INQ226

TitleLong
Post Incident Analysis Blackwood Fire 8 (WA)
Year
InquiryType
DisasterType
State
Status

Recommendations for this Inquiry

INQ-ref REC-UID CODE SubCode SrcNUM Recommendation
INQ226 REC226-0541 B - Preparedness 4 - Fire season preparation 1

Experienced forecasters and fire behaviour experts should be embedded in DEC at least at a state level to ensure that fire risks are properly understood by decision makers.

INQ226 REC226-0550 C - Response 14 - Incident Mgt Teams 10

Greater investment in training on specific functions within the AIIMS structure will improve the support provided to the Incident Controller.

INQ226 REC226-0551 C - Response 14 - Incident Mgt Teams 11

As presently implemented, the AIIMS planning role is under-developed and provides insufficient support to the Incident Controller.

INQ226 REC226-0552 C - Response 7 - Inter-agency communication 12

Communications planning for geographic regions with recognised black spots and specific communications challenges should be prepared in advance of an emergency in order to support the IMT Communications Planning Officer

INQ226 REC226-0553 B - Preparedness 5 - Hazard reduction burns 13

Rolling risk assessment conducted during ignition of prescribed burns should identify whether an escape is likely to develop into a Level 3 incident. As soon as possible after it has been identified that the escape cannot be contained, the incident should be declared a Level 3.

INQ226 REC226-0554 C - Response 14 - Incident Mgt Teams 14

For incidents of this complexity, effective control in the critical phase (first 24-36 hours of the fire) requires an appropriately resourced IMT.

INQ226 REC226-0555 C - Response 14 - Incident Mgt Teams 15

The state should identify the number of fully trained, experienced and accredited Level 3 Incident Controllers required to be available at any time and establish a process for identification of suitable personnel, ongoing training and accreditation.

INQ226 REC226-0556 C - Response 14 - Incident Mgt Teams 16

Within the AIIMS IMT doctrine the roles of the Incident Controller and Deputy Incident Controllers should be defined and well-practiced.

INQ226 REC226-0557 C - Response 14 - Incident Mgt Teams 17

An intensive exercise/training program should be developed and maintained across agencies to identify and establish a pool of current Incident Controllers who are capable of managing a Level 3 incident.

INQ226 REC226-0558 C - Response 14 - Incident Mgt Teams 18

Predetermined locations for Level 3 IMTs should be reviewed and adequately resourced with necessary communications and IT capacity.

INQ226 REC226-0559 A - Responsibility 22 - Role of local Gvt 19

Early contact with the LG A is critical.

INQ226 REC226-0542 B - Preparedness 5 - Hazard reduction burns 2

A risk management approach is needed which considers risks both inside the prescribed burn and the risks that will need to be managed if the fire escapes. This risk assessment should be dynamic in line with the four day and seven day weather forecast.

INQ226 REC226-0560 C - Response 15 - Inter-service cooperation 20

There would be value in progressively aligning the geographical boundaries of emergency management agencies and co-locating where possible within regions and districts.

INQ226 REC226-0561 C - Response 34 - Local knowledge 21

Suitably experienced local representatives should be engaged to provide advice to the IMT in all Level 2 and Level 3 incidents at the earliest opportunity.

INQ226 REC226-0562 C - Response 14 - Incident Mgt Teams 22

Opportunities be sought to utilise local government representatives in other areas of the IMT particularly in public information or other community related functions.

INQ226 REC226-0563 C - Response 14 - Incident Mgt Teams 23

Procedures to relocate IMTs need to be established in doctrine and exercised to ensure continuity of control.

INQ226 REC226-0564 C - Response 14 - Incident Mgt Teams 24

The expected scenario, with a view to the worst-case scenario should provide the basis for an IAP.

INQ226 REC226-0565 C - Response 14 - Incident Mgt Teams 25

Contingency planning is a critical function in the early stages of an escalating incident, and should provide the foundation of an IAP.

INQ226 REC226-0566 C - Response 14 - Incident Mgt Teams 26

Incident Controllers should be supported by a planning function that combines experienced weather forecasters, fire behaviour experts and local knowledge.

INQ226 REC226-0567 C - Response 14 - Incident Mgt Teams 27

IMTs need to establish early and effective liaison with Local Governments.

INQ226 REC226-0568 A - Responsibility 24 - Govt responsibility 28

State-wide all agency reporting should be established to facilitate the interactions of emergency management agencies, support agencies and governments.

INQ226 REC226-0569 E - Agency Organisation 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform 29

Section 13 arrangements need to be clarified across key agencies.

INQ226 REC226-0543 B - Preparedness 5 - Hazard reduction burns 3

There should be clearly established criteria for burns which are specially challenging, and these criteria need to extend beyond the intended boundaries of the prescribed burn.

INQ226 REC226-0570 C - Response 14 - Incident Mgt Teams 30

Logistics and resource officers in IMTs need to collaborate and establish full awareness and control over the available resources.

INQ226 REC226-0571 A - Responsibility 24 - Govt responsibility 31

A review of the manner in which resourcing is conducted across all agencies needs to occur with a review identifying the best manner to ensure all agencies adapt to the same process.

INQ226 REC226-0572 C - Response 14 - Incident Mgt Teams 32

Contingency planning before the fire may have supported the IMT in recognising and seizing strategic opportunities earlier.

INQ226 REC226-0573 C - Response 14 - Incident Mgt Teams 33

Strategic direction seeks to identify and resource those areas of tactical action that offer the greatest advantage.

INQ226 REC226-0574 C - Response 14 - Incident Mgt Teams 34

Clear direction to divisional and sector commanders and a common communications platform enables maximum return to be gained from the application of tactical resources and this rests on good incident action planning, and good command and control.

INQ226 REC226-0575 C - Response 14 - Incident Mgt Teams 35

In multi-agency responses the culture, training and equipment characteristics of each of the agencies should be considered in their employment.

INQ226 REC226-0576 F - Research and technology 13 - Mapping and data quality 36

Better maps are required for urban/rural interface fires

INQ226 REC226-0577 C - Response 7 - Inter-agency communication 37

A system of vehicle tracking should be fitted to all fire appliances and linked to the common operating picture. Good communications planning is essential for good command and control.

INQ226 REC226-0578 C - Response 15 - Inter-service cooperation 38

There would be benefit in progressively aligning the geographic boundaries of each of the agencies and seeking to co-locate their headquarters within those boundaries.

INQ226 REC226-0579 E - Agency Organisation 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform 39

Legislative change may be needed to enable FES A to better manage fire- fighting resources across the state.

INQ226 REC226-0544 B - Preparedness 5 - Hazard reduction burns 4

Prescribed burns which meet the ‘red flag’ criteria should have mandated risk Establish risk management criteria for management criteria imposed.

INQ226 REC226-0580 E - Agency Organisation 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform 40

The role of district and local emergency management committees should be reviewed to ensure they are appropriately engaged in the active management of emergencies across the PPR R continuum

INQ226 REC226-0581 A - Responsibility 24 - Govt responsibility 41

Increased acceptance of mutual obligations will be fundamental to the management of fire risk across the state

INQ226 REC226-0582 F - Research and technology 17 - Assets and technology 42

The state should progressively align on a shared platform, such as WebEOC, to establish a COP [Common Operating Picture or Platform?].

INQ226 REC226-0583 F - Research and technology 17 - Assets and technology 43

The state should converge on a single communications platform for all emergency management and support agencies.

INQ226 REC226-0584 C - Response 14 - Incident Mgt Teams 44

Reporting and control should be through the incident chain of command and not through agency chains of command

INQ226 REC226-0585 C - Response 14 - Incident Mgt Teams 45

DEC’s fire management expertise should be augmented by multi-agency IMTs that incorporate the expertise of other agencies and in fast developing situations the appropriate decisions will need to be made early.

INQ226 REC226-0586 14 - Incident Mgt Teams 46

At Level 3, the available fire management expertise should be applied overwhelmingly to the fire management aspects of emergency management, possibly in incident control, and certainly in situations planning and operations roles.

INQ226 REC226-0587 14 - Incident Mgt Teams 47

To be effective, multi-agency IMTs will need to be exercised regularly and supported by sound and comprehensive doctrine.

INQ226 REC226-0588 C - Response 8 - Communications and warnings 48

Timely alerts and updates to the community are essential.

INQ226 REC226-0589 C - Response 8 - Communications and warnings 49

The process for initiating and releasing State Alert messages requires review.

INQ226 REC226-0545 F - Research and technology 26 - Research 5

Improved understanding of fire behaviour in coastal heathlands would support sound risk management through the southwest of W

INQ226 REC226-0590 C - Response 8 - Communications and warnings 50

Expand the exploitation of social media, including graphical content for state alerts and warnings. Consider increasing the graphical content of web-based warnings.

INQ226 REC226-0591 C - Response 8 - Communications and warnings 51

Radio bulletins need to be up to date and time stamped. Where social media is used the messages need to be up to date and accurate. Websites need to be up to date and accurate.

INQ226 REC226-0592 C - Response 11 - Evacuation and shelters 52

Decisions on evacuations need to be made early enough for people to be fully informed, prepared and to move to a place of greater safety. Failure to conduct good planning can create situations where loss of life can occur

INQ226 REC226-0593 A - Responsibility 22 - Role of local Gvt 53

Good Local Government planning and management facilitates community resilience.

INQ226 REC226-0594 D - Recovery 33 - Relief and recovery 54

Procedures to resolve issues surrounding financial assistance need to be reviewed to ensure they are as smooth, fast and transparent as possible possible. Review and streamline current financial relief procedures.