INQ144

Recommendations for this Inquiry

INQ-ref REC-UID CODE SubCode SrcNUM Recommendation
INQ144 REC144-3379 A - Responsibility 25 - Inquiry, audit, lessons management and after action review Recommendation 1 (8.1)

The Committee recommends that a thorough review be undertaken of the communications and coordination between the separate agencies which make up the Emergency Services Agency, to assess the extent to which cultural factors are detrimental to the effective operation of the ESA.

INQ144 REC144-3392 E - Agency Organisation 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform Recommendation 14 (8.37)

The Committee recommends that the ACT Government finalise Version 2 of the Strategic Bushfire Management Plan as required under the Emergencies Act.

INQ144 REC144-3393 B - Preparedness 1 - Land-use and building regs Recommendation 15 (8.39)

The Committee recommends that the responsibility for land management issues lie within a single portfolio, specifically the Minister for Territory and Municipal Services.

INQ144 REC144-3394 E - Agency Organisation 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform Recommendation 16 (8.42)

The Committee recommends that the ACT Government develops a joint strategic bushfire management plan with the NSW Government and the NSW Rural Fire Service in relation to those areas which have the potential to impact on both jurisdictions.

INQ144 REC144-3395 C - Response 15 - Inter-service cooperation Recommendation 17 (8.44)

The Committee recommends that the ACT Emergency Services and the Rural Fire Service in particular institute regular meetings with the NSW Rural Fire Service and other appropriate authorities, such as environment

INQ144 REC144-3396 A - Responsibility 9 - Community education Recommendation 18 (8.46)

The Committee recommends that information in relation to proposed fuel load activity and controlled burning should be disseminated to the community and in an accessible format.

INQ144 REC144-3397 A - Responsibility 9 - Community education Recommendation 19 (8.49)

The Committee recommends that the ACT Government investigate the Victorian Community Fireguard model with a view to implementing a similar scheme in the ACT to enhance community preparedness for and ability to respond to bushfire emergencies.

INQ144 REC144-3398 A - Responsibility 9 - Community education Recommendation 20 (8.55)

The Committee recommends that the Emergency Services Agency update its website to accommodate, at a minimum, a publications menu item and a search function.

INQ144 REC144-3399 A - Responsibility 9 - Community education Recommendation 21 (8.56)

The Committee recommends that the Emergency Services Agency post all its publications, which are not internal working documents or otherwise confidential, on its website.

INQ144 REC144-3391 E - Agency Organisation 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform Recommendation 13 (8.36)

The Committee recommends that the ACT Government explain its reasons to the Legislative Assembly for not proceeding with the release of Version 2 of the Strategic Bushfire Management Plan in July 2005.

INQ144 REC144-3390 A - Responsibility 24 - Govt responsibility Recommendation 12 (8.32)

If the ACT Government decides to proceed with the site as the emergency services headquarters, that it accord a high priority to the finalisation of the site preparations for the ESA at Fairbairn as a matter of urgency.

INQ144 REC144-3389 A - Responsibility 24 - Govt responsibility Recommendation 11 (8.31)

If the Auditor-General does not undertake a review in the near future, the Committee recommends that the ACT Government make a public announcement about the future accommodation plans for the Emergency Services Agency and its component parts so that both the ESA and the ACT public are informed ab

INQ144 REC144-3380 E - Agency Organisation 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform Recommendation 2 (8.12)

The Committee recommends that the ACT Government develop and publish an operational policy document which spells out the command and control structures and procedures should an emergency event arise.

INQ144 REC144-3381 E - Agency Organisation 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform Recommendation 3 (8.16)

The Committee recommends that the Bushfire Council consultative requirements under the Emergencies Act 2004 be reviewed, with a view to removing the requirement to consult with the Bushfire Council on operational matters, such as staff appointments and matters prescribed by regulation.

INQ144 REC144-3382 A - Responsibility 24 - Govt responsibility Recommendation 4 (8.2)

The Committee recommends that responsibility for oversighting the progress of the implementation of agreed recommendations of the Coroner be undertaken by a truly independent body and not by the Bushfire Council.

INQ144 REC144-3383 E - Agency Organisation 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform Recommendation 5 (8.21)

The Committee recommends that, if the Bushfire Council is to have an advisory role generally in emergency management, it should be renamed to reflect a general emergency role rather than a role specifically in relation to bushfires.

INQ144 REC144-3384 B - Preparedness 41 - Emergency Management exercises Recommendation 6 (8.23)

The Committee recommends that the ESA develop a schedule of proposed exercises as a five year rolling plan, in order that all the elements of emergency services are able to be tested over that time and in differing
situations.

INQ144 REC144-3385 B - Preparedness 41 - Emergency Management exercises Recommendation 7 (8.24)

The Committee recommends that the ESA hold discussions with NSW with a view to developing a joint exercise program with the NSW Rural Fire Service on an ongoing basis.

INQ144 REC144-3386 A - Responsibility 24 - Govt responsibility Recommendation 8 (8.28)

The Committee considers that the ACT Government should table in the ACT Legislative Assembly the cost-benefit analysis and business plan for Fairbairn as a central site for emergency services in the ACT.

INQ144 REC144-3388 A - Responsibility 24 - Govt responsibility Recommendation 10 (8.3)

If the Auditor-General does not undertake a review in the near future, the Committee recommends that the ACT Government re-investigate the suitability of the Fairbairn site as a proposed centralised accommodation facility for emergency services.

INQ144 REC144-3400 E - Agency Organisation 12 - EM agency and authority Recommendation 22 (8.57)

The Committee recommends that each element of the Emergency Services Agency publish organisation charts showing names, positions and contact details on the individual webpages.