Municipal Fire Management Plan.

INQ104 REC104-2276 E - Agency Organisation 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform 20.40

That CFA and DSE jointly develop procedures to ensure that a more consistent strategic approach can be maintained at shift and tour of duty changes.

INQ104 REC104-2277 A - Responsibility 25 - Inquiry, audit, lessons management and after action review 20.54

That DSE and CFA review methods of gathering and processing fire information to ensure all methods are pursued to greatest effect.

INQ104 REC104-2278 E - Agency Organisation 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform 20.61

That DSE and CFA review the standards and protocols for documentation, including mapping, provided to fire line managers as part of their briefing notes, to ensure these are concise and appropriate.

INQ104 REC104-2279 C - Response 14 - Incident Mgt Teams 20.62

That operational briefings in multi-agency fires should, wherever possible, be joint briefings of all agencies involved.

INQ104 REC104-2299 C - Response 8 - Communications and warnings 23.30

That consideration be given to formalising Australian Broadcasting Corporation Local Radio as the official emergency radio station for Victoria, given it is the only radio station that can cover the whole of the State.

INQ104 REC104-2300 C - Response 8 - Communications and warnings 23.31

That Victoria Police Media Unit coordinate work with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and the emergency service agencies to implement this arrangement.

INQ104 REC104-2320 F - Research and technology 13 - Mapping and data quality 25.38

That Government acknowledge the importance of spatial information as a key element of planning, operations and program evaluation, and support the Geospatial Emergency Information Network as a means of ensuring integrated and co-ordinated information management on a whole-ofGovernment basis.

INQ104 REC104-2321 A - Responsibility 24 - Govt responsibility 25.55

That Government confirms that the Model of Fire Cover/Fire Safety Victoria strategy should be a seamless model for the whole of the State and include both private and public land.

INQ104 REC104-2322 C - Response 15 - Inter-service cooperation 25.56

That DSE commits appropriate resources to work with OESC in developing the bushfire component of the model.

INQ104 REC104-2323 C - Response 15 - Inter-service cooperation 25.88

That CFA, DSE, MFESB, VICSES, Victoria Police and OESC, in consultation with the Municipal Association of Victoria, consult on the proposal to combine Municipal Councils’ current responsibilities for the development of an emergency management plan/committee, as required by the Emergency Managemen

INQ104 REC104-2324 E - Agency Organisation 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform 25.89

That this group reports to the Minister for Police and Emergency Services on proposed legislative amendments to the Emergency Management Act 1986, the Country Fire Authority Act 1958 and any associated legislation by June 2004.

INQ104 REC104-2325 B - Preparedness 39 - Disaster Risk Management 25.90

That CFA, DSE and MFESB continue to develop the partnership approach for fire safety with Local Government, industry and communities. 

INQ104 REC104-2326 E - Agency Organisation 12 - EM agency and authority 25.114

That, as a matter of urgency, CFA and DSE:
• Develop strategies to provide adequate and sustainable firefighting resources, suitably trained and experienced; and
• Advise Government of these strategies.

INQ104 REC104-2327 E - Agency Organisation 16 - Training and behaviour 25.115

That all fire agencies include a formal mentoring scheme as part of their workforce development programs; and that consideration be given to the use of suitably competent and experienced individuals (such as retired staff), to act as coaches or mentors with inexperienced Incident Controllers.

INQ104 REC104-2328 E - Agency Organisation 36 - Volunteers 25.116

That CFA, VICSES and other volunteer-based emergency service organisations develop proposals in support of the strategies for sustainable volunteerism, and that the State Government advocate these initiatives to the Federal Government.

INQ104 REC104-2329 E - Agency Organisation 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform 26.52

That CFA, DSE, MFESB and Victoria Police jointly develop a unified command and control system that better integrates with the State's emergency management arrangements, and that this be endorsed by the Victoria Emergency Management Council by July 2004.

INQ104 REC104-2330 E - Agency Organisation 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform 26.53

That this unified system include recommendations for the appointment of one person or agency to be responsible for overall control of fire suppression activity in country Victoria, including for any legislative reform considered necessary.

INQ104 REC104-2331 A - Responsibility 24 - Govt responsibility 26.54

That a State Emergency Operations Centre be established to replace the existing separate fire agency centres. This could, if necessary, be initially confined to being a State Fire Operations Centre as recommended in Chapter 18, Part D.