INQ225

TitleLong
Major Incidence Review Black Cat Creek Fire (WA)
Year
InquiryType
DisasterType
State
Status

Recommendations for this Inquiry

INQ-ref REC-UID CODE SubCode SrcNUM Recommendation
INQ225 REC225-0531 E - Agency Organisation 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform Recommendation 1

Critical operational procedures such as ‘Red Flag Warnings’, on a common fireground need to be consistent across DFES, DEC and Local Government. In particular, the operational procedure of Red Flag Warnings needs to be adopted by all WA fire agencies.

INQ225 REC225-0539 E - Agency Organisation 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform Recommendation 9

WA fire agencies adopt a common set of standing orders, operational procedures, training and competencies for rural firefighting that are produced in hard copy, leading to integrated multi-agency training, IMTs, Regional and State coordination/control centres.

INQ225 REC225-0538 C - Response 14 - Incident Mgt Teams Recommendation 8

WA adopts a culture of joint IMTs in future. At Regional and State levels, DFES and DEC maintain standing contributions.

INQ225 REC225-0537 C - Response 7 - Inter-agency communication Recommendation 7

Future coordination/support/control of integrated emergency management across all agencies in Albany needs to be merged and located in a single joint facility. This issue needs to be reviewed statewide.

INQ225 REC225-0536 E - Agency Organisation 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform Recommendation 6

DFES and Local Government Bushfire Brigades ensure that only those with the required AIIMS competence have the authority to manage Level 1 incidents, noting they may not be Fire Control Officers.

INQ225 REC225-0535 C - Response 2 - Emergency powers Recommendation 5

DFES or DEC (depending on land tenure) is mandated to take over control of emergency incidents from Local Government once they have been declared Level 2 incidents. WESTPLAN BUSHFIRE and legislation to be amended accordingly.

INQ225 REC225-0534 E - Agency Organisation 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform Recommendation 4

Once Recommendation 1 has been actioned, all agencies give greater priority to the promulgation of Red Flag warnings in order to enhance situational awareness on the fireground.

INQ225 REC225-0533 F - Research and technology 17 - Assets and technology Recommendation 3

As a minimum requirement, all vehicles entering the fireground must be fitted with an accessible fire blanket – one per person in each vehicle plus roll down, in-cab, radiant heat shields.

INQ225 REC225-0532 E - Agency Organisation 16 - Training and behaviour Recommendation 2

All agencies ensure fire managers are trained to correctly interpret the new Spot Fire Weather Forecast and to familiarise themselves with the entire format – ensuring consideration of the whole forecast - not just the tabular data containing the 12 hour forecast.

INQ225 REC225-0540 A - Responsibility 25 - Inquiry, audit, lessons management and after action review Recommendation 10

: In due course, acts of bravery are considered and recommendations for awards are submitted, including commendations for the delivery of First Aid.