INQ295

TitleLong
Independent Review of the Extreme Weather Event South Australia 28 September - 5 October 2016 (SA)
Year
InquiryType
DisasterType
State
Status

Recommendations for this Inquiry

INQ-ref REC-UID CODE SubCode SrcNUM Recommendation
INQ295 REC295-1274 A - Responsibility 35 - Business and Industry in relation to industry Recommendation 1

That relevant agencies, such as the Department of State Development, SA Police and emergency services, collaborate to establish an education campaign to encourage businesses in South Australia to develop Business Continuity Plans which, among other potential hazards such as flood and fire, also t

INQ295 REC295-1275 D - Recovery 33 - Relief and recovery Recommendation 2

That SA Health, develop an emergency plan to manage an extended power outage or black system event which, in addition to the requirements outlined in recommendation 16:

INQ295 REC295-1276 A - Responsibility 25 - Inquiry, audit, lessons management and after action review Recommendation 3

That SA Health undertake a review of their emergency management arrangements.

INQ295 REC295-1277 E - Agency Organisation 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform Recommendation 4

That the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure review their Business Continuity Plan to:
a) minimise the loss of public transport services
b) ensure ongoing fuel supply

INQ295 REC295-1278 C - Response 20 - Role of police Recommendation 5

That SA Police develop an evacuation plan for the Adelaide Central Business District (CBD) which includes:
a) a Traffic Management Plan to assist in the movement of persons and vehicles away from the CBD

INQ295 REC295-1279 B - Preparedness 10 - Infrastructure Recommendation 6

Install UPS on traffic lights on main Central Business District (CBD) and arterial roads to allow an effective movement of traffic during a loss of power.

INQ295 REC295-1280 E - Agency Organisation 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform Recommendation 7

That a State Plan be developed for managing the consequences of a black system event or other major power outage. The plan should include:

INQ295 REC295-1281 E - Agency Organisation 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform Recommendation 8

In order to increase resilience and public safety during emergencies, the State Emergency Management Committee should request the Australia and New Zealand Emergency Management Committee to place on the agenda, and consider establishing a national position, on redundancies for mobile communicatio

INQ295 REC295-1282 E - Agency Organisation 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform Recommendation 9

That the Office for Digital Government, in close partnership with telecommunications companies (e.g. Telstra, Optus, Vodaphone), develop a Control Agency Plan for Information and Communication Technology including mobile communications. The plan should consider:

INQ295 REC295-1283 C - Response 7 - Inter-agency communication Recommendation 10

Consider bringing other agencies onto the SA Government Radio Network, in particular, Department of Education and Child Development and local government, to support more effective coordination and provide a reliable communications contingency during emergencies.

INQ295 REC295-1284 E - Agency Organisation 16 - Training and behaviour Recommendation 11

Deliver consistent and regular training in the use of the SA Government Radio Network to all users to maximise the efficiency and effectiveness of the network in times of emergency e.g. reduce the issues associated with network busy signals.

INQ295 REC295-1285 C - Response 7 - Inter-agency communication Recommendation 12

Identify, document and communicate contingency arrangements and procedures for emergency services in the event SA Government Radio Network paging is turned off to conserve power, or other loss of paging capacity.

INQ295 REC295-1286 B - Preparedness 10 - Infrastructure Recommendation 13

That the Attorney General’s Department consult with local government regarding potential for them to provide logistical support associated with backup power supply to SA Government Radio Network towers in the event of an emergency.

INQ295 REC295-1287 E - Agency Organisation 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform Recommendation 14

That the glossary of terms in the State Emergency Management Plan be reviewed to ensure all relevant language is included. All agencies need to ensure the use of clear communication and accurate use of terminology, including in describing the status of critical services e.g.

INQ295 REC295-1288 A - Responsibility 24 - Govt responsibility Recommendation 15

That Attorney General’s Department explore options to overcome fatigue and welfare issues of SAGRN staff associated with emergency events of extended duration.

INQ295 REC295-1289 E - Agency Organisation 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform Recommendation 16

That SA Police, emergency services, health facilities, utility providers and other key service providers, review their Business Continuity Plans giving consideration to factors such as: a) identification of: business critical needs; essential services power requirements; back-up power requirement

INQ295 REC295-1290 E - Agency Organisation 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform Recommendation 17

Continue development of the Damage Assessment Support Plan to:
a) integrate data produced from Control Agency Stage One
Assessment into the Stage Two Assessment
b) develop a capability to undertake Stage Four Assessments which

INQ295 REC295-1291 A - Responsibility 24 - Govt responsibility Recommendation 18

That the Flood Reform Task Group, as proposed by the Department
of Environment, Water and Natural Resources, develop a business
case for Cabinet, based on the dam safety discussion paper
(Pisaniello & Tingey-Holyoak, 2016) which identifies options and a

INQ295 REC295-1292 E - Agency Organisation 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform Recommendation 19

That, giving consideration to the previous recommendation, the Flood
Reform Response Working Group identify and consider appropriate
agency involvement and protocols for response to and management
of dams which are in danger of losing their structural integrity or

INQ295 REC295-1293 F - Research and technology 13 - Mapping and data quality Recommendation 20

That the Flood Reform Task Group identify an appropriate mechanism for stakeholder agencies (including the State Emergency Service, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Bureau of Meteorology and SA Water, as a minimum) to share data and information and develop plans and strategies for

INQ295 REC295-1294 F - Research and technology 13 - Mapping and data quality Recommendation 21

That consideration and resources be given to support the implementation of recommendations in the report prepared on behalf of Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources (Australian Water Environments, 2016), for flood warning classification of stream gauges and other locations.

INQ295 REC295-1295 E - Agency Organisation 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform Recommendation 22

That resources be provided to support the implementation of recommendations in the South Australian Levee Bank Management Issues Paper (DEWNR, 2015) including: a) development of relevant policy; and b) identification of responsibilities in relation to levee management and flood mitigation

INQ295 REC295-1296 C - Response 8 - Communications and warnings Recommendation 23

That the SES in collaboration with MFS Communications Centre (Comcen) investigate and implement options to reduce the number of calls coming into the Comcen, (particularly on 132500).

INQ295 REC295-1297 A - Responsibility 25 - Inquiry, audit, lessons management and after action review Recommendation 24

Engage an independent business analyst to review the current call, receipt and dispatch process for emergency services i.e.

INQ295 REC295-1298 E - Agency Organisation 12 - EM agency and authority Recommendation 25

That the State Emergency Service, in consultation with key stakeholders, identify and implement a robust system and procedures for prioritising, allocating and coordinating multiple tasks.

INQ295 REC295-1299 F - Research and technology 17 - Assets and technology Recommendation 26

That systems for Automatic Vehicle Location and personnel tracking be implemented within the emergency services sector.

INQ295 REC295-1300 F - Research and technology 17 - Assets and technology Recommendation 27

That the State Emergency Service explores options for providing suitable personal protective clothing to personnel from supporting emergency services during major flooding events and sandbagging operations.

INQ295 REC295-1301 E - Agency Organisation 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform Recommendation 28

Establish an ‘Interstate Deployment Support Plan’ for incoming interstate resources. The plan should outline responsibilities and arrangements for this function. Consider including this plan into the State emergency management arrangements.

INQ295 REC295-1302 A - Responsibility 28 - Personal responsibility Recommendation 29

That the State Emergency Service together with the Local Government Association and Country Fire Service establish a plan for coordinated provision of sandbags to the public, including options for what is provided, where and when, and the process for effective communication of availability to the

INQ295 REC295-1303 E - Agency Organisation 16 - Training and behaviour Recommendation 30

That the State Emergency Service be provided with resources to enable them to deliver swiftwater awareness training to all first responders including emergency services, SA Police and council crews.

INQ295 REC295-1304 C - Response 20 - Role of police Recommendation 31

That SA Police, as the control agency for search and rescue, and State Emergency Service who have the responsibility for providing search and rescue services under the State Emergency Management Plan, develop a swiftwater rescue capability plan that describes key swiftwater risk locations, roles

INQ295 REC295-1305 C - Response 18 - Access to fire ground Recommendation 32

That the annexure to the State Emergency Management Plan, ‘Traffic management during emergencies’, be updated to include: responsibilities and processes for road closures; and, Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure requirements in regards to provision of road closure information, n

INQ295 REC295-1306 A - Responsibility 9 - Community education Recommendation 33

Develop practical policy outcomes to support resilience (e.g. the 72- hour model) and promote this broadly to community through media, awareness campaigns, policies etc.

INQ295 REC295-1307 C - Response 20 - Role of police Recommendation 34

That, as with earthquake, SA Police be designated the Control Agency under the State Emergency Management Plan for black system events or other major power outages.

INQ295 REC295-1308 A - Responsibility 24 - Govt responsibility Recommendation 35

That the Department of the Premier and Cabinet revise the ministerial documents relating to emergency management.

INQ295 REC295-1309 E - Agency Organisation 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform Recommendation 36

That members of Emergency Management Council ensure they are prepared to undertake their roles and responsibilities during emergency events, including establishing: a) contingencies for communication e.g.

INQ295 REC295-1310 E - Agency Organisation 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform Recommendation 37

That additional guidance be provided in the State Emergency Management Plan regarding the activation, structure and operation of Zone Emergency Support Teams.

INQ295 REC295-1311 E - Agency Organisation 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform Recommendation 38

That the State Emergency Management Plan be reviewed and updated including: a) a better description of the responsibilities of Hazard Leaders Page xx b) establish a mechanism for a hazard leader to identify systemic failures in coordination of their hazard, with a clear process to raise those iss

INQ295 REC295-1312 A - Responsibility 24 - Govt responsibility Recommendation 39

That the Department of Education and Child Development be included as a member of State Emergency Management Council and represented in the State Emergency Centre.

INQ295 REC295-1313 E - Agency Organisation 16 - Training and behaviour Recommendation 40

That regular training and exercising is conducted for all State Emergency Centre participants including Liaison Officers.

INQ295 REC295-1314 E - Agency Organisation 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform Recommendation 41

That an Emergency Management Assurance Framework be established as soon as possible to support the emergency management arrangements and the State Emergency Management Plan. Consider establishing an Inspector General Emergency Management department or position.

INQ295 REC295-1315 A - Responsibility 25 - Inquiry, audit, lessons management and after action review Recommendation 42

That a review of the role and effectiveness of the State Emergency Management Committee (SEMC) including: the legislative functions; membership including the chair; roles and responsibilities; and, SEMC Advisory Groups be undertaken.

INQ295 REC295-1316 A - Responsibility 24 - Govt responsibility Recommendation 43

That the position of Deputy Director, Office for Digital Government is dedicated to the Office for Digital Government; and that people throughout DPC are identified and trained to perform appropriate roles within the State Crisis Centre

INQ295 REC295-1317 A - Responsibility 25 - Inquiry, audit, lessons management and after action review Recommendation 44

Review representation in the State Emergency Centre including: a) determining if there is a more suitable functional support group e.g.

INQ295 REC295-1318 A - Responsibility 24 - Govt responsibility Recommendation 45

That the recommendation made following the Pinery bushfire, ‘to review control facilities at State, region and incident level’, be expanded to include all emergency services facilities that will be utilised for major incidents other than bushfire e.g.

INQ295 REC295-1319 A - Responsibility 24 - Govt responsibility Recommendation 46

That a single emergency service multi-agency control centre be established with sufficient capacity and capability to deal with all types of emergency incidents in SA. Also consider Police and State Emergency Centre.

INQ295 REC295-1320 F - Research and technology 17 - Assets and technology Recommendation 47

Review existing electronic information systems used by emergency services organisations and other government agencies, and: a) establish a single incident information system across the Emergency Services Sector (MFS, CFS and SES), and b) identify opportunities to consolidate incident information

INQ295 REC295-1321 E - Agency Organisation 16 - Training and behaviour Recommendation 48

Through the Emergency Management Workforce Project, identify and provide training and development for SA’s emergency management sector personnel (government agencies, and non-government agencies including volunteers).

INQ295 REC295-1322 E - Agency Organisation 12 - EM agency and authority Recommendation 49

Consider opportunities to identify synergies between the incident management systems used in SA being the, Australasian Interservice Incident Management System (AIIMS) and ICCS Plus. This might include joint training and exercising in roles that are common across both systems.

INQ295 REC295-1323 E - Agency Organisation 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform Recommendation 50

Review and update the role, function, workload and focus of the groups/committees that contribute to incident management and emergency management capabilities including the State Emergency Management Training Committee, Interagency Incident Management Sub-Committee and the Central Exercise Writin