INQ247

That Tasmania Fire Service supports the relevant authorities to continue developing methodologies to forecast and simulate fire risk.

That police and other emergency service agencies establish and maintain effective recording systems for emergency operations.

That if a sound business case is developed, the Emergency Information Management and Sharing Project be supported.

That the role and expected duties of the State Controller be clearly defined in the Emergency Management Act 2006.

That the State Controller (or an alternate if they are not available) be expected to personally take an active role in controlling and coordinating response and recovery operations, depending on the nature and scale of the emergency, and until other identified arrangements for ongoing operations

That in multi-agency response and recovery operations, arrangements be made so it is unambiguous who is in charge of these operations.

That a structure and facilities be established for the State Controller or other person managing multi-agency response and recovery operations.

That the Government reconsider the current position on emergency declarations in the Emergency Management Act 2006 and the Act is amended to provide: • a graduated scale of emergency declarations; • the ability to make a declaration when an emergency has occurred, is occurring or is about to occu

That the Tasmania Emergency Management Plan enable, and all organisations with a role in emergency management activate, emergency plans at lower threshold events to practice their arrangements and achieve a ‘hot start’ in escalating events.

That all agencies and the Government support moving to an integrated communications technology for police and the emergency services.

That police and other emergency services examine options for achieving radio interoperability between them in the absence of an integrated radio system.

That Tasmania Fire Service establishes suitable systems and practices for recording fire management objectives and tactics.

That Tasmania Fire Service examines options for developing and issuing fire management objectives and tactics from Incident Management Teams in a more timely way, including ‘quick’ plans.

That Tasmania Fire Service and its partner agencies establish a means of monitoring and reviewing the effectiveness of centralising the location of Incident Management Teams.

That Tasmania Fire Service considers measures to bring local knowledge into Incident Management Team operations.

That Tasmania Fire Service reviews its position on fire ground management to determine whether a unified command model at the fire ground should be adopted.

That Tasmania Fire Service reviews its position on using local experienced officers on the fire ground in the command model in a structured and systemic way.

That fire agencies continue to develop their predictive modelling capability for use in actively managing fires.

That Tasmania Fire Service reviews the communication systems used for all emergency management operations, ensures operators are qualified, and ensures there is appropriate accountability.

That Tasmania Fire Service, Forestry Tasmania, and Parks and Wildlife Service have a process for ensuring fire strategy and tactics are appropriate and remain focussed.

That Tasmania Fire Service ensures that planning for active fires includes a proactive approach wherever possible.

That Tasmania Fire Service considers adopting a primary tactic of an aggressive first attack on fires.

That Tasmania Fire Service critically reviews the operation of the Six Operational Priorities to determine whether they are appropriate and effective.

That Tasmania Fire Service considers what adjustments may be necessary to the promotion and use of the Six Operational Priorities to ensure plans are suitable for the circumstances of each fire.

If it is considered more information is required on action to suppress the fires in Dunalley and why fire operations did not continue, the Department of Justice should conduct an independent examination of this matter.

That Tasmania Fire Service reviews operational practices to ensure there is continuity of fire operations when fire suppression action is required.

That Tasmania Fire Service reviews its integration of rural local knowledge and volunteer brigades into fire operations, develops and maintains appropriate strategies, and aims to be a best-practice fire service in this regard.

That Tasmania Fire Service reviews its approach to blacking out and mopping up, including its policies, operating procedures and training.

That Tasmania Fire Service reviews its approach to fire management operations at night, and develop and effectively implement unambiguous policy and operating procedures.

That bushfire agencies evaluate the use and effectiveness of fixed wing water bombing aircraft.

That bushfire agencies develop procedures for the automatic activation of aircraft to fires at pre-determined trigger points on high fire risk days.

That bushfire agencies develop, implement and maintain air operations procedures.

That Tasmania Fire Service establishes sufficient resources and expertise to research, develop, implement and review its policies and operations.

That Tasmania Fire Service documents and publishes its operational policies and procedures so they are accessible to and suitable for operational personnel.

That Tasmania Police ensures planning for emergency operations includes a proactive approach wherever possible.

That Tasmania Police reviews its Emergency Traffic Management Points policy; and develops a multi-agency policy in the emergency management plans for road closures and traffic management, including clarity in decision making, coordination and sufficient operational flexibility.

That arrangements are made for and appropriate pre-planning occurs to effectively implement the policy on road closures and traffic management.

That a state-level policy on evacuations be developed in the emergency management plans, including specific requirements for vulnerable people and guidelines for its implementation.

That qualifying the evacuation authority in section 47 of the Fire Service Act 1979 be considered — by exempting those people with a pecuniary interest in a property from a directed evacuation where it is reasonable for them to remain.

That arrangements are made and appropriate pre-planning occurs to effectively implement the policy on evacuation.

That Tasmania Police be identified as the lead agency on evacuations.

That decisions to open Community Fire Refuges and evacuation centres be coordinated with Tasmania Police.

That emergency management plans specifically include processes for effectively engaging with local communities and using community resources, including volunteers.

That a review be conducted of the resource capacity and capability to provide effective and efficient emergency operations, including approved improvements.

That further options to appropriately supplement the resources available for emergency management operations be examined.

That the police and other emergency service organisations discuss their resource issues for emergency operations with the Government.

That action be taken as a priority to resolve any legal issues on mutual assistance arrangement for fire services.

That the state level structural arrangements for managing recovery operations are reviewed.

That a standing plan is developed to manage the transition from immediate recovery to medium and long-term recovery, and arrangements are made to ensure this plan can be effectively implemented in a timely way.

That the State Special Emergency Plan–Recovery and the emergency management structure for recovery be reviewed.