Key Issues Identified
from Operational Reviews
of Major Fires
in
Victoria 2006/07
Ross Smith
July 2007
A V ic t ori a n
Gove rnme n t
in it i a ti ve
P u bl i s h e d b y t h e V i c t o r i a n G o v e r n m e n t D ep a r t m e n t o f S u st a i n a bi l i t y a n d E n v i r o n m en t a n d
Country Fire Au thority. Melbourne, July 2007
© The S tate of Victoria Departmen t of S ustainability and En vironment an d Country Fire
Authority 2007
T h i s pu b l i c a t i o n i s c o p y r i gh t . N o p a r t m a y b e r e pr o d u c e d b y a n y p r o c e s s e x c e p t i n a c c o r d a n c e
with the provi sion s of th e Copyrig ht A ct 1968.
CFA and DSE acknowl e dg e th e a s sistanc e of DSE per sonn el an d CFA m em bers; vo lunt eer s an d
staff.
A u t h o r i s e d b y t h e V i c t o r i a n G o v e r n m en t , 8 N i c h o l s o n S t r e e t , E a s t M e l b o u r n e a n d C o u n t r y F i r e
Authority 8 Lakeside Drive, Bu rwood East, V ictoria 3151.
Prin t ed by XL Colour Prin tin g, 28 -32 Bruce Stre et, Ken sin gton VIC 3031
Prin t ed on 1 00% Recycle d pa p er
ISBN 978 -1-74152-965 -4
For more information contact the DSE Customer Service Centre 136 186 or CFA (03) 9262 8444
D i sc la i m er
T h i s pu b l i c a t i o n m a y b e o f a s s i s t a n c e t o y o u b u t t h e S t a t e o f V i c t o r i a a n d i t s em p l o y e e s d o n o t
guaran tee th at th e pu blication is without flaw of any kin d or is whol ly appropr iate for your
pa r t i c u l a r pu r p o s e s a n d t h e r e f o r e di s c l a i m s a l l l i a b i l i t y f o r a n y e r r o r , l o s s o r o t h e r c o n s e qu en c e
which m ay ar ise from yo u relying on any information in th is publication.
Key Issues Identified from Operational Reviews of Major Fires
in Victoria 2006/07
Report by Mr Ross Smith
Response by Russell Rees, CFA Director Operations/Chief Officer and Ewan Waller, DSE,
Chief Officer, Fire and Emergency Management
The Great Divide Fires of 2006/07 were the longest in Victoria’s fire history. The fires lasted 69 days
with many people making sacrifices to ensure that the fires were eventually brought under control.
First and foremost we would like to thank the thousands of DSE and CFA personnel who contributed
with great passion and professionalism to the campaign efforts. We would also like to acknowledge
and thank their families along with the communities across Victoria for their support and help during
the campaign. Furthermore we would like to acknowledge the support and assistance from our New
Zealand, US, Canadian and interstate colleagues. Their skills made an invaluable contribution to our
campaign effort. The Great Divide Fires have impacted on many peoples lives from social, economic
and environmental standpoints. Homes, stock, crops and natural assets have been impacted upon.
However, despite the protracted nature of the fire season, the losses were thankfully not as significant
as they potentially could have been. No lives were lost as a direct result of fire activity.
Wildfire management requires government and non-government organisations to act in true
partnership with communities and each other. Recent experiences in being prepared for and
responding to wildfire have proved that our partnerships are strong. We would like to thank all those
organisations, groups and individuals who worked with us to prepare and plan for, respond to, and
recover from these fires. We have learned a great deal from our experiences and both our
organisations are committed to incorporating improvement into our strategies and planning.
Each fire season presents us with the opportunity to review, improve and learn from our experiences.
After the fires, and in line with good practice, CFA and DSE jointly commenced a series of operational
review processes. The review process was far reaching. It identified where the agencies and our
emergency management partners had performed well, where improvements could be made and how
we can further consolidate our partnership. This included a comprehensive, coordinated series of
debriefs, operations analyses, and investigations of accidents.
Additionally, DSE and CFA commissioned Ross Smith, an independent consultant with extensive
experience in wildfire operations, to attend the major fire debriefs and review the outcomes of the
operational reviews. Mr Smith reviewed the information derived from other debriefs, and reported on
the matters of state-wide significance that arose. Many staff and volunteers have participated in these
processes. They have provided valuable insights into things that went well during the fire season and
provided us with an agenda of issues for improvement. Work groups have been convened to identify
action items to address these issues from the operational review process. These actions will be
considered by senior management.
We would like to take the opportunity to thank Mr Smith for his detailed and professional approach to
the task and for the preparing the report with due diligence. The report is a key reference document
for the Great Divide Fires of 2006 / 07.
J u ly 2 00 7
P a g e 2 of 96
The report recognises that CFA and DSE have learned to respond positively to previous reviews to
ensure that good practice is built into our core business. Interagency integration and cooperation,
provision of information to the community, and the enhanced integration of response and recovery
functions worked well this year. These practices can be attributed to projects and initiatives that have
been implemented since the major fires of 2002 / 2003. Internal agency operational reviews coupled
with past experiences of working together have also informed how we do business.
CFA and DSE are learning organisations. Our post-incident and post-season business processes all
contribute to our learning and future development. External and independent reviews, such as this
report by Ross Smith are another valuable source of constructive feedback, observations and learning
potential. The report identifies a number of areas where our organisations need to enhance our
performance. Some of these issues have been identified previously, and are subject to development
initiatives that are either planned, or underway. In many cases, these processes have already resulted in
improvements in our practices. Importantly, the report provides additional guidance about lessons to be
learned from the fire season, and will be used to assist us to better target our performance
improvement programs.
DSE and CFA have jointly considered the key findings identified in this report, along with the
observations from other operational review processes, and have identified five strategic themes that
require priority and strategic action. These themes are:
1. Sustainability of Community Information Flows
2. Integrated Emergency Planning
3. Information Technology and Information Flow
4. Incident Management Refinement (Logistics)
5. Incident Management Refinement (Planning and Fireground)
DSE and CFA are progressing these themes within the context of their agency business planning
processes, and, where appropriate, with other emergency management agencies.
We accept the report of the findings from the “Key Issues Identified from Operational Reviews of Major
Fires in Victoria” for the 2006/2007. We are pleased to present it as a basis for further learning and for
wider viewing.
Russell Rees
Director Operations/Chief Officer
Country Fire Authority
J u ly 2 00 7
Ewan Waller
Chief Officer
Department of Sustainability and
Environment
P a g e 3 of 96
BA U LK H AM H I L L S N S W 2 15 3
25 Ma y 2 0 0 7
Th e C hi e f O f fi ce r
Fir e & E m e r ge n cy Ma n a g e m e n t
De p a r t m e n t of Su s ta i n a b ili ty a n d E n vi ro nm e n t
8 Ni c h ol s on S t r e e t
ME L B O U R N E V I C 3 0 0 1
Th e D ir e c t or O p e r a ti o n s /C hi e f O f fi c e r
C o u n tr y F i re A u th or i t y
P.O. Box 701
MT WA V E R L E Y V IC 3 14 9
D e a r S i rs,
A t t a c h e d is m y re vi e w o f th e d e br i e f o u t c o m e s a n d op e r a t io na l a na l yse s o f a ss o c i a t e d
impr o v e m e n t p r ogr a m s r e l a te d t o th e fi re s th a t V ic t o ri a e x pe rie n c e d dur i ng th e 2 0 06 /0 7
fi re sea so n . T hi s r e vi e w h a s dr a w n pri m a ri l y fr om d e b r i e fi ng a c t iv i t i e s of t h e fir e s
oc cur r in g f r om the be gi nn i ng of th e fi re sea so n un til l a te Feb r u a ry 2 0 07 , w i t h m uc h
e m ph a sis on th e se ri e s o f f i r e s th a t ge ne ra ll y a m a l ga m a te d a n d be c a me know n a s t h e
Gr ea t Di v id e C o m p le x. In a c c o rd wit h th e Te rm s of R e f e r en c e I f o r wa r d e d m y pr e li m i n a ry
r e po rt t o yo u o n 3 0 Ma rc h 2 0 07 .
W h i l s t so me a n a l o g i e s ca n be dra w n f r o m t h e de b r ie f pr o c e ss u t i l i se d in 2 0 0 5 / 06, th e
p r oc e ss u n d e rta k e n fo r t h is 20 06 / 0 7 re v i e w w a s qui t e di fferent . Th e debri e f pr ocess i n
2 00 5 /6 w a s e s se ntia ll y a se ri e s of se p a r a te d e bri e f s , ea ch o f wh ic h r e l a te d to a n
i n d i vi d u a l m a j o r f i r e o r co m p le x, w h e r e a s in 2 0 0 6 / 0 7, a l t h ou g h no t e xc l u s i ve l y so , t h e
ma j or r e gi on a l de bri e f s f o cu sse d o n f i re s e r v ic e i n p u t i n to t h e Gr e a t Di vid e C o mp l e x - in
e ss e n c e s i x m a jo r de br i e fs fo r a s i n g le com p l e x o f f i r e s. T h e 2 0 0 5 / 06 de b r ie fs i n c l u d e d
r e p r e se n t a t i ve s fr om t h e w i de r e m e r ge nc y m a n a g e m e n t f a m i l y a n d fo r th e m a j o r f i r e
co mp l e xe s th e y se rv e d e f fe ct i v e ly a s “J o i nt E m e r ge nc y S e r v i c e s” r e g i on a l de b r i e fs
w h e r e a s t h e 2 0 07 de b r ie f s w e r e sol e l y j o in t f ir e ser vi c e s d e bri e f s .
To a ss i st th e co m p le t i o n o f t h is r e v i e w a n d ca p t u r e imp o rta n t issu e s, I a tt e n d e d th e s i x
ma j or r e gi ona l de bri e f s a nd t h e U SA co nt in g e n t d e br ie f. I r e vi e w e d a pp r o xi m a te ly 80
r e co rds f r om u n d e r l y i n g de b r ie fs, fu nc t i ona l a r e a a n d s p e c ia li st de briefs a n d a sso cia te d
impr o v e m e nt p r ogr a m s . I ha d t he o pp o r t u nit y to m e e t a nd di s cu ss k e y i s su e s w i th 4 5
repr e s e n ta ti v e s f r om t h e j o i n t fi re a g e n ci e s, g e n e r a l ly bei n g t h o se c h a rg e d w it h
resp o n si bil i t y f o r im pl e m e n ti ng i d e n tif i e d p r og ra m s or i ni t i a ti v e s. T he r evi e w pr oc ess w a s
a l so b r o a d e n e d f o r t h i s 2 0 0 6/ 0 7 re vi e w t o i n cl u d e c o n s id e r a ti o n o f th e o u t c om e s f r om
thre e a ss o cia te d improve me n t progra m s :
J u ly 2 00 7
P a g e 4 of 96
-R e a l T i me P e r f o r ma nc e Mo n i to rin g ,
- Ne a r Mi s s a nd A c cid e nt I n v e st ig a t i o n , a n d,
-Op e r a ti on a l An a l y s e s .
I a ls o h e ld b rie fi ng s w it h r e pre se nta ti v e s f ro m ot h e r a ge n ci e s to i n f o rm th ose a g e n c i e s
a b ou t th e ke y pr e lim i n a r y f i nd i n gs fr om t h e r e vi e w , a nd t o c o n s ult w i th t h e m a b o ut
ma tte r s t h a t r e qui r e f u rt he r di a l og ue a nd cla r ifi c a t i o n betw ee n t he m a nd t he joi n t fir e
a g e n cie s . A g e n ci e s c o ns ul te d w e re :
-
O ffi ce of th e E m e rg e n cy S e r vi c e s C o mmi s si o n e r ,
V i ct or ia P o li ce ,
V i ctor ia S t a te E m e rg e n c y S e r vi c e , a nd ,
De pa rt me n t o f Hu ma n R e so ur ce s.
D e s p ite th e se ve r i t y o f t h e fi re s e a so n , pa r t ic u l a r ly t h e p r ot ra cte d n a t u r e of th e m a jo r
c a m p a i gn la s t i n g fo r n e a r ly t e n w e e k s a n d t h e e xt r e m e l y d r o u g h te d c o n d it io n s th a t
pre v a i led , l o s se s w e r e re s tr i ct e d t o re la ti v e ly lo w l e v e ls. No l i v e s w e r e l o st a s a d i re ct
re sul t of f i re a c ti v it y , a l t h o u gh t r a g ic a ll y o n e p e r s o n di e d i n a v e hi cl e a s s o ci a t e d a c ci de n t
e n r ou t e to a f ir e . Un f o r t u n a te l y 51 h o u s e s, in c l udi n g 21 pr i n ci p a l resi de nc e s w e re l o s t.
A s s i g n i f i c a n t a s t h e s e l o sse s a r e , t h e i r e xt e n t is m u c h l o w e r tha n t h e loss e s r e co rd e d i n
sever e fire se a s ons e ls e w h e r e i n Au s tr a li a o v e r th e l a st d e c a d e or s o, w h e n mu lt ip l e
f a ta l i t i e s ha ve o c c u rre d a n d ho u s i n g losses h a ve r e a c he d in to t h e s eve ra l h u n dr e d s f r om
co m p a r a t iv e l y sh or t li v e d c a mp a i gn s.
It is a ppa re nt tha t ma ny V i cto r ia n co mm u n i t ie s a r e now mu c h be t t e r i n fo rm e d a b o u t f i r e
r i sk a n d pot e n t ia l tha n t h e y w e re a s l i tt l e a s fi ve ye a r s a g o. T h is ha s a r ise n a s a d i re ct
r e s u lt o f s u sta i ne d i n f o rm a t io n fl ow t o co mm u n i t i e s be fo re a n d d u r i n g fi r e i n c i d e n t s a n d
th e o ng o i n g a c t iv i ti e s of t h e F ir e R e a dy V i c t ori a pr ogr a m. C o nc o m it a n t w it h a b e tt e r
u nd e r s ta nd i ng o f fir e c ome s a n u n de rsta n d i n g of th e a ct i vit ie s t h a t r e sid e n t s ca n
pe r s o n a l l y u nd e rta ke t o mi tig a te t h e r i sk s t h e y i nd i vi d u a l ly fa c e .
P o te n t ia l fo r se r i ous im p a c t i n to major water c a tch m en ts was very hig h . F o r t un ately , n o
seri ou s in c u r s i o n of fi re i n to th e ma jor c a tc hments occ u rr ed , al th oug h catc h m en ts f o r a
n u m be r o f r u ra l c o m m u n i t i e s w e re a f fe cte d . W h i l st com m u n i t y in f o rma t io n fl ow w a s
i n s t ru me nta l i n a ss i st i n g to ma i n t a i n co m m u n i t y los se s to re la ti ve l y lo w l e ve ls, t h e e f fo rt s
of fir e m a n a g e m e n t st a ff a t a l l l e v e l s m u st a lso be a c k n ow led ge d a s a m a j o r c o n t ri b u ti ng
f a c t o r to mi n i mi si n g c o m m u n i t y loss e s a n d p otent i a l i m pa ct s ont o m a jor p u blic a ssets .
T h e r e w i ll n o do u b t be ca lls fo r a ra n g e o f i n q u i r ie s in t h e a f t e r m a t h o f t h is f i r e s e a so n ,
in a d di ti on to t h e E n vi ro nm e n t a n d Na t u r a l R e s o u r c e s Co mm i tte e in q u ir y b y t h e V i c t or ia n
gov e r n m e n t . Pr op ose d in q u ir e r s w o uld d o w ell to a c k n ow led g e th e w a y i n w hi ch t he fir e
ga m e ha s cha n ge d . V i ct or i a c on t i n ue s to ra t e a m on g th e m o st fi re da ng e r ou s pa rt s o f th e
glo b e a nd t h e r e a r e n o i n di ca t i on s t h a t p ic t ur e i s lik e l y t o ch a n g e i n t h e f o r e se e a bl e
f u tu re . T h e i m pa ct o f c l i m a t e c h a n g e , ho w e ve r it h a s, a n d is b e i n g c a use d , is n o w w e l l
e s t a bl i s h e d . T he e f fe c t s of d e e p dr o ug h t ha v e b e e n e x peri e n ce d t o a n e x te nt t h a t g o e s
be y o n d li vi ng m e m o r y th ro u gh m u ch o f s ou t h ea ster n Au stra li a a nd the fi re f i g hte r s of
2 00 7 h a d to co nt e n d w it h f u e l l o a d s t h a t w e r e a s dr y a s c a n b e pra cti c a ll y a tta i n e d ,
ge n e r a ting ve r y di f f ic u l t su ppr e ss io n c o n d iti o n s .
J u ly 2 00 7
P a g e 5 of 96
Th e i mm e d i a te o utl oo k f o r th e 2 0 0 7 /0 8 fir e s ea so n p r omi s e s no e nc o ur a g em e n t f o r a ny
sig n if i c a n t im pr ov e m e nt to th e s e a s on a l c o n dit i o n s th a t pr e v a il e d dur i ng 2 0 0 6 /0 7 . E v e n i f
V i ct or ia e x pe ri e n ce s a ve r a g e r a in fa l l d u ri n g th e w in t e r m o nt h s , Sp ri ng 2 00 7 a nd S u mm e r
2 00 7 / 0 8 w i ll li ke l y e m e rg e w it h a se ri o u s l o ng te r m m o i s t ur e d e f i c it sti ll e vi d e n t . T h e
strea mfl ow a na ly s i s f o r V ic t ori a a t the cl os e of Ma r c h 2 0 0 7 in d ic a t e s mu c h of th e sta t e
w i th st re a m f l o w s of le ss tha n 10 % o f th e lo n g te rm a v e r a g e for Ma r c h. W h e n c o u p le d
wit h som e no ne to o s u bt l e de m og ra p hi c c ha n g e s a nd s ig n i f ic a n t c h a ng e s t o mo bi li ty of
pe o p le , the to ta l fire r isk to t h e co mmunit y h a s a lte r e d e n or m o u s l y ov e r the la st se ve r a l
deca d e s.
Be a r in g t h e s e fa cts i n m i n d , t h e in q u ir e r s a n d pe rson s s e e k i n g i n q u i r ie s m u st u n d e r sta n d
th e l e v e l o f re s ou r c e s th a t a re n e ce ssa r i ly d r a w n d ow n fr om fir e se rvi c e c o r e bu s in e ss
w h il st a t te n d i n g to t h e d e ma nd s o f i n qu i r i e s a n d t h e im p a c t o f t h os e dr a w do wns. T h e
na t u ra l c o r o ll a r y i s t h a t l o ng r u n n ing i nq u ir i es , e xt e n d in g a c ro ss o n e fi re s e a so n to t h e
ne xt , ne e d to b e m a na ge d w i th so me ca ution . W h ilst there a r e a l w a ys lesson s to be
le a rn e d , t h e re a re a lw a y s s e ri o u s q ue s ti o n s a b ou t m ul t i p le i nq u iri e s a n d h o w mu c h t h e y
a c tu a l l y c on t r i bu te to th e i m pr o ve m e n t p r oc ess, a p a r t fr om sa t i s fy ing t he i n q ui r e r s a n d
sp e ci fi c in t e re st gr o u p s, w h ose a g e nd a s so m etim e s d o n o t ma t c h t he de ve l o pi ng ne e d s o f
t h e Sta t e . P e rha p s t h e m o re prod u c t i ve a p p r oa c h i s to a c k n ow l e d g e t h a t s i g n i f i ca nt
c h a n ge a n d i n n o va t i o n ha s be e n in t r o d u c e d i n re spo n se to cha n gi n g f i r e ma na ge me nt
de m a nd s a nd t ha t r a t h e r t ha n l o o ki n g ba ck w a rds, it is e ss e n t i a l to now a d op t a for w a r d
l o o k i n g a p p r oa c h . It is im po rta n t to un de rs ta nd th a t ci r c um sta n c e s ma y c o nt in u e to
ch a ng e , a n d th a t a c o nti n u a t i on of i n n o va ti v e a p pro a c h e s w i ll be n e cessa r y to effecti v e ly
ma na ge cu r re nt a nd f u tu re ri sk s.
W h i l s t m u c h o f t h e ma te ri a l ra ise d du r i n g d e b r i e fs a n d e xa m i n e d u n d e r t h e a u s p i c e s o f
th e a ss o ci a te d imp r o v e m e n t pr og ra m s w ill b e f u r th e r d e v e l o pe d b y j o in t st r a te g i c gr o up s
fr om C F A a nd D S E , th e re a re m a tte r s o f cl a ri f ic a t i o n t ha t h a ve b e e n id e n ti f i e d f o r fu rt he r
d i sc uss i on a n d re s o l u ti o n , b e tw e e n t h e fi re s e r v ic e s a n d se ve ra l s u p p o r t a g e n c i e s. It is
my vie w t h a t the se ma tt e rs w a rra n t se pa ra te trea t m e n t o u ts ide of the st ra t e gic re vie w
process to de fi ne a nd a g r e e the r e specti v e ag ency positi o n s, which , whe n settle d ca n be
inco rpora te d int o the s t r a te gic process e s. R e l e v a n t m a tte r s we re i d e n ti f ie d i n
co n s ul ta ti o ns w i th e x t e r n a l a ge n c ie s - V i c t or ia P o li ce , V i ct or ia S E S a nd t h e De p a r t m e n t of
Hu ma n R es ou r c e s - b u t f u rt he r di a l og ue a t s eni or le ve l s i s in dic a te d .
A c tio n s to a d dr e ss is s u e s id e n ti f i e d i n t h is re v i e w ne e d to be pu t in to pr a c ti ce a s soo n a s
is rea so na b l y pr a c t i ca ble . I t w ou ld b e di si ng e nuo u s t o s ugg e s t th a t a ll or e v e n m ost o f
t h e iss u e s id e n t i fi e d e i t h e r c a n , or ou g h t to b e a d dr esse d, p r io r to t h e 20 0 7 /0 8 f i r e
sea s o n. Th ose th a t c a n r e a li s ti c a ll y b e a d op t e d be f o re th e n s h oul d be , b u t tho se r e q u ir i ng
a l o ng e r ti me fr a m e f o r imp l e m e nta t i on mu st b e a ll o c a t e d a de q u a te ti me f or de vel op m e n t ,
cons ult a tion a n d imple m e n t a t i on.
J u ly 2 00 7
P a g e 6 of 96
I n o te d in m y r e p o r t o n th e 2 00 5/ 0 6 fi re s th a t p ro vi s i o n o f c o m mu ni ty in f orma t i o n a n d
th e ac ti o n s o f c o m m u n iti e s w e r e eff e c t i v e , b u t th at i t wo uld b e “c r i t i ca l th at co mmun i t i es
a n d i n d i v i du al res i de nts co nt i n ue to o b se r v e g o o d co mm u n i t y p r ot ec t i on p r in c i pl es” .
I h a v e n o he si ta ti on i n r e c o rd i ng t h a t th e V i c tor i a n fi re a g e n ci e s a n d c o mm u n iti e s h a v e
a g a i n ‘ r a i s e d th e b a r’ i n t hi s m a tt e r a n d c o nt i n ue to en ga ge pr od u ct iv e ly w i th e a c h ot he r
in b u sh fi re pr on e a r e a s.
Yo ur s si n c e r e ly
R oss Smit h
25 Ma y 2 0 0 7
_ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ __ __ _ __ _ __ _ __ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ __ __ _ __ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ __ __ _ __ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ __ __ _ _
_ _ _ _ __ _ _ __ _ __ _ _
*Ross Smith is a professional forester with extensive rural fire management experience. He
worked in forestry in New South Wales between 1963 and 1994. His field work was principally in
exotic plantations areas in the Central West Slopes and South West Slopes until 1983, when he
t r a n s f e r r e d t o t h e F o r e s t r y C o m m i s s i o n F i r e M a n a g e me n t B r a n c h . H e h e l d t h e p o s i t i o n s o f
Deputy Fire Management Of ficer and later, Manager of Audi t and Review and then Chief Forest
Inspe ctor. He worked clos ely w it h rural fire b rigad es in his fie ld car eer and later f orged strong
links with the Rural Fire Se rvice, r eprese nting the For estry Comm iss ion in severa l inte r-ag enc y
coordination groups.
I n 1 9 9 4 h e t r a n s f e r r e d t o th e N S W R u r a l F i r e S e r v i c e a s M a n a g e r o f P l a n n i n g a n d R e s e a r c h a n d
was subsequently appo in te d as Assist an t C omm iss ione r. Dur ing t he la tt er part of his career,
from 1995 onwards, he worked ex te ns ivel y o n for est a nd rur al fire pr ojec ts in As ia, SE Asia,
Europe and North America, representing the NSW Rural Fire Service. He retired n 2002 but
rema ins activ e in rural f ire manage me nt and c on tinues to work p rofess iona lly, b oth offs hore and
within A ustra lia .
In 2 00 2 he was awarded the Aust ra li a n Fi re S erv ic e M edal for se rvic es to fo rest and rural f ire managemen t.
J u ly 2 00 7
P a g e 7 of 96
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TA B L E O F C ON T E N TS .......................................................................................................................... 8
E X E C U T I V E S U M M A R Y....................................................................................................................... 10
IN T R O D UC TI O N ................................................................................................................................. 13
DE SC R IP T I O N O F E V E N T .................................................................................................................. 16
Ant e c e d e n t C o ndi t i o n s ................................................................................................................. 16
Sp ri ng R a i n f a ll ............................................................................................................................... 17
Li g h tn ing A c ti vit y .......................................................................................................................... 18
R e s o u rc i ng ...................................................................................................................................... 1 9
KE Y IS S U E S A R I S IN G F R O M R E V I E W PR OC E S S............................................................................ 20
IN FO R M A T I O N F L O W T O TH E CO M M U N I T Y .............................................................................. 20
Pre - f i r e in f o rm a t i o n f l ow ......................................................................................................... 20
In f o rm a t i o n fl o w d u ri n g i n cid e n t s .......................................................................................... 2 1
Upg r a de d i n f o rm a t i o n fl ow ...................................................................................................... 2 2
Impr o v e m e n t s si nc e 2 0 05 / 06 .................................................................................................. 2 3
Ob se r v a ti o ns fr om 20 0 6/ 2 0 0 7 op e r a t io n a l r e v i e w s ............................................................ 2 4
R E S O U R CI N G O F FI R E G R O U N D PE R S ON N E L ............................................................................. 26
Int e r s ta t e a nd i n t e rn a t i o n a l re s o ur c e s.................................................................................. 29
COO R D I N A TI ON A R R A N G E M E N T S ............................................................................................... 3 4
IF AC -IC C ..................................................................................................................................... 3 5
IM T re l a ti o n s h ip s t o D i vi si o n /S e c to r ..................................................................................... 37
IM T s ............................................................................................................................................. 3 8
E x t e r n a l c o ord i n a t i on be t w e e n fi r e a g e n c i e s a nd ME CC .................................................... 4 0
E x t e r n a l c o ord i n a t i on w it h su pp o r t a g e n cie s ( e x c lu d i ng M E CC ) ...................................... 42
J OI N T V E R S U S I N T E G R A T E D O P E R A T I O N S ............................................................................... 43
PLA N N I N G ....................................................................................................................................... 4 6
Fir e M a n a g e m e n t P l a n ni ng – St a t e / R e gi on a l /L oc a l l e ve l ................................................... 4 6
Fir e m a n a g e m e n t pl a n ni ng – Co m m u ni ty le v e l .................................................................... 47
Str a te g ic s t a t e l e v e l p l a nn i ng d u r i ng ca mp a i g n .................................................................. 48
In cid e n t Pl a n nin g ...................................................................................................................... 50
Li n e sc a n C a p a bi lit y ................................................................................................................... 53
Fir e B e h a vi ou r Sp e c i a l i s t s........................................................................................................ 5 3
FIR E G R O U N D CO M M A N D .............................................................................................................. 56
Fir e fig ht e r s a f e t y ...................................................................................................................... 59
St a gi n g a r e a s ............................................................................................................................. 60
N o n – c o m b a t a n t s ........................................................................................................................ 61
IT CO MP A T IB I LI T Y ........................................................................................................................ 64
LO G I S T I CS ...................................................................................................................................... 6 7
Po s i ti ve o u tc om e s ..................................................................................................................... 67
Are a s f o r s t re ng t h e ni n g ........................................................................................................... 68
R e s o u rc e s Tr a c ki ng ................................................................................................................... 69
Ca te ri ng ...................................................................................................................................... 6 9
Com m u n ic a t i o n s ........................................................................................................................ 70
G E N E R A L O B SE R V A T IO N S ................................................................................................................ 74
ST R A T E G I C A N A L YS I S OF K E Y IS S U E S – T H E WA Y F O R W AR D .................................................. 7 6
Str a te gi c A n a l y s i s o f R e vi e w O u t c o m e s .................................................................................... 76
Con c l u d in g R e m a r k s...................................................................................................................... 77
APP E N D IC E S ....................................................................................................................................... 8 1
Appe n di x 1 : Te rm s of R e fe re nc e ................................................................................................ 8 2
Appe n di x 2 : Op e r a t i o n a l re v ie w p r o c e s s 2 00 6 / 0 7 ................................................................... 85
R e gi on a l d e bri e f pr oc e s s ......................................................................................................... 85
Spe c i a li s t , f un c ti o n a l a r e a a nd o t h e r d e br ie fs ..................................................................... 87
As s o ci a t e d Impr ov e m e n t Pr ogr a m s ........................................................................................ 87
J u ly 2 00 7
P a g e 8 of 96
Appe n di x
Appe n di x
Appe n di x
Appe n di x
Appe n di x
J u ly 2 00 7
3:
3:
4:
5:
6:
S c h e d ul e of pe r s o n s co n s ul te d............................................................................. 90
S c h e d ul e of pe r s o n s co n s ul te d............................................................................. 90
E x t e rn a l c o or di n a ti o n w i t h s up p o r t a g e n ci e s .................................................... 9 1
T h e W a y Fo rw a r d .................................................................................................... 9 3
G l o s s a r y of a b br e vi a ti o n s...................................................................................... 94
P a g e 9 of 96
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Introduction
Th i s se ct i o n se t s ou t a b r ie f s u m m a r y o f ke y i s su e s t h a t w e r e i d ent i fie d in t he
re view . It doe s not inc lud e a l l iss u e s. T h e r e l e v a n t se c t i o n s li st the f ull a r r a y o f
i ssu e s t h a t a r e id e n ti fi e d i n t h e re po rt . A n y p e rso n w ho se e ks to u t i lis e th is
re p o r t f o r f u rt he r e xa min a ti o n o f is s ue s r a i s e d sh o u ld r e fe r t o t he in di v id ua l
sectio ns.
Information flow to the community
Com m un it y e ng a g e me nt , a nd the r es u lta nt d isp l a y o f com m u ni ty u nd e r sta n di ng
of fir e a n d a pp r o p ri a t e r e a c ti on to i t , w a s a s t a nd o ut h i g h li gh t o f t h i s
ca m p a ig n . Th e r e w a s ma ss i v e fir e a g e nc y a n d c o mm u n i ty in te ra ct i on . M a j o r
i m p r o v e m e n ts in de l i ve r y o f th e c o m m u n i t y p r o g ra m ha ve o c c u rre d s i n c e
2 00 2 /0 3 a n d f ur t h e r i n iti a ti ve s a re we ll d e v e l o p e d f o r impl e m e n ta t i on p r i o r to
ne xt fir e s e a s on .
T h e V i c t or ia n Bus h f i r e I n f o rm a t ion L i n e ca pa ci t y w a s si g n i f i c a n t l y u p g r a d e d
a f te r 2 0 05 / 0 6 , w it h a b ilit y t o a cc e pt hi gh l o a d c a ll s a t a n o ve r fl ow c e n t r e , r e ro ut i n g of no n fi re c a l l s, c a s u a l s ta f fi ng a v a i l a b ili ty /tr a i ni ng i n cr ea s e d t hr e e f old
a nd tra i ni n g c o mm e n c e d thr e e m o n t h s ea rl i e r th a n 20 0 5/ 06 .
Iss u e s i de n t i fi e d f o r f u rth e r a c ti on i n c l ud e th e n e e d f o r o ne w e b s i t e (I T
c o m p a t i b i lit y ) , e m p h a s is g i ve n to i n c l u s io n o f lo ca l p e o p le in t o co mm u n i t y
brie f ing s , a nd sta te w i d e co n s i s t e n c y i n me s s a gi n g a n d te rmi n o l og y t o c o n v e y
fi re i n f orm a ti o n to t h e p u bli c .
Resourcing of fireground personnel
L o c al p e rs o nn el
E q ui p p i n g fi r e a r e a s w i t h a d e q ua te reso u r c e s re qu i r e d i n no va t i ve m e t h o d s to
a t tr a ct fi r e fi gh t e r s w i th ou t ca u s i n g t h e m t o be a b se n t f or l e ng t h y pe r i od s .
T h e e x ige n cie s o f the se a son de ma nde d t h a t r u ra l l y ba s e d vo lu nt e e rs co u l d n o t
be a b se n t f o r e xte n d e d pe r i od s a nd t he te c h ni qu e s of q u i ck t ur n a r ou nd st r i ke
te a m s a nd ra p i d tr a n s po r t s ol u ti on s e m p l oy e d a r e w o r t hy o f a d op t i on ,
f o rma l isa t io n a n d do cu m e n t a t io n o f e x ist i ng p r a c t i ce s in to g u i d e l in e s.
S o m e co n ce r n w a s e xpr e ss e d a b o u t w i t h d r a w a l o f s i g n i f i c a n t le ve l s o f r e sou r ce
fr om f i re fr e e p a rt s o f th e st a t e t o f i r e a ff e c t e d p a r t s a nd a n e e d w a s id e n t if i e d
for the a b il ity to p r e p l a n t he o rd e r i n w h i c h to dra w do w n reso ur c e s w h i l s t
m a in ta i n ing a d e q ua te f i r e cov e r a n d to d e ve l o p m u t u a l a ssi sta n ce
a rr a nge m e n t s /a gr e e m e n t s w i t h ot h e r a g e n ci e s su ch a s M FB a nd V i cS E S .
In t er s ta t e / in t er na ti on a l p er s o nn el
Ex te ns iv e le ve ls o f i n te rs tat e a n d i n te rna t ion a l res o u r ces we re u t il i s e d . Th e
lesso n s of 2006 /0 7 sh oul d b e f o r m al i s ed in to a str u ctu r ed m a n a g e m e n t and
lia i s on p r o ce ss t o i n c o rp or a te e f fe c t i v e pr a c t i ce s t ha t w e re de ve l o p e d a n d
impl e m e n t e d d u ri ng 2 0 06 / 0 7 .
Th e DS E N o r t h Al to n a E q uip m e nt Ce nt r e w a s r e cog ni s e d f o r i t s ut il it y a nd
a bi l it y to ki t o u t i n t e r s ta t e / i n t e r n a t i on a l re s o u r c e s wit h a fu ll co mpl eme nt of
equi pm e n t. R e v i e w o f th e c e n t r e is i nd i c a t e d to a sse s s it s c a p a ci ty a nd
de t e r m in e a d e qu a cy t o su pp or t f u tu re e v e n t s .
J u ly 2 00 7
P a g e 10 of 9 6
C o or d in a t i on arr a n g em e nt s
Th e nee d f o r u nd e r s ta nd i ng of e m e rg e n c y m a na g eme nt a r r a ng e me n ts,
pa r t i c ul a r ly r ole cl a r ity b o th v e r t ic a ll y a nd l a te r a l ly – be twee n fi r e g r ou nd
c o m m a n de rs a n d IM Ts, IMT a n d IF A C C, IMT s a n d ME C C s – w a s i d e n t i f i e d i n
e a c h o f t h ose a r e n a s w it h th e n e e d f o r r o l e oc cup a nt s to u n de r s t a nd n o t o nl y
th e ir o w n r o l e s b u t a l s o th e r o l e s o f t h ose w i t h w h om t h e y c o m m u n i c a t e .
Tr a i n in g a n d e x e r ci sin g b e t w e e n th e r e sp e c t ive e l e m e n t s i s indi c a te d t o f os t e r
re l a ti o n s h i p s a n d u nd e r st a n di ng , i nc o r por a t i n g f o rm a l g uid a n ce b a s e d on
e x i s ti ng pr ot o c ol s a n d th e le a r n i ng s f r o m r e c e n t fi re s e a s o n s.
F ur t h e r d i a log ue w i t h e xte r n a l s u pp ort a g e n cie s t o d e term in e r e l e va nt MO Us
a n d c l a r i f i ca tio n o f the i m p l e m e n t a t i on o f a c c e ss re st ric t ion s is ind i ca te d.
J o in t v e rs u s i n te g r at e d o p e r a t i o ns
Th e p r in cip a l a g e n ci e s re s p on s ib l e f o r r ur a l f ire m a n a g e m e n t , D S E a n d CF A
c o o p e r a t e d a t ve r y h i g h le ve ls a n d mo un te d ma n y jo in t o p e r a t ion s . E xa m p l e s o f
hi gh ly i n t e gra t e d a nd e f f e c t i v e o pe r a ti o n s i n cl u d e d t h e e s t a bl i s h m e n t of t h e
Str a tegic P l a nni ng Un i t and the Join t I M T D e sk i n th e DS E E CC . Noting that,
th ere i s sti ll r o om for fur t h e r i n tegr ati o n of th e two servic es to oper ate in a
t r ul y in te gra t e d ma nne r ra t h e r th a n j o i n tl y i n a ll a s pe c t s of th e i r op e r a tio n s .
P r o p os a ls to e s ta bl is h a si n g le sta t e co or d i na tio n c e n t re s h o u l d a c t a s a
ca t a lyst to furt he r t h e int e gra t ion bet w e e n t h e s e rvices .
P la n ni n g
T h e In te gra t e d F i re Ma na ge me nt P l a n n i n g (IF M P ) process ha s r e ce n t l y be e n
a pp r ove d b y G o ve rn m e n t a nd im pl e m e n t a t i on w i ll n ow p r oc e e d . Th e r e i s
opp o r t u n i t y to uti li se c a se stu d i e s a b ou t sma l le r c o m m u ni ty pr ote c ti on f r om
2 00 6 / 0 7 to a ssi st i n i m ple m e n ta t i o n .
Th e i n te g r a t e d S t r a t e gic Pl a n n in g U ni t , c r e a t e d d ur i n g t h e G r e a t Di vi de
Com p l e x fir e s o pe r a te d e f fe cti ve l y pr o vi d i n g cri t i c a l in f o rm a ti o n t o b o th i n ter n a l
a n d e xt e r n a l sta k e h o l d e r s a n d t h i s f u n c t i o n i s a c k n ow le d g e d o n e t h a t o u g h t t o
be c on ti n ue d i n f u t ur e e ve nts .
Incid e nt pl anning pr oce sses (inc ide n t acti on pl an s) r e quir e r e vi ew to ach i e ve a
sta nd a rd f o rmat for st at e w id e i m plem en t a t i on . The r e i s a ne ed t o c o n s id er h o w
t h e s e r v ic e s c a n pr o v id e a n c i ll a ry i n f o rm a ti o n (r e m ote ly s e n s e d d a t a a nd f ir e
p r e d i c t i ve se r v ic e s) fo r t h e bro a d sp e c tr u m o f p l a n n i ng p r o c e ss e s, i n c l u d ing
IAP s.
Fi r egr o u n d
S e ve ra l ma j o r p u b l i c in f r a s tr u c t u r e a sse ts w e r e th re a te n e d . I n t h e f i rs t ca s e a
fi re in t h e M or w e ll op e n cu t m i n e a r e a t h r e a t e n e d p o w e r s up p li e s b u t r e sol u t e
fi re fi g hti n g a v e r te d t h a t th re a t . A s e cond thr ea t t o pow e r s u pp l y w a s re a l ise d
w h e n m a j o r lin e s w e r e c u t o n 1 6 J a n u a r y 2 0 07 , se v e r e ly di sr upt i ng Melb o ur n e
pow e r s up p l ie s. On t h e sa m e da y a l a rg e f i r e a l so th r e a t e n e d t o cl o se
Tu ll a m a r in e a irp o rt . A m a j o r pl us d u ri ng t he sea s o n w a s the a b i lit y to k e e p fir e
ou t o f m a j o r w a t e r c a t ch m e n t s , n oti n g of c o u r se th a t e v e ry f ir e a f f e c t s a
c a t c h m e n t i n w h i c h pe o p le li ve o r so ur ce t h e i r w a t e r s u p p l ie s.
Th e e f f o rts of t he pe r s on ne l a t t he f ir e li n e in su cc e ss f u ll y i mp l e m e n ting tw o
ma ss i v e c o n tr o l li ne s o f 1 0 7 km a nd 2 0 0 k m on t h e G r e a t D iv i d e C o mpl e x f i res ,
u n d e r a r d u o u s co n d i t io ns i s t e st im on y to the m a na ge m e nt pr ocesse s a nd
e s pe ci a ll y t h e e f f o rt s, sk i ll s a n d t r a i n in g o f t h e ma ny fir e gr o u n d p e rso n ne l w h o
comple te d t h e s e a ctivi t i e s.
J u ly 2 00 7
P a g e 11 of 9 6
A n u m b e r o f iss u e s a r e id e n t i f i e d fo r fu rt he r reso l u t i o n u n d e r th e f o l l o w i n g
top ic s :
•
•
•
•
Fir e gr o u nd c o mm a nd – r o l e c l a ri t y , r e so ur ci n g a nd fir e gr o und
ma na ge me nt .
F i re g r o u n d sa fe t y – m a in ta in hi gh s t a n da r d s, re in fo r c e sa fe t y a w a r e n ess.
Sta gi n g a r e a s – de d ica te d m a na g e m e nt.
No n- Comba ta nt s – re s o lve a ccess rest ri cti o n pow e r s f o r re si de nt s a nd
ot he r n o n - co m b a ta nts , u nd e r ta k e di a l og ue w it h me d i a w i th a vi e w t o
de v e l o pm e nt of a Me m or a nd u m o f U nd e r s ta n d ing re g a rd i ng fir e gr o u nd
a c ce ss.
IT c o m pa t ib i li t y
R e sol u t i o n i s n e e d e d t o t h e lo ng st a n d i n g ba r r i e rs i m pos e d b y tw o se pa ra t e I T
pla tfo rms a nd so ftw a re c o n fig ur a t i o n s th a t co ntr ib u te to p e rc e i v e d
ine f fi c ie n ci e s i n c o m m u ni c a ti o n , i n t urn imp a c t i n g o n a w id e r a ng e of fir e
ma na geme nt op e r a ti o n s a nd c o m m u ni t y i n v o l v e m e n t.
T h e r e is ne e d fo r e xa m i n a t io n o f i n f o rma t io n te ch n o log y s y st e ms to o v e r com e
th e ex ist i n g imp a s se a nd t o de t e r m in e h o w e ff e c t iv e a nd i n te gr a te d in f o r m a ti o n
s y st e ms ca n b e e st a b l i s h e d. T h i s e xa m in a t io n sho u ld o c c u r co nc u r re nt l y w i t h
co n s id e r a t i o n of pr op o sa l s t o im ple m e n t a si ngl e st a t e c o ord i n a t i o n c e n t r e
L ogistic s
A ke y m e ssa ge is t h e n e e d to und e r ta k e c l e a r d e fi n i t i on of ro le s i n lo g i st i c s a n d
sp e ci fi c cr oss a g e n cy t r a i ni n g t o e n a bl e m or e e f f e c t iv e e xe c ut i o n o f th e
log i sti c s f u n ct i on a t I M T s , S t a gi n g A r e a s a n d B a se C a mp s.
Resourc e and fi n a nc e tr ack i ng – th e re i s need f o r a tr an sp arent and effi cient
me th od ol o g y f o r tr a c king re s o ur ce s a n d fi n a n c e o n a s t a t ewi d e and I M T b a si s
a n d th is iss u e re la t e s v e ry clos e l y to I T c o mpa ti b ili ty bet wee n D S E a nd C FA .
Ca ter ing i s a s ub j e c t t h a t a lt h o u gh t here we re s om e i s su e s r a is e d w i th
sta nd a rd s , tim i ng a nd na t u re o f c a t e r i ng , t h e re w e r e m a n y d e bri e f s th a t d i d n ot
r a ise a n y iss u e s. In te rs ta t e a n d i n te r na t ion a l a g e n ci e s re po rte d v e ry
fa v o ur a bl y , i n di c a ti ng th a t V ic t ori a m a in ta in s a hig h sta nd a rd . A l t h ou g h t he r e
a r e no specifi c is s u e s to a d dre ss a t s t a t e le v e l, i t is p r u d e n t to e n s u re tha t
ca te rin g r e ma i n s a s a ma tte r th a t i s c o n t i n u a ll y m o n it ore d .
Com m unicati on s
Th e i mp o r t a n ce o f i n c l ud i n g q u a l i fie d a nd tr a i ne d c o m m u ni c a ti on s p l a nn e r s a t
ICC l e v e l ca n n ot be o v e r e mp h a si s e d . W he n the se pl a n ne r s w e r e i n se r t e d a n d
u t i lis e d s t a n d a r d pro c e d ur e s, pos i t i ve r e s u lts e m e r g e d. I t is i m po rt a n t to
e n su re t h a t th e r e a r e a d e qu a te n u mb e r s o f t r a in e d c o m m u n ic a ti o ns pl a n ne r s
a r e a v a i la b l e .
Th e r e i s a ne e d t o e n s u r e th a t a si ngl e sta nd a r d tem p la t e i s u s e d sta tewi d e f o r
de v e l o pi ng c o mm u ni c a ti on s p l a n s.
On th e f i re g ro u nd a ll c om m a n d v e hi cl e s sh o u ld ha ve c o m m a nd a nd op e r a ti ona l
ch a n n e l s . Th e a b ili t y t o c o m m un i c a t e w it h e x t e rn a l c o n tr a ct or s n e e d s t o b e
i n ve s t ig a te d f u rt he r, a t le a st in p a rts o f the s t a t e w he r e tha t c u r r e n t a b i l i t y is
limi t e d.
J u ly 2 00 7
P a g e 12 of 9 6
INTRODUCTION
T h e pu r p ose o f t h is re p o rt is to fo c us o n t h e ke y ma tte rs t h a t w e r e ra i s e d
du ri ng r e v i e w s of fi re ma n a g e m e nt o pera tions a nd a sso cia te d conti nuo us
impr o v e m e nt p r ogr a m s , r e su lti n g fr om th e f i r e a ct iv i ty i n th e 2 0 0 6 / 0 7 fi re
se a son . Th e r e po rt is in te nd e d t o ca pt u r e o p po rt u n it ie s tha t ha ve b e e n
i d e n t i f i e d fo r co ns i d e r a t io n by a n e x te ns iv e se l f e xa m i na t io n pro c e ss in vo lv i n g
expe r ie n c e d a nd com p e t e n t loc a l fir e ma n a g e m e n t p e r s on n e l .
V i ctor ia ex pe r i e n ce d a v e r y a dv e r s e fi re sea so n d ur i n g 20 06 / 07 . T he a re a
burnt , a n t i cip a te d to be be tw e e n 1. 2 a n d 1. 3 mi lli o n s o f h e c t a r e s b y t he c l o se
of th e s e a s o n , m a t c h e s o t h e r ve r y se v e r e a n d n o t a bl e f ire se a s o n s i n e x t e n t of
a r e a bu rn t .
Th e r e we re no li ve s l o st a s a di re ct re s u lt o f fir e a c tiv i t y , a l t h o u g h tr a gi c a ll y ,
on e p e r s on die d in a v e hi cl e a c ci de n t ne a r th e Coo p e r s Cre e k fire , a sus p e ct e d
deli be r a te l i gh t , w he n the vi ct im w a s a s si s ti n g a pr opert y ow n e r to p r e p a r e f o r
fi re im p a ct. Gi ve n t h e cir c um sta nc e s u n d e r w h ic h se v e re fi re c o ndi t i o n s
pre v a ile d f o r a l m o st 1 0 c o n s e c ut i v e w e e k s, ho u s in g a n d pri v a t e a s se t l os se s
w e re re str i cte d to r e m a r k a bly l o w l e v e l s . I n tota l 51 dwe ll i ng s, of w h i ch 2 1
w e r e c l a ss i f i e d a s p r im a r y re s i de n c e s, w e re de s t r o y e d . T h e s e le ve ls o f l o ss a r e
at tr ibu t e d to t w o k e y ar e a s – th e eff o rt s of ma ny th ou sand s of f i r e fi gh ter s and
th e u n de r s tandi n g th e Vi ct ori a n c o m m un it y now has ab ou t th e li k e ly exten t and
imp a c t of f i re i n bu sh fir e pr o ne a r e a s, a nd t h e pr e p a r a t i o n s i m pl e m e n te d b y
“a t r i sk” c omm u nitie s .
A nu mb e r of si gni fi c a n t fir e s oc c u rr e d , bur ni ng e x te ns ive a r e a s a s e x trem e l y
d r ou g h te d c o n d it i o n s a n d fa vo ura b le bu r n i n g co n d i t ions bro u g h t in t e nse f i r e
b e ha vio u r fr o m A u g u st o n w a r d s. C o nd it io ns c o n d uc i v e to ra pi d fi re s p r e a d a nd
di f fi c ul t s u pp re s si o n c o nd iti on s a re r a re l y e x p e ri e n ce d a t th a t ti me of y e a r ,
re g a rd e d a s th e p r e fi r e se a s o n peri od . An u nu sua ll y p r o l o nge d p e r i od of
int e n s e f i re a c t i vi t y o c c ur r e d be tw e e n 1 D e c e m b e r 2 0 0 6 a nd mi d F ebru a r y 2 00 7
w h e n m u lt ip l e f i r e s, ca use d b y lig h t n i n g o n 1 De ce m b e r 2 0 0 6 , e ve n t u a l ly
merg e d t o f or m th e “ G re a t Di vi d e C o m p le x” . S ub s e q u e nt t o th e ig n i t i on o f th e
co mp l e x of f ir e s , ot he r s e r i o u s a n d l a rg e f ir e s a l s o o c c u r r e d .
As a c o n s eq ue n c e of t hi s fi re se a s on th e C o u n t r y F i re A u t ho r it y (“ C F A ” ) a n d t h e
De p a r t m e n t of Su s ta i n a b ili ty a n d E n vi ro nm e n t (“D S E ” ) im p leme n te d a n u m b e r
of j o i n t d e brie fi ng a n d ope r a ti o n a l re v iew p r oc es se s to ide nt i fy th o se m a tte r s
imp a c t in g on th e i r c a p a cit y a nd a bi l it y to m a n a g e h igh fir e l o a d s u nd e r se v e re
fi re wea t he r c o nd it io n s . T he s e a r e d e scr i be d in A p p e n d i x 2 . Th e a g e n c ie s
a gr e e d a p r o c e s s t o i n de p e n d e n tl y a n a l y s e th e ou tc o me s f r om t h e fi r e se a so n
a n d jo i n t l y c o m m i ss ion e d t h i s r e po rt, i n a c co r d a n ce w i t h Te rm s o f R e fe re nce
th a t pr o v id e d f o r t he f ol l ow i n g a c t i v itie s :
1. Me e t th e C h i e f Of fi c e r (CF A ), C hi e f O ffi ce r F i re a nd E m e rg e n c y
Ma n a g e m e nt Di vi si on ( DS E ) to di s c uss i ss ue s a nd e xp ec ta t i o ns ea r l y
in t h e pr oc e ss.
2. At te nd th e r e g i o na l d e brie f s o f t h e Gre a t D i vi d e C o m p le x fi r e s.
3. R e vi e w s tr a te g i c i ss u e s id e n ti f i e d i n lo c a l d e bri e f s of t he G r e a t Di v id e
Com p l e x fir e s.
4. Pr ov id e a p r e li m i n a ry r e p o r t to b o th C h i e f O f f ic e r s i n di ca t i ng k e y
st ra te g i c iss u e s id e n t i f i e d th a t n e e d to be i m medi a te ly a d dre sse d .
J u ly 2 00 7
P a g e 13 of 9 6
5. A t t e n d o r re v i e w th e o u t co m e s of ot he r d e br i e fs c o n d uc te d in
2 00 6 /2 0 07 .
6. R e vi e w t he o u t com e s of rea l ti m e p e rf or m a n ce m o n i t ori ng vi si ts.
7. R e v i e w th e o u t c om e s o f n e a r m i ss a n d a c c i de nt in v e st ig a t io ns.
8. Me e t w i th k e y i n t e r n a l a n d e x te rn a l s ta k e h o l de rs.
9. R e vi e w ope ra t i o n a l p e rf or m a n c e i n the 20 06 /2 0 0 7 f ir e sea s on a g a i n s t
iss ue s ide n ti fi e d in pr e vi o u s y e a r s to id e n tif y a rea s w h e re
i m p r o v e m e n ts h a v e be e n ma de a n d a r e a s th a t re qu i r e o ng o i n g
a tte nt io n .
1 0. . Pr o v id e a f i n a l r e p o r t on ope r a ti o na l p e rf or ma n c e f o r t h e 2 0 0 6 / 2
0 07 f i r e s e a so n i n a n a g re e d fo rma t .
1 1. . Ass i st in t h e p r e s e n ta t i on o f o u tc om e s to k e y in te r n a l a nd e x te rn
a l sta ke ho l de rs .
T h e co m p le t e Te rms of R e fe re nce is a t ta c h e d a s A p pe n d i x 1.
Ma ny un d e r l y i n g de b r i e fs, fro m c r e w / u ni t le v e l t h rou g h to sta t e - le v e l
c o o r d i na t i on ce nt re le v e l, w e r e co n d u ct e d to in fo rm the ma jor de b r i e fs .
Sim i la rl y , d e b ri e f s w e r e h e ld in e a c h k e y a n c ill a r y/ f u n c ti on a l u ni t. A n um be r of
a ss o ci a te d op e r a t io n a l re v ie w p r og ra m s a nd init i a ti ve s i m plemente d by
CFA / DSE ha v e a l so co nt r i b ut e d to t hi s review . T h e s e pro g ra m s inc l ude : R e a l
Ti me P e rf orma n c e M o n ito r i ng , N e a r Mi ss a n d Ac c id e n t In v e sti g a ti o n a nd
O p e r a t io ns A n a l ysis.
Mu ch o f t h e f i re fi gh t i n g e ff o r t e x p e nd e d by t h e j o in t a ge n ci e s w a s ne ce s sa r i ly
de v o t e d to th e Gr e a t Di vi d e C o m p le x a n d a s a c o n s e q u e n c e o f th a t, m a n y
debr ie f s f o c u sse d h e a v ily on t hi s f ir e . In de ed , in sett i n g up t h e d e b ri e f pr oc e ss,
it w a s r e c o g ni s e d t h a t a signi fi c a nt p r opo r ti on o f t h e e f fo rt s d ur i n g th e s e a s on h
a d be e n di r e c t e d to o n e ma jo r f i r e s o the ma jor j o int a g e n cy debriefs w e re
regi o na lly f o c u s se d . I n so m e r e g ion s, i np u t to fir e m a n a g e m e n t o c cu r re d
d i r e c t l y by m a n a g i ng t h e f i r e s upp r e ss ion re s p o nse e f f o rt a t I nc i de nt
Ma na ge me n t Te a m , R e g i o na l E m e r ge nc y Co o r di na tio n C e nt re o r In te g r a t e d F i re
Age n cy C o ord i na t i on C e nt r e l e v e ls. O t he r R e gi o ns p ri m a r il y pr o v id e d s upp ort
rol e s to th e Gr e a t Div i de C ompl e x b y s up p l y of f ir e f ig h ti ng r e so u r c e s to th e
co m b a t a re a s. I t i s im por t a n t to no t e t h a t d e spi t e th e ma ssi v e re s o ur c e n e e d s
of t h e G r e a t Di vid e C o mple x , re g i o n s ge og ra ph ic a l ly sep a r a te fr om it s till
expe rie n c e d a se v e r e f ire s e a s on w i t h m a ny oth e r l a rg e a nd p o te nt i a l ly
da m a gi ng f i re s .
It i s i mp o r t a n t to hi gh l ig h t se ve r a l m a t te r s :
1. So lu ti o n s o r c h a n ge s t o p r o c e d ur e s c a n o nl y de r i v e fr o m t h o s e w h o p o ss e s s
a n i n n a te un de r s ta ndi n g a b o u t ho w V i cto r ia i m ple m e n ts its f i r e ma na ge me nt
b u s i ness. It is t h e y w h o u n d e rst a n d th e po li t i c a l, c u l t ur a l , e n v i r on m e n t a l
a nd fi n a nc i a l bo u nd a r i e s w ithi n w hi ch fi re m a n a g e m e n t o cc u r s in t hi s sta t e .
It wo uld be co u nte r - p r od u cti v e to ob ta in e xt er n a l r e c o m me nd a ti o n s f o r
ch a ng e w i th o ut a n i n de p t h und e rsta nd i ng o f t he w h ole ga m u t o f f ire
ma na ge me nt i n t h e V ic tor i a n c o n t ext .
2. T h is is a r e p o rt a b o u t t h e ke y iss u e s id e nt if i e d f r om op e r a ti on a l r e vi e w s – it
i s n o t a n op e r a t io na l a n a lys is o f t h e s u p p r e ss i o n a n d m a n a g e m e n t e f for t s
a n d t h e a ut h o r ma ke s n o va l u e ju d g e m e n ts a b ou t t h ose e f fo rts . O p e r a t io na l
m a t t e r s a re re po rt e d i f ra ise d a s a n iss u e du r i ng de b r ie fs. Ke y iss u e s
ide n ti fie d i n e a c h se c t i on a re hi g h lig hte d a t t h e b e gi nn i ng o f e a c h s e c t i o n ,
imm e di a t e l y f o ll o w i n g th e i n t r o d u ct i on , a n d a r e a l s o r e pe a te d a t or ne a r t h e
e nd of e a c h se cti o n .
J u ly 2 00 7
P a g e 14 of 9 6
3. C o mm e n ts, o p i n io ns a n d a t t i t u de s re po rte d h e re in , w h il st re f l e c t i n g th e
vie w s of th e p e r s on s or or g a ni s a ti on s wh o we re inv o l v e d i n pr ep a r ed ne s s ,
re sp on se , r e c o v e ry ac tivi ti e s an d th e d e br ief pr oc ess, may n o t n e cessari ly
repr e s e n t t h e vie w s o f V i ct ori a n St a te G o ve r nm e n t A g e nc i e s . F o r t h e
pu rp os e s o f pr o bi t y a n d a c c ur a c y i n r e co r d i n g de b r i e f o u tc om e s , n o va lu e
j udg e m e n ts w e re m a d e a b ou t a ny i s su e s oth e r th a n r e c o g n i s i n g th e m a s
sig n if i c a n t ma t t e r s t h a t m a y w a r r a nt fur t h e r a t te nti o n .
4. T h is re po rt ex p r ess e s c e rta i n v i ews a n d op in i o ns t h at w e r e fo r m ed d u ri n g
e xt e n s i v e r e vi ew , ob serv ati o n s and di sc u s si on s. Whil st th e y c o n s t i tu te t h e
vie w s a n d opi n i o n s o f th e a u th or , th e y do n o t n e c e ssa r il y r e pr ese nt th e
po si ti o n of th e a g e nc i e s c o m m i s si on i ng t h e r e p o r t or o f t h e c o n t ri b ut o r s t o
dis c u s si o n s w i t h t h e a ut h or.
E v e ry s e p a ra t e it e m r a i s e d or di sc u s se d duri ng de b r i e fs or note d o n d a ta
co lle ct io n d oc u m e n t s i s n o t a d dr e s se d w i t h i n thi s r e p o rt. R e c o rd s o f ea ch
debr ie f w e r e pr e p a r e d by t he co n ve no r s a nd du ri ng t he de b r ie f pr o c e ss m a tt e r s
r e co rd e d w e r e i d e n t i fi e d fo r re s o l u t i o n a t lo c a l le ve l, re g i o n a l le ve l o r sta t e
l e ve l. F o r th e m a jo r R e g i o n a l d e b r i e fs , th e r e s u lts o f fa ci l i t a te d de b r ie fs w e re
co ll a te d b y t h e J oi n t D e b r ie f Te a m a n d copie s o f the o u tcome s ( “ mi nute s ” )
dis t r i b ut e d to p a r t i c ip a nt s .
T h is re po rt f o c u se s o n t h ose ma t t e r s i m pa cti ng , or p ote n t i a ll y im pa ct i n g , a t
wh ol e of s t at e lev e l . T h e n o n - in cl us io n or di sc u s si on o f ma t t e r s t h at im pa ct a t
local or region al l e v e ls dim i ni sh es n e i t h e r th eir imp o r t a nc e to sp eci fic l o c a l or
regi o na l a r e a s, n o r th e ir imp o r t a n ce to t h e p e o p le w h o r a is e d th e m a s iss u e s.
It i s in cum b e n t u p o n t h e j o i n t fi re a g e n ci e s a nd e m e rg e n c y r e sp o n se a n d
c o o r d i na t i on b o d i e s t o e n su re tha t a p p r o p r i a t e a t te nt ion is a f f o r d e d a l l iss u e s
ra i s e d , n o t on l y th ose th a t h a ve a st a te -w i d e im p a c t .
Th i s r e p o r t is a p a r t of the re vie w proc ess a n d wil l ser ve a s a c a ta l y st f o r
st ra te gic w o rki ng grou p s to unde rta ke deta ile d a na l ys i s o f the out c o m e s o f t he
revi e w t o d e term in e if a ny c h a ng e s a r e wa rr a n te d to s y stem s a n d p rocesse s
c urr e n tl y a pp li e d to fi r e ma n a g e me n t i n V i c t o ri a . I n t h a t r e g a rd , i t will be
i m po rt a n t f o r t h e st ra t e g i c w o r k g r o u ps to sc a n se l e c t e d d e b r ie f a n d re v i e w
r e co rds to p l a c e e a c h i ssu e i n to c o n text a n d c a p t ur e t he i n tent o f t he
co nt ri b u t or s .
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P a g e 15 of 9 6
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT
Introduction
Th i s se ct i o n pr o v ide s a b r ie f su m m a r y of sea so n a l co ndi t i ons le a di n g u p to t h e
2 00 6 /0 7 f ir e s, f o c u s in g on th e e x tre mel y d r o ug h te d n a tur e of th e V i cto r i a n
la nd sc a p e , t h e u nu s u a lly e a rl y on se t o f se ve r e f ir e a c ti vi t y , t he oc c urr e n ce o f
exte n s i ve li g ht i ng a c t i vit y o n a si ng le d a y c a u s i n g m ul t ipl e f ir e s th a t u ltim a tel y
le d to a m a jor f i re c o mple x a nd th e a tte nd a n t n e e d f o r si g ni f ic a nt res ou rc e s.
A sh or t c h r o n o l o g y o f ma j o r fi re s is i n c lu d e d f o r i l lu st r a ti v e p u rp o s e s to
de m o n s tr a te the l e ng t hy a nd se v e re n a tur e of t h e f ir e se a s on . A s i ndi ca te d , a
d e ta i l e d a n a l ysis o f t h e f i r e se a so n is be i n g p r e p a r e d se pa ra te ly .
Antecedent Conditions
E a rl y d e v e l o pm e n t o f t h e fi re s e a s on w a s p ro m pte d by e xc e p t i o n a ll y dr y
c o n d it io ns, V i c t or ia e f f e ct i v e l y re m a in i n g i n t he g r i p o f a de ca de lo n g d r o ug ht .
R a in f a ll de fi ci t s f o r 3 ye a r s to 3 1 De cem b e r 2 00 6 i ll u s t r a te “ l owe st on r e c o rd ”
to “ s e ri o u s de f i ci e n cy ” f o r m o st of th e st a t e , bu t i n th e vi e w of ma ny l o ng te r m
a nd e x p e r i e n c e d l a nd a nd f i re pr a c ti ti o n e r s, e v e n t h i s da t a f a il s t o a d e qu a te ly
u n d e r s c o r e t h e se r i o u s d e fi c i ts t h a t ha v e a c c r u e d ov e r a d e ca de .
Fi g ur e 1 R a i nfa l l D e fic i en ci es 36 m o n t hs t o 3 1 D e c e m b er 2 0 06
J u ly 2 00 7
P a g e 16 of 9 6
Spring Rainfall
R a in f a ll for th e t hr e e mo nt h s of S pri n g 2 0 0 6 ( Se p t e mb e r t o N o v e m be r ) w a s
ve r y m u ch b e l o w a v e r a g e a cr o s s mo s t o f t h e S t a t e , w i th th e a r e a s b e tw e e n
Ba lla ra t a nd Ge e lo n g a n d be tw e e n the La t r o b e V a l le y a n d Ba i r nsd a l e re c e ivi n g
t h e low e st s p ri n g tot a l s on re co rd .
About 30 % o f the St a t e re ce ive d to ta ls tha t w e re 2 0 -4 0% o f t he m on th ly
a v e r a g e a n d t h e h ig h e s t r a i n f a ll s re c o r d e d w e re l e ss t h a n 60 % o f t h e m o n t h l y
average.
Th e ve r y se ri ou s m o i s t ur e d e fi ci t fa c in g t h e e n tir e sta t e i s gr a p h i ca l ly
de m o n s tr a te d b y a n a ppre ci a ti on o f str e a m f low p o s it i o n in N o vem be r 20 06 .
Apa rt fro m t w o mo nit o ring sta t io ns, t h e a v e r a g e fl ow for a ll m on i t o r e d strea m s
a n d w a t e rw a ys w a s le s s tha n 10 % o f t he me a n No ve mbe r fl ow . T h e o nly
sta t i o n s t o re c o r d fl ow s a b ov e 10 % o f th e l o ng -t e rm N o ve m b e r a v e r a g e w e r e
on t h e S n ow y R i ve r d o w n str e a m of B a si n C r e e k , a nd o n t he Y a rr a R i ve r a t
M i lg ro ve . T h e se la t t e r t w o f l ow s w e r e e f f e c t i v e ly a r t i fi ci a l a n d w e re ma in ta ine d
by e n vi r o n me n ta l fl ow r e l e a se s fr om m a jor s t or a g e s.
At th e e nd of N o ve mb e r , 9 3 % o f th e St a te h a d st re a m fl ow s th a t w e re be l o w
1 0% of th e lo ng -t e r m a v e r a g e f l ow f o r t he m ont h. Fl ow s r e c o r d e d a t a th ir d o f
th e g a u g e d st a ti o n s a r e t he mi ni m um e v e r r e c o rd e d du r ing N o ve m b e r . H a l f o f
t h e s t a t io ns re c o r d e d f l o w s w h i c h tr a ns l a t e to 0– 1% o f th e No v e m b e r lo n g -t e r m
a v e r a g e , i . e . t h e r e w a s no e f fe ct i v e f l o w .
Fi g ur e 2 S tr ea mf l ow S t at us Vi c t ori a No v em b er 2 006
J u ly 2 00 7
P a g e 17 of 9 6
Th i s p o si ti on imp r o ve d onl y m a r g in a ll y d u ri n g D e c e mb e r 2 0 0 6 a s a r e su lt of
so me la t e D e ce mb e r r a in fa l l . A m e t e o r o l o g i c a l fe a t u r e d u r i n g Nov e mb e r w a s
w id e fl u c tu a ti o n i n te mpe r a tu r e s. O n 1 5 N o ve m b e r 2 0 0 6 s n ow f e ll d o w n to l o w
le v e l s in t h e D a n d e no n g s a nd o u ts kir ts o f Me l b ou rn e , w hi l st on 2 1 a nd 22
No ve mbe r t e mpe ra t ures rose o v e r 40 o C i n t h e n o rt hw e s t of th e St a t e .
T h e se ra i n fa l l a n d st re a m flo w d e sc r i pt io ns e m p h a s ise th e v e ry dr o u gh te d
c o n d it io ns t h a t p r e v a i l e d .
Lightning Activity
Th e s ce n e w a s se t w i t h e x tr e m e l y dry f u e l s l oa d s a nd m o st o f th e l a rg e a nd
hea v y fu e l s – t he “ 1 0 0 0” h o ur f u e ls – s u f fi ci e n tly dry to ea si ly bu r n . I t i s li ke l y
th a t t h e fi n e r f u e l fr a c ti on e x hi bit e d s u c h l o w f u e l m o i s t ur e c ont e n t th a t
pra ct i c a ll y th e e n t i r e f u e l pr o fi l e w a s a v a il a b le f or c o m b u s t i on . Ma n y
des cr i p t i o n s o f t he d if f ic u l ty in a c hi e vi n g e f f e c t iv e s up p res si o n, a nd e n s u rin g
th a t c o n t r o l le d fir e s r e m a in e d u n de r c o n t r o l , i s test i m o ny to t h e d e sic c a te d
na t u re o f f u e l pr o fi l e s in m o st f i r e a r ea s.
V i ctor ia w a s a b le to e f fe c t iv e l y d e a l w it h f i r e a c ti v i ty u p un t il 1 D e c e mb e r 2 0 06
w h e n 83 se pa r a te fir e s w e re re p o r t e d fr om li g h t ni ng s tri ke s . O f t h e se rep ort s ,
ov e r 70 w e re co n fi r m e d a s a ct u a l fir e s. I t i s lik e ly tha t s om e li g h t n ing str i k e
fi re s m e rg e d be fo r e th e y co u ld b e f u l ly r e c o n n oit re d a nd pr e c i s e p oi n ts o f
ori g i n id e n ti fi e d .
Th e a ct ua l n um b e r a n d e xte n t of fir e s du r in g th i s p e ri od i s the s ub j e c t of a
se pa ra te a n a l ys i s be in g p r e p a r e d jo in tl y by DS E a n d C F A a n d a d e t a i l e d
d o c u me nt is i n pr e p a ra t io n to re c o r d th e c i r c um s t a n ce s a n d ou tc om e s of t h e
2 00 6 /0 7 c a mpa ig n .
Th e e a rl y o n s e t of l a r g e a n d sig n i fi ca nt fi r e s fr o m A u gu st o n w a r d s w a s a t y p ic a l .
T h e se ea rly fire s inclu d e d :
16 A u g u st 2 0 06
19 S e p t e m be r 2 0 0 6
12 O c tob e r 2 00 6
20 N o v e mb e r 2 0 0 6
2 1 No ve m b e r 2 0 0 6
1 D e c e mb e r 2 0 0 6
La ke C o nn e w a r re (M oo l a p ) – 3 0 0 h a ;
2 73 fir e s – M urr a y S u n s e t Na t i o n a l P a r k , 2 3 ,0 0 0 h a
Ya l l o ur n N o r t h - 30 0 h a ;
Mor w e ll O p e n C ut , t h r e a t e n e d st a t e pow e r s u ppl y
Lit t l e D e sert N a ti on a l Pa r k – 10 , 8 00 h a ;
C a st e r to n C o mp le x, 1 2 5 0 0 ha ;
Wa u b r a – 3 0 0 h a ; W o or oo n o o k – 7 00 h a ;
Ma s si v e l i g h tn ing str i k e a c ti v it y lea di n g to m a jo r fi re s.
A sig n i fi c a nt fe a t ur e of t h e 2 00 6/0 7 sea so n w a s t h e na t u re a nd ext e n t of t he
seri e s of fi re s e m a n a t i ng f r om th e li gh t ni n g stri ke s on 1 D e c e mb e r 2 0 0 6 . M a n y
of t h e s e fi r e s ul ti m a t e ly m e rg e d to cr e a te the Grea t Divid e Co mple x , e v entua l ly
bu rn i ng a cr o s s a pp r o xi m a te ly 1, 0 4 8 , 00 0 m ill i on h e c t a r e s i n a p e r i od of a lm o st
10 w ee k s.
As we ll a s sig n if i c a n t f ire s e l s e w he r e i n t h e S ta te , w i th p o t e n t i a l t o c a u s e h i gh
le v e l s of d a m a g e a n d l os s pri o r to t he bur n in g p e ri od o f t h e G r e a t Di v id e
Com p l e x, ma ny ot h e r s i gni fic a nt f ir e s o c c ur r e d a f te r 1 De cem be r 20 06 ,
in cl udi n g:
10 D e c e mb e r 2 0 0 6
14 D e c e mb e r 2 0 0 6
3
J a n u a r y 20 0 7
J u ly 2 00 7
Ta w o ng a G a p – 3 3 , 5 0 0 h a ;
St on e y f ord fir e – 3 , 30 0 h a ;
Co op e r s C r e e k - d e lib e r a te l y li t, c a u s in g on e f a ta l i ty
i n a ve hi c l e re la te d a c c i de nt ; a re re co rd e d w i th
Gr e a t Di v id e S o ut h
B o ul d e r C r e e k – 2 ,0 4 0 h a ;
P a g e 18 of 9 6
4 J a n ua ry
1 0 J a n ua ry
11 J a n ua ry
1 1 J a n ua ry
1 2 J a n ua ry
16 J a n ua ry
5 F e br ua ry
2 00 7
2 00 7
2007
2 00 7
2 00 7
2007
2007
Y a m b uk – 1 , 2 00 h a ;
P urn i m/ F r a mli ng ha m – 1 , 60 0 h a ;
S e a ton – 6 50 h a ;
Ta t on g – 3 3 , 00 0 h a ;
He r m i t Mo un ta i n – 2 , 7 70 ha ;
S t e igl itz – 1 90 h a ;G re e n va l e – 1 5 0 h a ;
E v e r sl e y – 1 , 2 00 ha ;
Resourcing
T h is w a s a f i r e s e a so n w i t h a d i f fe r e n c e . Pra ct i ca lly the e n t i re sta te ha d
pote nt i a l f o r in te n s e a nd d e v a sta ti ng fir e s a c tiv it y fr om a p o i n t m uc h ea rli e r
th a n n o rm a l . I n te r a c t i on w it h N o rt h Am e ri c a , w hi c h w a s a l so e xp e ri e n c ing a
se ve r e s e a so n , n e c e ss i ta t e d t h e d e pl o y me nt o f V i c t o r ia n f i r e f ig hte r s to U SA t o
a ssi st wit h fi re s in We ste r n U SA d uri ng A u g u st – O c t obe r . Si mil a rl y dr oug h te d
co n d i t i o ns to t h ose be i ng e xp e r i e nced i n V ic t ori a p re v a i le d i n NS W a nd
V i ctor ia n f i re fi g h t e rs w e re c a ll e d to a s si st N S W du r in g No v e mb e r 2 0 06 .
Pri o r t o t h e se ve r e li g ht ni ng e v e n t of 1 D e ce m b e r 2 0 0 6 , i t b e c a me cl e a r th a t
V i ctor ia c o uld no l o ng e r s u sta i n sig ni f ica n t reso urce s to be a b sent a n d the fire
a g e n cie s b e g a n t o r e vi e w th e c a pa b ili ty t o co ntinue to pro vid e reso urce s t o
NSW . As a re s ul t , a d e ci sio n w a s ma de t ha t a l l V i c t or i a n de p l o y m e nts to NSW
w o uld be t e rm in a t e d a t t h e c o n c l u si o n o f t h e ir c u rre nt a ss ig nm e n t . I t a l so
ra p i dl y be c a m e e vid e n t so o n a f te r t he lig htn i ng e v e n t o f 1 D e c e m b e r 2 0 0 6 , t h a t
e x te ns i v e e x te rna l re s o ur ce s w o ul d be re q u ir e d to a ss i st V i cto r ia . T h ro u g h th e
fi re sea so n , to t he cl o se of F e b ru a ry 20 07 , a ss i sta n ce to V i cto r ia w a s pro v ide d
fr om :
AC T
NSW 1
NT
SA
Qld
WA
Ca na da
Ne w Ze a l a nd
U SA
37
1, 0 5 0
1 08
10
14
20
52
1 15
1 14
Interna t i o na l de p l oym e nt s to V ic t o ri a w e re th e h igh e s t e v e r im pl e m e n t e d a n d
m a n y ot he r A u st ra l i a n S ta t e s a n d Te r r i t o r ie s a ss i sted . R esource s a ss i sting fro m
ou t o f s ta t e i n cl ude d fi re f ig h te r s, I M T me mb e r s a nd a vi a ti on a n d f i r e
b e ha vio u r s p e c ia l i s t s.
1
NS W fi g u re s (N S W R F S Bu s hf ire B ull e ti n 01 / 0 7 w w w .rfs.nsw .gov.au ) a r e
e s ti m a t e s onl y a s s o me N S W r e so ur ce s self r e sp on ded in to V ictor ia t o fires
cl o se t o th e b o rd e r , i n a cc o r d w i th cr o ss b o r d e r a rr a n g e m e n t s .
J u ly 2 00 7
P a g e 19 of 9 6
KEY ISSUES ARISING FROM REVIEW PROCESS
Introduction
C F A a n d D S E i m pl e me n t e d a jo i n t r e vi e w pr oc e ss to id e n t i fy ke y l e sso ns
e m ergi ng f r om the 2 0 0 6/ 07 fir e s in V i ct or i a . T he r ev ie w pr o ce ss co mpr i s e d s i x
m a j o r re g i o n a l d e b r ie f s , a se ri e s o f u n d e r l yi n g de b r i e fs a t lo ca l / un i t / d ist r ic t
l e ve l, de b r ie fs at ke y fu n c t i o n a l un i t l e v e l a n d co ns id e r a t io n o f th re e r e l a te d
c o n t i n uous i m prov eme n t pro g ram s th at hav e bee n con s is te nt l y im pl em en ted
si n c e 2 0 0 3 . T he re vi e w p r o ce ss i s d e sc ri b e d i n mo r e d e ta i l in Ap p en d i x 2 .
K e y iss u e s e m e r g i n g fr o m th e ma jo r d e b r ie f s w e re co ll a t e d w i th d a ta f r om
u nd erl y i ng de br i e f s , t h e a sso c ia te d i m pr o v em ent p r o gr a m s a nd d a ta a nd v iew s
ob ta in e d d u rin g di sc u s si on s w it h ke y CF A , DS E a nd o th e r e me r ge n cy a g e n c y
p e rso n n e l . T h is s e c t ion d i sc uss e s t h e ke y iss u es id en t i f i e d u n d e r e a c h to p i c t o
indicate whe t he r there a r e issues t h at o u ght to be a d opt e d o r w h e r e there are
o p po rt u n it ie s a n d ne e d s fo r im p r o v e m e n t.
INFORMATION FLOW TO THE COMMUNITY
T h is s e c t ion a c kno w le d g e s t h a t in fo r m a t io n f l o w t o t h e com m u n i t y w a s a ve r y
p o s i t i ve f e a t u r e o f t h is fi re ca m p a i gn. Si g n i fi ca nt a d va n c e s i n t i me l i n e ss a n d
me th o d ol o g ie s u s e d t o p r o vid e e f fe ct i v e i n f o rm a ti o n a nd n o t ic e a b ou t p ote n t i a l
a nd im m in e n t fi re im p a ct s a r e r e g a rd e d a s c o n t rib u ti ng to the r e l a tivel y low
l e ve l o f loss i n c u r r e d t o p r iva te a ss e ts.
I t is co ns ide r e d t h a t c o m m u n i t ie s a n d re s i de n t s in bus h f i r e p r o n e p a rts o f
V i c t o r i a ha v e a m u ch s t r o n g e r un d e r s ta nd i n g o f f i r e a n d a be tte r a p p r e c ia t i o n
of a ct i o n s t h e y c a n im ple m e n t t o a c hi e v e a mor e r ob u st a nd sa fe r de l i v e r y o f
pre p a r e d n e ss a nd pr e - de te r m i n e d re sp o n se s a t or p r i o r to t he ti me of li k e l y fi re
imp a c t .
V BI L c a p a c i t y w a s si g n ifi ca ntl y u pgr a de d a f te r 2 0 0 5 /0 6 - in cl u d i n g a bili ty to
o v e r fl ow h i g h loa d ca ll s to a n ot he r c e n t re , r e - r o u t i ng o f no n f i r e c a l l s, a
thr e e f old i n cr e a se c a s u a l st a f f in g a n d tr a i n i ng a n d c o m m e n c e m e n t of t r a i ni ng
thr e e m o n t hs e a r l ie r t ha n 2 0 05 / 0 6 .
Iss u e s i de n t i fi e d f o r f u rth e r a c ti on in cl ud e th e n e e d f o r :
•
One w e b s i t e (I T c o m p a tibil it y) .
•
In cl u s i o n o f l o c a l pe op le in to c o m m u nit y br ie fi ng s.
•
Sta te w i d e c on s i s te n c y in me ssa gi ng a nd te rm i n ol o g y t o c o nv e y fi re
in f o rm a ti o n in a cr e d ib le a n d c o n si ste nt m a n n e r t o th e co mm u ni ty .
In f o rm a ti o n fl ow to t h e c o mm un ity c o mp ri se s t hr e e se pa r a te ph a se s:
• D uri ng th e no n fi r e s e a so n a s fir e s e r v ic e s a n d c o mm un i t ie s p r e pa r e fo r
th e f o r t h c o mi ng se a so n.
• D u r i n g fi re i n ci d e n t s t h a t ha v e po te nt ia l to i m pa ct in to co m m u n i t i e s .
• Post f i r e d u r in g r e c o v e ry ope r a ti o n s .
Pre-fire information flow
T h e F i re R e a d y V i c t ori a ( F R V ) p r o g ra m de a ls w i t h co mm u n i t y p r e p a r e d n e ss, a n d w a s
i n i t ia l l y s e tu p a s a join t in it ia ti ve b y C F A / MF B / DSE , a r is i n g fr om th e V i c t or ia n Bus h f i r e
In qui r y 2. It i ni t i a ll y c o ns t i tu t e d a c o n s ol id a ti on of com m u ni ty e d u c a ti o n pr og ra m s
2
Rec o mm end at i o n 13 .23 “T hat CF A f u r t h e r d e ve lo ps th e in fo r m at io n s u p p o r t i n g
t h e d e c i s i on to s t a y o r go t o in co r p o r at e a be tt er u n d e r s t an di n g o f bo th t h e
J u ly 2 00 7
P a g e 20 of 9 6
pre v i o u s ly co n d u c te d by e a c h a g e n c y . T h e 2 0 07 m o d e l i s a m u c h e xp a n d e d , a l tere d a n d
refi ne d v e r s i o n of t h e or igi n a l C F A C o m m u nit y Fi reg u a rd c o n c e p t in tr od u c e d i n 1 99 3 . Th e
obj e c t i v e s of F R V a r e to e n s ur e t ha t p e o pl e li vi n g i n fi r e pr o ne a r ea s:
•
U n d e rs ta nd t h e i r r e spo n s i b i l i t i e s f o r bu sh fir e sa fe ty a n d im pl e m e n t n e c e ssa r y
a c ti on t o pl a c e t h e ir a s s e t s a n d c o m m un i ti e s int o a sta t e of rea di n e ss .
•
Ack n ow l e d g e , c ontri b u te to a nd supp ort fi r e m a na ge m e nt pl a nni ng.
•
Are pr oa c t i v e i n s h a ri n g t h e r e sp on si b ili ty f o r th e i r pr ot e c ti on w i th th e f i r e
service s .
•
Unde r s ta nd h ow a nd w he r e to a ccess timel y a nd a ccur a te in f orm a ti o n a b o ut fir e
lo ca t i o n , e xte n t a n d p ote nt i a l t hr ea t .
In c o n c e rt w it h f i r e a u t h or iti e s na t i on w i d e , on e of t he m a j o r p l a tf o rm s of
e f f e c t iv e c o m m u n it y i n te r a c t i o n is to p r ov id e r e sid e n t s w i th su f f ic ie n t
in f o rm a ti o n so th a t th e com m u ni ty mem be r s ca n j u dg e f o r t he m s elv e s w h e t h e r
t o “st a y o r g o ” i f f i r e is li ke l y to im p a c t , a n d w h a t p r ov is io ns th e y n e e d to
impl e m e n t to s upp ort t h e ir de ci si o n . T hi s i s a c hi e ve d b y pr o vi d in g c o mm uni ti e s
in fire pro n e a r e a s w it h the too l s t h a t e n a b le its m e mbe r s to be tte r unde r st a n d
th e n a t ur e o f f ir e a n d its p o te ntia l imp a ct in t o th e ir c o m m u ni ti e s.
It i s a c kn ow le d g e d th a t w e ll in fo rme d a nd p r e p a r e d c o m m u nit ie s ca n pl a y a
sig n if i c a n t rol e i n a m e l iora t i ng th e im p a c t a n d c o n s e q u e n c e s of f ir e s. Wh e n
ext r e m e c o ndit i o n s o c c ur w i th hi g h fi re l o a d s, fir e s e r vi c e s c a n n e v e r g u a r a nt e e
a n a bi li ty t o b e t h e o n ly so u r c e of pr ot e c ti o n f o r c om m un i ti e s a t ri s k .
Com m u n it i e s m u st op e r a t e i n p a rtn e r s hip w i t h f ir e a n d e m e rg e n c y se r v ic e s a nd
thi s i s t h e e s se nc e of FRV. Und e r th e cir c um stanc e s of th e 2 006 /0 7 fir e se ason ,
ass e t losses w e r e r e str i ct e d to co m p ar at iv el y low le ve ls. A maj o r co nt r i bu tor to
t h is l e v e l o f loss is be l i e ve d to be d u e to a m u ch be tt e r u n d e rsta n d i n g o f fi re ,
be t t e r a pp r e ci a ti on b y th o se w h o do l iv e i n h i gh ri s k a r ea s, of a c ti o n s th e y c a n
impl e m e n t a nd h e n c e a m o re r o b u st d e l i ve r y of pr e p a r e d n e ss a nd pre dete r m i n e d re sp on se a t the ti me o f t he fir e .
Information flow during incidents
D uri ng th e r u n o f fi re i n ci de nt s i n f o rm a ti o n w a s di sse mi n a te d to c o mm u ni t i e s
by a v a r i e t y o f m e di a – r a di o, te l e vi sion , V B IL, fi re web si t e s a nd c omm u ni ty
meet i n g s .
I n fo r m a t ion p r o v i d e d t o co mm u n i t ie s w a s w i d e ly re ga rd e d a s a r e a l su c c e ss
sto r y t o em e rg e fr om t hi s ca m p a i g n , b u il di ng on t he e xp e ri e nc e s o f th e
2 00 2 /0 3 a n d 2 0 0 5 / 06 ca m p a ig n s. T here w a s ma ss i v e in cr ea se i n t h e le v e l o f
int e r a c t i o n w i th th e c o m m un it y du ri ng p e ri od s o f p o te nt i a l a nd a ct u a l fi re
thr e a t. Dur i ng th e r u n of t he m a j o r fir e s f r om e a r ly D e ce m b e r 20 06 u n til ea r l y
Ma r c h 20 07 th ese in te ra ct io ns at ta in ed th ei r h i g h es t le ve ls e v e r . Fo r e x am pl e,
call s to the Vi ctori a B u shfi re Inf o rm ati o n Li ne (VBIL ) r e ach e d 49 ,000 in r o u n d
fi gur e s d u r i ng t hi s pe r iod .
Ove r t he c o u r se o f t h e fi re s e a s on a ct ivi t y a pp r o xi m a tely 3 2 , 0 0 0 p eopl e
attend ed m o r e th a n 3 00 c o mmu n i ty meeting s . B y way of c o mp ar i s on , duri ng
2005 /0 6 i n th e p e ak p e ri od of fi r e ac tiv i ty , th e VBI L r e cei v ed app r oxi m ately
1 7 , 4 0 0 ca lls a n d com m u n i t y me e t in gs n u m b e r e d a b o u t 1 0 0 w i t h 1 5 , 0 0 0
a tte nde e s. In a ddit i o n , vis it s to the C FA web si t e i n cr ea se d m a r k e dl y . D u ri ng
2 00 5 /0 6 , m o n t hl y v i s i t s p e a k e d a t 4 2 2 , 05 6 i n J a n u a r y 2 0 0 6 , fr om a n u n der l y i ng
likely c o n s equ e n c es of leavi n g h o m e at i n appr opri ate tim e s, and the condi t ion s
and em oti o nal imp a c t s li kel y to be exp e ri e nced d ur i n g th e passa g e of th e fire
front.”
J u ly 2 00 7
P a g e 21 of 9 6
ba se m o n t h ly l e v e l of a b out 35 ,0 0 0 . I n 2 0 0 6/ 07 v i si ts a c c e le r a te d to
1, 2 3 7 , 18 9 , up f r om a ba s e m o n t h ly l e v e l of a b out 60 ,0 0 0 . V i si t s t o t hi s
w e b s ite d u ri ng t h e fi r e se a so n S e pte m be r 2 0 06 to Ma r c h 2 0 0 7 t ota l l e d
3, 0 0 6 , 89 6 , hig h l ig hti n g t h e imp o rta n ce o f w e b - b a se d i n f o rm a ti o n .
A m e asur e of th e e ff e cti v e ness a nd im p a c t of c o mm un ity in teraction c a n b e
gle a n e d fr om t h e st at i s tic s a ssoc i at e d wi th a fir e se ason. Whil st t h er e i s n o
a c ce pt e d m e t h o d ol og y fo r a s se s s i n g t h e se v e ri ty of a p a r t ic ul a r s e a s on or
c o m p a r in g t h e res u lts b e t w ee n se asons , th ere c a n b e no gr eat e r loss th an t h at
o f fa ta l i t i es to peo p le . By t h is m e as u r e a l o n e, t h e 20 0 6 / 0 7 f i r es in V i c t o r ia c a n
sta nd th e c l o se s t s cr u t in y f o r th e in f o r m a ti o n pr ov ide d to m a n y c o mmu nit i e s
o v e r a n ext e nde d pe rio d o f int e nse fire a ctivi t y. It is no do ubt wit h a ve ry
str o ng l ev e l o f sa t is f a c t i on th a t t he fir e a g en cie s re co rde d no fa t a lit i e s fro m
b u s h a n d r u ra l fi r e s du r i ng 20 0 6 / 0 7 .
Un f o rt u n a te l y , 5 1 h o u s e s (2 1 p r i n c ip a l r e s i de n c e s , 3 0 oth e r t h a n pr in c ip a l
resid e n c e s) a nd othe r priv a t e a sse t s w e re lost during t he fir e s. T he le v e l s to
w hi c h h o u s ing l o ss e s w e re re str i cte d , a s c r i t ic a l a s th ose l o s se s we re f o r t h e
ow ne r s a nd o cc u pa nt s, i n c o mp a r is on to t h e n um bers a t ri s k a nd t h e lo ng e vi t y
o f t h a t ris k , c a n a l so st a n d c l os e s c r u t i n y a g a i ns t ot he r se ve re fi re s e a so n s
ac ross Au stral i a du rin g th e la st de c a d e wh e n muc h sh or te r p e ri o d s o f se ve r e
fire ac tivi ty h a v e oc c a si on ed f a r more sub s tanti a l l o sses. In the Great Di vid e
C o mp le x F i r e s, losses o f a g r i cu ltu r a l la n d s ( a p p r ox i m a t e l y 19, 0 00 h e c t a r e s) ,
repr es e n te d le ss t h a n 1. 5 % o f t he to ta l a r e a bu r n t.
A nu mb e r of sm a ll i s ol a te d c o m m u ni ti e s a nd towns w e re s p a r e d ma jor losse s .
R ea l tim e de fe nce a sse ss ment a n d pla n ni ng by t he fir e s er vi c e s, a i de d by
re s o l u t e d e ci si on s , p r e p a r a t io n s a nd a c ti o n s i n st ig a t e d w i th in t h e c o mmu ni tie s
w e r e i n st r u m e nta l i n t h e F i re S e rv i c e – Co m m u n i t y pa rt ne rs h i p s u c c e e di n g .
Wa lh a l la , Li c o la , Da r g o, Woo d s Po i n t a r e a ll e xa m p l e s o f sma l l com m u n i ti e s
w h e r e a n u n de rst a n d i n g of f ir e a nd a ppr e c i a t i on of t h e ir vul n e r a bili t y b y t h e
co mm u ni ty c o n t rib u te d t o su c c e s sf ul d e f e n c e .
Upgraded information flow
A sig n i fi c a nt e f f o rt h a s b e e n d e vot e d to u pgr a din g c o m m u n it y i n f o r m a ti o n fl ow .
D uri ng th e 2 0 03 Al p in e fi re s sy ste m s w e re de v e l o p e d to t ra n s mi t i nf o r m a ti o n
th a t w o u ld e n a bl e com m u ni ti e s t o ma ke i n f or m e d de ci si o n s. B y th e tim e th e
2 00 5 /0 6 f i r e s h a d o cc u rr e d th ose s y st e m s ha d b e e n r e fi ne d a nd f or m a li s e d b ut
des pi t e the a c kn ow l e d g e d s uc c e ss o f t he 20 0 5/ 06 c a m p a i gn w h e r e i n f o rm a t i o n
fl ow to th e co m m u ni ty a nd me d i a b e ca m e a ma j or p a rt o f t he m a n a g e m e n t of
th e fi re s, t h e fir e se r vi c e s c o n si d e r e d t h a t e l e m e n t s of t h e i n f o r m a ti o n fl ow
s y st e m re qu i r e d fu rt he r e x a mina ti o n a nd imp rovement .
A s a re s u lt o f th e 2 0 05 / 0 6 de b r ie fs a n d a j o i n t C F A/ DS E s t ra t e g i c w o rks h o p i n
J u ly 2 00 6 to a n a l y s e a nd pr og r e ss ke y i s su e s i d enti fi e d , “ Su sta i na b ili ty o f
In f o rm a ti o n Fl ow d u ri n g E m e rg e nc y E ve nt s ” w a s ide nt i fie d a s a k e y th e m e .
Pa rt o f the i ni t i a ti v e s a ri s i ng fr om 2 0 0 5 / 06 c on c e r n i ng th e upgr a di ng o f
ca pa ci t y o f t he V BI L a nd pr o vi s i o n of ov e r f l o w a nd r e d u nd a n cy w e r e
impl e m e n t e d to g o od e f f e c t in 2 0 07 a nd t h e f u rt he r d e v e l o pm e n t of thi s th e me
r e ma ins und e r w a y.
An a dd i ti on a l a ct i vi ty u nd e rta ke n d ir e c t l y fr om t h e 2 00 5/0 6 fi re s w a s a n
in de pe nd e n t r e vi e w ( t he “ S c h a ub l e R e vi e w ”) of t h e e f fe cti v e n e s s a bou t h o w
i n fo r m a t io n i s tr a ns m it t e d to t h e c o m m u n i t y .
T h is re v i e w ha d pa rt ic u l a r re ga r d to :
• Th e e x i s t i n g g ui d e l in e s a n d tool s for t h e pr oc e ss.
• Th e d e f i ni ti on of t h e c ri t ic a l i n f orma t i o n n e e d s a n d c o mm u n ic a ti o n
pro ce ss be tw e e n t he C FA a nd D S E e m er gency c o n t r o l centres .
J u ly 2 00 7
P a g e 22 of 9 6
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Th e d e f i ni tion of th e cri t ic al in forma ti o n n e ed s and c o m m un ic ati o n
betwee n IC Cs, Regi onal Inf o r m atio n U n its and the s t ate emerge nc y
co nt rol c e n t r e s.
Th e c o mm u n i c a ti o n p r oc e s s b e t w e e n t h e a g e nc i e s a nd t h e V BI L .
Th e u s e of t h e w e b .
Th e u s e of SE W S .
Th e u s e of co mm u ni ty me e t ing s .
De fi n i ti on of i nf o r m a ti on n e e d s f o r c o mm u n it y a nd me dia a nd to ol s a nd
p r oc e sse s fo r d e li ve r i n g to t h e m in c l ud i n g the ro le o f t h e A B C a n d t h e
ma na ge me nt of the m e di a on t he fir e gr o u n d .
Ma tte r s a f f e c t i ng the f low of in f o rm a t i o n fr o m th e E C C & S E C C to t h e
media a nd the co mmu nity .
Improvements since 2005/06
T h e ou tc om e f r o m t h e Sc ha ub le r e v i e w o f in f o r m a t io n f l o w d u ri n g t h e
2 00 5 /2 0 06 fire se a so n w a s a se ri e s o f 2 9 r e co m m e nd a t io n s wh ic h ha ve bee n
a d op te d b y CFA a nd D S E . To pr o gre ss t h e s e issues , a S t e e ring Co mmitt e e w i th
j o i nt a g en cy re pre s e nt a tio n , a n d Pro j e c t Of fi cer s to a id imple m e n ta tio n , w a s
e s ta b lis he d. Us in g t h e o u tcome s from 2 00 5 /0 6 , the S t e e ri ng C o m m itte e h a s
d e ve lo pe d p r op osa l s to r e fi ne e x ist i n g co mmu n i t y i n f o rm a t io n p r oc e sse s a n d
h a s d e v e lop e d a t i m e li n e fo r im pl e m e n ta ti o n of a m e n de d pr o c e d ur e s, t r a i ni ng
a nd t e m p l a te s. Ma n y o f t h e s e a c ti vi ti e s w e r e u n de rw a y a t th e o n se t of t h e
2 00 6 /2 0 07 fire se a so n , a n d a r e c o n t i n ui ng to b e p r ogr e sse d pri o r t o th e fi re
se a son 20 07 / 08.
Pa rt o f the i ni t i a ti v e s a ri s i ng fr om 2 0 0 5 / 06 c on c e r n i ng th e upgr a di ng o f
ca pa ci t y o f t he V BI L a nd pr o vi s i o n of ov e r f l o w a nd r e d u nd a n cy w e r e
impl e m e n t e d to g o od e f f e c t in 2 00 7 . A sig n i f ic a n t imp r ov e m e n t to V BI L se r vi c e s
oc cur r e d in c o mp a ri s o n t o 2 00 5/ 06 a s a r e su lt o f d e v e l o pi ng a s ea m l e ss
o v e r fl ow ca pa ci ty w i th a Ce nt r e li n k ca l l ce n t re , t h e a v a il a b i li ty of a d dit i o n a l
tr a in e d sta f f a nd t he a bi lit y to a c cep t onl y fir e r e l a te d ca lls int o the centre .
Th e V B I L c e n t re i s a c u st om e r se r vi c e ce nt r e f o r D S E . Du ri ng p e ri o d s of n o n pea k fir e a ct i vit y , r o u t in e D S E n o n - f i re b u si n ess c a ll s ma y b e r o u t e d in to t h e
ce n t r e . W he n h i gh f i r e l o a d de ma nd s o c c u r , t h e DS E n o n - fir e ca l l s a r e r o ut e d
t o a ba ck up si te a t Se ba s t o p o l , w h i c h ca n a l so ta ke ov e r t h e V B I L ro le in the
e v e n t o f a ca t a st r op hi c f a il ur e a t We n d o ur e e . Al th o ug h t h e S e b a st o pol si te w a s
esta b l i s h e d d uri ng 2 0 0 5/ 06 its f u nc ti o n w a s not f ull y util i s e d u n til 20 06 / 0 7 .
Th e c o re tea m f r om V BI L u n de r t oo k tr a i ni ng i n the A u str a l i a n I n te r a g e nc y
In c i de nt Ma na ge me nt S y st e m (AIIMS ) du ri ng t h e o f f se a so n, to gi v e t h e m a
be t t e r und e r st a ndi ng o f f ir e a n d e m e rg e n c y ma n a g e m e nt o p e r a ti o n s. In
re c o g n i t i o n o f t he li k e l y e a r li e r s ta r t t o t h e s e a son , tr a i n i ng o f c a s u a l s t a f f
co m m e n c e d mu ch e a r li e r , in Oc t ob e r 2 00 6, in c om p a ri s on t o 2 0 0 5 / 0 6 w h e n it
co m m e n c e d J a n u a r y 2 0 06 . Th e n um b e r of ca sua l st a f f tr a i n e d w a s a l so
sig n if ic a n tl y in cr e a s e d , f r om 3 0 i n 20 05 / 0 6 to 9 0 i n 2 0 06 /0 7 .
Th e ce ntr e is a bl e to r e a c t i m m e dia tely to a n y s ig n i f i c a nt ch a n ge i n c a ll
n um b e r s , b y i ni t i a l ly o ve r f l o w i ng fire c a ll s t o Ce nt r e li nk , r e di re ct in g n o n - fi re
ca ll s t o Seba st op ol a n d b y bri n g i ng a dd i ti on a l sta f f on li ne fr om th e p o ol o f
tr a in e d c a s ua l sta f f . D u ri n g 2 0 0 6 /0 7 a p pr o xi ma tel y 6% of c a ll e r s t o the V BI L ,
i n pe a k pe ri o d s, d i s c on n e c t e d b e f o re t h e i r ca l l s co u l d b e a n sw e r e d . Th is
co mp a r e d t o a n a b a nd o n m e n t r a t e o f 1 9 % i n 20 05 / 0 6 .
N oti fi c a ti o n a nd a d v i ce t o th e c o m m un i ty a b o u t p o te nt i a l imp a c t of f i r e s w a s
e f f e c t e d i n a m o re t i e r e d str u c t u r e d u r i ng 2 0 06 / 0 7 . Th e u s e of t h e S t a t e
E m e rg e n cy Wa r n i ng Si gna l ( SE W S) d u ri n g 2 0 05 / 0 6 r e a c he d v e r y h i gh le ve l s a nd
t h e r e w e re o f te n multi pl e SE W S iss u e d , to th e e x t e nt tha t communi t ie s w e re
s u b j e c t to se ve ra l e p is o d e s o f “ b a r ra ge ” w a r n i n gs . D u ri n g 20 06 /0 7 e ffo r t s w e r e
m a de to cle a r l y d i st i n g u is h b e tw e e n th re e le v e ls o f mess a g i n g to e n su re tha t
J u ly 2 00 7
P a g e 23 of 9 6
communitie s w e re a w ar e o f the a ppro p ria t e t i me to a c tiva t e de fe ns i ve
mea s ur e s :
•
Aler t ( fi r e i s i n th e a r e a , n o i m m e di a te t h rea t , re m a in a l e r t f o r fu rth e r
i n fo r m a t io n, be g i n re a d ine ss prepa r a tio ns) .
•
Th re a t ( fir e or e m b e r s ma y p o se a spe c ifi c t hr e a t a t a sh or t/ n e a r f u tur e
t i me , e n s u re re a d ine ss pre pa r a t ions a re co m ple t e d).
•
Wa rn i n g (SE W S me s s a g e - F i re im p a c t is im m i ne nt/ h ig h l y l i k e l y, p r e p a r e
to a c ti v a te pla n s) .
Observations from 2006/2007 operational reviews
Ite m s id e n ti fi e d du r in g t h e 2 00 6 / 07 m a j o r d e br ie f s a n d c o mm un i t y i n f o r m a ti o n
sp e ci fi c d ebr ie f s a s r e qu ir i n g s om e st r e ng t h e n i ng pri o r t o ne xt fi re sea so n
in cl ud e d:
•
Need f o r c o n s i s te nc y in m e ssa ges an d ter m i n ol ogy use d to conv ey fir e
inf o rm ati o n in a cr edib le an d c o nsistent m a n n er , to th e c o mm uni ty, by
I M T co m m u n i t y i n f o rm a t io n u n i t s.
•
Ne e d fo r r e c o g n it i o n o f th e I n fo rm a t io n U n it ro le in t h e IM T a n d
dete r m in a ti o n a s to w he r e i t fi t s in th e I M T str u ct ur e – re p o r t i n g d ire ctl y
t o th e I C or a s a s u bse t of a n ot he r po rt fo lio ( c u r re nt l y t h e I n fo r m a t io n
Un it s it s u n de r Pl a n ni n g) . T he y a r e n o t “a g e n c y” un it s a nd i t w a s
g e ne ra l l y re co gn is e d t h a t o n e o f t h e st re n g t h s o f i n form a t io n u n i t s w a s
th e ir “ o n e -v oi ce ” a pp r oa c h . Th e r e a r e st r o n g m o v e s t o r e g a r d th e
I n fo r m a t ion U n it a s a se pa ra t e se ct io n i n IM Ts , re po rt i n g d i re ct l y to t h e
I n c i de nt Co nt ro l l e r .
•
T h e i m p o rta n c e of usin g lo ca l pe o p le du r i n g co m m u n i ty b r ie f i n g s w h e r e
po ssib le .
•
Th e ne e d f o r o ne w e b s i t e 3 (t he use o f se pa ra te D S E / C F A w e bs ite s t h a t
a r e n o t e a sil y i n te r l i nk e d w a s r a i s e d o n a n u mbe r o f o c ca si o n s r e g a rd i ng
c o m m u n i t y i n f o rm a t io n , i n a d d i t i o n to im pa c t on o t h e r f a c e ts o f th e f i r e
ma na ge me nt op e r a ti o n ).
•
T h e issue o f the tim e ne ce ss a ry to d i spl a y u pda te d m e ssa g i ng on pu bl i c
w e bsi t e s a n d tra n s f e r to t h e V B I L , fo l l ow i n g t h e r e lea se o f in f o rm a t io n
d i r e c t to l o c a l me d i a fr o m a n IC C . T h is a c t i vi t y is ma n a g e d t h r o u g h th e
E C C/ SE C C a f t e r re ce ip t o f d a ta f r om I C C I n f o r m a t io n Un it s b u t th e
q uesti o n p o sed b y Inf o rm ati o n U nits i s “ Why can’ t per s onnel at the I CC
post the ir r e leases d i r e c t to the web s ite r a ther than r e lay i ng it th rough
th e S E C C ? ” It i s n o te d th a t t h e r e s h o u ld be m i n i ma l d e la ys b e tw ee n th e
re l e a se of i n f o rm a t i o n by a n I CC a nd s ub s e q ue nt p o sti n g – i t ca n b e
coun ter-pr odu c tiv e if inf o rm ati o n is pr ov ide d to l o c a l medi a (a n d henc e
th e pu bli c ) foll owing ch a n g e d ci rcum stan ce s b u t thi s i s cont r a di c t ed by
di ff e r e n t a n d ou t o f d a t e inf o r m a t i o n on t h e of f i ci a l w e b si te s .
Th e ma tte r s r a i s e d d u r ing 2 00 6/ 07 a r e c o v e r e d g e n e r a ll y wit hi n p r op osa l s
stem m i ng f r om t he 20 0 5/ 2 00 6 r e vi ew , wit h ex ce pt io n of a ne e d t o d e te r m in e
w h e r e t h e In f o rm a ti o n U ni t sh o uld si t i n t h e I M T, e i t h e r a s se p a r a t e e n ti t y
r e po rt i n g di r e c t to t h e I C o r r e por t in g t o o n e o f t h e oth e r f u n c t i on a l a r e a s of
3
*T h i s n e e d w a s e l o q u e nt ly e x pre ss e d b y a C o mm un i t y I n fo rm a t ion O f f i c e r :
“In th e m i d d le of a fi r e season the p u bl ic should n’t h a ve to try to work out wh o
ma na ge s t h e l a n d , wh o m a n a ge s t h e r o ad , w h o s e juri sd ic ti o n th e fi re fal l s
int o …… an d t h er ef or e whi c h w e b s i t e or phone n u m ber t o ri ng.” - a view
e x p r e sse d in a d e b r ie f d a ta co l l e c t io n f o r m pro vid ed to the D S E EC C.
J u ly 2 00 7
P a g e 24 of 9 6
th e I M T. T he r e i s a st r ong pr e f e r e n c e fr om i n f o rm a ti o n u ni t me m b e r s t o
be c o m e a s e p a r a t e f u n ct i on a l a r e a .
Wh il st t he r e a r e m a n y iss ue s id e nt i f ie d t h a t r e q u ir e sl i g ht m o di f i c a ti on or
a m e n dment , the ma tte r o f ma i nt a inin g a s u st a i na b l e in fo r m a t io n f l o w to t h e
co mm u ni ty is d e m o n s tr a b l y pr o g re s si n g i n a c c o rd w i th t he str a teg y se t in 2 00 6 .
J u ly 2 00 7
P a g e 25 of 9 6
RESOURCING OF FIREGROUND PERSONNEL
Introduction
T h is s e c t ion d e sc r i b e s t h e pe rso n n e l reso urci ng processe s t ha t V ict ori a
impl e m en te d t o pr ov i d e a nd d e p l o y V i ct o r ia n ba s e d f i re re s p o n se a n d
ma na geme nt r e s ou r ce s t o m e e t t he d e m a nd s of a n e xc e pti o n a l fir e sea s on . I t
d i sc usse s ke y issu e s re l e va nt to t h e a c q u is it i o n a n d ma na ge me nt o f s i g n i f i ca nt
numbe rs of int e rst a te a n d int e rna t io na l reso urces .
Key issues
V i ctor ia n b a se d r e so u r ce s :
• A d op ti on, fo r m a l isa t io n a n d d o c u m e nta t io n o f e x ist i n g p r a c ti ce s in t o
gu id e li n e s, f or a l t e r n a tiv e m e th o ds of r a pi d de p l o ym e n t of s ho r t te r m
resp o n se c a p a bi li tie s .
•
D e ve lo pm e n t a n d com m u n i ca ti on o f a r i sk a n a l ys is pr oc e ss t o de te r m i n e
th e m o st a ppr opri a te o rd e r in w hi ch t o dr a w d o w n r es ou r c e s fr om wit hi n
th e st a te , w hi l e e n s u ri ng th a t l o ca l Mu tu a l Ai d Pl a n s p r ov id e f o r
re c i pr o c a l f i re c o v e r .
•
De v e l o p m e n t o f m u t u a l a ssi st a n ce a r r a ng e m e n t s /a gre e m e n t s w i t h M FB
for pr o v i s i o n of I M T tr a i ne d pe r s o n n el.
Interstate/International resources:
•
•
•
D o c u me nt a n d fo r m a l ise a s t r u c t u r e d p r oc es s, in c o r p or a t i n g e f fe c t i v e
pra ctice s tha t w e re d e v e l o pe d a n d im pl e m e n te d d uri ng 2 0 0 6 /0 7 .
R e co g n is e t h e ut i l i t y o f t h e D S E No rt h A l to na E q u i p m e n t Ce nt re a s a
c e nt ra l po in t f o r e q u i p p i n g lo n g d i sta n c e i n t e rst a te a nd i n t e r n a t io na l
su pp o rt tea m s a nd d e term in e w het h e r t h e se rvi c e s pr o vi d e d by t he
c e nt re sh ou l d be e x pa n d e d ( L ogi s t i cs) .
R evi e w in te rn a ti o n a l a nd i n te r s ta t e a g ree m e n ts i n l ig h t o f th e 2 0 0 6/ 07
f i r e s e a so n ( e sp e c ia l l y i n re la t i o n to l i m i t a t i o n s of a u t h o r it y p l a c e d on
vi s it i ng cr e w s [ U SA ] a n d O H & S i s s u e s ) .
Local in-state resources
Th e n a tu re of the f ir e se a s o n a n d its r a pid o n se t e x pose d the entir e sta t e to
pote nt i a ll y hi gh t hre a t le v e l s . Th i s l i mi te d t h e a bil ity o f a l l fi re a g e nc i e s to
relo ca t e re so ur ce s w ithi n the sta t e to de a l w i th e x is ting thre a t s. In vie w o f t h e
li kel y e a rl y s ta r t to t h e fi re s e a s on , D SE to o k ste p s t o a u gm e n t i t s n o r m a l
sta ffi ng comple me nt b y e m p l oy i n g Proj e ct F ir e fig hte r s (P F F ) e a r lie r tha n i s
u s ua l. R e cr u i t m e n t co mme n ce d i n e a rn e st i n e a r ly O c tob e r a n d the w e ek l y
inta k e w a s 1 68 , 1 81 , 2 21 a nd 2 3 5 . B y 3 0 O c tob e r 2 00 6, 33 9 P F F s w e re
e m pl o ye d a nd t hi s fig u re r o se to 8 4 5 b y Febr ua r y 20 0 7 .
In pr e vi o u s ye a r s, t he pe a k re cr u i tm e n t of P F F s w a s:
• 2 00 2 /0 3 – 7 41 , t h e p e a k o c c ur r i n g i n t he we e k e ndi ng
• 2 00 3 /0 4 – 7 33 ,
“
• 2 00 4 /0 5 – 5 59 ,
“
• 2 00 5 /0 6 – 6 16 ,
“
19
26
24
11
J a n 20 03
D e c 2 00 3
D e c 2 00 4
Jan 2006
DS E i s m o r e e a s il y a b l e t o m o v e a hi gh pr op or ti on o f i t s fi r e f i g h te r s a c r o ss t h e
st a te to re s p o n d to inc id e nts. T h is m a y b e do n e irr e sp e c t iv e of t he fir e
potentia l a cros s the sta t e a n d ma y be b a se d on t he pr i nci p le of “ f igh t i n g t h e
J u ly 2 00 7
P a g e 26 of 9 6
f ir e y o u h a v e g o t, r a the r th a n th e f i r e y o u mig h t h a v e ” . Na tura lly, DSE need s to
m a k e som e p r o v is io n f o r ho w to d e a l w i t h fu t u r e ou tb re a ks i n those a r e a s
w h e r e fi re ma na g e me n t st a ff a re he a v i ly dr a w n d o w n to r e sp o nd e l sew here .
Th i s m a tt e r w a s d i scu s s e d a t l e n g th a n d it w a s a g ree d tha t so me sta t e
gu id a n ce i s re q u ir e d o n h o w a n i n di vi du a l a g e n c y s ho u ld pr ov ide i t se l f w it h a
p pr op r i a te le ve ls o f f i r e co ve r w h e n a s ub s ta ntia l pr op or ti on of its l oc a l f i r e
fi gh t i n g r e sour c e s a r e m o v e d e l se w h e r e i n th e st a t e . T h e r e a r e t h re e thi n g s
t h a t a n y f i r e a u t h o r it y m u st do w h e n e v e r a f i r e is re co rd e d o n its a r e a o f
resp o n s ibi l i t y:
•
Th e a ut hor ity mu st g a th e r r e a so na b le in te ll i ge n c e a b out t h e f i r e lo ca t i o n
to id e n tif y w h e r e a nd i n w h a t it i s b u r n ing ( e . g . a e ri a l re c o n n a i s s a n c e ,
r e mot e s e ns in g, o n g r o u n d i n vest i g a t io n, loo k o u t to w e r obs e rva t io n ,
veri fi e d /v e ri fi a b l e p u bl ic r e p ort s) .
•
Th e a ut h or ity mu st e i t h e r i n i t i a t e s u pp re ssio n a c ti o n a g a i ns t the fir e o r
u n d e r ta k e in v e st i g a t io n a n d/o r ob se r v a t io n t o de te r m in e w h a t
s u p p r e ss i o n a c t i o n i s f e a s i b le a nd w h a t a n a p pr op r i a te s t ra te g y i s .
• If the re is a t h re a t o r a pot e nt ia l t h rea t to t h e co mmunity, the fir e
a u th or i ty m u st pr o vi d e tim e ly p u bl i c a d vi c e , a lert s a nd wa rni n g s to the
co mm u ni ty .
I n p r ac t i c e , in fo rm al a r ran g em en ts a r e i n pla ce wher eby th e CF A assi sts D S E if
DS E h a s de sp a t ch ed r e so ur ce s el s e w h er e , h o w e v e r re g i on a l offi c e rs be lie ve t h e
m a t t e r shou l d be form a lis e d b y w a y o f a n M O U or o t he r for m a l in s t ru me nt t o
mor e cl ea rl y spe ll o u t how su ch fi re co ve r n e e d s c a n a n d w i ll b e r e so ur c e d .
Th e p o si t i on w it h CF A re s o u r c e s is di f f e r e n t a nd r e l a te s d i r e c t ly to th e
vol u n t e e r b a se of th e CFA . A ny r e sp on se t o oth e r p a rt s of t h e st a t e a r e
vol u n t a ry , a nd a lt h ou g h the re m a y be n o c u rr e n t fi re s in a sp e c i f ic p a r t of the
sta te , t he vol u n t e e r s i n a n a re a , pa rt i c u l a rl y if t h e y a r e r u r a ll y b a s e d m a y b e
loa t h e to g o f a r fr om t h a t a re a a nd l e a v e t h e ir pr op e rt i e s u n gu a r d e d . Q u i t e
u nd e r sta nd a bl y , u n de r di ff ic u l t se a so n a l c o n d iti o n s , w h e re a c ti vi ti e s su ch a s
sto c k f eedi n g a nd w a t e r i ng c a n n ot b e pu t on h o ld f o r se v e r a l d a y s , r u r a ll y
ba se d v o lu nt e e r s a re s i mpl y n o t i n a p o si ti on w h e r e th e y ca n l e a v e t h e i r
h o ld i n gs for lo n g e r t h a n a da y o r t w o a t t h e m o st . Un de r sea s ona l l y be n i g n
c o n d it io ns , t h ose t y pe s o f r e st ri ct i o ns do n’ t pres e nt a s ma jo r h u r d l es, a nd t h e
CFA c a n e a sil y m o un t ve r y si z e a b le ou t of a r e a st ri k e te a m s a n d r e sp on s e u ni t s
th a t c a n a n d d o a b se n t the m se lv e s fr om th e ir lo c a l a r e a s f o r a n u m b e r of d a y s .
To o v e r c o m e t h e di f f i c u l t i e s imp o se d by e x tr a o r d in a ry s e a so n a l c o n d it io ns s o me
i n no va t i ve a r ra n g e m e n ts w e r e e st a b l is he d t h a t e na b le d sho r t te rm , q u ic k
tur n a r o u n d stri ke te a m s to c o n t rib u te e f fe c ti v e l y to t h e fir e e f f o rt d u ri ng p e a k
fi re a c ti vi ty w h il e on l y be in g a b se n t f o r v ery sh or t p e riod s . Th e se a rr a nge m e n ts
i n c l u d e d t h e con c e p t o f q u i c k t u r n a r o u nd st r i ke te a ms t h a t w e re m o v e d i n ,
dire ct l y t o w or k on t h e fi re g r o un d a nd th e n r etur n e d h o m e a t t he e nd of a
sh i ft . In s o m e i n st a n c e s s u ch t e a m s w e r e bu s s e d o u t a n d b a c k , d ri v e n t o t h e
d e p l o y m e nt a n d ba c k ( w it h s e pa ra te d r i v e r s to e n s u r e t h e s t r i ke te a ms w e r e
not d r i vi ng w h i le f a ti g u e d ) or tr a nsp or te d b y a irc r a ft.
A n u mb e r o f I M Ts e n vi sa g e a r o le f o r fl yi n g f ir e fi g h t e rs in a nd o ut on qu i c k
t u rna r o u nd d e pl o y me n ts a n d d i d u t i lis e t h is m e t h o d o l og y . W h ils t t h is is a n
a pp a r e n t l y a t tr a ct i ve o p t i on , t h e St a te Ai r cr a f t Un it , s o u nd s s om e c a ut io n a b ou t
th e adv i sa bili ty of u s i n g li gh t air c r a ft f o r e x te n s iv e c o mmu tin g p u rp ose s du ring
a c t i ve f i r es. Th ese con c er ns r e lat e to t h e op e r at io n o f l i g ht a i r c ra ft in less t h a n
o p t i ma l f l yin g con d it ion s an d t h e n e e d to ut il i s e sm al le r r u ra l ai r f ie l d s. O n v e r y
a d ve rse fi re da ys , w h e n w e a t he r i s no rm a l l y ve r y h o t w i th st ro n g g u s t y w i nd ,
J u ly 2 00 7
P a g e 27 of 9 6
co n d i t i o n s f or fl yi ng m a y pr e c l u de op e r a ti o n of a ir c r a f t t o fu l l c a pa cit y ; i nd e e d ,
c o n d it io ns m a y tot a l ly p r e c l u d e op e r a t io n o f so me a i r c ra ft. T h i s is a ma tt e r th a t
doe s n e e d to b e fu r t h e r e xpl or e d w i th ve ry c l ea r a nd c o n c r e te g r ou nd r u l e s
e s ta b lis he d to go ve rn l a r g e sca l e us e of l i g h t a i rc ra ft to mo v e la rg e nu m b e r s o f
p e o p le . It is t h e r e f o r e c r it i c a l tha t a n y su b se q ue nt dis c uss i o n a n d / o r po l i cy
dete r m i n a ti o n a b out t hi s m a tte r sh o ul d i n v o lve t h e St a t e Air c r a f t Un it.
E x te ns i ve use o f bus/c oa c h to tra n s p or t pers onne l ha d u ninte nd e d , b u t ve r y
po si tiv e c o n se q u e n c e s . I rre sp e c ti v e of w h e t h e r th e p e rs on ne l w ere d e stin e d f or
a c ti on on t h e fir e gr o u n d or i n a n I M T, th e i r “ f or c e d ” tr a v e l t o g e t h e r b y
bu s/ coa c h pr o vid e d op por t unit i e s for the me mbe r s o f t h e group to e x c h a ng e
e x pe rie n c e s a n d l e a r n a b o u t e a c h o t h e r . Num e r o us d e brie f s di scu ss e d the a
d va n t a g e s t h a t de r ive d fr om t h is w h e r e b y i n d i vi d u a l s w e r e a b l e to g l e a n a
mu c h b e tte r u n de r s t a n di ng of th e i r fe ll ow te a m m e m b e r s ca pa bil i ti e s a nd
stre n g th s, e n a bl i ng a mor e e f fe c t i v e str ik e t e a m or I M T t o b e d e ploy e d . S o me
ve r y st ro ng re c om m e n da t i on s e m e rg e d d u ri n g the r e vi e w to cont i nue thi s
p r oc ess. I t i s s e e n a s a n e xc e ll e n t ca ta l ys t f o r tr ue “ i nt e g ra t i on ” a s o p pose d to
th e c o nd u c t o f “j oi nt ” op e r a ti o n s . Al t h o ug h t h e fi r ef ig h t e r s g e n e r a lly a pp l a u d e d
th e c o nc e p t, s om e mi s gi vi n g s w e re e x presse d a b o u t the sta n da rd o f
bu s/ coa c h e s u s e d . F o r lo ng ha ul s, a min i mu m fi t -o ut a nd f a c i li ti e s p a ck a g e
ne e d s to b e d e v e l o p e d ( e . g . a b a sic bu s de s i g n e d f o r sh or t di st a n c e t r a n sp or t
o n a lo ca l ba s i s is not a su it a bl e f o r a 4- 5 ho ur ha ul u n de r h ot co n d i t i o ns. )
Oth e r be ne fi t s o f c o a c h/ b u s /f ly a rra ng e m e n t s i n c l ud e d :
•
•
Th e ma in te na nc e of a fi re fig hti n g fl e e t a t t h e su pp l yi n g l o c a ti o n .
R educe d or no f a tigue ma na g e m e nt i ssu e s wi t h f ir e fi g h t e r s dri vi n g l o ng
tr a n sp or t r u n s .
D uri ng j o i n t p o st fi re dis c u s si o n s w i t h CFA/ DSE , the M FB indica te d tha t i t ha d
ma d e Le ve l 3 Wil d fi r e a c cr e di t e d I MT pe r s o n ne l a v a il a bl e bu t t h e y w e re u nd e r util i s e d a n d th a t t h e r e h a s be e n l it tl e i n t e r a c t i o n hi th e rt o be t w e e n MFB a n d
DS E / C F A . M FB in dic a te d w il l i ng ne ss to i n t egr a te in to jo in t e xe r c i s i n g a nd t o
ta ke on I M T r ole s.
A nu mb e r of pa rt i ci p a n ts a t d e b r ie f s l a m e n t e d the i r i n a bi lit y , b e c a u s e o f th e ir
ong o ing pri m a r y co m m itm e n t to k e y i n c i dent ma n a g e m e nt ro le s, to pr o vid e
m e nto r in g o p po rt un it ie s fo r l e ss e x p e r i e n ce d sta f f . W i t h ou t d e b a t i n g th e i n te n t
of m en tor i n g a n d w h e t he r or n ot the rig h t co nd i t i o n s f or m e n t o ri n g pr ese n t
th e m sel v e s d uri n g ma j or fi re c a mpa ig n s, it is cl e a r th a t r e so ur c e s w e re
stre tc he d t o t h e li mi t a nd on s om e oc c a si o ns pe op le ha d n o op ti o n oth e r t h a n
to a ll o c a te ne w l y tr a i n e d or le ss th a n o p tim a lly tr a in e d p e r s o n s i n t o k e y r o l e s.
Th e re al ity w a s th at t h er e we re not t o o m a ny u n a ll oc ated people av ai lable f o r
men t ori n g , in ei th er l e a r ni ng or me n t or rol e s. P a r k s Victor ia pr ovides a sali en t
exa m p l e of th e e x t e n t of r e so ur c i ng a pp l i e d t o th e fi re e f f o rt . I t s n orm a l
c o m p le me nt o f sta f f is a b ou t 1, 00 0 pe o p le . D u r i n g t h e f i r e e f fo rt ,
a pp r o xi m a te ly 8 5 0 w e r e a ssig n e d t o fi re d u t y , lea vi ng a s k e l e t o n st a ff of 15 0 to
ca r r y on w i th r o uti n e c or e b u si n e ss a n d to ke e p c r i t ic a l bu si ne ss c o mp on e n ts
op e r a t io n a l .
A re la te d iss u e c o n c e r n e d pe rson n e l t r a i ne d i n a ro l e o r r o l e s, be i n g a l lo ca t e d
t o a d i f f e r e n t r o l e i n a n IMT be ca u s e t h e r e w a s no ot he r pe rso n a v a ila b l e . T h is
ra i s e s th e q ue st i on of cr o ss tr a i n i ng i n to m u l tip le r o le s t o e n s ur e t ha t
in div i d ua l s do n’ t ne ce s sa r i l y b e co m e spe c i a li s ts i n a sin g le r ole . It i s
a c k n o wle d g e d th a t i n d iv i d u a l s m a y h a v e a p r e f e r e n ce for a sp e ci f ic r o l e b u t
th e re n e e d s to b e s om e fle xi bi li ty a v a i l a bl e a t I M T, I F AC a nd D i vi s i on /S e c tor
l e ve ls.
J u ly 2 00 7
P a g e 28 of 9 6
Issues for further examination include:
•
D e ve lo pm e n t a n d com m u n i ca ti on o f a r i sk a n a l ys is pr oc e ss t o de te r m i n e
th e m o st a ppr opri a te o rd e r in w hi ch t o dr a w d o w n r es ou r c e s fr om wit hi n
t h e s t a t e w he n the e nt i re st a te is pot e ntia lly a t ris k 4.
•
E n s ure t h a t l o c a l M u tu a l Ai d P l a ns pr o v ide f o r r e cip r o ca l fi re c o v e r
a rr a nge m e n t s i n t h e e v e n t o n e a g e n c y su b s t a nt ia l ly d r a w s d o w n it s
reso urce s fro m a n a r e a o f t he sta t e .
•
D e ve lo pm e n t o f a po l i c y in co n j un c t io n w i t h S A U co nc e r n i ng la r g e s c a l e
d e p l o y m e nt o f f i re g r ou n d pe rsonn e l b y c h a r t e r a i rc ra ft.
•
F o r m a l isa t io n a n d doc u m e n t a t io n o f e x ist i ng p r a c t i ce s in t o gu i d e l in e s,
f o r a l te r n a ti v e m e t h o d s o f ra p i d d e p l o y i n g s h or t te r m re s p o n se
c a p a b i l i t i e s ( b us/ c oa c h tr a ns p o r t, a i r c ra ft ) in l i e u of te a m s t r a v e lli n g in
th e n o r m a l re sp o n se v e h i cl e s , w h e r e a pp r o p r i a t e , a nd fo rm a l a d op ti on o f
t h is i n it ia t i v e .
•
De v e l o p m e n t o f m u t u a l a ssi st a n ce a r r a ng e m e n t s /a gre e m e n t s w i t h M FB
f o r p r o vis io n of IM T t r a i n e d p e rso n n e l . T o pr o g r e ss t h is, in it ia l
dis c u s si o n s a t C h ie f O f fi c e r l ev e l a r e i n di c a te d .
Interstate and international resources
A d i re ct f l ow o n f r o m p e rso n n e l re s o u r c i n g r e q u ir e m e n ts le d to t h e
impl e m e n ta t i on of s ig n ifi ca nt d e plo ym e n t s f r om i n te r s ta t e a nd in t e r n a tio n a l l y.
Int er n a t i o n a l a s si sta n c e fr om fir e a g e nc i e s exce e d e d p r e vi o u s ( 2 0 0 2/ 0 3 ) l e v e ls
w i th Ne w Ze a la n d ( 11 5 ), Ca n a d a ( 5 2) a n d Un ite d Sta t e s ( 11 4 ) p r o vi d in g fi re
ma na geme nt p e r s o nn e l . T ota l d e pl o y me n ts of in te r n a ti o n a l r e sou r ce s in
2 00 6 /0 7 r e pre se n t t h e la r ge s t a n d m o st s ig n ifi ca nt i n ter n a ti o n a l de pl oy me n t o f
fi re pe r s on ne l t ha t ha s e v e r o cc u rr e d in to a n y S t a t e or T err it or y wi thi n
Au st ra li a .
Int e rst a te a ss i st a nce w a s a l so pr o vi d e d , a s ha s be e n t h e c a se in s om e p r e v i o u s
fire s e a so n s . Assis t i ng pe rsonne l we re dr a w n fr om N S W (1 ,0 50 e st . ) 5, SA ( 1 0) ,
N T (1 0 8) , AC T ( 3 7 ) , Ql d (14 ) a nd WA ( 2 0) .
4
T hi s p r o c e s s m u st i n c lu d e a n und e r st a nd i ng of t h e w h ol e s u it e of a sset s at
risk. There a re time s when th er e i s a d i v e rge n c e wi t h in t h e fir e ag en cie s a nd
c o m m u n i t i es a b o u t the d e f i n it ion o f “as s ets ” . Ma jo r pu b l ic i n fr ast r uc tu re , wa te r
ca t c hm e n t s, c o m m u n i ty a s se t s a nd in di v idua l ass e ts ar e us ua ll y o b vi ous. Not
so o b v i o u s a l ways i s t h e va lu e t o th e com m u n i ty, a n d to t h e S t a t e, o f m o r e
a b s t r a c t a s s e t s su ch a s t o u r i s m a nd e c ol o g ic al v a l u e s a nd t h e cri t ic al f l o w o n
i m pa cts to t h ose com mun i ti e s w h e n i n fras tructure and a p pea l asso ciated wit h
th o se v a l u e s is di mi ni sh ed . Som e t i m e s th e bu sh i s n o t “ ju s t an ot he r bit of
bu sh th at need s a g o od fir e th r o ug h it ” and d e serv e s, in c o mm uni ty in ter e st,
s i m i la r le ve ls o f a p pl i c a t i o n o f r e so u r c e s a n d st rate g i es as do mo re rea d il y
ide n ti fi a bl e “ a s se t s” .
5
T he N SW de pl o y ment n um b e r is i n di ca ti ve onl y , a s an u n kn ow n n u mb er of
pe rso n n e l r e s p o n ded di re ct l y i n to V i ct or ia i n a cco r d w i t h cr oss bo rde r
a g re e m e n ts to a tte nd fires clos e to t h e bo rde r to meet s h o r t te rm lo ca l nee d s.
La rge r gr o u p s i n S t r i ke Te a m s and T a sk f o r c e s we re neg o ti at e d wi th N S W f o r
lon g e r te r m de pl o ym e n t s to sp e c i fi c f i re a r ea s.
J u ly 2 00 7
P a g e 29 of 9 6
To m a na ge t he a s si sti n g gr o up s a nd to pr o vi d e a de q u a te li a i so n , D S E /CF A
e s ta blis he d a jo int CF A / DSE Inte rna t iona l/ I n t e rs ta t e Lia i son U n it ( I LU) in the
D S E E C C. T h is s e c t io n o p e r a t e d a s t h e ke y p o in t o f con t a c t for a l l v i s i t i n g
g r ou ps. Iss u e s e m e r gi n g fro m t h i s i n c l ud e t h e nee d f or c o n s i s te n c y i n s ta f fi ng
so th a t li a i so n o ff i ce r s f r om th e va r i ou s a s si sti n g a g e n c ie s c a n r ea di ly i d e nt i fy
a “ g o to pe r s o n ” to he l p th e m ma n a ge u n f ors e e n a n d u n us ua l c i rcu m s t a n ce s .
In it i a ll y t h e li a i s on se c t i o n w a s s ta ff e d o n a r ota ti ng b a si s b u t v e ry qu i ck l y i t
w a s r e c o gn i se d th e r e w a s a n e e d f or c o nti n u it y o f s ta f fi ng . Lea d i n g the I L U
w a s a ma jor ta s k b u t it w a s no ne t h e l e ss a n e ss e n t ia l ro le t o e ns u r e t h a t th e
u ni t esta b l i s he d a nd m a i n ta i ne d w o rk a ble procedur e s a nd c o nti n uit y wit h
su p ply i ng a ge n ci e s a s th e fi re e v e n t u n f o ld e d .
W h il s t there a r e s i g nifi ca n t diffe r e n ce s be t w e e n int e rst a te a nd int e r na t io na l
a ssi s ta nc e , th e r e a r e s y ne rgi e s t h a t de ma nd a co mmon a pproa ch . B e ca u s e
i n te rst a te a ss i st a n ce c a n ra ng e fr o m e na c tm e n t o f c r oss b o rd e r a r r a n g e m e n ts,
in cl udi n g se l f de p l oy m e n t b y a ne ig hb o u ri ng sta t e a g e nc y to a tte nd fir e s n e a r
th e b o r d e r , to m o r e c o m p re h e n s i v e a s si st a n c e be i n g a c tiv e l y s o ug h t f or sp e c if ic
fi re s or c o m ple xe s, t h e r e i s n o l e sse r n e e d f or li a is o n of fi c e r s t o b e a p poi n t e d
by b o th th e d o n o r a n d re ci p i e nt a g e n cy . F o r se v e r a l rea so n s, r e so u r c e s fr om
a dj o i ni n g s t a t e s a r e m or e re a d il y a b l e t o ope r a te a s d i s cr e te se l f c o nt a i ne d
cre w s a n d do n’ t ne ce s sa r i l y ne e d t o b e sp li t i n to s m a l le r gr ou ps , a l t h o u g h loc a l
pe r s on ne l a s sig n e d t o int e r s t a t e cre w s a r e e xt r e m e l y va l u a bl e f r om a l o c a l
kn ow l e d g e pe r s p e c t iv e . I d e a ll y , i n te r s ta t e c r e w s wil l a l l o pe r a te u n de r the
pro v i s i o n s o f th e A II M S a nd s h o u ld u s e id e n t ic a l t e rm in ol og y b e t w e e n st a t e s .
A d d i t i o n a lly , i n t e rs ta t e cr e w s s h o u ld p o ssess a n inna te u nder s ta ndi ng o f the
cri t i c a l f ir e be h a vi o ur thr e sh ol ds t h a t pr e v a i l w i th in th e va ri o u s fu e l a n d
top ogr a p h y cl a sse s in V i ctor ia .
Fr om a n i n te r n a ti on a l pe r s pe ct i v e a nd a lt h ou gh AI I M S w a s i n iti a ll y a dir e c t
m i r r o r o f th e N o rt h Am e r i c a n Na t i o n a l I nt e ra ge nc y In ci de nt Ma na ge me nt
S y s t e m ( N II M S ), u t il is e d by bot h US A a n d Ca na da , t h e r e a r e n o w s o me k e y
di ff e r e nc e s i n str u ct ur e , te r m i n ol o gy a n d un de r s ta nd i n g o f m e a ni n g s . Al t h ou g h
Au st ra li a a nd US A/C a n a d a u s e E n gli s h a s t he fir st l a n g ua ge , d i ff er e nc e s i n
“ l i n g o ” a n d i n te rp r e ta t i o n o f ce rta i n te rms no w co nv e ys q u it e d i f f e r e n t
m e a n in gs. T h is w a s re co g n is e d a t th e T h i r d I n t e r n a t io na l W i l d l a n d Fi r e
Con f er en c e in 2 0 0 3 fr o m w h ic h a re c om m end a t i on stemme d to sta n d a rdiz e f i re
t e rm i n ol ogy g l o b a l ly, i n re co g n it io n of th e l i k e ly g r e a te r e m p h a s is o n
i n te rn a t io na l de pl o y me nt s . A s a c o ns e q u e n c e it w a s n e c e s sa r y to a l loc a te l o ca l
p e o p le t o vi s i t i n g in te r n a t ion a l te a ms t o e ns u r e som e l o c a l k n ow le d g e w a s
“b ui lt i n ” .
Th e US c o n t ing e n t sp e ci fi ca ll y r a i s e d th e n e e d , f r om a sa f e t y p e r s p e c t iv e , o f
int eg r a ti n g lo c a l a n d v i siti n g cr e w s a s t h e v i s i ti ng crew s d o n ot ne c e ssa r i l y
u nd e r st a nd t h e tr ig ge r s f o r “w a t c h o u t” s it u a ti o n s on th e fi re g r o u nd , g i v e n
som e si g n i f ic a n tly di f f e re nt fi re c h a ra cte r i s ti c s b etwee n N or t h Am e ric a a n d
Au stra li a . Th i s w o rk e d w e ll , bu t i n t h e v i e w o f se ve ra l i n t e rst a te v i si t i n g te a ms,
th e re w a s n ot a ne e d t o c o n s t a n t ly “ s h a d o w ” th e m o n ce th e y h a d th e la y of t h e
la nd a nd u n de rs t o od a n y n u a n c e s of t h e op e r a tion a l s y ste m s i n V i c t or ia vi s -à vis their ow n pro c e sse s a n d structures .
M a n y of t h e vi s i ti ng c r e w s oc c u p i e d a f ul l r a ng e o f op e r a t io n a l p o si ti on s fr o m
IM T to f r on tl in e fir e gr o u n d . E a c h o f t he in te rn a ti o na l c o n t i n ge nt s op e r a te d
u nd e r th e p ro vi s i o n s o f s e p a r a te a g re e m e n t s b e tw e e n V i ct or ia a n d th e
su p ply i ng c o u n t r ie s. S om e d if f e r e n ce s e x i s t i n t h e s e a gr e e m e n t s , e . g . m e mbe r s
o f t h e Ca na d i a n con t in g e n t w e re a b l e to oc c u p y de ci si o n m a ki ng rol e s w i thi n
IM Ts w h e r e a s t h e pr o v i s i o n s of t h e V i ctoria – U S A a g re e m e nt precl ud e d U S A
sta ff f r om ma ki ng op e ra t i o n a l d e ci si on s a nd str a te g i e s, b eca u s e o f U SA
c o n c e r ns re ga r d in g l i a b il i t y. S i m i la r l y, t h e U S A a gr e e m e n t di d not p r ov id e for
J u ly 2 00 7
P a g e 30 of 9 6
U SA p e r s o n n e l to cr o ss ov e r in t o oth e r sta te s , e ve n t h o ug h t h e y w e re
posi ti on s w h e r e Vi ct or ian r e sour c e s c o u l d a u tom a ti c a ll y dep l oy u n d er
of cr oss b o rder a gr e e m en t s . Th e s e w e r e r e cog n i s ed as mat t er s t o b e
in r e vi ewin g in te rn ati o n a l a gr e emen ts to p r ov id e fl exi b ili ty f o r skill ed
to b e a bl e to un de rt a k e a n d c o m p let e n e c e ssa r y t a sk in g e f f ec ti ve l y .
in
th e te r m s
add r e ssed
p e r s on nel
E a ch c o nt in ge n t co n d u c t e d de br ie fs a b ou t t h e i r d e pl oy me n t joi n tl y w i th
DS E / C F A pr i or to de p a rtu r e . W he r e th e v i s i to r s h a d c o m me nt a bo ut sp e c i fi c
ma t t e r s de a li n g w i th o p e r a t ion a l is sue s , t h e s e h a v e b e e n i n c o rp or a te d in t o th e
r e le va nt dis c uss i o n s i n t h is re vi e w . Ma tt e rs t h a t a r e s p e c if i c to
int e rst a te /int e r na t i o n a l a ss i sta n ce a r e exa min e d be low .
Preparation, ordering and lead time
P a r t ic ul a r l y t h e In te rn a t io na l a n d m o re dist a nt int e rst a te te a m s would
a p pr e c ia te m o re l e a d t i m e ( n o t e - t h is iss u e r e la t e s not o n l y t o the le a d t i me
f o r re q u e s ts fr o m V i c t o r ia b u t a l so to how qu i c kl y t h e s u p p l y a g e n c i e s
disse mina te the de ta ils of the re qu e st a nd b e gi n a s se m bli n g tea ms) .
Non e th ele ss, assi stin g ag en ci e s acce pt t h at of te n a n el em en t of u r ge ncy i s p a r t
a n d pa rc e l o f f i r e res p o n se a n d th e r e is g e ne ra l l y not th e l u x u ry of an o v e r lon g
lea d tim e .
Th e r e i s a ne e d i d e n ti f ie d f o r th e re q u e s t i ng a g e n c y t o be q u i t e sp e ci f ic a b ou t
th e s ki l l s se t s t h e y n e e d , to e n a b le ra pid id e n ti fi c a t i on o f t h e t e a m str u c t u r e
and c o m p osi t i o n by th e sup p lyi ng ag en cy . The “ s h o pp i n g li st” of sk ill s shoul d
rec o g n i s e that a str o n g lik eli h ood exi s ts th at in divi du al s m a y b e mul t i - task ed
a nd r e q ui r e d to fi ll se v e r a l d if f e re n t r o le s d ur i ng th e co ur se of d e pl oy me nt .
S o m e fo r m a l it y is ne ce ss a r y i n ho w a ss i s t a n c e is re que s te d. V i c t o r i a ma i n ta i n s
a g re e m e n ts o r M O Us w i t h ot he r st a te s a n d t e rr it or ie s w i th in Aus t r a li a a n d
a g re e m e n ts w i t h NZ, U S A a n d Ca na da . Wh il st ge ne ra lly th e i n t e rn a t io na l
a rr a nge me nt s w e re e f f e c t e d v i a f o rm a l d o c u me n t a t i o n , som e o f t h e in te r s ta t e
d e p l o y m e nts w e re a rra n g e d b y te l e co n f e r e n c e , e - ma il o r fa c s im i l e . I t is
a c c e p t e d th a t a ss i sta n c e re q u e st s m i g h t be i n it ia t e d in a less fo rm a l s e ns e b u t
ult i m a t ely e a ch de pl o y me nt re q u e st o ug h t to b e b a ck e d by a g ree d f o rm a l
d o cu me nta t io n . I n a s i m i la r v e in , M F B r a ise d issu e s a b o u t t h e ne ce ss i t y t o
ra i s e a pp r o p ri a t e d e pl oy me nt o r d e r s a n d e n s u re t h a t a r e tr a n s m it te d in a
tim e ly f a sh i on to t h e r e c e ivi ng I M T. MF B c i te d a n i n sta n ce w h e r e a c o n t ing e n t
o f a c c r e d ite d M F B pe rs o n n e l w e re de s p a t c h e d to a n IMT b u t w he n t h e y a r r i v e d,
t h e IM T h a d no kn o w le dg e o f t h e i r i m pe n d in g a r ri va l a n d ha d, co ns e q ue nt ly ,
n o t ma d e a n y p r ov is io n fo r t h e i r u t i lisa t ion a n d m a na ge me nt .
Int er na t i o n a l a g e n ci e s ind i ca te d t ha t a c o m p r e he nsi v e pr e - de plo y m e nt pa c k a ge ,
de s cr i bi ng not on l y f i r e m a tt e r s but ot h e r e sse n t i a l i s s ue s th a t m e mb e r s a r e
li kel y to e n co u n te r s h o ul d b e p r e pa r e d a n d a c c o m p a n y in i t i a l or d e r s . E . g .
hea l t h i nf o rma t i o n – s na ke s , sp id e r s, m e di c a l se r vic e s; t r a f f ic r ul e s – bri e f
d e s c ri pt io n o f ke y di f f e r e n ce s be t w e e n A u s t r a li a a n d su p p l y co unt r y .
Detail of gear needed
Ma n y vi sit o r s br ou g h t e qui pm e n t th e y e i t h e r c o uld n o t use or did n ot n e e d , a nd
it w a s sug g e st e d th a t mor e de t a il e d b r ie f in g no te s a v a i la b l e in c o u ntr y b e f o r e
the y d e p a r t e d co uld a s si st i n br i n g ing the r i g ht m i x o f gea r a n d c lo thi ng .
Alte r n a ti v e ly, some “ h ot-s ho t ” cr e w mem b e r s f r om U SA w ere a dvi se d n o t t o
bri ng p o r t a ble ra di o s. T he y d id a n ywa y a nd f ou nd t h a t th e ir u ni ts c ou ld be
repr og r a m m e d t o l o c a l fr e qu e n c ie s. Th e r e ne e d s to b e som e r e l a xa t i on o f
rig id l y e n f o r ce d c o n d i t ion s a b o u t sp e ci f ic e q ui pm e n t e . g. pe r s o nn e l d o n o t n e e d
fie l d b o o ts i f t he ir on l y r o l e i s o f fic e b a se d . T here s h o uld b e a n a b ili ty b y th e
re c e i vi ng a ge n c y t o a c ce pt r o u t i n e e qu i pm e n t t h a t m e e t s th e O H &S st a n d a rd s
J u ly 2 00 7
P a g e 31 of 9 6
of t h e s upp l y c o un t ry (or st a t e ) , p ro vid e d th e r e sp e c tiv e a gr e e m e n t s a l low t h i s
to ha pp e n – t hi s c o ul d o cc ur b y a “pr e -a p pr o v a l ” pr oc ess or b y re c og n i t i o n o f
t h e re le va nt OH&S s t a n d a r d s t h a t p r e v a i l in t h e s u p p l y co u n t r y / sta t e . Th i s
co u ld a l le vi a te t h e ne e d f o r f i r e gr ou nd pe rso n n e l t o “ b re a k i n ” b r a n d ne w
equi pm e n t on th e j o b . T hi s m a t t e r sh o ul d b e a d dre sse d i n t h e r e spe c tiv e
int e rna t io na l a nd inte r st a te a g re e m e n ts .
As so o n a s “d e pe n d e n t ” te a m s, i . e . t h o se w i t h ou t t h e ir ow n ve hi c l e sup p or t
a r ri ve a t f i r e g r ou n d s t h e y n e e d o n si te lia iso n an d pro v isi o n for sa fe s t or age o f
t h e i r e q u i pm e n t, fo r exa m pl e, a p o rta b le loc k er o r co nt ai ne r o r su i t a b l e se cu r e
pre m i s e s .
Equipment supply
Adj o in i ng s ta te s u s ua l l y pr o v id e a f u ll c o mp le m e n t of a s si sta nc e i n s of a r a s t he i r
res ou r ce s u su a l ly tra v e l ind e p e n de nt l y to t h e fi re a re a f r om t h e i r h o m e ,
co mp l e te w i t h f ir e fi g h t ing e q uip m e n t a n d/ or ve hi c ul a r s u pp o rt . L o n g di sta n c e
int e r s ta t e a nd in ter n a t i o n a l cr e w s g e n e r a l l y f ly to V i ct or i a a nd a r e t hu s a b l e to
bri ng o n ly sm a l l i t e m s of h a nd h e ld e q u ipm e n t. A n o ta ble e xc e p t i o n w a s a
co nt i ng e n t fr om th e N o r t h e r n T e r r it or y t h a t a rr i v e d c o mp let e w it h fir e tr u c k s –
a ma ss iv e lo g i st ic s e xe r cis e .
D S E ma i n ta i n s a n e q u i p m e n t d e ve lo p m e n t a n d s u ppl y ce nt r e a t N or t h A l to na
a nd c a r r ie s a $ 9 .5 mil l i on in ve nt or y o f m in o r a nd m a j or e qu i pm e n t, r a ti on
pa c k s, f o a m a nd re ta r da nt , se l f co nt a i ne d m ob i l e ca m p i ng u ni ts i n cl ud i ng
kit c h e n , l a u ndr y a nd r e -s u p p ly c o n t a i n e r s , s m a l le r m o bile ki tc h en s a nd
co nta i ne ri s e d e qu i pm e n t l o c k e r s. I t i s a bl e to fu l ly ki t ou t a v i si ti ng stri k e tea m
o r e st a b l ish a ma jo r ca m p . I r re sp e c t i ve o f lo c a l, i n t e rst a te o r i n t e r n a t ion a l
so ur c e s, i f a st ri ke tea m a rri ve s a t t he fi re g r ou nd w i th l i tt le or n o equi pm e n t,
t h is p r o v ide s d i f f i c u lt i e s fo r f i r e g r o u n d co m m a n d e rs in e f fe ct i v e ly us i n g th e m .
Th i s t y p e of e v e n t o c c u r r e d o n se v e r a l o c c a s i on s. Th e U SA co nt i n g e n t n o t e d th e
ma t t e r of e q u ipm e n t s up pl y t o vi si t in g te a m s w a s a d e q ua t e ly s ou r c e d fr om t h e
D S E eq u i p m e n t c e n t re a n d ma d e th e fo l l o w i n g o b s e rv at io n: “Don ’t l e a v e A l t o na
wit h ou t all veh i cl e s , r a di o s , s a w s , an d tool s. L o c a l u n its c o ul d not su pp or t
lar g e numb er s of peop le – and ended up ord e ri ng th em fr om Al to n a an yw a y . ”
T he Ce nt r e pr o vid e s a n e ff e c ti v e on e -st op s hop wh er e i nt e r n a ti o n a l / in te r s ta t e
stri k e tea m s c a n b e f u lly k i tte d o ut w i t h a l l n e c e ssa r y f i re fig hti n g e qu i pm e n t
a n d re mo ve s th e i n e v i t a b le de la y s th a t oc c u r w h e n log i st ics s e c t i o ns m u st g o to
n o r m a l c om m e r c ia l su p p l ie rs for r e p l a c e m e n t or a d di ti o n a l e q ui pme n t s up p lie s
du ri ng f i re ca m p a i g n s. T he c e n t r e pr o v id e s a n e xtre mel y u s e fu l b a c k up f a c i lit y
for s u pp ly a nd i s r o ut i ne l y e xte n s i v e l y u s e d by b o th f ir e a g e nc i e s. It is
wort hw h i l e to r e vi e w t h e se r vi c e s p r o vid e d b y the N o r t h Al t on a E q u ip m e n t
Ce nt re a n d to con s i d e r w h e t he r th e r a n g e a n d qua n ti ty o f co nta i ne r i se d
ser vi c e s i s a d e q u a te or ou g h t to be e xp a nd e d .
Size of contingent
I n te r n a t io na l ly, th e r e w a s ge ne ra l a g r e e m e n t t h a t e a c h te a m o ug h t t o be
rest ri c t e d to a b o u t 50 pe r s o n s. T hi s w a s f o r rea s o n s o f ma in ta i ni n g a de q u a te
a dm i ni s tr a ti ve s upp or t to th e u n it . If 1 00 a r e r e qu ir e d th e y s ho ul d c o n s ti t u te
2x s e p a r a te tea m s o f 50 . T h e U S A c o n t i n ge n t e xc e e de d 10 0 a nd t h e tea m
le a d e r expr e s se d s om e c o n c e rn s a b o ut m a na gi ng a gr ou p o f t ha t si z e . N o
restri c t i o n s were deemed necessary on se l f suff ici e n t inter s tate conting e n t s as
th ey typ i c a lly r e sp on d in a c c o rd with th eir sta nd a rd p r oced ur es f o r task for c es
o r strike te a m s.
J u ly 2 00 7
P a g e 32 of 9 6
Terminology
T h is ca n be cr i t i c a l . A l th ou g h AI I M S w a s de r i ve d d i re c t l y f r om NI I M S, a s a
co n s e q ue n c e o f t he 1 9 85 f ir e s tu d y e x ch a n ge to US A/ Ca n a da , t h e re h a s b e e n
sig n i f ic a n t e v o lu t i o n i n t h e me a n ing s o f ce r t a i n t e rm s in b o t h s y s t e m s si n c e
th e n . T hi s hi gh li g h t s t he n e e d t o f ull y i n t e g r a te tea m s, mi xi n g l o c a l s w i th
vi s itor s , a n d a l s o e na b le s t h e f i r e gr o u n d m a n a g e r s to kn ow th e s k il l s set s o f
th e vi sit o r s .
The In t e r s tat e / I nt e rnationa l L ia i son U n it i d en ti fie d t h e n ee d for :
•
Th e s e c t i o n s h ou ld b e vi e w e d a s a n i nteg r a l pa rt o f the E C C / SE CC .
•
Th e r e s h ou ld b e cl e a rl y d o cu me n t e d pr oc e d u re s a bo ut e s t a bl i s hm e n t of
th e se ct i o n a nd i t s op e r a t ion a n d st ru c t ur e . T h e I L U l e a d e r i n di c a te d
int e n t to fu lly d o c um e nt t h e p r oc e d u r e s , st r u ct ur e a nd s y ste m s t ha t w e re
d e ve lo pe d, a n d w h i c h n e e d to a p p l y, i n cor p o r a ting i n p ut fr om the I LU
debr ie f . W he n pr e p a r e d th e s e “ b u s i n e s s r u le s” n e e d t o b e f o rm a l is e d .
•
Th e I L U ne e d s e m p o w e rm e n t w i t h a ut h o ri t y t o m a k e d e ci si o n s, in cl ud i ng
expe ndi t ur e of f u n d s, t o p e rm it e ffi ci e n t op e r a t ion .
•
Cop i e s of i n t e r n a t i o n a l a g re e m e n t s s h o u ld be a l w a y s a v a i la b le in t h e
ILU.
•
Th e r e i s a de fi ni te re quir e m e n t for a c o n s t a n t “f a c e ” i n t h e I L U.
•
Th e I L U a c c om m o d a ti o n mu st b e la rg e e n o u g h to a c c o mm od a te t he I L U
te a m a nd a t l e a s t o n e li a i s o n o f fi ce r ( o f t e n tw o ) fr o m e a c h o f t h e
a ss i sting a ge ncie s .
•
De p e nd i ng o n nu mbe r s of a ssi sti n g a g e n cie s the I L U r e qui r e s a t l e a st
tw o a d min i s tr a ti ve sta f f.
Th e i ss ue s ide n ti f ie d a bov e a r e b e st e n c a p s ul a t e d b y d o c u m e n t in g a nd
f o rma l i s in g a st r u ct u r e d pr oc e ss, i n co rpo r a t i n g e f fe ct i v e p r a c t i ce s t h a t w e r e
de v e l o p e d a nd im p le m e nte d d u r i ng 2 0 0 6 / 0 6.
Other key issues identified
•
•
•
R e c o g n i s e t h e u t il it y o f th e N o r t h Al t o n a E qu ip m e n t C e n t re a s a ce n t r a l
p o in t fo r e q u i p p i n g lo n g d i sta n ce in te rst a te a n d i n t e rn a t io na l s u p p o r t
te a m s a nd de t e r m in e w h e t he r t h e se r vi c e s p ro vid e d b y t h e ce nt r e sh o u ld
be e x pa nde d ( L o g is ti cs ).
R evi e w in te rn a ti o n a l a nd i n te r s ta t e a g ree m e n ts i n l ig h t o f thi s f ir e
sea s on (e spe c ia l ly in r e l a ti on t o l im i t a ti o n s o f a ut ho r i t y pl a c e d o n
v i s i ti n g c r e w s [US A ] lim i t a t io ns) .
Is s u e s re g a rd in g r e q u e s ting of e x t e rn a l a s si s t a nc e – pre p a r a t i o n a n d
le a d time ; routine ge a r a nd OH&S iss u e s ; co n t i n g e n t si z e fo r
int e r n a ti o n a l de p l o ym e n t s; d if f e r e nc e s i n ter mi n o l og y a nd n e e d to
a ll o ca t e l o c a l “gu i de s ” for se ve r a l d a y s .
T h e se ta sks m a y a l s o b e in fo r m e d b y r e le va n t o u t c om e s fr o m de br i e fi n g o f th e
Au st ra li a n c on ti ng e n t t o U S d ur i n g 2 0 0 6 .
J u ly 2 00 7
P a g e 33 of 9 6
COORDINATION ARRANGEMENTS
Introduction
Th i s se ct i o n de s c r i be s th e c oor d i n a t i o n a r ra n g e m e n ts th a t o p e r a t e d w i t h in a n d
be t w e e n t h e fi re a ge n cie s a nd b e tw e e n t h e f ire a g e nc i e s a n d M unic i pa l
E m e rg e nc y C o or di na t i o n Ce nt re s. Mu ni c ip a l E m e r gen c y C o ordi n a ti on i s a k e y
f u n c t i on p r o v id e d fo r i n the E m e r g e n c y Ma nu a l , V i cto r ia a n d is a n i n tr i n si c
co m p o n e n t o f e m e r ge n cy f ir e m a na g e m e n t . W h ils t intera ct ion w i th t he w i de r
e m e rg e n c y se r v i c e s a n d ot he r su pp or t a ge n ci e s i s c ri t ic a l , m a n y oth e r a g en cy
a sp e c t s w e re n ot c o n s i de r e d i n t hi s r e vi e w p end i ng a w h ol e o f sta t e , a l l
a g e n c i e s de b r ie f. C o ns ul ta t i o n w a s a r ra nge d wit h V icP o l , V I CSE S a n d DH S a nd
som e i ss ue s a r e i d e n t i fie d f o r re s ol u ti on or a d op t i on w i t h th ose a ge n ci e s .
Key Issues
IF A C
• R evi se t h e c u rr e n t I F A C gui d a nc e ba se d on t h e le a r ni n g s f r om t hi s fir e
sea s o n, f o r m a l l y in c l u d e th e m i n th e P a rt ne r s hip G u i d e lin e s , a nd e d u c a t e
a ll re l e v a n t pe r s on n e l of t h e ro le o f I FA C C . E xer ci si ng a t p o te n t i a l I FA C
ce nt r e s a nd be tw e e n I CC s a nd I F AC ce ntr e s i s in di c a te d .
IM T
•
R e v i e w th e t e m p la t e fo r I M T co mp os it io n (a n d th e IMT Too l k i t ) to
pro v id e g u i d a nce o n a ppr o pri a te st a ffi ng of th e f un c ti o ns req ui r e d .
•
E v a l u a te n u mb e r o f p e r s on n e l r eq uir e d p e r s h ift f o r ea ch f u n c ti on t h a t
will be fil le d.
•
R ein f o r c e t h e ne e d f or c o n t i n ui t y o f I M T m e mb e r sh ip a nd r e t u rn of
e a r l ie r I M T p e rs on ne l f o r s u bse q u e nt de pl oy m e n t s.
•
Com p os iti o n – se l e c t i n g the b e st qu a li f ie d a n d expe r i e n ce d sta ff f or
po si ti o ns.
•
D i v i s i on o f d u t i e s, a n d sta f f i n g , be tw e e n IM T a n d fi r e gr ou n d
c o m m a n de rs , to e ns u r e tha t f i r e g r o u n d co m m a n d e rs ha ve a d e q ua t e
reso urce s.
•
T r a i ning to e n sure tha t IMT a n d Di vis i o n/Sect o r Comm a n de rs u nde r s ta nd
t h e i r ow n a n d e a c h oth e rs ro l e s.
ME C C
• E s ta blis h be tw e e n the fire a g e n cie s a n d P o lic e a cle a r unde r s t a ndin g o f
rol e s a n d r e sp on s ib ili t i e s a t e a ch le v e l a n d a t e a ch ce n tr e .
•
E n ga ge in pre - s e a so n e x e rcise s a n d c o n f e r e n c e s in s u ita b l e p r e m ise s
(ME C C or R E CC ) w i th k e y sta k e ho ld e r s , in c l u di ng a ppr opr i a te m u n i ci pa l
repr e s e n ta t iv e s.
E x te rn a l su pp o r t age n ci e s
• Th e r e i s a ne e d t o r e -e ng a g e w i t h V i c P ol o n th e i ss ue o f roa d cl o su r e s
a nd c o n t i n ue th e d i a l o gu e t o e n su re t h a t t h e fir e se r v ic e s , P o l i c e a nd
su pp ort a g e nc i e s u n d e r s t a nd a n d imp l e m e n t th e p r o v isi o n s t h a t a pp l y ,
a nd c o m m u n ic a te th o s e pr o vi s i o n s to the co mmunit y us i ng pre - fire
e du c a ti o n t o ol s .
J u ly 2 00 7
P a g e 34 of 9 6
• Th e r e i s a ne e d t o c o n sid e r t h e de v e l o pm e nt of st a n d a rd ope r a ti ng
sy st e m s a nd pr ot oc o l s be tw ee n t he f ir e se r v ic e s a nd S E S , to ca te r f o r
su pp o rt r o l e s th a t S E S is w ill i ng a nd a bl e t o u nd e r ta k e .
T h e r e a r e se ve ra l a r ms t o the que s t i on o f coo r dina tio n w i t h in a n d be t w e e n the
fire a g en cie s a n d e xt e rna l ly to suppo r t a g en cies . T h e ke y ma tte rs ra is e d during
t h is r e v i e w p r o ce ss i d e nt i f i e d co o r di na tio n a n d m a na ge me nt be tw e e n th e IM T
a n d f i r e gr ou n d , a n d th e r e la t i o n s h i p s fr om I MT to r e gi o na l a nd i nt e g r a te d f ir e
a g ency coordina t i on ce ntre s (R E CC s a nd IFAC C s ), thence to sta t e le ve l
co or di n a ti o n c e n t r e s a nd e x te r n a l ly t o M u ni c ipa l E m e rg e nc y C o ord i n a ti on
Ce n tr e s ( M E CC s ) . Th e r e i s a st ro ng c o r r ela tio n be tw e e n the co or d in a t i o n i s s u e s
fa ce d betw e e n the fire a g e n cie s a n d the fa ct tha t the y o p e r a te o n se pa ra t e IT
pla tf o r m s T h e t w o pl a t f o rm s a r e n o t obv i o u s ly tr a n sp a r e n t a nd a l th ou g h t h e r e
a r e op e r a t or s w h o c a n e x tr a c t i n f o rm a ti o n fr om e i t h e r pl a t f o rm , th e r e a r e ma ny
w h o ca n n ot .
T he pr i nc i pa l (a n d s u p p o rt in g ) f i re a g e n c y de b r ie fs a n d r e a l t im e p e r fo rma nce
mo nit or in g re v ie w s f o c u sse d pr i ma r i ly on t h e a ct i vi tie s of t h e j o i n t fir e a g e n ci e s
a nd li ke i n te r s ta t e a nd in te r n a ti o na l a g encie s w h o pro v ide d a ssis t a n c e , a nd
th e ir l in k s to t he ME C C s, th e n or m a l pr o v id e r s o f l o gi st ic s s e r v ic e s. The w id e r
iss ue s o f em e rg e n cy r e sp on se c o ord in a ti on g e n e r a ll y w a s n o t sp e ci fi c a l ly
ta rg e t e d d u ri n g t hi s pr oce s s a n d, t o d a te , th e r e th a t no c o m b i n e d sta t e l e ve l
debr ie f of the w id e r e me r g e n c y ma n a gem ent fa m i l y ( Fir e a ge nc i e s, P o li c e , D H S,
mu ni c ip a l , SE S a n d ot he r s u pp or t or g a n i sa t i on s ) c o n v e n e d t o r e vie w th e s e
a r e a s . T h e re f o r e , t h e r e ma y be iss u e s re la t i ng to coo r dina tio n w i t h ot he r
e m e rg e n c y se rv i c e s a n d b e t w e e n oth e r e m e r g e n cy se rv ic e s th a t e m e rg e fr om
a n y f ut ure de br ie f s or w or k sh op s i n v o l vi n g th e fu ll s ui t e o f e m e rg e n c y a nd
su pp o rt se r vi c e s w h o w e re i n v o l v e d w i t h t h e 2 00 6/ 0 7 fi re s.
Althoug h thi s se ri e s of de br i e f s did no t i nc l u de re pre s e n ta t i ve s f ro m exter n a l
a g e n cie s t h e re w a s sig ni fi ca nt di s c u s si o n a b o u t w h a t t he ro le i s or ou gh t t o be
f o r M u ni c i pa l E m e r g e nc y Coo r di na tio n Ce nt re s (ME C C ). I n p u t f r om t h e St a t e
E m e r ge nc y S e r v i c e (SE S) w a s d is cuss e d a t t w o d e br ie fs in t he co n t e x t o f
m a t t e r s t h a t o p e r a te d w e l l . I n pu ts fro m S t J o hn A m bu la n ce a n d D P I w e re a l so
dis c us se d i n a p o si t iv e li gh t .
Th e r e i s a ne e d f o r a l l p a rti ci p a n t s i n a n i n c i de n t to c lea r l y u nd e r s t a nd n o t on ly
th e ir o w n r o l e b ut a l so t h e r o l e o f ot h e r po si ti on s or a ge n ci e s w i t hi n th e
e m e r ge nc y m a na ge me n t u m br e ll a . V e r y p ro b a b ly, ro le cl a ri t y a n d a goo d
u nd e r sta nd i ng o f it b y a l l the p a r t i c ip a n ts in a n ICC , R E CC or I F A C C c o n t r ib u te s
h ug e ly to w h e t he r or n ot a n i n ci de n t i s su c c e ss f ul l y m a n a g e d . Ma n y ob se r v e r s
opi n e t h a t i n ci de nt s w e re m a n a g e d su cc e s s f ull y in spi t e o f s o m e ti me s l e s s th a n
f ull u nd e r sta nd i ng of r ol e cl a r i t y b ot h v ert i ca lly w i t hi n a g e n ci e s a nd l a te r a lly
be t w e e n a ge n ci e s.
By fa r t h e b u l k o f d i sc uss i o n ce n t re d o n the ro le o f I F A C C, t h e re l a t i o n sh i p s
betwee n I F A CC a nd IC Cs a nd t h e ne e d t o d e f in e t h e i r r o l e a s w e ll a s th e r o l e s
a nd r e sp o n sib i li ti e s o f M E CC s . A dd it i o n a l d i s c u s si on f o c u s s e d on th e r o l e s
pla yed by I M Ts, h o w t he y in te r a c t ed w i t h t h eir Div i si on s an d S e c t or s and h o w
the y ma nage d the i n cident acti on pl a nni ng p r oc ess. Th ese mat ter s ar e f u rth e r
discusse d i n thi s a nd t he Pla nni ng Sect i o n.
IFAC-ICC
Int eg r a te d Fir e Ag e n c y C o ordi na t i on (I F AC ) w a s esta b l is he d d u ri n g th e 2 00 2 / 03
fi re s t o o v e r c o me re g i on a l c o ord i n a ti on iss u e s w h e n a n e xt e ns i ve f ire o r
co mp l e x o f fir e s sim u l t a ne o u s ly a ff e c t e d s ev e r a l reg i o n s. T h e c o n ce p t w a s
for m a li s e d in l a te 20 0 3 a nd de sc r ibe d i n d e ta il i n a sc he d u le e nt i tl e d
J u ly 2 00 7
P a g e 35 of 9 6
“ I nt e g ra te d F i re A g e n c y C o or d i n a t i o n ( I FAC ) ” , a t ta che d to the CFA/DSE
Coop er at iv e Ag re em e n t . The Coop er at iv e A g re em en t was r e pl ac ed b y “ D S E -CF A
Partner s hip Guid eli n e s” 6 in Oc tob e r 20 06 . D u ring th e interv e ni ng y e ar s n o IF AC
c e nt res w e r e es ta bl ish e d, b ut for m al IF A C c e nt res w e r e es ta bl ish e d i n 2 0 0 6 / 07
in N E V i cto ria a nd G ip p sl a nd .
Th e r e w a s a w id e d i ve rge n c e of opi ni o n s e x p ress e d a b out t h e ut ilit y o f IFA C
c e nt res a n d t h e i r l i n k a g es ve rt i ca l ly t o I C C s, E C C/ SECC an d late ra l l y t o M E CC s.
T h e se o p ini o ns ra nge d fr o m :
• “We ne ed t o cl arif y i f we n eed IF AC , cl arify i ts r o l e s an d respo n si bili ties
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
and r e l a tionship wi th IMT, MECC , SECC /ECC …”
“ N i g ht IF AC C d i dn ’t ha ve peo p le w ho co u ld h e l p mu ch, IF A C h i n d e r ed t he
process, r o le cl arif i c ation n e e ded …”
“ I F A C C assi st ed a i rc raf t c oor d i nat i o n , c o n f us i o n a b o u t o n goi n g ro le o f
IFAC resou r ci n g – nee d to r e v i ew IFAC r e sourc e r e qu est pr oce ss… ”
“No cl ear u n de rsta n di n g of role of IF A CC with dup li c ation of r o l e s at3 x
RE C C s, an d 1 x IF A C C” )…”
“comm u nicati on l i nk s SECC/EC C to I F AC C di d not g o well fr om fi eld
per s p e c t iv e , ne ed b e tt er und er st and ing of t he role of ME CC & IF AC C ,
need comm uni c a ti on s bu sin e ss r u les for t h e link ECC / S E CC to I FA C C … ”
“IFACC and MECC need to und er sta nd eac h ot h e r … ”
“I MT r e quests alt er e d by IFA CC , need to d e fine IFACC procedur es and
t r a i n p e rson n e l, la ck o f r o l e c l ar ity , I F ACC cl osing at night…”
“ I F A C C sh ut dow n o v er n i gh t so IMT u n a b le t o a ct i o n res o u r c e r eq u e st,
no de ci si on ma ker s av ail a b le, Incide nt p r ed ic t i on ( I F A CC ov er la y) t oo
m a n y days w h e r e we g o t it w r o n g . “W e want to ab ol is h I F A CCs… ”
“… th e I F ACC ro l e is no t c l ea r…”
“th e role of the IFA C C n eed s to be cl arif ied t o c o nfir m how a nd wh er e i t
fits in …”
“ … the IF A CC i s con s i d er ed to b e a n e c e ssary li nk i n t h e c o ord in a ti o n
process but o n ce resources a r e alloca te d to a n IMT the sugges t i on is
th at the I M T should li a i se di rectl y wi th t he su pply ing Re gi on …”
“ … the IFAC C wor k ed w el l … ”
P e rha p s not s u rpr i s i n g l y , th os e pe rso n ne l w h o ope r a t e d i n a no n-IF A C
e n vi ro n m e n t a n d w e re use d to th e i r co n v e n t i o n a l re po rt i n g l i n e s t h r o u g h the i r
a g e n c y c h a i n- o f- c omm a nd te n d e d to v ie w t h e I F A C c e nt r e a s a n un n e c essa r y
li nk in th e c o or di n a ti o n c h a i n . To th e co nt r a ry, t h o se p e r s on n e l w h o o pe r a t e d
a s m e m be r s o f a n I F A C tea m sa w t hei r r ol e i n a tota l l y di f fere nt l ig h t a n d
rec o g ni s ed valu e i n e s tabli s h i ng a n IF AC c e n t re t h at op er at ed as th e m o d e l
intend ed , w ith p o si ti on s fill ed b y the best a v ai lable p e r s on s irr e sp ec tiv e of
a g e n cy ori g in . Th e N E I FA C c e n t re ( D S E B e n a ll a ) too k up its r o l e i n ea rl y
De c e m b e r 20 0 6 a nd d i d n o t di sb a nd u nti l l a t e Fe br u a r y – mem ber s
a c k n owl e d g i ng th a t th e t r a n siti o n t o I FAC o c c ur re d s mo ot hl y a n d s ea m les sl y in
a cco rd w i th the pla n .
W i t h ou t e xc e pt io n, t h e s i x m a jo r r e gi o na l de b r ie fs a d dr e ss e d th e i s su e o f I F A C ,
a lm o st e x cl usi v e l y i n t h e c o n t e x t of vi e w i n g th e IF AC i s su e a s a m a t t e r w h e r e
stre ng t h e ni ng i s re q ui r e d . I t i s cl e a r th a t m a n y p e opl e do n o t un de r s ta nd t ha t
th e r e a l r o l e of a n I F A C c e n t re i s to e ff e c t i v e ly rep l a c e th e f u n c ti on s th a t wo ul d
no rm a ll y b e c on d uc te d b y t he C F A a nd D SE R E CC s w i t hi n t he a r e a o f th e I FAC
ce n tr e r e sp on si bi li ty , t o e n s u re t h a t a c o ord i na te d ( a nd i nt e g r a t e d ) s up p o r t
me c h a ni s m is i n pl a c e . T h e I FA C ce n t r e i s n o t a n a d ju n ct t o R E C C s ; i t i s th e re
in stea d of t he R E CC s a n d is t h e d i r e c t co ndu i t b e tw e e n IMTs a n d t h e
E C C/ SE CC .
6
Av a il a b l e a t w w w .dse. vic. gov.a u
J u ly 2 00 7
P a g e 36 of 9 6
Wi th a n I F AC c e n t r e i n p l a c e th e re p o r t i n g c h a in i s th us I M T -+ IF A C C -+
SE C C/E C C .
Wi th n o I F AC c e n t r e i n p l a c e , th e c h a i n i s I M T -+ R E CC -+ SE CC /E C C .
W h il s t the IFA C ce nt re ta ke s on a coor d in a ti on r o l e c o nd uc te d b y r e g i on a l
ce nt r e s d u r i ng “ no r m a l ” op e r a t io n s , it i s n ot a “s up e r ICC ” w i th d i r ect fu n ct i on s
exte nd i n g be y o nd t he IC C s t o Di vi si o n a nd S ect or le ve l , a l t h o ug h s om e
in sta n c e s o c cu r re d w h e r e a n I F A C c e n t re e f f ect iv e l y b y pa s se d t he IC C a nd dea l t
dire ct l y w i t h f ir e g ro u n d le ve l s . It is e vid e n t th a t ther e i s a re a l n e e d to cl e a r l y
resta te the roles a nd resp on sibili ties of IF AC ce nt r e s an d how t h ey f i t in to th e
re p o r t in g a nd c h ain - of -c om m a nd stru ctur es. Whil e su b s ta ntial e ff o r t h a s been
ma d e to br ie f pe r s o n n e l on t he r o l e a nd f u n c ti on s o f I F AC , th e h i g h l e v e l of
c o m m e n t a b o u t t h e m s u g g e sts th a t a pro c e ss is ne e d e d to in fo rm c r it i c a l
peo pl e i n the r e sp o n se a nd c o or d in a t io n c h a i n.
I ssu e: T he a g e n ci e s n e e d t o re vi se t h e c u rr e n t IF A CC g uid a n ce b a s e d on t h e
lea r n i ng s f r om t hi s f i r e se a s o n , f o rm a l ly in c l u de t he m i n the P a r t n e r s hi p
G uid el in e s , a nd e d u c a t e a ll r e l e v a n t p e r s on n e l o f t he r o l e o f I F A C . E xer ci s in g a t
pote nt i a l I F AC ce ntr e s a n d b e tw e e n IC Cs a n d IFA C ce nt r e s i s a l so i n di ca te d .
IMT relationships to Division/Sector
Aga i n t h e r e i s a l a ck o f r ol e cl a r ity e v i de nt . N ot a l l I M T s a n d fi reg r ou nd
co m m a nd e r s a ttra cte d thi s cl a ssi fi c a ti on b u t there w a s s u f fi ci e n t d is cu s si o n
du ri ng d e b r ie f s to w a r ra nt fu rt h e r w or k o n e n s uri n g tha t I M T/ fi r e gr ou nd
me m b e r s cl e a rl y a nd f u ll y un de r s ta nd e a c h o the r s r o l e s.
IM T si z e c a n, a nd som e t i me s did , op e r a te t o th e d e trim e n t o f a d e q ua t e ly
res ou r ci n g f ie l d c o m m a nd e r s – t h e y o f te n ne e d a n a ssi s ta nt or a p e nc i ll e r b u t
of te n m u st u nd e r ta k e a l l fi e ld c o mm a nd ta s k s t hem se l v e s a s w e ll a s m a yb e
m a n a g i ng a sta g i n g a r e a . Fo r e xa m pl e , a n u m b e r o f pa rt i c i p a n ts i n the re g i o n a l
debr ie f s co mme nte d :
“ S e c t or c o mm and w a s i n e f f e c t iv e, t h e se ct or w a s t o o lar g e and t h er e we re no
off s ide r s … ”
“ Reso u r c e a l loc a t i on fo r D i vi sio n a n d Se cto r C o m m a n de rs was i n ad e q uat e –
eit h e r IC C s ar e not li st e n ing or t h ey ha ve in su f f i c ie nt r e so urces themselves… ”
“ R e su lt s ar e p o si tiv e wh en divi s i on al m a n a gem e n t an d div i s i on al op er a t i o n s ar e
treated and resourced w e ll …”
T h is is a ma tte r t h a t w a s ra ise d d u r i n g t h e f i r e s e a so n 7 b ut the inf o r ma t io n ma y
not h a ve b e e n su f fi c i e n t ly di s se mi n a te d t o th e ta r g e t a udi e nc e to a c hi e v e i t s
m a x i m u m po te nt ia l i m p a c t p r io r to t h e co n c l u si o n o f t h e f i r e sea so n , a n d
o b vi o us l y co u l d n ’ t a d d r e ss ins t a n c e s w h e r e t h is iss u e h a d o c c u r r e d pr io r to i t s
dis t r i bu ti o n . T ho se a r e a s w h e r e a de d i ca te d Sta gi n g Ar e a m a na g e r w a s
a p po in te d g e ne ra l l y fu n c t i o n e d w e ll a n d ve r y pos i t i ve f e e d ba ck ca me fr om th e
7
I n la t e De c e mb e r 2 0 0 6 , th e C F A C h i e f O ffi c e r m a il e d a sho r t DV D e n t i t l e d :
S t rik e Tea m L e a d ers a n d S ec t o r Co mma n d e rs
Im pr o v i n g O p era t i o na l Ma na g em e nt & P er f or ma nce 20 06
The D V D was a ccom p anie d by a doubl e si d e d sin g le she e t of A4 note s and was
dis t r i bu te d t o e v e ry B rig a d e a n d R e g i on , wi t h s u f fi ci e n t a d di ti onal c o p i es for
e a c h e n d o r s e d Se ct or Com m a n d e r a nd St ri k e Te a m L e a d e r .
J u ly 2 00 7
P a g e 37 of 9 6
re l a te d f ir e gr o u nd c o m m a nd e r s w h o d i d n o t h a v e to u n derta k e the r ole
t h e m se l v e s a n d fr om fi r e fi g h t e rs u s i n g t h e st a gin g a r e a s f o r t h e i r i nt e nd e d
rol e .
A n u m b e r o f f i r e g rou n d com m a n d e r s i n d i ca t e d tha t I M Ts w e r e s o m e t i me s
re luct a nt to pla ce tru s t w i t h th e f ir e gr o u n d c o mm a n der s. F o r e xa m ple :
“ I M T not taking advi ce fr om th e f i reg r ound ” and “ O p erat io ns co m m a n d i n IMT
w a s tact ical ra ther than s t rate gic... ”
Th e se i n sta n c e s cl e a r l y c o ntr i b u te d to le vels o f diss a tis f a ctio n expresse d b y
fie l d c o m m a nd e r s w ho w e re e it h e r in a d e qu a t ely r es ou r c e d or w h os e ta sk s w e r e
pres c r ib e d a t s u f f ic i e n t ly de fi ni t i v e l e v e l s su f fi c ie nt to rem ove m o st deci si on
ma k ing fr om the fi e ld c o mm a nde rs .
T h e se t up a n d e st a bli s hme nt of IM Ts, in c l ud i n g ho w th e t e a ms a r e for m ul a te d
a nd st a f fe d a n d t h e I M T r e l a ti on sh ip s to fi r e g r ou nd co mm a nd p o s i ti on s n e e d s a
h a r d re v i e w w i th re sp e c t to :
•
Com p os iti o n – se l e c t i n g the b e st qu a li f ie d a n d expe r i e n ce d sta ff f or
po si ti o ns.
•
D i v i s i on o f d u t i e s, a n d sta f f i n g , be tw e e n IM T a n d fi r e gr ou n d
c o m m a n de rs , to e ns u r e tha t f i r e g r o u n d co m m a n d e rs ha ve a d e q ua t e
reso urce s.
•
T r a i ning to e n sure tha t IMT a n d Di vis i o n/Sect o r Comm a n de rs u nde r s ta nd
t h e i r ow n a n d e a c h oth e rs ro l e s.
T h e r e la t i o n sh i p s b e tw e e n D i vis i o ns/ S e c to rs a n d IM T is fu rt he r d i s c uss e d i n t h e
se ct io n e n ti t l e d “ F ir e g r o u n d C o mm a n d ” . T h is in cl u d e s d i s c uss i on o n t h e r o l e o f
th e se fir e g r o und p os iti o n s t a k i ng r esp onsibi li t y to e f fe ct i v e l y a n d pr oa ct iv e l y
ma na ge th e r e sou r ce s a t th e ir d i sp o sa l .
Key Issues
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R evi e w c o mp o sit i o n of IM Ts to e n s u re se l e cti o n o f t h e b e st qu a l i fie d a nd
expe rie nce d sta ff fo r p o s i t i o n s .
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R evi e w t he d ivi si o n of dut ie s , a n d s ta ff i ng , b etwee n I M T a nd fi r e gr ou nd
c o m m a n de rs , to e ns u r e tha t f i r e g r o u n d co m m a n d e rs ha ve a d e q ua t e
reso urce s.
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Impl e m e n t tr a i n i ng t o e n su re th a t IM T a nd D ivi si on / S e c t or C o m m a n d e r s
u n d e r s t a n d t h e i r ow n a n d e a c h ot he rs r o les.
IMTs
Set-up and rostering
E s ta bl is hme n t a n d ma i n t e na n c e o f e f f e c t iv e I M Ts is cr it i c a l to su cc e ss f u l
i n c i d e n t ma na ge me nt. Ma n y IMTs ha ve be e n p r e -p l a n ne d or ma y b e
sp e ci f ic a l ly e s ta b l i s h e d a t th e sta r t o f a m a j o r in cid e n t to e ns ur e th a t
repr e s e n ta ti v e s f r om b ot h rur a l f ire a ge n ci e s pr ov i d e th e b e st e q ui pp e d I M T i n
t e rms o f ca pa bilit i e s a nd e xpe rie nce – it is n ot a pro c e ss t o e ns u re equa l
a g e n c y r e p r e s e n t a ti on on t h e I M T b u t on e de sig n e d t o a c hi e v e c o m p e t e n t a nd
w e ll ba la n c e d IMT s i n t e rms o f a cc r e d i t e d a nd e x pe r i e n c e d sta f f.
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P a g e 38 of 9 6
I M Ts t h a t h a d be e n pr e - p l a n n e d a n d ha d e x e rcis e d toge the r o p era t e d
eff e c t iv el y, parti c u l a rl y t h ose w h o op e r at ed as in teg r a ted un it s a nd se le ct ed
t h e bes t q u a l if i e d pe rso n s fo r t h e tas k r e qu ir e d . S e v e ra l d e br ie fs r e co gn ise d
t h e ne e d to dis r e g a r d “ t u r f ” a n d to a p p l y t h e best a v a i la bl e sk i ll to t a sk i n g .
A k e y i ss ue th a t w a s i d e n t if i e d i n 2 0 0 6/ 0 7 w a s som e l a ck o f c o n t i n ui ty i n
st a f f i n g , e . g . w h e r e st a f f o c cu p yin g i m po r t a n t r o l e s w e r e a v a ila b l e o n l y o n a
sh or t r ota t i on or w e r e re -a ll o ca te d to ot he r t a sks w i thi n the over a l l fire
r e s p o n se so t h e y ha d l i t t l e o r n o o p po rt un ity to de ve lop a n y sy ne r g y w i t h oth e r
pa r t s o f a s p e ci fi c I M T a n d i t s p r o c e s s e s . F i e ld o p e r a t or s s a w sig n i f i ca nt v a l u e
in d e a lin g w it h a re a so n a b ly c on s ta nt tea m w h e r e th e ke y p e r s on ne l a l te r e d
in fr e q u e n t l y . P a r t o f t h e ra t i o n a l e f o r t h i s c o n c e r n e d t h e ou t p ut o f th e I M T –
s h o r t rot a tio n s of I MTs me a n t t h a t pe ople ha d only just go t to k no w the a re a
a n d the fire by the t i me t h e i r tour o f dut y e n de d. If th e y d i d no t r e t u rn t o th e
sa m e I M T f o r t h e ne xt t o u r or di f f e r e n t p e o p le w e re c h o se n , t h e r e w a s n o
l e ve ra ge fro m t h e k n o w l e d g e tha t ha d b u il t u p o n t h e i r p r e v io us to ur .
S o m e IM Ts ha v e be c o m e v e ry la rg e , a pp r oa c hin g a t ota l sta f f i n g o f 10 0
pe r s o n s. I n o n e i n sta n ce du ri ng t hi s c a mp a i gn t her e w e re m o r e p e opl e in th e
IM T t h a n t h e r e w e re fi re f ig ht e r s on t h e gr ou nd . I t w a s th e vi e w of some
revi e w p a r t ici p a n ts t h a t I M T s o f t hi s m a gn i tu d e h a v e b e c o m e f a r to o u n w i e l dy
to b e e f f e c t iv e . T h e ti me ne ce ssa r y t o l oc a te th e o c cu pa n t s o f cr i ti c a l p o si ti on s
in a t im e ly ma nn e r w i t hi n a 1 0 0 p e r s o n s tr o n g I M T b e c o m e s d i f fi c u l t a n d tim e
co n s um i ng w it h e f f e c t s t h a t i m p a ct f ur t h e r a l on g t he c o m m a nd ch a i n i f
d e ci sio n s an d a p p r ov al s, o r co mm u n i ca ti on o f c r i t ica l i n fo r m at io n i s de la ye d.
T h e r e is opp o rt un it y to re vi ew IMT s i z e to d e te rm i n e if som e of th e pla n ni ng
a n d lo g i st ic s f u n c t i o n s c u rr e n t ly h e l d a t I C C ca n b e de v o l v e d to D i v i s i ons .
T h e o b se rva t io n is ma d e t h a t V i ct or ia is no t t h e o n l y st a te in Aust r a l i a to st a f f I
M Ts to t h is le ve l. Som e ot he r st a te s ha ve r e a c h e d a p o i n t w h e r e e xt r a o r d in a r y
n um b e r s of sta f f a re a llo c a te d to I M Ts , crea ting a n imba la nc e bet w e e n the
l e ve ls o f re so u r c i n g a t I M T a n d f i r e g r o u n d le ve ls, in e x tr e m e ca se s w i th t w o
I M T m e m b e r s fo r e a c h a c t i ve f i re f i g h t e r . Th is is p a r t ly b r o u g h t a b o u t by
ob ser vi n g a p e r c e i ve d ne e d f o r pa r t i c ul a r f u n c ti on s to be u nd e r ta k e n , a nd t he
beli e f th a t a se p a r a te i nd i v i d u a l , a nd o fte n s e v e r a l i n di vid u a l s , a r e n e ede d to
deli ve r e a c h fu nc ti on . AII M S a ck n ow l e dge s t h a t in som e c i rc um sta n ce s a n
i n d i vi d u a l m a y ho ld m o re t h a n o n e fu nc t i o n b u t t h e r e a r e in cr e a s i n g fu n c t i o n s
th a t a re a d de d t o t h e re s p o n s ibi l i ty o f I M Ts, imp a c t i n g on b o t h th e sta ff i n g
le v e l s c o m p le xi ti e s of op e r a t i o n .
V i ctor ia op e r a te s i t s e m e r g e n c y f i re m a n a g e me n t w i t hi n t he n a ti o n a ll y a g ree d
AII M S fr a m e w or k to e ns ur e i n t e r o p e r a bi li t y wit h ot h e r sta t es. T hi s i s imp o rta n t
to obt a i n ma xi m um n a t i on a l c o n s i s te n c y i n de v e l o pm e n t o f tr a ini ng m a te ri a l s
a n d a p p l i c a t io n o f s y st e m s a n d p r o c e d u r e s . T h is e f fe ct i v e l y co nst r a i n s V i ct o r ia n
a g e n ci e s fr om si g n i f ic a n tly c h a n gi ng h o w t h e c o m p o n e n t p a r t s of AII M S a r e
st r u c t u r e d a n d tr a i ne d. Ho w e ve r, t h e r e is la t i tu de in re f i n in g h ow i t is
i m p l e m e n te d. W h i l s t a fu l l b l o w n I C S s t r u ct u r e ru ns to ma n y se pa r a t e
f u nc t i on a l “ c e l l s ”, o n e o f th e k e y b e ne fi ts o f th e I C S st r u c t u r e is t h a t it
no mi n a l ly on l y r e q u ir e s the f il li n g o f t he p a r t s n e e d e d . T he re a re s e v e r a l
que s ti o n s f o r t h e f ir e a g e n cie s t o e x pl or e i n se t t i n g up a n I M T :
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Dete r m in a t io n of w h i c h of th e c e l ls ( f u n ct io n s ) r e q u ir e sta f fi ng .
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N um b e r of sta ff r e q u ir e d p e r sh if t f o r e a c h f u nc ti o n t ha t wi ll be st a ff e d .
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Con t i n ui t y o f I M T m e mbe r s hip a nd r e t ur n o f e a r lie r I M T s ta ff f o r
su b s e q ue nt de p l o ym e n t s.
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Issues
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Ne e d fo r r e v i e w o f t h e t e m p la t e fo r I M T co m p os it i o n to p r o v i d e gu i d a n ce
on a p pr o pr i a te s ta f fi n g of t he f u n ct i o n s r e q u i r e d .
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E v a l u a te n u mb e r s of p e r s on ne l r e q ui r e d p e r sh if t f or ea ch f u n c ti on th a t
will be fil le d.
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R ein f o r c e t h e ne e d f or c o n t i n ui t y o f I M T m e mb e r sh ip a nd r e t u rn of
e a r l ie r I M T p e rs on ne l f o r s u bse q u e nt de pl oy m e n t s.
Joint IMT Desk
D S E a n d C F A ha v e a gr e e d fo r a n u m be r of y e a r s t o e st a b l ish jo int I MTs a t
regi o n a l l e v e l th a t ca n t r a i n t o g e t h e r a nd a r e a v a i la b l e f o r d e pl o y m e nt a s a n
e n t i ty. Al tho u g h ma n y j o i n t IMTs ha v e be e n e s ta bl is he d , t h e n t r a in e d a n d
exe r ci se d t o g e t h e r in r e c e n t ye a r s, the d u p li c a te d r e que st i ng a nd s up ply
a rr a nge m e n t s i n b o th a g e n ci e s o f te n r e s u lt e d i n a m i s m a t c h si tu a t i o n w h e r e a
r e qu e st fo r a n IMT re s u l t e d i n a D S E com p o n e n t n o t be i n g ma t c he d to th e sa me
su pp ly i ng r e gi o n w i th i t s i d e nt i fie d C F A c o u n t e r p a rt, th er eb y lo si n g th e
imm e di a te v a l u e of a u ni f i e d I M T th a t ha d e x erci se d a nd tr a i ne d to g e the r a nd
co nta i ne d t he r igh t b a l a nc e of c om pete n ci e s .
To a d dress this, a jo int IMT desk was es ta bli s hed at the DSE EC C earl y i n the
Great Di vid e C o m p lex fires to m a nag e al l r e quests f o r IMT resou r ces fr om any
IM T, i r r e sp e c ti v e o f w hi ch a ge nc y w a s in ov e r a ll c o mm a nd or w h i c h s ta t e
em erg e n c y c o ordi nati on c e n t re r e c e iv ed th e r e qu e s t. Th e Joi n t I M T d e sk t h en
d e te rm i n e d t h e pot e n t i a l do no r re g i o n ba sed on an under s tandi n g of av ail a ble
sta t e reso urce s a nd fo rw a r de d the requ e st to a n a pp o int e d re giona l IMT
co or di na tor t ha t m a na ge d I M T r e so ur ci ng r e que st s on be ha l f of b o th a g e n ci e s.
Th i s pr o c e s s r e su lt e d i n t h e “d on or ” r e gi on p ro vi d i n g t he b e st a v a il a b l e I M T
irre spe ct i v e of a g e n ci e s i . e . spe c if i c p o si ti on s w e r e fi ll e d b y t h e be s t a v a il a bl e
qua li fi e d p e r s o n s a nd th e p r oce ss w a s e ff e c t iv e l y “ a g e nc y b li n d ” .
T h is w a s th e f i r st o cca s i o n u p o n w h i c h th is f a c i li t y ha s be e n e s ta b l is he d dur i n g
a m a j o r e v e n t. P r e vi o u s l y , r e q u e st s f or I M Ts w e re h a nd le d by n e g o tia t i o n
bet w ee n th e r e sp ec tiv e ECC s . Th e f a c ili ty w o rk ed w e ll on th i s oc c a si on and
sh ould be earm ar ked for fu tu re i m plementat i on , i n th e ab sen c e of a j o i n tl y
op e r a t e d st a t e c o o rdi n a t i on ce nt r e .
External coordination between fire agencies and MECC
Th e r e r e m a in s c o n f u s i o n a b out t h e re sp e c ti v e r o le s of t h e fi re a g e nc i e s a nd t h e
M u n i ci pa l E m e r ge n c y C o nt ro l Ce n t re (M E C C) , e s pe cia l l y i n r e l a t i on to ca te r i n g
a n d a c com m o d a t io n iss u e s. E m e r ge n c y ma na ge m e nt pro c e d ur e s for V i cto r i a
a r e des c ri be d a n d de ta i l e d i n t h e E m e r gency Managem e nt Manual Vi ctori a and
i n tha t r e ga r d th e ME C C is des c ri b e d as a pr i m a r y m uni c i pa l bas e d e m e r g e nc y
c o o r d i na t i on ce nt re . It is c l e a r l y d e s c ri be d a s be in g t h e fo cu s fo r o r g a n i s i n g
a n y s up p or t th a t m a y be n e ce s sa r y to a s si st th e c o ntr o l a ge n cy n o mi n a te d a s
th e r e sp on se a ge n c y t o a n e m e r ge n c y i n c i d e n t . Th e ME CC i s a l so cl ea rly
d e s c ri be d a s not be i ng t h e co nt ro l l e r to m a n a ge t h e re s p o n se o f co nt ro l a g e n c y
reso urces.
I n pa rt i c u l a r , pro v is ion of va rio u s su p p l ies ( t h e l o g i s t ic s co m p one n t ) , i n cl ud i n g
catering a nd accom m o dati on f o r em erg e nc y r e s p ons e p e rso n n e l is sc he d u led i n
th e Em erg e ncy Ma nag e m e n t Ma n u al t o be underta k en by the r e leva nt Muni ci pal
E m e rg e n c y R e sp o n se Of fi ce r (ME R O ) . Th e r e is a r i d e r to t h is p r o v is io n a n d i t i s
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P a g e 40 of 9 6
t h a t th e ma nua l s p e c if i c a l ly nomi na tes t h a t “C on tr ol a n d sup p o r t ag en ci e s t h a t
have t h e c a p a c i t y t o provid e em erg e n c y r e l i ef fun c t i ons f o r th eir own per s onne l
(f or e x amp l e cat e ri ng ) ar e t o u s e t h e i r i n terna l o r ganisa tiona l reso urces bef o re
req u e s tin g em e rg e n c y rel i e f fr om th e em erg e nc y r e li ef sy ste m .” 8 T h e Vi c t o r i a n
fire au th o ri t ies (C FA , M F B , and D S E) an d Vi cto ri a n S E S ar e l a te r sp ec ific all y
ide n ti fie d i n t hi s ca te g or y . 9
Th e ma n u a l f ur t h e r i d e n ti fi e s th e pr obl e m s t h a t ca n e m e rg e w h e n th e ME C C i s
not upda te d a bout int e rna l a rra nge m e n ts th a t a re p u t i n t o p l a c e b y t h o s e
a g e n c i e s w i t h ca pa ci ty to do s o . I f t h e i n c i d e nt doe s n o t e s ca la t e a n d p r o v is io n
of se r v ic e s or ga ni se d by a c a p a b l e a g e n c y i s a d e q ua t e , th e n fe w or n o
pro ble m s w il l o c c ur . W he n a n i n c i de n t d o e s e sc a l a te a n d ot h e r re sp on se or
su pp ort a g e n cie s bri n g in a d dit i on a l p e r s on n e l w ho r e q uir e b a si c s erv i ce s
i n c l u d i n g ca te ri n g a n d a c co mm oda t io n t h e r e m a y be c o m p e t it io n f o r l o ca l l y
a v a i la ble se r vi c e s. I n ord e r t o e f fi ci e n t l y a c c ess t h e a v a il a b l e se r v i c e s, in d ee d
t o kn ow if t h e y a r e a v a i la ble or no t, the ME CC must kno w to w h a t e x te nt t h ose
a g e n ci e s w ho a re s e l f pr o vid i ng a r e dr a w i n g up o n a v a i la b l e r e so ur c e s a nd
services .
T h is p r o v isi o n p r o b a b ly he l p s to c l o u d t h e is s u e o f w ha t th e t r u e r o l e of th e
ME CC i s or ou g ht to b e , a nd its r o l e i s th u s n ot clea rl y u nd e r st o od by m a ny
pla yer s a t t he I CC -I FA C C l e v e l . It is a p p a r e n t th a t i n a “r o u tin e ” f ir e si tu a t i o n
w h e r e t h e ME CC i s n o t a c tiv a te d, th a t D S E a nd C F A s ho uld g o a b o ut t h e ir
bu si ne s s o f fir e m a na gem e nt, di rectly sourcing the su ppli e s the y req u ir e. Thi s
includes s u st enance and ac comm od ati o n for fir efig ht er s a n d an y ot he r su ppl ie s
s u ch as plant. The picture is no t so cl ea r a b o u t w h at processes ought to ensue
w h e n a ME C C is a c t i va te d. As a g e ne ra l o b se r v a t io n, r e s p o n si b i l i t y for
a cq ui s i t i o n o f s upp o rt su pp l ie s (e .g . pl a n t) i s gene ra l l y, a lt ho u g h n ot a l w a y s ,
ha nde d o ff to t h e ME C C bu t p r ovi s i o n of c a t e r i ng a nd a cc o m m od a ti o n i s n o t a t
a l l c l e a r.
So m e ICC s ha nd o v e r t h e f u ll ra n g e o f l o gi st i c s s up p l y t o th e ME CC , som e
c o n t i n ue to so ur ce fo r a g e n c y pe r s o n n e l o n l y , som e co n t in ue to so u r ce
a c c o mm od a t i o n a n d c a te r i ng bu t h a nd e v e r yt h i ng e l se t o t h e ME CC , a nd ot he r s
h a n d o f f re s p o n si b i li ty f o r a n y i n c o m i n g a d di t i o n a l re s o u r ce s w h e t h e r th e y a r e
i n te r- re g i on a l , i n t e rs ta te o r i n te rn a t io na l . In s h o r t, the r e ca n be a n y
c o m b in a t io n f r o m tota l r e l i a n c e up o n th e ME C C fo r a l l lo g i st ic s to a l most n o
reli a nc e u p on th e ME C C f o r su p pl ie s su ch a s c a ter i ng a nd a c c om m o d a ti o n . T h is
co n s ti t u te s a ve ry u n e ve n di sp l a y o f h o w l o g i sti c s s upp l y m a y be d i vid e d .
I n te ra ct io n b e t w e e n th e k e y p l a y e r s pr io r t o t h e fi re s e a so n i n j o in t pr e -sea s o n
me e ti n g s a nd e x e r ci si n g i n s om e a r e a s re s u lt e d in effect i ve rela t i o n s bet w e e n
IM Ts – ME CC .
W h i l s t th e ME C C is m u n i ci pa l l y ba s e d, th e M u n i ci pa l E m e r ge nc y R e s po n s e
Co ord i n a tor ( ME R C ) i s a se n i or l o ca l o f fi ce r f rom V i c tor ia P o li c e , a n d i s th e
pe r s o n re sp o n si b l e f o r t h e e f fi ci e n t c o nd u c t of t h e ME CC . Th e r e i s a ne e d t o
clea r ly e sta b l i s h b e tw e e n V ic t o ri a Pol ic e a n d th e j o i n t fire a ge n ci e s , a th or ou gh
u nd e r st a nd i ng a b ou t t h e c ir c um sta nc e s u n d e r w hi c h t h e j o i n t fir e a g e n ci e s will
be r e sp on s ib le f o r so u r ci n g the ir ow n ser v ic e s, h o w a n d w he n t h a t in f o rm a t i o n
will be com m u ni ca t e d to the ME C C a nd w het he r or n o t a p o i n t w ill be rea ch e d
w h e r e the j o in t f ir e a g e nc i e s w i ll tr a n sf e r a ll , or p a rt o nl y , o f t h e r esp o n si bil i t y
f o r p r o vis io n o f se r v i c e s to t h e ME C C . Th i s n e e d s t o be cl e a rl y de f i n e d b e t w e e n
th e fi re a g e n c i e s a nd t h e P o l i c e w it h st a nd a r d c o nd it i o n s a ppl y i n g t o e v e ry
in ci de nt so t h a t a ll p a r t i e s u n d e r s ta nd re sp o n si bil i ti e s th a t c a n b e c o n si s t e n t l y
a pp lie d a n d c a n tr a i n t h e ir st a f f a c c o rd i n gl y.
8
9
E m e r g e n c y M a na g e me nt Ma n u a l V i c t or ia . A p p e n d ix 2 . P. 8- 7
E m e r gen c y Ma n a ge m e n t Ma n u a l App 9 C a teri ng A r r a n g e m e n ts P . 8 - 28
J u ly 2 00 7
P a g e 41 of 9 6
Alt h oug h t h e MECC i s man a g e d by a se ni or polic e off i c er , th e ac tu al op er at ion s
of th e MEC C u s u a l ly i n v o lv e m u n i cip a l sta ff . It is im por t a nt th at m unic i p a l staff
a l so u n d e r st a n d t h e na tu re o f t h e va ri o us ro l e s a n d re s p o n si b i li t i e s a n d a n y
a gr e e m e n t s th a t a r e r e a ch e d be t w e e n P o li c e a nd fir e a g e n cie s . A s a pa rt of th e
co n s ul ta t io n pr o ce ss, i t i s a ppr op ri a te t o i n c l ud e m un i cip a l r e p r e s e n ta t i ve s to
e n a bl e th e m to c o mm u ni c a te in f o rm a ti o n t hr o ug h the m un i ci pa l str u ct ur e .
Th e r e i s a l s o a ne e d p e r c e i ve d t o e s t a b l i s h cl e a r u n d e rst a nd ing s a b ou t th e r o l e
o f R E CCs a n d (I F A C C s) a n d ho w t h e y re la t e to t h e ME C C . Gi ve n th e l e ve l of
u nd e r s ta nd i ng w i t hi n t h e fi re s e r v ic e s g e n e r a ll y a b ou t th e r o l e s o f a n I F AC C, it
is a ma tte r t h a t mus t a l so be a d dresse d w i th V i cP o li ce to e n s u re t h a t the
ra t i on a l e b e hi nd e s ta b li s hi ng a n I F A C C i s c l e a rl y u n de rst o o d n o t o n l y b y t he
fire a g encie s b ut a l so by t h e ke y suppo r t a ge n cie s .
T h is re la te s di re ct l y to r o le c l a r it y a n d u n de r s ta n d in g b y pa rt i c i p a n ts o f t h e i r
rol e s a n d t he r ole s o f ot h e r p a rti ci p a n ts a b o v e a n d b e low t h e m i n the c o m m a nd
c h a i n a n d th e e m e r ge n c y ma na ge me nt s t r u c t ur e a s a w h o l e . T h e r e la t i o n sh i p
betwee n ME CC s a nd I M T /( I F AC C s ) v a ri e d , l i ke l y t o b e i n di re ct pr op or ti o n t o
joi n t tra i ni ng a nd e x e r ci si ng d u ri ng o ff f ir e s ea so n a nd t h e l e v e l of c o n t a c t
be t w e e n th e p e opl e st a ff i ng t h o se c e n t r e s d u ri n g t h e e v e n t .
Key issues
•
T h e ne e d to e s ta bli s h be t w e e n the fire a g en cie s a n d Po lice a clea r
u n d e r s t a n di n g o f ro l e s a n d re s p on si b i li t i e s a t e a c h le ve l a n d a t e a c h
ce n t r e .
•
Th e ne e d t o e ng a g e i n pr e - se a son e x er ci se s a n d c o nf e re n c e s i n s u i t a b le
pre m i s e s (ME C C or R E CC ) w i th ke y p a rt ies .
•
Con s ul ta t i o ns (a n d e xe r c i se s) i n v ol vi n g ME CC s sh o u ld in c l ud e
a pp r opri a te m u ni cip a l re p r e se n ta ti v e s.
External coordination with support agencies (excluding
MECC)
Alt ho ug h t he d e b r ie f a nd r e vi e w pr oc e ss f o cu se d pr im a ri l y on th e a c ti on s of t he
fi re a ge n ci e s a nd w a s no t pl a nn e d t o b e a n o v e r a r c hi n g a n a ly s i s of th e
e m e r ge nc y m a na ge me n t a rra n g e m e n ts w i t h i n V i ct o r ia ( a s th is pro c e ss w a s
co n s id e r e d t o b e th e p ro vi n ce o f ot h e r s ) , o ne on o n e a g e n c y d i sc u s si on s w e re
held wit h S E S , V ic t ori a Poli c e a n d De pa rt m e n t of H u m a n S e rv i c e s to id e n ti fy
issue s of spec ific in terest to th e fire agenci e s. Al l ag enci es h i ghl i g hted a
numb e r of issue s wh e r e th er e i s opp o r t u n i t y f o r th e f i r e ag en ci es t o h o l d
co n s t r uc ti v e di a l og ue w it h oth e r a g e n c ie s.
Th e out c ome s o f t h e s e c o n s ul t a ti o n s a r e in cl ud e d a t A ppe n d i x 4 .
I ssu es:
•
Th e r e i s a ne e d t o r e -e ng a g e w i t h V i c P ol o n th e i ss ue o f roa d cl o su r e s
a nd c o n t i n ue th e d i a l o gu e t o e n su re t h a t t h e fir e se r v ic e s , p o li c e a nd
su pp ort a g e nc i e s u n d e r s t a nd a n d imp l e m e n t th e p r o v isi o n s t h a t a pp l y ,
a nd c o m m u n ic a te th o s e pr o vi s i o n s to the co mmunit y us i ng pre - fire
e d uca t ion too l s. T h is m a t t e r is fu r t h e r a d d r e ss e d u n d e r th e se ct io n
e n t it l e d “ F i r e gr o u nd .”
Th e r e i s a ne ed t o c o nside r th e dev e l o pm e n t of st an d a rd ope r ati n g sy ste m s and
protoc ol s b e tween the fir e se rvi c es a nd S E S , to c a ter f o r supp or t rol e s th at SES
is w i ll in g a nd a bl e t o u nd e rta ke . Cr os s-tr a i ni ng a nd jo i nt e xer ci si ng i s
in di ca t e d .
J u ly 2 00 7
P a g e 42 of 9 6
JOINT VERSUS INTEGRATED OPERATIONS
Introduction
Th i s se ct i o n hi g h li gh ts th a t w hil st D S E a nd C FA c o op e ra t e v e ry w e ll tog e t he r
t h e r e re ma i n e l e m e n ts o f a “j oi nt o p e r a t ions ” ve rs us a n “ i n t e g ra t e d o p e r a t ion s ”
a p pr oa c h i n s o m e a r e a s, w i th a p e rc e i v e d n e e d fo r e it h e r se r v i c e to ha ve
co un te rp a r t r e pr e s e n t a t i on w i thi n a d e fi ne d g r oup s u c h a s a n I M T o r IF AC . T o
th e c o ntr a r y , ot h e r a r e a s , in cl u d i n g r e gi o n a l l y b a se d I M Ts ha ve a d op te d a f u l ly
int e gra t e d a p proa ch th a t is a ge ncy blind a n d fo c u s o n a p p o i n ti n g
qua li fi e d /e xp e ri e n c e d pe r s o n s to p o sit i on s w it h o u t r e ga r d to a g e n c y .
P r o p os a ls to de ve l o p a s i n g le sta t e c o or di n a t i on c en t r e pr o vid e t he op po rt u n it y
to st re n gt h e n i n te g r a t e d op e r a t i o n s.
K e y iss u es a r e:
•
In ord e r t o pr ogr e s s t h e si ngl e s t a t e c o or di na ti on c e n t re f a cili ty ,
sig n if ic a n t dec i si on s n o w n e ed to be m a de c o n c erni ng the ini t i a l
o p e r a t i o ns. Ma t t e r s t h a t ne e d to be a d dr esse d ur ge nt l y i n cl u d e
config ura ti o n, IT s y ste ms, sta ffing a r ra n g e m e n ts, ro bu st b us i ness r u le s
a nd c o n s ul ta t i on w i t h a l l st a ke h old e r s .
•
Con s e q ue n t up o n e sta bli s hm e n t o f a si ng le c oor d in a ti o n c e n t r e e f f e c t iv e
o p e r a t i o na l p r a c t i ce s i d e n t i fi e d i n co n d u c t i n g a n in te g r a t e d ce nt r e ca n
be tr a n sl o ca te d to i n te gr a te d i n ci d e nt ma na g e me nt a n d I F AC fu nc t i on s –
th e s e pr a c t i ce s c o ul d i n c lu d e t h e c on c e p ts i n tr odu c e d vi a th e S t r a t e gi c
Pl a n n i ng U n i t.
Wh il st t he r e a r e v e ry s tr o ng i nd i ca t i o n s t ha t C F A a n d DS E wo rk v e r y w e ll
toge th e r , t h e r e i s a n u nd e r ly i ng thr e a d t h a t op e r a t i o n s c o nd uc te d t o g e t h e r a re
som e tim e s m or e a p pr o pr i a te l y c o n sid ere d to be “ j oi ntl y ” r u n r a th e r bein g f ul l y
“ i nt e g ra te d. ” T h e r e a r e r e fe re n c e s w i t h in t h e de b r ie f re co r d s th a t s p e l l o u t
in sta n c e s o f d up li c a ti o n, n o t be c a u se of a nee d f o r dupl ica t i o n but beca us e one
a g e n c y or t h e ot h e r w a s th e l e a d a g e n cy , a n d t h e ot h e r a g e n c y sa w a n e e d for
a n e q ua l pre s e nce .
Th e s e r e f e re n c e s w e r e c o n sid e r e d t o c o n s t i t u te a vi e w r e fl e c ti n g pr e vi o u s
pra ctice s a s bot h orga nis a tions a nd their f ul l c o m p le me nt o f pe r s o n ne l o ug h t to
be n o w s u f f ic i e n t ly a p pri s e d o f t he ot h e r’ s s k ill s a n d c a p a c i ti e s to e ng a g e i n
p r ot ra cte d c a m p a i gns i n a fu l l y in te g r a t e d fa s h ion, a n d i n de e d , bo th ha v e
expr e sse d a d e sir e t o do s o. T h e a g e n ci e s a r e d iff e r e n t a nd th e re a r e str o ng
cult ura l di ffe r e n ce s be tw e e n the m tha t ou g h t t o p e r s i s t, b u t th e c li e n t s of t h e
fire s e rvice s , t h e com muni t i e s o f V i ctor ia ha ve cl e a r e x pe cta t ion s a b ou t t h e
ser vi c e pr o vi de d . Th e y re a l l y do n’ t c a r e w h a t type o f u ni f o r m or fir e fig h ti n g
a pp a r a tu s i s u s e d . T h e y ha ve a n e xp e c t a ti o n tha t a f ir e ser vi c e wi ll a ssi st a n d
pro te c t t he m i n a ti me ly m a n n e r i rr esp e c ti ve of w hi c h o rga ni sa t io n it i s or th e
typ e o f fir e fi g h t i n g e q ui p m e n t i t bri ng s . T he c o mm u ni ty h a s a sol e obj e c t i v e ,
a nd t h a t i s t o b e p r ov i de d w i th a tim e l y a nd e f f i ci e n t f i r e s erv ic e .
Se v e r a l c o mm e n t s e xt r a c te d di r e c t ly fr om de br ie f r e c o rd s hig h li g ht th e la c k o f
tota l i n te g r a ti o n :
“ [ a g e n cy ] re po rt e d d e t a i l s o f a f i r e o n i t s we bs it e. [o th e r ag en c y ] re q u es ted
th at d e tail s be remove d as they were in ch ar g e of the inc i dent ”
J u ly 2 00 7
P a g e 43 of 9 6
and
“No [ a g e n c y] M e di a Li ai s o n re pr e s en tati ve i n IF AC .”
Th e se c o m m e n ts a l o n g w i th ot h e rs th a t r e f e r fr e qu e n t l y to d u pl ic a ti o n ( so m e of
w hi c h i s g e ne r a te d by se p a r a te s yst e m s a nd IT pl a t f o r m s t ha t ca nn ot
e f f e c t iv e l y ta l k to e a c h ot h e r ) su p port th e n o ti on th a t f u rt he r i n teg ra t i o n o f f i re
a g e n cie s in h ow t h e y op e r a t e t o ge t h e r a t fi r e s sh o uld be a c hi e v a b l e .
As o pp o s e d to d u pli c a t i o n f or t h e sa k e o f e n s u rin g a sp e ci f ic a ge n cy w a s
repr e s e n te d in a r o le , th e r e w e r e i n st a n ce s w h e r e a p r a g m a ti c d e c i si on w a s
ma d e to d u pli c a te ce rt a i n fu nc ti on s to e n sur e c o n si s te n t a nd c e rta in
f un c ti o ni ng o f in fo rm a ti o n fl ow . Th e se i nsta n ce s w e r e o f te n re l a te d d i rectl y to
IT ma tt e rs a n d the s e pa ra t e ope ra t i n g a n d r e po rt i n g system s utilised .
The N E I FAC C r e p o r t ed : “ C ontinu a ti o n of 20 03 i ssue of DS E an d C F A r u n n ing
inde pend en t I T p l atf o r m s hi nder s integ r at ion fo r jo i n t m a n a gement and creates
p o t e n t ial fo r d i s j o i n t ed i n for m a t io n f l ow s c r i t ic al to e ffe ct i v e joi n t
management” . Thi s I F ACC a l so rep o r t e d t h at i t s sh o r t t e rm fi x w a s “ Reso rted
t o d u p l i c at in g in fo r m at io n to sa tis f y ne eds of bo th a g en c i es ” .
A ke y issu e i s tha t a s a c oor d i na t i o n ce nt re o n e st e p be lo w s t a t e l e ve l,
po si ti on s w i t hi n a n IF A C c e n t r e mu st be f il l e d b y t h e b e st pe rs o n s f o r t h e t a sk ,
irre spe ct i v e of w h i c h f ire a g e n c y th e y re pre s e n t. T h e r e sh o uld n o t be a ne e d
f o r e a c h se n i or pos i t i o n , i n de e d a n y pos i t i o n , to be s h a d ow e d b y so me bo d y
fr om th e ot he r a ge n cy . A n a tur a l e xt e n s i o n o f th e c o m m e n t s r e f e re n c e d a b ove
is th a t e v e r y k e y p osi ti on a t a n I F AC c en tr e mig h t re q u ir e d u a l a ge n cy
repr es e n ta t iv e s, or a n a ge n c y “l ia i s o n” , w h i c h c o ul d g i ve ri se to w h a t w a s
c o ns i d e r e d b y s o me pa rt i c i p a n ts t o be o v e r si z e d m a na ge me nt tea m s a t IC Cs.
S e ve ra l IM Ts di d de s c r i b e e f f e c t iv e i n te gr a ti o n be tw e e n a g e n c i e s a n d de s c r i b e d
how compe t e nt a nd a c cre dit e d pe rso n ne l w e r e a ll o ca t e d ta s k s ba s e d so l e ly on
a pp r e ci a t io n of i n di v i d u a l’ s s ui t a b ilit y f o r t he role . T w o IM Ts di sc u s se d t h e
dis c a rdi ng of c o n v e n ti on a l un i f or m a n d a d o p ti on o f a “ne u t r a l s h irt ” t o c r e a te a
te a m t h a t i s a g e n c y bl i nd . O n e I M T h a s t a k e n th e s te p o f imp l e m e n t ing t h a t
a rr a nge me nt to e n s u r e t h a t the co mb i n e d a g e n c y a p pr oa c h w a s f u ll y
integ r a ted.
T h e r e is opp o rt un it y to fu rt he r de ve lo p a n d e x te n d a n i n te g r a t e d a p pr oa c h
st a te - w i de a n d th e t i m i n g fo r it i s op po r t u n e . O v e r a su sta i ne d pe r i o d of 10
w e e k s, m a n y pe o p le w e r e t h ro w n i n to a s i tu a t io n w h e r e t h e y ha d to w o r k
co n s t a n t l y w i t h th e ir p e e r s fr om oth e r a g en ci e s. T hi s pr o vid e d a n o pp o r t un it y
for th ose p e opl e to g a i n e xc e ll e n t a p pr e c i a ti o n of sk i ll s a n d c a p a b ili tie s of
o t hers, a n d in so me in sta nce s , the va l u e o f d if f e r e nt s y ste m s or pla nt a nd
equi pm e n t. T hi s b u il t su b s t a n t i a l ly on th e e x p e ri e n ce s of 20 0 2 / 3 a nd 20 0 5 /6
w h e n t h e r e w e re qu a n tum le a ps i n t h e w a y i n w h ic h C F A a nd D S E op e r a t e
toge th e r .
In c o n c e rt w it h th a t o ppo r t u ni ty is t h e ne e d t o r e c o g n i s e t h a t e f fi ci e n t
res ou r ci n g mea n s a ll o c a t i ng p e ople w ith t h e b e st skil l s a n d a b il it ies ,
i r r e sp e c t ive o f a g e n c y . I f t h is i s a c h i e v e d in a ti m e l y w a y, t h e n d u p l ica t ion o f
sk i ll s set s i n I M Ts a nd I FA C C e n t re s sh ou ld not b e o n t he h o r iz o n. T hi s a t t i tu de
be c o m e s o f pa ra m o un t im p o r t a nc e i n a sea s o n s uc h a s 2 0 06 / 0 7 w h e n r e so ur ce s
a r e st re t c he d to the m a x i mum a nd it is a b a sic m a tte r of a c k n o wle d g ing th a t i f
t h e r e a r e in su f f i c ie nt r e so u r c e s to c o p e t h a t d u p l i c a t io n is a n u n a f f o r d a b le
lu x ur y . A s so on a s it b e c o m e s n e c e ss a r y to i mp o r t a d dit i o na l r e s ou r c e s fr om
i n te rst a te o r i n t e r n a t io na ll y, t h e n a re a l t r ig g e r to i d e n t i f y a n d re ct i f y a n y
a r e a s o f dup l i c a t io n a r i s e s. T h e qu i d pr o q u o is th a t if t h e s y st e m c a n su r v i ve
a n e xt e n d e d ca m p a i g n w i t h f u ll in te g r a t io n , t h e n i t m u st s u re ly be a b le t o
J u ly 2 00 7
P a g e 44 of 9 6
op e r a te e q ua lly e ff e c ti ve l y i n t h e sa m e mod e i n l e ss d e m a nd i ng o p e r a tio n a l
si t u a t i o n s .
T h e r e is the o p po rt uni t y no w to r e - e xa mi ne pr e - pl a n ne d IM Ts (a n d IFA C Cs) to
e n su re t h a t w i thi n th e re sp e c ti ve re g i o n s a n d a re a s, th a t p e r s o nn e l w i th th e
be st qu a l i fi c a t i o n s f o r th e t a sk s ne e de d a r e i de n t ifi e d a nd a pp o i n t e d , w i th li ttl e
re g a rd f o r a g e n c y o f o ri g in . A se c o n d n e e d a l so a ri s e s a nd i t i s t ha t b o th
a g e n cie s a c ce pt t h a t n ot e v e ry p o si ti o n i n a n I M T , IF A CC, or sta t e l e v e l
e m e r ge nc y co or d i n a t i o n ce nt r e re q u ir e s a n o p e r a t or o r “ l ia iso n ” fr o m e a c h
org a ni s a ti o n .
Bot h rura l fire a g e ncie s ha ve i ndica te d th e i r d e sir e to e s t a b l i s h a j o in tl y
op e r a t e d , si ng l e e m e r ge n c y c o n t rol c e n t r e , t o o pe r a t e on a tr i a l b a si s fr om t h e
co m m e n c e me n t of th e 2 0 07 / 0 8 f ire sea s on . E sta b l i s h m e n t of a s i ng l e
c o o r d i na t i on ce nt re w o u l d im pa ct fa vou r a b ly do w n t h e l i n e o n r e p o r t in g
re q u ir e m e n ts a nd w i ll i m p a c t di re ct l y on t o th e re l a ti on s h ip s b e twee n t he fi r e
a g e n cie s a nd s up p ort a g e n ci e s w it h e ff e c t i v e l y a “ o ne st op sh op ” f or
ex ch a ngi n g i nf o r m a ti o n a nd ob ta i n i ng bri e fi n g s, the sit ua t i o n t ha t pa rt i a ll y
pre v a i le d d u ri n g 2 0 06 / 07 f o ll o w i n g t he im pl e m e n ta t i on of t he S t r a t e g i c
Pl a nn i ng U n it a nd J oi n t I M T De s k in t h e DS E E CC .
Th i s m a y b e th e fi rst s tep in ful f illin g a r e c o m m en d a ti o n fr o m th e VBI “T hat a
s i n g le s t ate -of -t he-a rt a l l ha za r d s S t at e Eme r ge nc y O p e r a t i o ns Cen t re be
es ta b lis he d f o r V i cto r ia. T h is coul d , if ne ce ssary , be im plem en ted i n stage s,
initi a l ly in c o rp or ati n g DS E, CF A , MFE SB and th e St ate Air c raft Un it .”
In i t s i n itia l sta g e s t h e p r op o se d j oi n t f a c ili ty w il l in cl u de DS E a n d CF A a nd ma y
a l so in c l u d e th e Sta t e A i rc ra ft U n i t . Th e w a y ma y b e op e n to in c l u d e ot he r
e m e rg e n c y se r v i c e s ( e .g . M FB , SE S) a t a l a t e r st a g e but it i s ou t s id e t h e sco p e
o f t h is re v i e w to c a n v a ss o p t i o n s i n t h a t re ga r d .
Key Issues
•
In o rd e r to pr o gr e ss t hi s f a c ili t y , si g ni f ic a n t de ci si o n s n o w ne e d t o b e
ma d e c o nc e r n i ng t h e i nit i a l op e r a t i o n s . Ma t t e r s t h a t n e e d t o be
a dd r e s se d urg e ntl y i n c lud e c o n fi g u r a t ion, IT systems , sta f fing
a r ra n g e m e n ts, ro bus t b u s i ness ru l e s a n d c o n s u l t a t i on w i th a l l
sta ke ho l de rs.
•
Con s e q ue n t up o n e sta bli s hm e n t o f a si ng le c oor d in a ti o n c e n t r e e f f e c t iv e
o p e r a t i o na l p r a c t i ce s i d e n t i fi e d i n co n d u c t i n g a n in te g r a t e d ce nt r e ca n
be tr a n sl o c a t e d t o i n t e gr a t e d in c i dent m a na ge m e nt a nd IFAC C f u nc t i ons
– t h e s e p r a ct i ce s c o ul d in c l ud e t h e c o n c e p t s i n t r odu c e d vi a th e S t r a t e gi c
Pl a nn i ng U n it a n d th e J o i n t I M T De s k .
J u ly 2 00 7
P a g e 45 of 9 6
PLANNING
Introduction
T h is s e c t ion e xa m i n e s f o u r d i s c re te pl a n n i ng a c ti v i t i e s t h a t w e re s u b j e c t o f
c o ns i d e r a t io n a n d dis c uss i o n d u ri n g t h e re vi e w p r oc e ss :
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O n go in g fi re ma na g e me nt p l a n n i ng a t t h e st a t e l e ve l.
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Fir e m a n a g e m e n t pl a n ni ng a t sp ec i fi c c o mm u ni ty l e v e l du ri ng th e
2 00 6 / 0 7 f i r e a c ti v i ty .
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S t ra t e g i c st a te le ve l pl a n n i n g imp l e m e n te d a s a n e w in i t ia t i v e d u r i n g t h e
ca m p a ig n .
•
In cid e n t le ve l pl a n ni n g dur i ng t he ca m p a ig n.
Tw o a ss o ci a t e d m a t t e rs, th e p r o vi s i o n of fi re li ne i n for m a ti o n a c q u ir e d b y
re m o te se n si n g a nd t h e pr e di c ti o n o f l ik ely b e h a v i o ur a n d spr e a d , t w o
imp o r t a nt a sp e c t s o f p la n ni ng a r e a l so c o n s i de r e d .
Ke y i s su e s i de n ti fi e d a re :
• A d e q ua te di sse m i na t i on th ro u g hou t t h e ke y st ak eho l der s to e n su re tha t
each of th e st a k eh old e r s u n d e r s t a nd s a nd c o ll e c ti vel y impl em en t s th eir
resp o n si bil i t ie s i n I n te gra te d F i r e Ma n a g e m e nt Pl a n ni ng .
•
Ut ili se t he do c um e nt e d pl a n n ing pr oc e s s e s a pp lie d t o sm a l l a nd r e m o t e
communi t i e s to s e rve a s ca se st udie s to a ss i st implement a tio n o f I FMP .
•
E v a l u a te th e c o nti nui n g r o le o f th e S t r a te g i c Pl a n ni ng U nit o pe r a ti n g a s
a str a tegi c i nte ll i ge nc e c e ll , pr ov i di ng cr iti c a l in f o r m a ti on to b ot h
int e r n a l an d e x t e r n al s t a k e h old e rs . E v a l u a t e i t s appr o p ri at e n e s s a s a
m o de l fo r m o re e f f e ct i v e in te g r a t io n o f the f i r e se rv ic es an d s u p p o r t
a g e n cie s .
•
Th e r e i s n e e d f o r a su bst a n t i a l r e vie w of t h e In ci de nt A c t i on Pl a nn i ng
proce ss , incl ud ing the de v e l o p m ent , communi ca ti o n a nd implement a tio n
of a s t a nd a rd IA P te m p la t e f o r s t a t e w id e a p pli c a t i o n .
•
E v a l u a te th e n e e d f o r re d u nd a n t lin e sc a n c a pa b ili ty , co ns ide r th e f or m a t
o f d a ta a n d ho w i t is t r a n s m i t t e d to re q u est i n g c e n t res.
•
E v a l u a t e t h e n e e d f o r fi re be h a vi o u r sp e ci a l i st s, w h e re t h e ir se r v i c e s
should be s uppli e d a nd how V ictor i a c a n s u pp ly t h e l e ve l o f tr a in e d a n d
qua li fi e d fi re b e h a vi o u r sp e ci a l i s ts d e te rm in e d a s n ec es sa r y .
Fire Management Planning – State/Regional/Local level
Tr a d iti o n a ll y , fir e m a n a g e m e n t pl a n ni n g a t mu ni c ip a l l e v e l h a s be e n b a se d
e ss e n t ia ll y o n m u n i ci p a l b o u n d a r ie s , w i th re s p o n si b i li ty f o r de ve lop i n g a n d
impl e m e n ti n g pl a n s, p r im a ri ly f o r pre ve n ti on a nd m i ti g a t i o n w or k s d e v o l v e d to
m u n i c i pa li ti e s. R e s p on si b i li t y fo r t h e re s p o n s e to f i r e s, e x te rn a l to t h e a r e a o f
op e r a ti on o f t he Me t r o pol ita n Fi re a nd E m e rg e nc y Se r v ic e s B o a rd ( MFB ) , r e ste d
w i th CF A fo r p r i v a t e la n d s a n d DS E f o r pu b l i c la nds . A r i s in g f r o m e a r l ie r
revi e w s (O E S C - V i c t or ia Bu s h fir e I n q ui r y 2 0 03 a nd A u dit or Ge ne r a l – F i r e
J u ly 2 00 7
P a g e 46 of 9 6
P r e v e n ti on a n d P r e p a r e d ne ss 2 0 0 3 ) t h e ma t t e r o f m u n i ci p a l le ve l fi r e pl a n ni n g
ha s b ee n r e -e xa m i ne d to ta ke i n to a c c o un t t h e fu ll s ui t e o f f ir e m a n a g e m e n t
a c tiv i ti e s fr om pr e v e nt io n to r e sp on se to r e c o v e r y .
At th e tim e o f c o m m e n ci n g thi s r e vi e w a n i n t e g r a t e d p l a n nin g pr o p o s a l
( I nt e g ra te d F i re Ma na g e me nt P l a n n i ng [I FMP ] w a s in th e f i n a l s t a g e s o f
p r e p a r a t ion to g o b e fo re t h e Gov e r n me nt fo r co n s i d e r a t io n. T h e p r op osa l ha s
si n c e b e e n e nd o r s e d b y t h e G o ve rnm e n t a nd impl e m e n t a t i on o f it s pr o vi s i o n s
ca n pr o ce e d . It a r o se a s a n i ni t i a ti v e f r om t he 2 0 0 2/ 0 3 fir e s a nd i t s c o m p l e ti o n
ha s b ee n a c hi e v e d v i a le n gt hy c o ns ul ta t i o ns a nd s u bmi s si o n s fr om
sta keho l ders.
A k e y p l a t f o rm of th e ne w pr op o s a l i s t h a t it is n o t a c h a ng e of d ir e c t i o n b u t
the pr op o sa l re co gni s e s a nd b ui l d s on m an y g o od fi re p l a n n i ng p r a ct i ce s a n d
e x is t i n g n e t w o r ks a l re a d y i n p l a c e . I t is not mu n i ci p a li ty sp e c i fi c a nd r e c o g n is e s
th a t fir e pl a n ni n g o ug h t not t o oc c u r i n iso l a t io n b u t m u s t b e i n te g r a t e d
ve r t ic a l ly f r om sta t e to r e gi on a l to l o c a l le v e l s a n d m u st a l so b e i n t egr a te d
la tera ll y a c r oss th e s u i te of a g e n c ie s a nd l a n d ten ur e s re p r ese nt e d w i thi n a
m u n i c i pa li ty . I m por t a n t l y it re cog n i s e s th e m u lt i p le pha s e s of e f fe ct i v e fi r e
ma na geme nt – pr e v e n t i on , pr e p a r ed ne ss , r e sp on se a n d re c o v e r y – a re n o t
sta nd - a l on e e le me nt s a nd t h e pl a n ni n g f o r t h e m s ho ul d o cc u r i n a m o re
str a tegi c a nd i n t e gr a te d f a shi o n.
R esp on s ib i l i ty f o r i m pl e m e n ta t i o n a t S t a te , r e gi on a l a n d mu ni c i p a l lev e l w il l
re st w i t h m u l ti - a g e n c y c o mm it te e s , w h e r e th e f i r e se rv ic e s w i ll ha v e a p i vot a l
rol e i n p r o vid i n g t e c h n ic a l e xp e r t i s e in f ir e ma na g eme nt p l a n n i ng , w i th
repr e s e n ta t i on fr om :
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CFA , D SE , M FB (a s a p pr opr i a te) .
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Mu ni c i p a li t y .
•
O t he r s t a k e h o l de r s (a s re qu i r e d ).
Wh il st t he c om m i tte e a s a w h ol e w ill b ea r th e r e sp on si b ili ty f o r m a ki ng a nd
impl e m e n ti n g t h e n e c e ssa r y p l a n s, t h e fi re s ervi c e s , b y v ir tu e o f th e ir
pa r t i c ip a ti o n w i ll be a r a r e sp on si bi li ty com m e n s ur a te wi t h t h e p o si ti on s t h e y
oc cup y o n i n di vi du a l c o m m it t e e s .
T h e de ve lo p m e n t p h a s e o f t h is pr oc e ss is n o w co m p l e te a n d fo l l ow i n g re ce nt
gov e r n m e n t e n d o r s e m e n t, t h e im p le m e n t a t i o n p h a se c a n c o m m e n ce
imm e di a te l y.
Key issue:
•
a d e q ua t e di sse m i na t i o n th ro u g ho u t t h e ke y s ta keho l ders to ens ur e tha t e a ch
of t h e st a k e h old e r s u n de rst a n d s a n d c o lle c t i v e ly imp l e m e n t s t h e i r
resp o n s ibi l i tie s.
Fire management planning - community level
D uri ng th e ca m p a ig n i t b e c a m e ob vi ou s th a t sma l l i s ol a te d c o m m u n iti e s wo ul d
a l most c e rta i n l y c o me u n d e r t h re a t a s th e f i r e s pr og re sse d. W h e r e b u i l d i n g
fo ot pr i n ts si t d i re ctl y i n th e bu s h w i t h n o e f f e c t iv e se p a r a ti o n zo n e b e twee n t h e
bu ild i ng a n d t h e a d j a c e n t v e g e ta ti on , t he bu ild in g m a y or m a y n ot su r vi v e bu t
fi re fi g hte r s w o n’ t. I n c ont r ov e rt i b l y , f i re fig ht e r s m ust ha ve a mi n i m um cl e a r
s p a c e i n w h i c h to w o r k ot he rw ise th e y ca nn ot s u r v iv e r a d i a t e d he a t l e ve ls a n d
th e re i s no w a y th e y c a n w o rk d i re ct l y i n a fl a m e z o n e .
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Th e c o n fi g ur a ti o n o f i s ol a te d c o mmu ni tie s , o f te n w i t h o n ly o ne ma j or t hr o ug h
roa d , me a n s t h a t i f t h e c o mm u ni t y i s im p a c t e d by fir e , a c c e ss in t o a n d o u t of
t h e co mm u n i t y ma y be cu t or s e v e re l y re s t r i c t e d fo r se ve ra l da ys a n d it ma y b e
un sa fe to mo ve fir e f ig hti n g re s ou r c e s in . R a t h e r tha n w a it u n t i l t h e fi re ha d
re a c he d t h e ou t s ki rt s of th e c o m m u ni ty , pr o a c t iv e d e c i si on s w e r e i mpl e m e n t e d
t o a ssess th r e a t e n e d c o m m u n i t i e s to de te rm i n e i f th e y w e re de fe n d a b l e . Not
a l l s m a l l commu nitie s w e re a sse sse d a s b e i n g p o s si b l e to ef f ec ti v e l y d e f e nd
u nd e r w o r s t c a se sc e n a r i o s, w i t h e it he r i na d e qu a t e or nil d e f e nd a b le sp a ce
a r ou nd b uil d in g s.
Wh e r e a sse ssm e n t s co uld n ot su p p or t t h e n o ti on of fi re fi gh t e r s a t t e mp tin g t o
de f e nd a c o m m u n ity o n t h e gr o u nd s o f f ir e fi g hte r s a f et y , th e n re si d e n t s of
th o se c o m m u ni ti e s w e re pr ov ide d w i th a d vi ce a b out t h e n e a r e s t s a f e r e f ug e s a
n d e st i ma t e d i m pa c t t i me o f f i r e s. Wh e r e a sse ssm e n ts c o u l d s u pp o r t de fe nc e
o f a co m m u n i t y a n d di r e c t a t ta c k w a s not po ss i b le , st ra te gi e s a nd t a ct ics w e r e
ba se d up o n i ndi re ct a t ta c k to a tte m p t to ste e r the fir e s a r o und a f f e c t e d
c o m m un i t i e s by e s ta b l i s h i n g f i r e br e a ks w i t h m a c h i n e r y a n d b y ba ck b u rn i n g a n d
b u r n i n g out o f st ra te gi c a r e a s w he r e v e r poss i b l e . P r o vis io n f o r a e r i a l a tta ck
w a s b ui lt i n to t he pl a n ni n g p r oc e ss a nd uti l is e d if c o n d it i o n s p e r mit te d .
As a n ex a m ple , Wo od s P o in t w a s on e sm a ll c o m m un it y t ha t w a s su c ces s f ul ly
de f e nd e d u si n g t hi s a p pr oa ch . A n a ssess ment tea m w a s a l loca te d o n 5
De c e m b e r 20 0 6 t o a n a ly s e w h e t he r Wo od s P oin t w a s d e f e nd a b le . I ni t i a l
a n a l ys i s s u g g e st e d tha t th e co mm u n i t y c o u l d b e s u c c e s sf ul ly de f e n d e d . T h e
tea m a sse ss e d i n di v i d u a l bu ild i n gs a nd a sse t s, d e t e rm i n e d w h e t he r re s i de n ts
w e r e a t hom e o r no t, e s t a blis he d a r e gi ste r of pe op le l e a v in g a nd a r rivi ng a nd
co nt i nu e d to d i sc ov e r a n y u n u s u a l or sig ni fi c a n t f e a tur e s – e .g . fu e l su pp l i e s,
da n g er ou s c he m ic a l st or a g e a n d u se f ul a r e a s of h a z a rd re d uc t i o n . R e f ug e
ce n t r e s w e re i d e nt i fi e d. Ma j or a c ce ss w a s a sse ss e d f o r it s l ik e li h o od o f b e i ng
cl os e d d ur i ng t he p e ri od of fir e i m pa ct a nd du ri ng t h e p ost fi re p e ri od . At the
concl us i o n o f the a sse ss me nt , a pla n w a s d e v e l o pe d a nd communi c a te d to a l l
re s i de nts so t h a t the w h o l e comm uni t y u nde r s too d the pot e nt ia l thr ea t .
R e side nt s w e re t h e n s u fficie ntl y a w a r e o f t h e t h rea t po te nt ia l a nd defence
c a p a b i l i t y to ma k e a n i n fo r m e d de c i s i on a b ou t w h e t h e r to s t a y o r t o go, a n d
cri t i c a l l y , w h e r e t o g o t o a nd w h e n , i f t h e y d e cid e d t o l e a v e pr i o r t o th e fi re
imp a c t .
Th e p l a n n i ng a nd c o m m u n ic a ti o n pr oc e s s w a s e f fe ct i v e a n d t h e c o mmu ni ty w a s
su c c es sf u ll y d e f e nd e d w h e n f ir e ine v ita b l y i m pa ct e d . S im il a r e xp e ri enc e s
oc cur r e d in o th e r re m o te c o mm u nit i e s imp a c t e d b y t he fir e s e .g. W a l ha ll a ,
Li c o l a a n d Da r g o . T h e s e e x a m pl e s s e rv e a s po te nt i a l c a se st u di e s t o a s si st i n
u nd e r sta nd in g t h e pr o te ct i on pr i nc ip le s th a t c a n b e a p pl ie d to sm a l l
co mm u ni ti e s . W hil st th e I F MP pr oc e ss sh o u ld id e n tif y a n y c o m m u ni t i e s th a t a r e
si tu a t e d i n bu sh fi re pr on e a r e a s a nd d e ve l o p l o ng e r te rm pl a n s, t h e op por tu n it y
s h ou l d b e ta ke n to for m a l l y r e c o rd t h e p r o c e sse s e m p l oy e d fo r co n s i d e r a t io n
du ri ng i mpl e m e nta t i on of I FM P .
Key issue:
Do c um e nt a nd re co r d th e i m m edi a t e pla n ni ng p r o c es se s
u nd erta ke n in sm a l l a n d r e m o te com m u ni ti e s d uri ng t h e fi r e s t o s er v e a s ca s e
st ud i e s f or i mpl e m e n ta t i on o f IF MP i n li k e c o mm u ni ti e s.
Strategic state level planning during campaign
At a n e a r l y s ta g e d u ri ng t he Gr e a t Di v id e C o mp lex , i t w a s e vid e n t th a t in t h e
u n l ik e l y e v e n t o f s i g n if i ca n t ra i n t h a t th e f i r e s w ou l d pe rs ist fo r m a n y w e e k s.
To a dd res s lo ng e r te r m p l a n ni n g nee d s a n d to ma inta in a s t ra t e gic o v e r vie w o f
st a te ca pa ci t y , a sp e c i a l i st S ta t e S t ra t e g i c Pl a n n i n g U n it (S PU) w a s de ve lo pe d
a nd e f fe c t i ve l y “b ol te d o n” to th e D S E E CC . Th is u n i t w a s jo i n t ly st a f fe d b y
J u ly 2 00 7
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D SE / CF A bu t in cl u d e d r e pr e se nta t i ve s fr om s up p o r t a g e n c y pe rso n n e l, i nc l ud i n g
OE SC a n d DH S.
T he u ni t d e v e l o p e d a s e t of p r i n cip l e s e n a b li ng a re gu la r st a te -wid e pla nnin g
brie f t o be pre p a r e d . T h e SP U pr e p a r e d a “ V i c t o r i a n F i re S it u a t io n a nd Pl a n n i ng
Brie f ” o n a w e e k ly b a si s. T hi s b r ie f c o n s id e r e d a g e n cy ob je ct i v e s fr om st a t e ,
Gr ea t Di v id e C o m ple x fi re s a nd ot h e r f i r e p e rsp e c t i v e s. T he b ri e f f o c u sse d on
u nd e r sta nd i ng t h e w h o l e of s ta t e ri s k , t he l o n g e r te r m c a p a c it y for r e so ur ci ng
su pp r e ssi o n a cti vi ti e s a nd m a na ge m e nt of t h e fi re c o n se q u en c e s . E a c h br i e f
pro d uc e d h a d a f in ite l ife of on e w ee k a nd p r ov id e d a n ou tli ne o f a g e n cy
obj e c ti v e s , a n a l y s i s o f t h e ri sk a n d op e r a t io n a l e n vi ro n m e n t - p r o j e c ti on s of
li kel y f ir e a ct i v it y , k e y sta t e r i sk s - a s n a psh ot of f ire a ct i vit y a t t h e b e g inn i ng
o f t he pe rio d , re so ur ci n g n e e d s a n d ca pa bi li t y, c o nse q u e n c e ma na g e me nt a n d
re c o v e r y .
T h e P l a n n i n g Bri e f p r o v id e d a ve h i c l e to a d e q ua t e l y i n fo r m S t a te Coo r di na t o rs,
C h ie f Of f i ce rs a nd ce n t ra l Go v e rn m e n t a bou t im pa ct a n d con s e q ue n ce s a t a
str a tegi c l e ve l . I n a dd i ti on to b e i ng a m e c h a n ism to a d vi se G o ver nm e n t , i t
provid ed th e b a si s for Regi on al S t rategi c Pl ans at I FA C le v e l to ad op t a si mil a r
f o rma t an d p r o cess . An al ys is w i th i n t h e d o c ume nt pr ov ided w e ig h t t o t he ne ed
to r e qui s iti o n outside resour ces and pr ov id ed g u id an c e to Reg ional a reas abou t
b r oa d s t ra t e g y a t sta t e le ve l.
At a n e a rly sta g e in t h e pro c e ss , fire be ha vi o ur s p e c ia l i s ts fore c a st severa l
l e ve ls o f p r e d i c t i ons fo r a r e a bu rn t, ra n g in g d o w nw a r d s fro m “ p os s i bl e w o rst
c a se ” to “ p r o ba bl e w or s t c a se ’ to “a v e ra g e w o rs t ca s e ” . Ar e a b ur nt ra pi d l y
a pp r o a c h e d th e pr ob a bl e w o r s t ca s e sc e n a ri o, sugges t i ng t ha t the out p uts o f
th e S P U a n d th e fir e b e h a vi our s pe c i a li st s w ere pr ed i ca te d on s ub s ta n t i a l
fo u nd a ti o n s .
In esse n ce t h e S P U w a s “ i nt e gra t e d” inso f a r a s it dr e w a ppr o pri a te res ou r c e s
f r om mu lt ip l e a g e n c i e s w i t h o u t a n y fo c u s on e ns u ri n g a le ve l o f e q u i va le nc e
fr om r e sp e cti ve a ge n c i e s . I t a t tr a c te d th e mo st a pp r o pri a t e p e r s on n e l f o r t h e
t a sk, re ga rd l e ss o f s o u r ce a g e n c y . I m po rta n t l y , it o p e r a t e d f r om a s i n g le ce n t re
a n d ha d a c o n s is te nt ly a p p l ie d i n fo r m a t io n f l o w m e c h a n i s m in w a r d s a n d
ou tw a r d s .
E st a b l i s h m e n t of t h e S P U ( a nd J oi n t I M T d e sk) w o r k e d e f fe ct i ve l y a nd a c hi e v e d
t h e o b je ct iv e s o f t i me l y a n d a c c ur a t e in fo rm a ti o n t o G o ve r nm e n t , t im e l y a nd
a cc u ra t e i n f o rma t ion t o ma jo r con t ro l ce nt re s a n d a p pr o p r i a t e gui d a n ce t o t h e
a g e n cie s o n a st ra t e g i c st a t e - w i de b a si s. The op port u n ity to rein sta t e thes e
processe s in fut u re e xt e nde d ca mpa igns i s worthy of deta ile d consi de r a ti o n but
th e n e e d f o r t h e J oi n t I M T D e sk ma y b e cir c u m ve nt e d b y m o ve s t ow a rd s a
s i n g le s t a te le ve l e m e r ge nc y c o n t ro l ce nt re w h ic h w ou l d e f fe ct i v e l y i nt e g r a t e
th e w h ol e of st a t e l e v e l coo rd i n a ti o n be tw e e n D S E a n d C FA .
Key Issue:
T h e ro le p l a y e d b y th e SPU i s w o rt hy o f f u rt he r c o n s i d e r a t io n .
Its c o n ti n u i ng r o l e to op e r a te a s a s tr a te gi c int ell i ge nc e c e ll , w or ki ng a l o ng s ide
t h e Sta t e Coo r d i na to r a n d p r o v i d i n g cr i t i ca l i n fo r m a t io n to bot h in t e r n a l a n d
e xt e rn a l st a k e h ol de r s sh o ul d be e v a l u a te d . I rres p ect i v e of w h e t h e r a si ngl e
stat e c o ord i n a ti on c e n t re i s i m pl e m en t e d i n th e im me di at e or n e ar fu tur e , th e
r e te nt ion of th is fac i l i t y a n d its ap p r o p r i at e n ess as a m o de l fo r m o re e f f ect i v e
int eg r a ti o n of the fir e se r v ic e s a nd s up p o r t a g e n ci e s s h o uld be a sse ssed .
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P a g e 49 of 9 6
Incident Planning
In cid e n t Ac ti on Pl a n s, e f f e c t iv e l y t h e w o rk s c he d ul e s f o r f i e ld cr e w s th a t se t
ou t s tr a t e g i c ob j e c ti v e s, a t tr a c t e d co n s id e r a b le di sc u s si on a t a l l de b r ie f l e ve l s ,
wit h m a n y su gge ste d i mp r o v e m e nt s. I t w a s r ecognised , e s pe cia ll y i n a rea s tha t
ha d b e e n h e a vil y i nv o l ve d i n 2 00 2/ 0 3 , th a t t h e IA P p ro ces s ha d i m pr ov e d
ma rkedly sin ce the n a nd s u c h a r e a s o f te n co nv e y e d a m o re p o si t i v e a t t i t u d e to
thi s t o pi c - “I A P s b e tte r th an 2 0 0 3 ” (Re g ion) .
O t he r pos i ti v e co mme n ts in cl u d e d:
“IAPs had good conte nt and com mon g o al s…”
“The re i s a set sy stem for IA P s …”
“ I A Ps we re co n cis e, re l e va nt a n d ap p r o p r i at e fo r c r e w s - a bi g i m pr ov em e n t on
p r e vio us inc i de n t I A Ps…”
“C onc i se ( A 5) IA P s w ere su cc e s sf ul …”
“Easy to follow a n d th e m a p p ing was gr eat. Sev e r a l m e mber s c o m m en ted th at
thi s w a s th e fi r s t ti me th ey’ v e u s ed a wri t te n IA P . ..” ( I nt er st at e d eb r ie f )
Bo th DS E a nd C FA a g r e e d t o a m o di fi c a t i o n t o the curr e n t IAP t e mpla te to a lig n
it w i th S M E AC S 10. T hi s a lig nm e n t a l low s th e I A P to be u s e d i n tui t i ve l y a s a
brie f ing p a p e r ra t h e r t h a n to r e q uir e a n y n e e d to tra n s la t e i nf o rm a t i o n f r om th e
IAP to a S M E AC bri e f ing templ a te. Th e m o d ified IA P templ a te i s i nclu d ed in th e
“I MT T oo lk it” di strib u ted thr o ug hout b o th a g en cies. A sal ient ob serv a ti o n f rom
a R ea l Ti m e P e rf o rm a n ce M o ni to ri ng vi sit w a s t h a t e n do rse d pe rso n n e l i n o n e
IM T w e re u n a w a r e of t h e “I M T T o ol k i t ” a vi ta l to ol f o r im pl e m e n t a t i on of a n
e f f e c t iv e I M T.
C o nt ra to th e a b ov e op i n io ns th e r e is a co ns i st e n t th re a d t h a t s o m e IA Ps
continu e to be too u n w ieldy . Th e sh eer p h ysic al docu men t si ze , rel a ted to the
range of c o nten t m a terial , was a greed as too l a r g e and in a ppr opri ate for th ei r
ke y f u n c ti o n.
Opi n io n s w e re a l so e x pr e ss e d t h a t IA P s w e re try i ng t o a c hi e v e t oo m uc h – t he y
a r e c l e a r ly th e w o rk s p rog r a m d o c u m e n t f o r t h e ne xt fie l d shi f t a nd oug h t to
se t out w ha t the ke y s t ra te gie s a n d o b je ct i ve s a r e , but ma ny comm enta t o r s
pe r c e i ve d t ha t t he y a l so t ri e d to ser v e ot he r pur p os e s b y d o ub l ing up a s a n
u p w a rd l y re po rt i n g a n d ca pa bi l it y re vi e w do cu me nt for th e I n ci de n t Co nt ro ll e r .
T h e V o lu nte e r F i r e Br i g a d e s V i c t o r ia (V F B V ), in it s re vie w of t h e 2 0 0 6 / 0 7 f i r e s
no t e d th a t I AP s “ be ca me to o pres criptive ra th er t h a n c h a n gi n g as
cir c um stan ces ch an ged ” and t hat th ey o ug h t t o b e “ … a guidance do cument not
a p r e s cr ip ti on … ”
De p e nd i ng on th e a g r e e d r o l e o f t h e I A P , one c o n c e p t di sc us se d w a s t o
pro d uc e a m ul t i p urp o se IA P d o c um e n t a n d t r a n sm i t o nl y th e sp e ci f ic fi e ld
se ct io n o f it to f i r e g ro u n d co mma n de r s . T h is co n c e p t w a s cons i d e r e d a f t e r
2 00 2 /2 0 03 a nd i t w a s co n cl ud e d th a t a m u lti -p a r t , m ul t i-p urp o se d o c um e n t m a y
int ro d uc e mor e c o mp le xi tie s t ha n it s olv e s wi t h r e sp e ct to i t s ti me l y
co mp l e ti on , f o ll ow e d b y di ss e m i na t i o n o f d i f f ere nt c o mp on en t s to t h e c o r re ct
ta rg e t s . R e ta i ni n g th e IA P a s a si ngl e p urp o se d o c um e n t r e m o v e s a n y p r os pe c t
10
SME A CS – a st a n da r d brie f i n g f or m a t th a t l o gi c a ll y ca pt u res a nd addr esses
cri t ic a l c o mp on e n t s nec e ssa ry for an op erati o n a l br iefi ng: S itu a t i o n , M iss i o n ,
E xe cu ti o n , A d m i n ist r a tio n/ Lo g i st i c s, C om mand a nd Com municati o ns, S a f e ty &
Que st i o n s
J u ly 2 00 7
P a g e 50 of 9 6
for mi sd ir e c ti on . H o w e v e r , gi ve n t h e a dd i ti o n a l e x p e ri e nc e s o f 2 0 06 /2 0 0 7 , t hi s
i ssu e r e qu ir e s f u rt he r co ns i d e r a ti o n.
Mu ch di sc u s si o n c e n t r e d o n t h e que s t i on o f 2 4 ho ur v s . 1 2 h o ur I A P s . I n a r e a s
w h e r e t h e r e w a s g o od c o n t in uit y be t w e e n th e d a y a nd n igh t I M Ts , t h e
c o r r e sp on di n g IA Ps te n d e d to com p l e m e n t e a c h ot he r a n d th e I A P do c u me nt
e f f e c t iv e l y be c a m e a “ r ol li ng IA P” . C o n v e r se l y , in o th e r a r e a s , a di s c on n e c t
be t w e e n t h e d a y a nd n ig h t I M Ts sa w q u it e s u b s t a n t i a l di ff e r e nc e s in th e I A P s
bein g pr e p a r e d – in t h e w o rd s of se v e r a l ob s er v e r s : “a lmos t as though two
se pa ra te IMTs w e r e de al i n g wi th t w o s e pa ra te f i r es ” and “1 2 ho ur I AP has
problem s : Nigh t & d a y shif ts c a n u s e v e ry diff er en t strategies (l ac k of l o c a l
k n o w le dg e c a n lea d to sa fet y c o nc e r ns )”. Y e t ot he r ob s e r v e r s c o m m e n t e d th a t :
“S tyl e and for m at kep t on ch an gi ng d e p e ndi n g on th e planni ng of fic er ” an d
“ IAP d o c u men t w a s diff er en t e a c h sh ift w i th d a t a c o l l ec te d f r om on e shif t not
carri ed f o r w ard to th e n e xt shif t ” .
T h e impa ct o f the se disconne ct s w a s so on a p pa re nt to f ie l d c o m m a nd e r s a nd
c a us e d co nst e r na t i o n i n un de rs ta n d i n g w ha t t h e re a l ob j e c t i v e s w e r e .
Ge n e r a ll y , e a c h 1 2 h o ur s h i ft op e r a t e d to a sp e c i fi c IA P f o r t h a t s hi f t, bu t i n
s o m e a r e a s , a n o v e r a r c hi n g 2 4 h o u r IA P w a s d e v e l o p e d w i th mi n o r
m o di f i c a t i on s fo r t h e s e co n d s h ift de p e n d ing on fe e d ba ck o b t a i n e d f r om t h e
fie l d du rin g t h e fir st s h if t . Th e b e n e fi ts o f t h i s m o d e l , w h e r e th e IA P w a s
iss ue d e a r l y m o r n i ng w a s c o n s id e r e d to yi e l d b e tte r e f fi ci e n c y of r eso ur ce s
a l loc a te d to pr e p a r a t io n of th e IA P a n d mor e c e rt a i n t y fo r t h e L o g i st ic s s e c t io n
o f t h e IMT t o be w e ll i n fo r m e d a b o u t issu e s s u c h a s ca te r i n g a n d f u e l
r e ple n is h m e n t ne e ds. A lo t of disc uss i o n , b ut no co nse n s us, re v o l v e d a r ou n d
th e u s e of 1 2 h o ur v s . 24 h o ur IA P s. Bo th ty pe s ha d the i r cha mpio n s but
co n s e n s u s de fi n i te l y o c cu rr e d o n t h e n e e d f o r a un i f or m tem p l a te a nd
co n s i s te n c y in a ppr oa c h f r om on e IA P to th e n e xt , w h et he r a 1 2 ho ur or 2 4
h o u r IA P was im p l e m en te d. It is c l ea r th at t h e mat t e r ne ed s to b e i n c o rp or ated
int o revie w of the IA P docu mentati o n , as do es the necess it y for da y/ night IMTs
to a lig n t h e m se l v e s w i t h e a c h o th e r , w i th o n e e ff e c t i v e ly be c o mi ng the r e li e f
f o r t h e ot he r a n d bot h w o rk i n g to w a r d t h e s a me st ra te g y , p e rha p s a g r e e d a t
sh i ft c h a ng e o ve r .
An ot he r m a t t e r con s i s t e nt l y id e n ti fie d w a s th a t th e r e l a t i on shi p be tw e e n t h e
c urr e n t c o n t e n t of IA P s a n d th e n e e d t o ga t h e r a nd c ol l a te sig n if i ca nt a m o u nt s
o f da ta , impa ct e d o n t he t i me ne cess a ry to c ompl e te the m . A result w a s t h a t
I A Ps w e r e o f t e n com p l e t e d too la te f o r in c l u s i o n in t h e ne w s h if t b r ie f i n g . E v e n
th o ug h t h e IAP w a s w e ll do ne , it s a r ri v a l o n th e f i r e gr o und in mid sh i ft w a s t oo
la t e t o e f f e cti v e l y tr a n sl a t e it s c o nt e n t a nd i n t e n t t o t h e fi e ld cr e w s.
“ D a y IMT ig n o r e s th e I A P pr ep are d by Ni ght IMT… ”
“D ocu m entati on d iff er en t each shif t – detai l c o ll ec t ed on e sh if t n o t c a r r ied
for w ard in to n e xt shi f t , 12 h o u r I AP h a s pr ob l e m s : Ni ght and d a y shif ts c a n u s e
v e ry d i f f e re nt s t ra te gi es… ”
“IAPs do ne we ll but no t trans l a t e d dow n to fir e gr oun d level . Ti meli nes too l a te
for fi eld (1 /2 way th r o ug h next sh ift)
“IAP s n o t d e liv er ed on tim e . I n c o rporat e 2 4 hr IA P p l an ning …”
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P a g e 51 of 9 6
R e ga r d in g s y st e m s, it w a s not e d t h a t CF A a n d DS E d i d us e d i f f e r e n t s y st e m s in
se t t in g u p IAP s . T he r e w a s str o ng a gr e e m e n t t h a t t h e re n e e d s t o b e a si ng le
IAP te mpl a te th a t i s u n iv e r sa ll y u se d 11.
I n ce rta i n p a rts o f I A P s it is n e ce ss a r y to re p e a t in fo rm a t io n i f t h e t e m p la t e is
fol l ow e d . T h e a g re e d te mpl a te o ug h t t o be s e t up so t h a t cri t i c a l d a t a i s
e n te r e d o n ce a nd a n y du p l ic a t e f i e ld s t h a t a r e ne ce s sa r y a u t o m a t i c a ll y upd a te .
T h is w o u l d p r e c l u d e i n co r r e c t o r c o n f li ct i n g c o nt e n t r e m a in i n g i n a n u p da t e d
IAP and eli m in at e p o te n t i a ll y ad ver s e r a mif i c a ti o n s. “i mpr o v e IA Ps – more
c o m p a c t, less d u p l ic at io n, se t tem p la te e. g. so ftw a r e l i n k ed I A P do not
comm u ni c a te th e cur r e n t si tu at i o n – lat e t o staging are a .”
Pe r h a p s o n e q u e s ti on t h a t n e e d s to b e a sk e d in revie w is: “Why is it
necessary to repeat inf or m ati o n withi n an IA P?”
Th e ne e d f o r re vie w o f t h e IAP p r o ce s s w a s i de n t ifi e d a s a k e y i s su e a r i s i ng
fr om th e 2 0 05 / 06 se r i e s o f d e b r i e f s . T h e 2 0 06 R e vi e w n ote d :
“ There i s an agr eed j o in t ag en c y temp late for IA P s bu t i t i s n o t u n i v er sall y
used . Th e templ a te r e qui r es rev i ew with a view to sim p lifi c a ti on. T h e templ a te
s h ou l d r e qu i r e eac h in d i v i d u a l el e m e n t o f re l e va nt in fo r m at io n to be e n t e re d
o n ce only, w i th a u to m a tic re ge nerat i o n e l sew h e r e in the IAP if t h is is
nec e ssar y .
A ke y issu e i d en ti f i e d i s fo r CF A a n d DS E to r e vis it a n d r e fi ne t h e j o in t I A P
te mpl a t e and d e t e r m i n e an appr ov ed mode l and en su r e t h at t h e for m at , c o nt en t
and u s e of th e m o d e l IAP is c o m m uni c a ted to all pote nti a l I M T mem b er s. “
W h ils t there has no t be en a re cent sta t e le ve l ex aminat io n o f the IAP pro c ess
comple te d t o da te, use f ul in itiati ves have b e en i n tr oduced by Regions/I M Ts in
2 00 7 a nd t he se n e e d t o b e e xp l ore d t o d e ter min e i f th e y s h ou ld be
in c o rp ora t e d i n t o t h e s ta t e m o d e l. On e exa m pl e w a s t h e d e v e l o p m e n t of a
c o m p a c t A5 ve rs io n of th e I A P. T h is ve rs i on a t t r a c t e d f a vo u r a b l e c o m m e n t s
pa r t i c ul a r ly i n r e l a ti o n to t h e a bil it y o f S t ri k e Te a m L e a d e r s a n d Se ct or
C o mma n d e r s to pro v id e goo d f e e d ba ck fo r t h e ne x t v e r s io n. It is i m po rt a n t to
ca pt u r e t h e s e i mp r o v e m e n t s t h a t I M Ts in tro d uce d in to 2 0 0 7 f r om th e i r 20 0 3
expe rie n c e s.
T h e r e vi e w o f I A Ps s h o u ld be g u id e d b y un de rs ta n d in g t h e fo l l ow in g iss u e s
(a l s o id e n ti fie d i n 2 0 0 6 ):
•
•
•
•
•
Wh a t i s the role of t he docu ment .
Wh o sh oul d it ta rg e t.
Wh a t sh o u l d it c o n t a i n .
Wh e n s h o u ld i t b e pr e p a r e d a nd d is se m i na te d .
How s ho ul d it be pr e p a r e d a nd di sse m i na te d .
Issues:
IAP p r oc e ss e s n e e d a sub s ta nt i a l r evi e w , i n cl ud i ng :
•
D e ve lo pm e n t, c o m m un i c a t io n a nd i m pl e m e n ta tio n o f a sta n da r d I A P
t e m p la te to be u n i v e rs a l ly a p p l i e d .
•
Con s id e r a ti o n o f t he “ l ife ” 1 2 /2 4 ho ur i s sue a nd “ r olli n g ” IA P s .
11
Notes i) a n a gr e e d t e mpl a te doe s e x i s t for I A P s a n d i s c o nt a i ne d w i th in t h e “I MT
Too l kit ”
ii) ) IA Ps w e r e n o t t h e o n ly doc u me nt w he r e i n d i v i d u a l s d e ve lo pe d “ t h e ir o w n f o rma t ”
du ri ng t h e f ire c a m p a i gn a nd a r e vi e w of a l l tem p la te s for p l a n s, h a nd o v e r d o c u m e n t s a n d
th e li ke i s i n di c a te d
J u ly 2 00 7
P a g e 52 of 9 6
•
Th e ne ce s si t y f o r c h a n gi ng /r e li e vi ng I M T s to n o t s ub s ta n t i a l l y c h a n g e
t h e int e nt o r forma t o f the IAP , unl e ss the ci rcumst a n ce s o f the fir e s o
di cta te .
•
E n s uri ng a l l p o te n t i a l IM T mem b e r s a r e a w a r e of a nd ut il iz e t he
p r ov is i o ns o f t h e “ I MT Too l k i t ” .
Linescan Capability
Orga nisa tio n o f line sca n ning a n d o v e r si g h t o f e q ui p m e n t / c o n t r a c t or s i s
m a n a g e d by th e St a te A i rc ra ft U n i t . D u ri n g o p e r a t io na l d u t y i n mi d De ce m b e r
2 00 6 t he li n e s c a n ni ng a i rcr a f t w a s c a u g h t i n a seve r e d ow nd r a ft a n d r a pi dl y
d e s c e n de d a b o u t 8 , 0 0 0 ’ . T h e in c i d e nt c a us e d da m a ge , r e nd e r i n g th e a i r c ra ft
a n d th e s c a n n e r i n ope r a b le un ti l r e pa ir s cou l d be e f fe c t e d . A s e co n d
li nes ca n ne r un i t a nd a i rcr a f t ha d be e n org a n i s e d t o c o me on st re a m by
a pp r oxi m a te l y 2 0 D e c e m b e r 2 0 0 6 . F o ll ow in g th e in c i d e n t wit h th e fi r s t
lin e sc a n n e r /a i r c r a ft , 7 - 8 da y s w e re r e q u ir e d t o br i ng t he se c o nd c o mb i n a ti o n
on li n e . Alt h o u g h s o m e a s si st a n c e w a s immed ia tel y source d fro m N S W it w a s
n o t poss ib le to “a c q u i r e ” a u n i t fo r so le V i c t o r ia n use pe n d i n g d e pl o y m e n t of
th e se c o nd u ni t.
Th i s sh or ta ge b e c a me e vi d e n t to fi e l d u s e r s of li n e s c a n o u tp ut w h o n o w re g a rd
th e d a ta pr odu c e d a s i n t r in si c t o th e d e t e r m in a ti o n o f t a s ki n g p r i o r it i e s a n d
re so ur ce a l l oca t i on . I C Cs n o te d t h a t li ne sc a n o ut p u t ne e d s to b e t o be
deli vered to IC C s w ithout undue del a y. Ma pping un its req u ested raw d a ta which
th ey b e l i e v ed w o uld b e u s e f ul , b u t i n di c a t e th at d e l a y s occu rr ed whi l st th e dat a
w a s pr ocesse d e l se w he r e to ge ne r a te hi g he r qua l i t y m a p s . T he vi e w fr om
s i t u a t io n pe rs o n ne l is t h a t t h e r e m a y be a h a n g o v e r fr o m t h e e a r l y u s e o f t h is
tec hn o lo gy w h e n t he r e w e r e fe w pe opl e w i t h the kn o wle d g e a n d s k ill t o
ma n ip ul a te t he d a ta a nd pr od u ce use f ul m a p s. N o w , m a n y sta ff i n c lud i ng IC C
pe r s o n ne l a r e m u c h b e tte r pl a c e d to k now w h a t sh a p e fil e s , d a ta la ye r s a nd
ot he r d e t a i l a re re qui r e d f o r t h e i r fir e th a n a re ma pp i n g sp e c i a li st s a t th e E CC .
Ma p s nee d e d b y E C C mig h t b e tota ll y di f f er e n t i n n a tu re to th ose to be
in c o rp o ra te d i n to l o c a l IA P s a nd c o m m un ity brie f ing p a c k s. C o n v er se v i e w s
w e re pu t b y t he SA U c on c e r n i ng th e und e r st a nd i ng of si tu a ti o n p e r s o nn e l a b ou t
th e li mi ta t i on s o f l i ne s c a n ni ng – w e a t h e r c o n d itio n s n e c e ssa r y f or
imple m e n ta tio n , st ra te gic a r e a s vs. bla n ke t c o ver a ge a n d tim e re quire d to
a c hi e ve .
Issue:
Tw o ma t t e r s a r e id e n ti fi e d f o r f u rt h e r c o n s ide r a t i o n :
•
E v a l u a ti o n to d e t e rm i n e w h e t h e r a l t e rn a t e l i ne s c a n ca pa b ili t y i s
ne c e ssa r y i n t he e v e n t a u n i t g o e s o f fl in e f o r a n ex te nde d p e ri od. T hi s
e n ta il s un d e r st a n d i ng th e u s e s to w h i c h li ne sc a nni ng i s p ut , h o w
e f f e c t iv e l y li n e s c a n n in g out pu t s we re u s e d a nd t he n o r ma l a n d r e s e r v e
ca pa bi l i ty t h a t i s a v a il a bl e o n sh or t n o tic e .
•
Con s id e r a ti o n o f h o w l i ne sc a n d a t a ou g h t t o be tr a n s mit te d t o re q u e s ti ng
ce n t r e s a n d t h e f or m t h e d a ta sh o ul d ta ke . T h i s will re qu ir e a n a l y s i s of
th e c a p a b i l i t y o f “ S i t u a t i on /ope r a t i on s ” pe r s o n ne l t o ma nipul a te da t a
pro v id e d f r om l in e s c a n ni n g .
Fire Behaviour Specialists
In 2 0 0 6 /7 a co nt in u o u s Fi re Be h a vi o ur Sp e ci a li st r o l e w a s fil le d i n the E CC to
p r ov i d e fi re p r e d i c tion a d v i c e t o t h e S P U, IF A C c e n t r e s a n d IMTs. Th is r o le w a s
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u nd erta ke n b y a sm a ll n um be r o f pe r s o n n e l f rom D S E , WA , U ni v e r si ty of
M e lb o u rn e , B ur e a u of M e t e or ol og y , C a n a d a a nd U S .
Da i l y tele c o n f e r e n c e s w e re org a niz e d s o th a t the Fi re Be h a v i our Sp eci a li st s ha d
th e opp o r t u ni ty t o e x c h a ng e i n f o rm a ti o n a nd id e a s w i th e a c h o f th e IF AC
ce n t r e s a n d I M Ts.
The Canadi an and USA deplo y me nts i n c l u d e d pe rso nne l w h o w e re ass i g n e d t o
fire be h a vi ou r pr edi c t i on and me te or ol og ic a l d a t a c o ll e c ti o n and a n a l y s i s . Th e
debr ie f of t hi s gr o up w it h t he ir V i ct o r ia n co unte rpa r ts co nclude d t h a t a
re q u ir e m e n t f o r Fir e B e h a vi our S p e c ia li sts e x i s ts, wit h a p r im a r y n e e d a t I M T
le v e l to a s si s t th e I M T in u nd e r s ta nd i ng l ik e l y fi re s pr e a d u nd e r f o r e c a st
condi t i o n s and to m a k e ad equ a te pl a n s to c o u n ter th at sp read . A like n e ed was
recog n i s ed at state l e vel ECC/SECC to provi d e a s t r a t e gic ov er vie w of p o t e n t i a l
fi re spr e a d to a s si st i n un de r s ta n di ng li ke l y wh ole of sta t e im p a ct .
A ma jo r ro le o f t h e F i r e Be ha v i o ur S p e c i a l i s t s, id e n t i f i e d b y t h e m , w a s t o
pro v id e a d vi c e on f ir e su pp r e ssi o n str a tegi e s, espe ci a l l y l o c a ti on of c o n t r o l
l i n e s a n d ba ck b u r n in g o p e r at io ns. Th is fu nct i o n was a c h i ev e d v i a t h e va ri ous
Str a tegic P l a nni ng Un i t s and by ad h o c c o m m uni c a tion s wh er e F i r e B e h a vi ou r
Spe ci a li s ts w e re a l l o c a te d to IM T s, or by u s e of ce nt ra ll y l o ca te d s p e ci a li sts .
Tw o m a j o r pr od u c ts w e re pr od u c e d d e p e nd i n g on th e nee d . T h e se w e r e a fi re
s p re a d p r e d i c tio n m a p a n d a p o t e n t ia l i m pa ct zon e ma p. Th e f i re s p re a d
p r e d i c t i o n m a p w a s pr o d u c e d to a ss i st fi re a g e n ci es , l a nd m a n a g e r s , u t il it y a nd
in fr a s tru c t ure m a n a g e r s a n d pu bli c a u th ori t i e s pl a n fi re s upp r e ssi on a nd
miti g a ti on ac ti on s. Th e p o te nti a l imp a c t z o ne map s w e re pr od uc ed f o r pu bl ic
a l e r ts a n d w a r n in gs fu n c t i o n s, de p i c t in g t h e poss i b l e e x te nt o f f i r e o r e m b e r s
w it h i n t h e ou tl o o k pe r i od . T he s e ma p s in cl u d e d a s su m p ti o n s a n d ca lc u l a t i o n s
us e d t o p r odu c e t h e m .
An a ly s e s w e re c o m m u n ic a te d t o t h e S t ra t e gi c Pl a n ni n g Un it a n d St a te Du ty
Of fi ce r i n t he E C C a nd to th e P l a n ni n g S e c t i o n s of I F A C c e n t r e s a nd I M Ts .
R ol e s a l s o i n cl ud e d c o l le c t i o n a n d c o ll a t i o n of w e a t h e r a nd f i re b e h a vi o ur
i n fo r m a t io n.
Th e ou t p ut fr om th e F i re Be ha vi our S p e c i a li st s gr ou p w a s n o t n o t e d a s a k e y
iss ue i n a n y of th e m a j o r de b ri e fs or a s s o ci a t e d de b r ie fs, o t h e r th a n to ra ise
iss ue s w i th t h e a c c u ra cy o f th e p r e di c t i on s . A mi xe d v i e w o n a c c u r a cy e m e r g e d
fr om I M T a nd I FAC C d e br i e f s – som e i n dic a t e d tha t a cc u ra c y w a s s a t i s f a c t o r y
w h e r e a s oth e r s i n di ca t e d th e p r e d i c tio n s w e r e ina c c u ra t e . O n e IFA C ce nt r e
no t e d th a t “ I n c i d e n t pr e d ic ti on de ve lo p e d at SE CC a p pe ars t o ha ve be en
d e ve lo pe d i n iso l at io n o r wi th ou t co ns ul tat i o n of St rate g i c P l an n i n g U n i t at
IFACC ” an d no t e d th e so l u ti o n as “Ensure IFACC Str a te gic Pl a nning Uni t i s
co nsu l ted i n d etai l . ” Th i s n o te a r ose fr om c o n c e r ns expresse d by a n a ss o cia te d
IM T a b o ut t h e pr e di c t i on a nd re q u ir e d t h e I F AC ce nt re t o ex pl a in w h a t t h e
pre d i ct i o n me a nt .
Th e s e c o nc e rn s re la t e d dir e c t ly t o th e u n d e rs t a nd i ng o f u s e r s a b o ut th e b a si s
on w h i c h p r e di c t i o n s a r e f o r m ul a t e d – th e p r e d ic t i o n s a s su me n o e f f e c t i v e
c o n t r o l a n d w o rst ca se f o r e ca s t w e a t he r. Ad d it i o na l l y , a l th ou g h e a c h pre d icti o n
ca n onl y b e e f f e c t iv e f or a s h or t pe ri od o f ti me , s o m e w e re “ r e - ci r c ul a t e d ” b y
IM T s . T h i s l e d t o a ti me / d a t e s t a t u s or v a li dit y pe r i od b e i n g i n ser te d on
pre d i ct i o n ma p s .
D H S pe rson n e l in d i ca t e d tha t a va i la b i l i t y of p ote n t i a l f i re spr ea d a n d im pa ct
ma p s to th e m a s si s te d in ide nt i f yi ng c o mm u ni ti e s a nd p ote n t i a l v ic tim s . T h is
e n a bl e d D H S t o m a i n t a i n a h i gh e r st a te of r e a din e s s i n t h ose a r e a s a n d to be
a b le to in sti t ut e re co v e r y op e r a t io n s mo re ra p i d l y a n d e f fe ct i v e l y .
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P a g e 54 of 9 6
Th e Fir e B e h a vi o ur S p e c ia l i s ts De br ie f m a de a n um b e r of re c o mme nd a ti o ns f o r
f u tu re a c t i o n to c e m e n t li ke pos i t i o n s i n t o p l a c e . So me ke y sta k e h o l d e rs a l so
hol d t h e v i e w th a t sp e ci a l i s t fir e be h a vi o ur s k ill s f orm a v i ta l p a r t of the
pla nn i ng p r oc e ss a t S t a t e a nd r e gi o na l l e v e l. T he r e vi e w pr o ce ss d i d n ot
p a rt ic u l a r l y i n fo rm t h is v i e w e i t h e r w a y, ot he r t h a n fo r t h e de b r i e f “ C a n a d ia n
Fir e B e h a vi ou r Sp e ci a l i st F u n c ti o ns ” th e d e bri e f n o te s fr om N e w Zea l a nd a n d
th e D S E / C F A Fi re Be h a vi o ur De b r ie f , a ll o f w hi c h str o n gly pr om ote th e c o nc e pt .
It i s o b vi o u s th a t a t s o m e p o i n t p la n ni ng u n it s mu s t b a se t h e i r d e c i si o n s o n a n
u nd e r s ta nd i ng o f th e p ote nt i a l r un o f fir e s d u ri ng d e fi ne d peri od s, i n o rd e r to
ma ke e f f e c t i v e pl a n s a nd to be a bl e to d e ter m in e w h e re s ui t a bl e c o ntr o l li ne s
e i the r e x is t o r ca n be cons tructe d , a nd t h e n a t u r e of a d v i c e , a l e r ts o r w a r n i n g s
to pr o v ide to the c o m m u ni ty . T h e a bil i ty to pred ic t, w i th a de g r e e of a ss u r a n ce ,
w h e r e fi r e s mi gh t b ur n t o i n a d e fi ne d peri o d a nd t he t yp e o f be ha vi o ur tha t
w i l l b e e x pe r i e n c e d , se e m s t o be in d i ca t e d a s a p r e c ur so r to e f fe c t iv e
str a te gi e s a n d c o m m u n it y i n f o rm a ti o n .
Th e jo in t a ge n ci e s n e e d t o c o n s i d e r w h e t h e r t h e y se e k t o a c hie v e a n e x p a nd e d
rol e f or fi r e b e h a v i ou r spe ci a li sts a n d h o w th e y o u gh t to b e so ur ce d .
Q u e st i o n s t h a t ne e d to b e in ve s t i g a te d in c l u d e :
•
Are t he r e s u f fi cie nt tr a i ne d peop le w i t hi n f i r e a g e n ci e s to pr ov id e a
su ita b le le ve l of fi re b e h a v i o ur i n pu t to I M Ts a t n o r m a l f ir e s ?
•
Are t he r e s u f fi cie nt e x pe r t fi re be ha vi o ur sp e ci a l i s ts w i thi n t he fi r e
i n d u st r y ( i n c l u d i ng re s e a r ch e r s a n d pe rso n n e l e xt e rna l to t h e fi re
a g e n ci e s) to p r ov i d e a ppr o pri a te i n pu ts d u ri ng c a mp a ig n fir e s a t b o th
IM T le ve l a nd sta t e l e ve l ?
An y re vie w m u st a l so f oc u s o n h o w V i c t ori a c o uld pr ov i de it sel f wi t h s pe ci a li st
fi re be h a vi ou r pr e di c t i on a nd w h e re s u c h s p e c ia li s ts o ug h t to o p e r a te ,
(I MT/I FAC ce n t r e /ECC .) Th er e ar e p e opl e w i thi n th e f i r e ag en ci e s wh o posse ss
th e n e c e ssar y u n der s tand ing of f i re beha vi our , in cl udin g f o rm al tr ai ning in fi re
sc ie nce a nd pr a c ti ca l e xp e rie n c e , t o u n de rt a k e thi s t a sk . H o w m a n y of t h e m
th e re a nd t he i r w il l i ng ne s s to d o so n e e d s to b e d e te r m in e d .
Th e Fir e B e h a vi o ur S p e c ia l i s ts De br ie f (A ust r a l ia , U SA C a na d a ) th e N Z de br ie f
a nd t he Fi r e B e h a vi ou r De b r i e f ( DS E /C FA ) c o n t a in a se rie s o f i s s u e s f o r
cl a ri f ic a ti o n f o r 20 0 7/ 08 a nd b e y o n d a nd c o nta i n i n pu t fr om l oc a l pe r s o n n e l .
Th e s e i s s u e s w o ul d b e a n a p pr o p ri a t e s t a r t p o i n t fo r f u r t h e r co nsi d e r a t io n. It is
evid e n t th a t if a d opte d , t h e co nt i nui ng u s e of f ir e b e h a vi o ur sp e c i a l i s t se r vi c e s
mu st be a cc om p a ni e d by id e nti f i c a t i on a n d t r a i nin g of a ca dre of fi r e be h a vi ou r
pe rso n n e l a n d e d u c a ti o n/ t r a i ni ng of i n c i de n t m a na ge m e nt pe rson n e l a b o u t t h e
ou tp u t s a n d w h a t th e y m e a n . I n tu rn , t h a t m u st a l so f l ow thr o u g h t h e
c o m m u n i t y i n f o rma t io n c h a n ne ls.
Issues:
•
De te r m in e t h e e x t e nt to w h i c h f i r e b e h a vi our sp e ci a l i s t s o ug h t t o b e
a v a i la ble a nd a pp l i e d t o m a j o r fi re e v e n ts a t I M T I F AC S ta t e l ev e l s .
•
Dete r m in e h ow V i ct or i a ca n s u ppl y t he l e ve l of tr a i ne d a nd qu a l i fi e d f i re
b e ha vio u r s p e c ia l i s t s d e te rm i n e d a s n e c e ssa r y .
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FIREGROUND COMMAND
Introduction
Fe e db a c k o n f ir e g ro u n d c o mm a n d a nd a ss o ci a te d i s s u e s va rie d w i th m a n y c om me nta t o r s
a c k n owl e d g ing th a t o v e r a l l, fi re g ro u nd ope ra t i o ns pr o ce ede d sm o ot hl y b ut t ha t f a cet s do
re q u ir e st r e n g th e ni n g . Te st im on y t o t h e e f f o r t s of fir eg ro u nd c o mm a nd e r s a n d fr o nt li ne
fi re fi g ht e r s lie s i n tw o ve r y sig n i f ic a n t a ch i e ve m e n t s 12:
•
Co nst r u c t i on a n d co ns o l ida t io n o f a co nt a i nm e n t li ne fr o m th e Big R i ve r
a rm o f La k e E ild o n th r ou gh Ma t l oc k, Ab e r fel d y a n d Wa l h a ll a , e n di n g n e a r
T o o ng a b b i e T h is c o n t a i nme n t li n e sp a n ne d a d i st a n ce of a p pr o x i m a t e ly
1 07 km , a n d w a s a r g u a bl y , on e o f t he m o st di f fi c ul t b a c k b u rn s e v e r
u n d e r ta k e n by V i c t o r ia n f i r e f ight e r s . T h i s li ne w a s su c c e s s f u lly
e s ta b lis he d to ho ld f i r e o u t o f ma jo r me t r op o l i t a n w a te r s u p p l y
ca t c hm e n t s.
•
Con s tr u c ti on a nd se c u r ing of a m a j o r c o n t r o l lin e of a p pr oxi m a te l y 20 0
k m in le n g th a l o n g t h e so ut he rn b o un da ry o f th e Gr e a t D i v i d e Com p l e x.
Th i s c o ntr o l li n e w a s p roba bl y t h e l o n g e st i n di vi du a l c o n t r o l l in e e v e r
co n s tr u c te d a n d co n s o li d a te d i n V i c toria ’ s h i s tor y , a nd w a s a c c o mpl i sh e d
wit hi n ni ne da y s
Key issues:
Divi sio n/ S ec tor Co m manders :
• Imp o rt a n c e o f r o l e c l a rit y – e n s u ri ng th a t f i e ld c o mm a n der s u n de rs ta n d
th e ir r o le , w h e r e t h e y fit in t o th e c o mm a nd c h a i n a nd th e e x p e ct a t i o n s
on t h e i r r o l e s, i n c lu d i n g stri c t ob ser v a n c e o f sa f e ty p r o to c ol s a n d
s i tua tio n a w a re ne ss .
•
Th e ne e d f o r th e m to be m a n a ger s, to b e p r oa c t i v e a n d to g o l o o ki ng f o r
a n sw e r s w he n the s yste m s l o w s dow n or st o p s.
•
Ne e d f o r th e m t o e n s u re e f f e c t i v e c o mm u ni c a t i on s b e t w e e n t h e fi e l d a nd
th e I M T.
•
E n s uri ng th a t t he y h a v e the n e c e ssa ry reso ur ce s to a ssis t them .
•
E n s uri ng th e tea m s a n d pe r s o nn e l, u nd e r ta k i ng l e gi ti m a te fir e gr o u nd
a c tiv i t ie s, b ut n o t in v o lv e d in d ir e c t fi re fig ht i n g , a dh e re to t he c h a i n of
co mm a nd ( t hi s i s s u e a f fe ct s a l l pe rs o n ne l un de r t a k i n g f i r egro u n d
a c t i vi ti e s ot he r t h a n di r e c t f i r e f igh t i n g ) .
Fi r egr o u n d sa f e t y :
• T h e r e is a n e e d to c on t in ue to pr o m ote sa fe t y a w a r e n e ss a t a l l le ve ls
a nd n o t c o ndo n e a n y s l a c ke n in g i n h i g h s t a n da rd s .
•
E nsur e sa fe t y me ss a ge s a r e incorpora t e d i n to a ll tr a i ni ng e x e r ci se s.
•
Con s id e r w h e t h e r i t i s a p pr opri a t e r e -i ssu e t h e De ce mb e r 2 0 0 6 D V D.
12
Inf o r m a ti o n s o ur c e :
Fe b r u a ry 2 0 0 7
J u ly 2 00 7
Dra ft n a rr a tiv e o f th e V i ctor ia n G r e a t D iv i de Fir e s
D e c e mb e r 2 0 0 6 -
P a g e 56 of 9 6
•
Con s id er i n novati ve m e thod s of r e in forci n g th e sa f e ty messa g e e.g. vi a
ca se st ud ie s f r om 2 0 0 6/ 0 7 i n c id e nts i d e nti fi e d i n t h e N e a r M i ss a n d
Ac ci de nt R e vi e w p r og r a m .
S t ag in g ar ea s
•
Reinf o rc e t h e ne ed for de dic a te d St ag ing A r ea m a n a g e men t – i t i s not
th e t a sk o f a s e c t or or cr e w l e a d e r .
•
E v a l ua te ph ys i c a l pa ra me te rs – s i ze an d loc a t i o n re la ti v e to fi re gr ou n d
(this is a ma tte r tha t mus t be decid e d on a fi re by fir e ba sis a nd is an
IM T ra t h e r t h a n S t a t e le v e l i s s ue ) .
Acces s r e stric ti o ns
•
R eso l ve th e a ppl i c a ti o n of t he a c ce ss restric tio n po w e rs a nd how thi s
s h ou l d b e c o m m u n i ca t e d to a l l st a k e ho l de rs du r i n g pre f i r e sea so n
a c ti v i t i e s .
•
Th e r e i s n e e d f o r di a l o gu e w i th r e pr ese nta t i v e me d i a or ga n i sa ti o ns a nd
th e fi re se r v ic e s t o de ve l o p a Me mor a nd u m of U nd e r s ta nd i ng th a t
e n a bl e s a ll m e d i a p e r s on ne l t o u n de r s t a n d :
o
T h e r a t i o n a l e fo r a n d n e c e ss it y o f r e st r i c t i n g a c c e ss.
o
T h e pow e rs a f f o r d e d t o I C s a n d P o l i c e to rest r i c t a c cess .
o
Th e p o te n t ia l c o n s e qu e nc e s of f a i li ng t o ob s erv e a c ce s s
re st ri c t i o n s .
Th e st a r ti n g p o i n t f o r e f f e c t iv e fi re gr o u nd c o m m a nd a t a n i n c id e n t g o e s t o t h e
briefing s tha t f i r e gr ou nd com m a nder s r e ce i v e a t t h e be g i nn i n g o f t h e i r s h i f t.
T h e y ne e d t o u n d e rs ta n d w ha t th e pro p os e d co nt ro l st ra te g i e s a r e a n d w h a t
re so ur ce s t h e y h a v e a t t h e i r d i sp osa l s o t h e y c a n a rr a n g e a n d im p l e m e n t
e f f e c t iv e t a cti c s i n a b i d t o a c hi e v e t h o se st r a t e gie s . It is im po rt a n t th a t w hi l st
th e fi e ld c o n tr o l l e r s a r e gi ve n br oa d g oa l s , t h e se l e c t i o n a nd ti mi n g of t a ct i c s
to a c h i e v e t h ose g o a l s re st s v e ry m u c h w i t h th e c o m m a nde r s a t t h e fi re g r o un d
w h o i n ti ma t e ly u n de rst a n d t h e re a l t i m e c o ns e q ue nc e s o f c u rr e n t w e a t he r
i m pa ct o n fi r e b e h a v i o u r . T h e c h o i c e of ta cti c s i s cl ea rl y t he pr o vi n ce o f t h e
fi reg r o u n d c om m a nd e r s a n d n o t t he r ole o f t he I M T, R eg io n or I F A C . E q u a ll y,
th e fi re g r o un d c o mm a nde r i s th e re t o m a n a g e th e fi reg ro u nd a nd t o d e vi se a n d
impl e m e n t ta ct ic s in c o n s ult a ti o n w i t h Cr e w Le a d e r s . I t is a l s o im p or t a n t f o r
th e p e r s on s w h o o c cu p y “i n - c h a r ge ” p o s it i ons in the fie l d to underst a nd tha t
th e y m u st d riv e t h e p r oce s s a nd p osi t i on t h e i r r e sour ce s a p pr o p ria t e ly in ord e r
to im p le m e n t th e t a c t i c s t h a t t h e y se l e c t .
Brie f in g s w e re v a ri a bl e . S o m e f ie ld cr e w s r e c e i v e d f e w or n o br ie f i n g s a nd
ot he r s sp ec i fi ca lly c o m me n te d t ha t t h e ir b r i e f i ng s w ere v e r y g o od , w i th cl e a r
in di ca t i on s o f w h a t t h e y w e re a s ke d to a c hi e v e vi a ti m e l y I AP s a n d g o od q u a l it y
m a ps. Y e t o t h e rs re ce i v e d goo d b r i e f i n gs, bu t w e l l a f te r t h e i r w or k pe r i o d ha d
c o m m e n ce d [e .g. ha l f w a y t h r o ug h th e s h ift ], r e la t e d t o th e d e l a y e d co m p l e t i o n
a nd s up p l y to t h e m of a n IA P . Th e m a j o r it y i ndi ca te d t ha t b r ie f in gs w e r e
a d e q ua t e a n d o n t i m e , b u t th e r e w e r e s u ff i c i e n t w h o re po rt e d ot h e rw ise t o
indica t e tha t s t re ngthe n ing is ne cess a ry.
A nu mb e r of re sp o n se s in di c a te d th a t com m a nd p r oc e d u r e s o n t h e f ir e gr o u n d
w e r e no t a lw a ys f o ll ow e d , w i t h d i r e c t “ i n t e r f e re nc e ” fr o m g r o u ps, re g i ons a n d
ICC s, a nd e v e n a n I FA C ce n t r e , th a t e f fe ct i v e l y by pa ss e d c r i t ic a l l i nk s i n t h e
c h a i n. Th e S t ri ke T e am Le ad er s d eb r i ef no ted that: “N ot e n oug h cr e d it a n d
crede nc e was g iven t o fir egr o u n d c o mmanders. Decis i ons we re t a k e n at too
hig h a level th at shoul d be tak e n cl oser to the fir eli n e .” It is d i f fic u l t t o
J u ly 2 00 7
P a g e 57 of 9 6
enc o ur ag e pe opl e to u n de rt ak e t h ei r r o l e w h e n some b o dy el se at a hig h e r l e v e l
t r ies t o do it fo r them. Conve r s e ly, ICCs re po rt ed instances where t h e r e w a s “ a
l a ck o f situ a ti o n r e p o r t s/co mm u n ic a ti o n fr o m th e f ir eg ro un d b ack to I C C
dem o n s tr at ing ei th er l a c k of e x p e ri en ce or a f a i l ur e t o und er st an d th e role and
ne ed s of th e IC C” .
T h is la st c o mm e n t r e la te s di re ct ly to i n pu t to IA P s a n d i n fo rma t io n f l ow . J u st
a s fi e l d cr e w s ne e d t i m e ly a n d a c c u r a te b r ie f i n g s, so to do I M Ts n e e d t i me ly
i n p u t fro m D i v i s i on a n d Se ct or Co mm a n de rs, c a us e d b y th ose Com m a n de rs
e f f e c t iv e l y c omm u n ic a t ing in f orm a ti o n upwa r d s fr om th e fi e ld to t h e I M T.
One i n sta n ce w a s r e c o rd e d w h e r e a tea m h o l d ing n o d i re ct fir e gr o u n d
resp o n si bil i t ie s be g a n di re ct in g cr e w m a n a g e me n t , o rd e re d th e r e mov a l o f
fi re fi g hte r /s f r om th e f ire g r o u n d a nd di cta te d to t h e c r e w w i th o ut r e f e r e n c e to
a n yone else in the cha i n o f comma nd . W h i l st th e re mo va l o f pe rso n s w h o a r e
not fit to re ma in o n th e fire g ro und ha s to be not i o n a ll y s u pp o r ted, t h e r e s h o u ld
b e a l m o st n o sc o p e fo r p e rsons o u ts i d e t he c ha i n o f c om m a n d to b e g i n o r der ing
ch a ng e s. T hi s i s a m a t t e r th a t n e e d s t o be fa ct or e d i n to t h e pr o c e s se s f or
va r i ou s i n d i vi d u a l s or t e a m s to e n s ur e th a t a l l m e mb e r s u nd e r sta nd the ir r ol e
wit h u na m bi gu o us cl a r it y a n d tha t t heir resp o n sibilit i e s lie in a dvis i ng a nd
co n s u l ti ng a n a p pr o pr i a t e pe r s o n in th e c h a i n o f c o mm a nd a b ou t a n y
recommende d course s o f a ctio n ra the r t ha n b y di re ct l y i mpl e m e nt i n g tho se
a c ti on s .
A s i m ila r c o mm e n t a b o u t ro le c l a r i t y a p p l ie s t o D i v i s i on/ S e c to r C om m a n de rs.
In a c i rc um sta n c e w h e re a nil , i n a d e q u a te or un c l e a r b r ie f i ng w a s pr o vid e d ,
som e c o m m a nde r s ri g ht l y t o ok it u p on t h em se l v e s to in qu i re up t h e c o m m a nd
ch a i n w ha t th e ir ta s k s w e re s upp ose d t o b e . O t h e rs w a i t e d t o be to ld, w i t h the
r e s u lt t h a t f o rc e s re ma in e d i d le a t s t a g i n g a r e a s fo r le n g t h y pe r i o d s.
Fir e f ig h te r s of a n y pe r sua s i o n d o n o t l i k e to h u rr y t h ere , wa it a n d t h e n g o
h o m e w i t h o u t u n de rta k in g p r o d u c ti ve w o r k . C o m m a nd e rs n e e d to be a sse r t i v e
to e n sur e t h e y re c e i v e th e i n f o r m a t i o n t h e y ne e d t o d o th e t a sk in g w i th o ut
unnecess a ry de la ys. T he issue o f Strike Tea m Lea der s a n d Se cto r Comm a n de rs
exe r ci si ng e f f e c t i v e c o m m a nd w a s sp e c i f ic a ll y a dd r e sse d i n th e CF A P r eS eason U p date S e pt em b er 20 06 .
Fie l d c o mm a nd e r s ind i ca t e d t h a t t h e ir spa n o f c o n t r o l ne e d s to t a ke i n t o
a c c o un t tw o f a ct or s – th e n um b e r of p e r s o n n e l rep ort i n g to t he m a nd t h e
na t u re o f the t op o gr a p hy th a t g o v e r n s th e p h ys i c a l s i ze o f t h e i r co mm a n d. Th e
most e xt r e m e i n st a n c e r e qu ir e d a 2 . 5 h o ur d riv e a l ong th e co nt rol lin e .
It w a s u n iv e r sa ll y r e c o gn i s e d t h a t l o c a l kn o w ledg e w i t hi n k e y fi e ld a rea s w a s
i n va l u a b l e ( a s i t is in a n IM T ) . So me ti me s fi e l d co mm a n d e r s ha ve n o o r ve r y
fe w r e so ur ce s t o a s si s t t h e m , ot her t h a n th e c r e w s at th eir di sp o s al . A n u m b er
comm e n ted th at st re n g th e ni n g t h e re sou r c e all o c a ti on t o fie ld c o m m and s c o ul d
a ss i st , to e n su re tha t t h e co mma n d s ha ve s o me loc a l kn ow le d g e a s w e l l a
st ro n g e r r e so u r ce ba se fo r ma na g e me nt o f t h e co mma n d – n o t s i m p l y mo r e
fi re fi g hti n g cr e w bu t o ne or tw o “ a s si s ta nts ” . “ M ak e su re yo u ha ve t h e ri ght
equ i p m en t , e . g . tw o r a d i os, d r iv er , p e n c il l e r ” (E xt r a c t from S e p t em be r 20 06
Pre - Sea s on Upd a te ) .
Th e p e r s on ne l to f ill t he s e r o l e s mig h t b e f o u n d f r om w it hi n I M T st ru c tur e s. It
w a s a gr e e d th a t si m pl y b e c a u s e t h e re i s a p osi ti o n “c e ll ” w i t h in t h e I M T
str u ct ur e i t doe s n ot a lw a y s re q u i r e f i lli ng a n d r e l e a se of a sm a ll n u m b e r of
pe r s o n ne l t o a ssi st fi e l d c o m m a n d w ou l d b e v a lu a bl e . I Cs h a v e p r e vi o u s l y b e e n
e nc o ur a g e d to a l l o c a te su f f ic ie nt re so ur ce s t o f i r e g r o u n d com m a n d e rs ( D iv is io n
a nd S e c t or C om m a n d e r s ) . Th e se ma tte r s w er e c o m p re he n s iv e ly c o v e r e d i n the
DV D a nd n o t e s i ss ue d to e a ch Br iga d e i n N o v e m b e r 2 0 0 6 (re f e r f o o tn o te 7 ) .
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P a g e 58 of 9 6
Key issues:
•
R ol e c la ri t y – e n s u ri ng th a t fi e l d co m m a nd e r s u nd e r sta nd t he ir rol e ,
w h e r e t h e y f it i n t o th e c o mm a nd c h a i n a nd t h e e x p e ct a t i o n s on t h e i r
rol e s, i n cl u d ing str i ct ob se r v a n c e of sa f et y p rot oc o l s a nd si tu a ti o n
a w a re ne ss .
•
T h e n e c e ssi t y fo r t h e m to b e ma n a ge rs, to b e pr oa c t i v e a n d to go
loo k in g fo r a nsw e r s w he n the syste m s l o w s dow n or sto p s.
•
Ne c e ssit y f o r th e m t o e n su re e f fe c ti v e c o m m u nic a ti o n s be t w e e n th e fi e ld
a n d t h e IM T.
•
E n s uri ng th a t t he y h a v e the n e c e ssa ry reso ur ce s to a ssis t them .
•
E n s u ri ng th e v a r i o u s t e a m s a n d pe r s on nel , u nd erta k i n g leg iti m a te
fi reg r o u nd a c t i vi ti e s , but n o t in v o l v e d in d ir e c t fi re f ig hti ng , a d h e re to
t h e cha i n o f co mm a n d. Th i s issue a f fe cts a l l p e rs on ne l u n d e r ta k i ng
fi reg r o u nd a c t iv it ie s ot h e r th a n d i re ct fir e fi g h ti ng .
Firefighter safety
S a f e t y iss u e s w e re fr e q u e n t ly di s c us s e d un d e r t h e fi r e gr ou n d co m m a n d to p i c a t
debr ie f s . I s su e s r a i se d in cl ud e d :
• Identi ficati o n and ad equate m a r k in g of d a ng er ou s tr ee s a n d ot he r
haza rd s. Th e G ipp sl a nd r e gi on al deb ri e f r e c o rd s that “ 52 % of al l
r e po rt ed saf e ty in c i d en t s in vo lv ed da n g e r o u s t r e es... ”
•
Av a il a bi l it y o f c h a i n s a w s in cr e w s or t e a m s a s sig n e d t o w o r k a s a u ni t i n
a r e a s w h e r e d a n g e r ou s tr e e s e x i s t a nd w h e r e th e r e pr os p e c t s of be i n g
iso l a te d b y fa lle n tr e e s.
•
Th e ne e d t o e n su r e t h a t 4 W D d ri v e r c a p a bi l i ty e x t e n d s t o r u gg e d t e r r a in ,
s i m i la r to t h a t e n c o u n t e re d d u ri ng t h e Gr e a t D i v i d e Com p l e x.
•
O b s e rva n ce o f r e q u i r e m e n t to re po rt a ct u a l a n d n e a r m i ss i n c i de n t s.
•
A g e n e ra l re q u ir e m e n t t h a t a l l f i r e g ro u n d pe r s o n n e l mu st o p e ra t e so a s
not to co mpromis e sa f e t y sta nd a r d s; e . g . a S e c t o r Co mm a n d e r
a p pr oa c he d a D i vi s io n Co m m a nd e r r a is i ng c o n ce r ns a b o ut pe o p l e n o t
w e a r ing a ppropria t e PPE a nd w a s a d vi se d t o ign o r e no n -ob ser v a n c e .
Dis c ussion s w it h the jo in t Ne a r M i ss a n d A c c i de nt In ve s t ig a t ion te a m
hi gh l igh t e d a pe r c e pt i on t h a t d a nger ou s tr e e s f ig ur e d m ore pr o mi n e n tl y d uri n g
2 00 6 /0 7 . Tw o se pa r a te i nci d e n t s w h e r e tr e e s f e ll w i t h o u t w a rn i n g c a u s e d t hr e e
se r i o u s i n ju r i e s . A n u m b e r o f oth e r i n c i de nts re la t e d in s e rio u s ve h i c l e da m a ge .
T h is ma t t e r wa s a l so r a ise d d u rin g in te r n a ti o na l de b r ie fs a n d d u ri n g t h e ma jo r
debr ie f s . T he e xte nt o f “d a n ge r o us tr e e s ” i s r e la t e d d i re ct l y to t h e ty pe o f
v e ge ta t i ve c o v e r th rou g h t he fi re a r e a s g e n e ra ll y a nd a m uc h gre a te r e x pos ur e
to f o r e st fi re i n 2 0 0 7 , th e v e r y d ry n a tur e o f h e a v y fu e ls c o n t ri b ut in g to m o r e
tree s ca t c hi ng a li g ht a nd b ur ni n g dow n , b u t i t m a y a l s o b e i n di c a tiv e of
fi re fi g hte r s’ in cre a se d ri sk a cc e p t a nc e , d u e t o t he e x te ns iv e n a tur e of f ir e s i n
2 00 3 , 2 0 0 6 a nd 2 00 7 a nd a l e sse r a w a r e n e s s o f be i ng “ri s k a ve r se ” , a m a tte r
pro po se d b y t he Ne a r Mi ss Te a m . Tim e l y re mi nd e r s ge n e r a l ly a b o ut th e d a n g e r s
of tr e e s in f or e st fi r e s a r e i ndi c a te d . T h e use o f ca se st u d ie s f r o m r e le va n t
in ci de nt s d ur in g 2 0 07 c a n a ssi st to k e e p t h e se m a tte r s hi gh l ig h t e d a t a ll l ev e l s .
In cl u s i o n o f th e se m a t te r s in to f i e ld c o mm a n de r tra i ni ng, e spe ci a l ly d e a li n g
w i th t he i r ro le s a n d re s p o nsi b i li t i e s is i n d i ca t e d.
J u ly 2 00 7
P a g e 59 of 9 6
Safe ty o f fi r e f i g h ter s was a r e c o mme nd at io n fr o m t h e VB I : “Tha t D S E a n d CF A
continu e to str e ss fi refigh t er saf e ty as thei r hig h e st p r iorit y f o r i n cid e n t
m a n a g e rs a n d f i r e g r o u n d s u p e r v is ors . ” Whi l e fi ref i g h t er s af e t y is a
f un d a me n t a l c o mp o n e n t of t h e fi re a g e n ci e s’ ov e r a ll op e r a t ing p hi l o sop hy a n d
th e a g e nc i e s c a n d e m o n s tr a te t h a t i t i s w e ll e mb e dd e d , i t i s n o t a ma t t e r t h a t
c a n be a d dr e ss e d a n d se t a s i d e . C o nsis te nt a n d c o nt inu i n g e ffo r t s to re ta in
fi re fi g hte r s a f e t y a t t h e f ore fr o n t of a l l p e o pl e in th e c o m m a nd c h a i n a re
n e cessa r y . A l tho u gh S O Ps or Sta n di n g O r de r s s h ou l d a l w a ys be s u b j e c t to
revi e w a nd c h a n ge d w he n n e c e s sa r y , reg ul a r pu b lic a t i o n o f “ c a se s tud i e s ” fr om
sa fe ty in c i d e nt in ve s t i g a t io ns s h o u ld be pur s u e d a s a m e a n s of e f f e c t iv e l y
i n fo r m i n g fi r e fi g h t e rs a b o u t s p e c if i c sa fe t y i ss u e s.
In pr a ct i ce , th e i ss ue s i d e nt i fi e d fr om t h e d i rect fir e m a n a g e m e n t a nd sa f e t y
pe r s p e c t iv e h a ve a ll b e e n pr e v i ou sl y i d e nt if i e d in t h e 2 0 0 5 /2 00 6 f ir e sea s o n .
To a dd r e ss t hi s , t he C h ie f O f f ic e r ma il e d a s ho r t D V D a nd a d o u b l e sid e d s in g le
sh e e t of A 4 not e s ( r e f e r f o ot n o te 7) t o e v e r y Brig a de a nd R e gi on , plu s
s u ffi cient a dditiona l co pie s for e a ch a u th or i s e d Se ct or Com m a nd e r a n d St r ik e
Te a m Le a d e r . T h is in it ia ti v e ta rge t e d se ve ra l i m po rta n t e l e m e n ts , i n cl u d in g :
•
I n c r e a s i n g t h e e f fe ct iv e n e ss o f fi r e gr o u n d co mm a n de rs b y u n de rst a n d i n g
rol e s a n d r e sp on s ib ili t i e s a n d t a k i ng co mm a n d.
•
R e i n for c e m e n t o f sa fe t y , s i t u a t ion a l a w a r e n e ss a n d b r ie f i n g s.
•
Wor k i ng w i th ot h e r a g e nc i e s.
Th e op po rt u ni ty w a s a l so t a k e n t o r a i s e a w a r e n e s s o f t h e n a tur e of th e 2 0 0 6/ 0 7
fi re sea so n t h a t w a s d e v e l o pi ng , a n d to bri e f ly d e sc r ib e r e c e n t c h a ng e s in
Wa t e r R e p l e ni s hm e n t pol i cy in th e D V D .
U n f o r t u n a te l y, t h e Gre a t D i v i d e C o mp le x f i r e s co m m e nc e d p r io r to t h e
dis t r i b u ti o n o f t he D V D, p ote n t i a lly l i mi t in g th e d e sir e d imp a c t d u r i ng
2 00 6 / 2 00 7 be c a u se o f th e i m m e d i a te a nd se v e r e f i re i m pa ct . Howeve r , it i s
opp o r t u n e to c o n s ide r c o n t in ui ng t o pr om ot e the D V D a s t h e m e ssa g e s a r e still
r e le va nt to t h e issu e s i d e n ti f i e d i n 2 0 0 6 / 20 0 7 . Ot he r st ra te g i e s to p r omo t e
mor e e f fe c t i v e c o mm a nd a t f ir e g ro u nd l e a d e r s h ip le ve l a ls o ne e d t o be
co n s id e r e d .
Key issues:
•
T h e r e is a n e e d to c on t in ue to pr o m ote sa fe t y a w a r e n e ss a t a l l le ve ls
a nd n o t c o ndo n e a n y s l a c ke n in g i n h i g h s t a n da rd s .
•
E nsur e sa fe t y me ss a ge s a r e incorpora t e d i n to a ll tr a i ni ng e x e r ci se s.
•
Con s id e r w h e t h e r i t i s a p pr opri a t e r e -i ssu e t h e De ce mb e r 2 0 0 6 D V D.
•
Con s id e r i n no va t i ve m e th od s o f r e in f or ci n g t h e sa f e t y mes sa g e e .g. vi a
ca se st ud ie s f r om 2 0 0 6/ 0 7 i n c id e nts i d e nti fi e d i n t h e N e a r M i ss a n d
Ac ci de nt R e vi e w p r og r a m .
Staging areas
Con s i s t e n t ma na ge me n t p r oc e s s e s f o r s t a gi n g a r e a s a r o s e a s a n i m p o rt a n t
iss ue f o r f i r e gr o u nd c o m m a nd . T he se a r e u s u a l ly p oi n ts of a sse mbl y f o r
mul t i pl e s t ri ke t e a m s a nd cr e w s a ll o ca t e d t o a s e c t or a nd a re oft e n th e p o i n t s
w h e r e fi e ld bri e fi ng s a re d e li ve re d. A c o n s e q ue n c e i s t h a t m a ny p e opl e ,
ve hicle s a n d e q uipme n t a ss e mble a t s t a gi n g a r e a s fo r c h a n g eo v e r, re - s upp l y
J u ly 2 00 7
P a g e 60 of 9 6
a n d br ie fi ngs . Wi th out o r de r l y ma na ge me nt a c t i v i t i e s m a y be u nn e c essa r i l y
prot r a cte d .
It i s u n ive r s a ll y a gr e e d t h a t e a ch s t a gi ng a r e a oug ht t o h a ve a d e di ca t e d
ma na ge r w ho re port s to the Div i s i o n / Se ct or Co mm a n d e r a n d st a f f s h o ul d b e
a v a i la ble on si te , w h e n e v e r S t ri k e Tea ms a r e stil l a cti v e , a n d f o r e x a mp l e , ma y
r e qu i r e fu e l or o th e r s u p p l ie s loca te d a t t h e S A . R e s p on si b i li t y fo r a n d
m a n a g e m e n t o f Sta g i n g Ar e a s sh ou l d no t b e ta c k e d o n to t h e du t i e s o f a
fi reg r o u nd c om m a nd e r w h o h o ld s re sp o n si b i l it y f o r a di vi si on or s e c t or . A t
s o m e St a gi n g A r e a s a l te r n a t ing ma na ge me nt p r oc e sse s w e r e e m pl o ye d b y DS E
a nd CFA , d e pe ndi n g w ho w a s o n s h i ft , c a u s i ng som e c o n f u s i o n, a n d he nc e
de l a y t o th e r e so ur ce s (in t e r st a t e ) a tt e n d i n g .
St a gi n g a r e a s m u st be s u f fi c i e n t i n s iz e to c o p e w it h a n ti c ip a te d a s se mb li e s a n d
a sso cia te d pla nt a nd pe op le mo ve m e nts. Loc a tio n in re la tio n to the f i r e gro u nd
is c ri t i c a l a nd t r a n sp or t b e tw e e n th e SA a n d th e f ir e g ro u nd sh ou ld ope r a t e in a
log i c a l fl ow . E xa m p l e s w e re in s ta nc e d o f S A s loca te d up to 4 0 ki lo m e tr e s f r o m
th e fi re g r o un d , r e q uir i ng a o n e h o u r dr i ve a t the e nd of e a c h s h if t by c re w s
w h o w e re r e q ui r e d t o ch a ng e ov e r a t th e S A , in c l u di ng h a nd ov e r of fir e gr o u n d
ve h i cl e s.
Key Issues:
•
R ein f o rc e t he ne e d f or de dic a te d St a g i ng A r e a m a n a g e me n t – n o t t h e
ta sk o f a se ctor o r cre w le a d e r.
•
E v a l ua te ph ys i ca l pa ra me te rs – s i ze an d loc a t i o n re la ti v e to fi re gr ou n d
(this is a ma tte r tha t mus t be decid e d o n a fi re b y fir e ba sis a nd is an
IM T ra t h e r t h a n S t a t e le v e l i s s ue ) .
Non–combatants
Community members and residents
A c r i t ica l ma tte r fa c i n g r e si d e n t s w i t h i n c o m m u n it i e s th a t a re t h re a t e n e d o r
li kel y to b e th r e a te ne d b y f ir e i s th e i r de ci s io n a b ou t w h e th e r to sta y a n d
def e nd t h ei r pr op er ty or le av e th e p o te nti a l fir e i m p a c t ar ea e a r l y f o r a saf e
ar e a. Th e E m e r ge nc y Ma na ge men t A ct (1 986 ) a n d th e Co untry Fire Autho r it y
Ac t (19 5 8) pr o vid e s r e sid e n t s w i t h t he right to s t a y w i th a n d de fen d their
ho m e s d ur i ng a w ild fir e . Th e f i re ser vi ce s a c tiv e l y pr om ot e th e co n ce p t o f
in div i d ua l s de ci di ng w ha t t he y w i ll d o, re co g n is i n g p ub li c l y, t ha t m a ny
su c c es s fu l b ui ld i ng de f e n c e s o cc u r b e c a u s e a b le bo d i e d p eop le a r e pr es en t . It
is th e a i m o f t h e fir e s e rvi c e s to pr o v id e rel e v a n t a nd t im e ly in f orm a t i o n t o
t h re a t e n e d co m m u n i t i e s to e n a b le in d i vi d u a l s to m a k e i n fo r m e d de c i s i on s w i t h
su ffi cie n t t i me t o e n a c t t h ose d e ci si on s, w h e t he r t h e y a r e t o r e m a i n or l e a v e
th e a r e a e a rly .
To a ssi st i n tra f fi c m a n a g e m e n t iss ue s on a c tiv e f ir e g ro u nd s, w h i ch m a y i nc l ude
a l l or pa rts o f co mm un i t ie s w h e r e so me resi d e nts ha ve e l e c te d to r e ma in a n d
o t h e r re s i de nts ha ve e l e c te d to le a v e , a n IC ma y r e q ue s t V i c P ol i c e to c l ose
c e rta i n road s b eca use o f s a f et y iss u es. To this end, t h e jo int fire a g e n cies , CFA
a n d DS E, an d V i cPo l ice de ve lo ped a ne w pol i c y d e a li n g w it h t r a ff ic ma na ge me nt
a t fi re s i n No v e mb e r 2 0 06 .
T his p o l i c y w a s im p l e m e nte d du ri n g 2 0 0 6 /07 b ut t he r e so me c o n f u s i o n a b o ut
th e pr e c i s e me a n i ng o f c e rt a i n te rm s, p a r t ic u l a rly t h e me a ni n g o f a “t o t a l”
ve r s u s a “ p a r ti a l ” r o a d cl o s ur e a n d w h e t h e r ce r t a in a u t h o r i s e d v e h icl e s a n d/ or
pe r s o n s m a y be a ll o w e d p a st c o n t rol p o i n ts. Th e fir e ser vi c e s ca n r e q ue st
J u ly 2 00 7
P a g e 61 of 9 6
c o n d it io ns f o r roa d c l os u r e s w h ic h ma y in c l u d e f u ll a n d pa r t ia l clos u r e s w i th
ce r t a in c o n d iti o n s of e nt r y f o r a u t h o ri s e d per so n ne l , i n cl ud i ng fir e f i g h t e r s
a tte nd in g the i nc i de nt in th e ir ow n ve hi c l e s , p l a nt a n d e q u ip m e nt c o n t r a c t or s,
o t h e r E m e r ge nc y S e r v i c e s, n o n- co m b a ta n ts i n cl u di n g u t i li ty c o mp a n ie s a nd
w e l f a r e / s u pp ort /r e c o v e r y a ge n c i e s a nd m e di a rep r ese nta t i v e s w ho a re
a pp r op ri a te l y cl ot h e d a nd a c cr e d ite d .
Wh il st i t i s a c c e pt e d t h a t th e d e c i si o n to “ s t a y o r g o ” r e sid e s w i t h p e r s o n s w h o
a r e a t thei r ho m e pr i o r t o th e e x pe c t e d fi re i mp a c t a n d th a t p e r s o n s w h o a r e
not a t th e i r r e s i d e n c e w h e n f i r e im p a c t be co m e s li ke l y c a n le ga l l y b e p r e v e nt e d
fr om r e t ur n ing be c a u s e of f i r e c o nd it io n s , th e pr o vi s i o n s t h a t a r e a c tu a ll y
a pp lie d a nd how th e y w il l b e i m ple m ente d a r e not u ni v e r sa l ly c lea r . T he
dis t i n cti o n be tw e e n r e sid e n ts w ho ha d elect e d to s t a y , ve r sus t h ose w ho
a tte mpt e d t o re turn to d e fe nd pro p e r t i e s w a s a n is s u e identifi e d du ring t h e
revi e w .
Th e r e w a s s om e u n c e r t a in t y a b ou t t he p o w e r s o f t he fi re se rv i c e s a nd P o li c e to
rest ri c t tr a f f ic a t ce r ta i n p o in t s. A lt ho u g h n o t spe ci f ic a l ly r a i s e d a t d e bri e f s
l e ve l, t h e R e a l T i me P e rf or ma nce Mo n i to r i ng te a m / s d i d u n co v e r m u lt i p le
ins t a n ce s w he r e a c ce s s t o “cl os e d” a r e a s ca use d so me con c e r n.
T h e r e is g e n e ra l a g re e m e n t t h a t P o l i c e do no t ha ve t h e p o w e r to re mo ve peop l e
fr om a n a r e a u n de r “ p e c u ni a r y i n t ere st ” , i . e . the y c a n n ot d i re ct a f o rc e d
e v a c ua t i on, b ut the y h a ve t h e a bso lut e a u t ho rit y to stop pe opl e wi t h p e c u n i a r y
int e r e sts fr om re t u rni n g to a n a r e a t o pr ot e c t th e ir a ss e t s . V i cP ol i c e
a c k n owl e d g e th a t th e y c a n st op a n y o ne fr om enter i ng a fir e a r e a , w h et he r t he y
hol d a p e c u ni a r y in te r e st o r n o t i n the f i re i mp a c t or li kel y imp a ct a r e a . T h e
V i cP oli c e vi e w i s th a t t h e y w il l d e ny a c c e ss a t th e r e q u e s t of a n I nc i d e n t
Con t r o l l e r b ut i f p e op le r e f u se to st op i t i s unc l ea r a s t o w h et he r t he y will be
for c ib l y d e ta i n e d , b e c a u s e th e O f fic e r m a y t h e n h a ve obl i g a ti on s to d e ta i n e d
pe r s o n t ha t c o uld p r e v e n t th e m ca rr yi n g ou t f u rt he r c r iti c a l d u ti e s, or wh et h e r
th e ir de ta il s w il l b e c o lle cte d f o r la te r a c ti o n . I n a c r i t ic a l f ir e si t u a t i o n thi s
co u ld po se som e di ffi c u lt i e s for the P o l ic e i n c o n t i n ui n g to u nd e r ta k e th e ir
resp o n s ibi l i tie s.
T h e i s su e o f e xa c t le ga l p o w e rs re ga r d in g th e c l os u r e o f a c cess a n d w h o is o r
i s no t a l low e d to b y -p a ss a c l osu r e is c l e a r. Wh a t doe s re qu i r e f u r t h e r d i a l o g ue
is h o w t h ose p o w e r s w ill b e e n a c te d a n d h o w r e l e v a n t inf o rm a ti o n i s
co mm u ni c a te d to th e c omm u ni t y a b o ut t h e li kel y i mp a ct of r o a d cl o sur e s, i . e .
i n d i vi d u a l s w i l l b e a l lo w e d to r e ma in a t ho me i f th e y ha ve e l e c t e d t o s t a y but
in div i du a l s w h o a r e n o t a t th e i r h o m e w h e n f ire c o n d iti o n s a re su f fi ci e n t to
w a rr a n t r o a d cl o s ur e ma y n o t b e p e r m i t t e d to by -p a s s a tr a f f i c m a n a g e m e n t
poi n t.
Key issue:
R e sol u t i o n o f t h e a p p l i c a t ion o f a c c e ss re st ri c t ion po w e r s a n d h o w t h is s h o u ld
be c omm u n i c a t e d to a l l sta k e h ol d e r s d u ri ng pre fir e sea s on a ct i vi ti es.
Media
Pr ovi s i o n e x i s t s f o r m e di a w h o a r e a pp r op ri a t e l y t r a in e d , a t ti re d a n d
a c c r e d it e d , to a c c e ss p a rt s o r a l l o f s o m e f i r e g r ou n d s w h e n a c cess t o o t h e r
n o n - a c c r e d i t e d pe rso n s m a y be re s t ri ct e d or d e n i e d . As a g e n e ra l o b se r v a t ion
medi a re pr e se nta ti v e s did ob e y t he e ss e ntia l requirements . T h e r e w e re
in st a n ce s , b ro ug h t t o t h e a t te nt i o n of r e a l ti m e per f or ma n ce m o n i t ori ng tea ms ,
w h e r e a c ce ss to fi re g r ou nd s w a s rest ri c t e d t o f i r e s up p r e ssi o n a ct i vit y o nl y a nd
se ve ra l media re pre s e nt a tive s a t t e mpt e d to ga i n a c cess by co n c e a l i n g me dia
identit y pa sse s a n d po s i ng a s vol u nt e e rs i n y e llo w ov e r a ll s , i n ord e r to pa s s
thr o ugh Tr a f f i c Ma na g e m e n t Poi n ts a n d ga in a c cess to restricte d s i tes.
J u ly 2 00 7
P a g e 62 of 9 6
Me d i a a r e a n e sse nt ia l p a r t o f t h e pa rt ne rs h i p to p r o v i d e t i m e ly in f o r m a t io n to
th e pu bli c . T h e a c ti o n s of a n i r r e sp on s i bl e f e w w h o p u t t h e m se lv e s a t ri sk ,
pote nt i a ll y pla ci n g fi re fi g h t e r s, w ho m a y c a ll e d u p on to e xtra ct th e m fr om
di f fi c ul t si t ua t i o n s , in j e op a rd y , w a s r e g a rd e d b y som e a s s upr e m e i d io cy . A s a
ve r y mi n im um , di a l og u e b e tw e e n r e sp o nsi ble med i a o rg a niz a ti o ns o r
a ss o ci a ti o n s w h o c a n r e p r e se n t medi a ge n e r a ll y a nd th e fi re se r vi c e s i s
i n d i c a te d in a b i d to a d d r e ss t h is pro b le m . I t is no t a n e a s y s i t u a t io n to res o l v e
but t h e f oll ow i ng i s su e s m u st be in c l ud e d o n the a ge n da f or c o n s id e r a ti o n :
•
D e ve lo p m en t o f a “ Mem o ran d um o f Un de rs ta n d i n g to en su re tha t
journ a l i s ts und er sta nd th at i ncid e nt c o n t r o ll er s h a ve th e l a st word on
ar e a s t h at ar e u n s a f e f or acc e s s ” – t h e s e a r e t h e w o r d s f r om a V i ct ori a n
Pol ic e o f f ic e r p ro vi d in g fe e db a ck to th e r e vi e w pr oc es s.
•
De te r m in e w h e t he r d e libe ra t e t r a ns gr e sso rs s h ou l d ha ve a c c r e d it a t io n
w it h dr a w n .
•
I t is c r it ica l fo r a l l p l a y e r s to u n d e r s ta nd th a t if the pe r i lo u s si t u a ti o n s
i n to w h i c h t r a n s g r e sso rs d e li b e ra te ly p u t th e m se lv e s a r e re a l ise d , t h e n
th e fi re se r vi c e s m a y n ot b e a bl e t o ex t r a ct t h e m or a ssi st th e m b e c a u s e
o f e x tre m e ris k to fire f ight e rs a n d t h e y c o uld e f fecti vel y be o n th e i r o w n .
(bu t t h a t s h o u l d n o t b e a ll o w e d tr a n s p o s e i n t o a “c a r t e bl a n c h e ” fo r
i n d i vi d u a l s t o co m m it st u p id a n d f o o l h a r d y a c ts) .
Key issues:
•
Th e r e i s n e e d f o r di a l o gu e w i th r e pr e se nta t i v e me d i a o rga ni sa t io ns a nd
th e fi re s e r v ic e s t o de ve l o p a Mem or a nd u m of U nd e r s ta nd in g th a t
e n a bl e s a ll m e d i a p e r s on ne l t o u n de r s t a n d :
J u ly 2 00 7
o
T h e r a t i o n a l e fo r a n d n e c e ss it y o f r e st r i c tin g a c c ess.
o
T h e pow e rs a f f o r d e d t o I C s a n d P o l i c e to rest r i c t a c cess .
o
Pote nt i a l c o n s e q u e n c e s o f f a i li n g to ob s erv e a c ce ss re st r i cti o n s .
P a g e 63 of 9 6
IT COMPATIBILITY
Introduction
Th i s se ct i o n di s c u s se s th e l a ck of e a sy c o mp a tibil ity a n d in terope r a bi lity
b e tw e e n t h e CF A a n d D S E in fo r m a t io n t e c hn o lo g y s y st e m s. T h e se f a c t o r s
pro v id e b a r r ie r s t o ti m e ly tr a n s f e r of i n f o rm a ti o n . L a ck o f c o mp a ti b i li ty a l so
imp a c t s th e e ff e c t i v e i mp l e m e n ta t i on of ful ly in te g r a te d p r o ce sse s whe n k e y
re p o r t i n g c e n t re s a t I M T or IF AC C le ve l m u s t r e sort to d upl i c a ti n g in f o rm a t i o n
c h a n ne ls to se pa ra te f i r e a g e n cy co or din a t i o n ce nt r e s.
I n f o r m a t ion te c h no log y iss u e s im p a c t a t a ll l e v e ls a n d on to most p r oc esse s
in sti t u t e d by t h e fir e a g e n cie s .
Key issues:
•
T h e r e is ne e d fo r e xa m i n a t io n o f i n f o rma t io n te ch no log y s y st e ms to
ov e r c o me t h e e x i s t i ng imp a sse a nd t o de t e r m in e h o w e ff e c t i v e a nd
int eg r a te d in f o rm a t i o n s yst e m s ca n be esta bli s he d .
•
T h is e xa m in a t io n ne e d s to o c c u r co n c u r re nt l y w i th p r op osa l s to
impl e m e n t a s i ngl e st a t e c o o rdi n a t i o n ce nt r e .
IT s y st e m s f igu r e pr o min e n tly i n th e r e p o r t ing a n d m a na g e m e n t p ro ces s .
Th re e d i s cr e t e l e v e l s of a ct i vi t y a r e id e n ti fi e d .
•
Wh e n i s ol a te d fir e s o c c ur d ur i ng pe ri od s of l o w fi re l oa d , th e y a re
ma na ge d e it he r b y D S E or C F A , o f t e n a s a so le re s p o n se a g e n cy a n d th e
ICC r e p o r t s vi a the norma l cha in o f com m a nd of the cont r o l ling a gency
to t he re le va nt E C C or S E CC .
•
Wh e n t he f i re loa d in c r e a se s a nd jo in t/ c o op e r a tiv e/ co or di n a te d e f fo r t s
a r e n e c e ssa r y , re p o rti n g b e gi n s to b e c o me l e ss cl e a r , a l t h ou g h e a c h IC C
no rm a ll y c o n t in ue s t o re p o r t up wa rd s t hr o ug h th e ch a i n of c om m a n d of
th e d e sig n a te d le a d a g e n c y . T hi s is n o t a l w a y s a s cl e a r c u t a s d e sc r ib e d
a n d th e r e is o p por t u n i t y for cr oss- o v e r a n d la ck o f c l a r it y a n d
u nd e r st a n d i ng a b o u t w h a t t h e v e rt i c a l re p o r t i n g pr o c e s s sh o u ld be ,
e s p e c i a l ly w h e n f i r e s b e co me e i th e r v e r y nu m e r o us o r v e ry la rg e a n d
in v o l v e se v e r a l re g i on s .
•
Th e t h ird l e v e l oc c ur s w h e n mu lt ip l e fir e s, p ote nt i a ll y sp a n n in g se v e r a l
CFA / DSE re g io n s , a r e a gg r e g a te d i n to a “c o mpl ex”. U n de r t h ose
ci r c um sta n ce s , to e n s u re t ha t a c on s i s t e n t re p o r t in g s tru ct ur e pr e v a il s ,
a n In te g r a t e d Fir e A g e n c y Co o r di n a t i o n Ce ntr e (I FAC C ) ma y b e
e s ta b lis he d . IC Cs a sso c i a t e d w i t h t h e c o m p le x re po r t to t h e IF A C c e nt re
w h ic h i n t u r n p r o v i d e s i n fo rma t io n d i re ct ly to bot h sta t e le ve l e m e r g e nc y
co or di na t i on c e n t r e s (E CC a nd S E CC ) .
At e a c h a n d a ny o f t h o se l e ve l s t h e r e a r e m a n y a ss oc i a t e d a ct i vi t i e s th a t a r e
r e l i a n t u p on a n e f fe cti v e IT s y ste m , i n c l u d in g :
• Prepa r a ti o n of I A P s .
•
Tr a c ki ng of re s o u r c e s – pe r s o n nel , pl a nt , s u ppl i e s .
•
L o gis t i c s pr o c e sse s for or d e r l y a c q u isi t ion a n d re ce i p ti n g o f esse n t i a l
su pp li e s.
J u ly 2 00 7
P a g e 64 of 9 6
•
P r o v is ion of i n for m a t io n to S E C C / E C C for a g e n c y a n d i n te ra ge n cy
co or di n a ti o n.
•
P r o v is ion of i n for m a t io n to m e dia , V B IL - pr i m a r il y for c o m m u n i ty
i n fo r m a t io n.
•
I n te ra ge n cy co mm u n ic a t io n.
E a ch o f CFA a n d D S E m a in ta i n se pa ra te IT p l a t fo rm s a n d com m uni ca t i ons
s y stems. Altho u gh som e o p e ra tor s a r e a b l e to e x t r a c t c e rta i n re le va nt
in f o rm a ti o n fr om e i t h e r sy st e m , t h e va st m a j or i t y a r e u n a b le t o d o so a nd
e f f e c t iv e l y ca n n ot m a k e th e tw o s y ste m s “ t a lk ” t o e a c h o th e r . Un de r th e
ci r c um st a n ce s ou tl i n e d in t h e th re e a c t i vi ty s ce n a ri o s a b ov e , t h e fir st le ve l
op e r a t e s on on e I T sy ste m /p la t f o rm b u t a s s oo n a s t h e r e i s e s c a l a t i on t o a
hi gh e r le ve l , di f f ic u l ti e s im p ose d b y i n c o m p a t ibil it y b e twee n t h e s y s te m s a r e
imm e di a te l y a pp a r e n t . T hi s m a tte r ha s bee n exa m ine d be f o r e a nd the botto m
l i n e is t h a t t h e ke y f i e l d o p e r a tor s – lo c a l di s t r i c t a n d r e g i on a l s t a f f – a r e not
u niv e r s a l l y sa t i s fi e d w i t h th e se r vi c e p r ovi d e d by tw o d if f e r e n t s yst e m s. R e a l
T i m e Pe r f or m a n c e Mo n i to ri n g te a m s w e re d e p l o y e d on f i v e oc ca s i o n s d u r i ng
2 00 6 /0 7 . I n f o u r of th os e d e pl o ym en ts , I T is su e s fig u r e d pr omi n e n tly a s
ma tte r s f o r impr ov e m e n t , im pa ct i ng on r e s o u rc e t r a ck i n g a nd m a na g e m e n t
( t w i ce ) , i n te g r a t io n o f m a na ge me n t , du p l ica t i o n o f e f for t a n d lo g i st i c s
processes .
Wh il st i t i s reason ab l e to ob ser v e th at n o t ev ery o n e agre e s u p on th e ne ed f o r a
c o m m o n syst em , th e g r eat e r maj o ri ty do ag r e e o n t h e ne ed fo r a s y ste m th at is
i n te r-o p e r a b l e (w he the r it be a si n g le com m o n sys t e m o r a co m b in a t io n of
sepa ra te syste m s ) to f r e e l y a l low in te r c ha n g e of da ta . T h is w a s a sou r ce o f
c o n s ta nt f r u s t r a t io n f r e q ue nt l y v o i c e d du ri ng t h e r e v i e w a n d th e a n sw e r is no t
si mpl y a m a t t e r of c r o s s tr a i n i ng i n b o t h s y s t e m s bu t t h e is s u e s e m e rg e fr o m a
ge n e r a l le v e l o f i n c om p a tib i l it y b e twee n t he pl a tf o rm s a nd / or th e s of t w a r e .
Wh e n hi g h l e v e l s of fi r e a c ti vit y w ere o cc u r r i ng , t h e n e e d f o r a g u a ra nt e e d
co mm u ni c a ti on li n e w a s r e a di ly a pp a r e n t . To e n su re th a t t h e r e w a s e ffe ct i v e
co or di na t i on o f su pp ly of j oi nt I M Ts be t w e e n r e gi ons, DS E / CF A a nd R E CCs a n d
IF A C c e n t r e s, a j o i n t I M T de s k w a s e s t a b l i s h e d in th e DS E E CC to e n sure tha t
re l e v a n t c omm u n ic a ti o ns w e r e di r e c t e d t o w h e r e th e y w e re ne e d e d . I n a si mil a r
ve i n , esta b lis hm e n t o f a j o i n t str a t e g i c p la n n i ng un it , a tta c h e d to t h e D S E sta t e
c o o r di na t i on ce nt re pro v ide d a s t a t e le v e l o v e r vie w o f str a t egi c pl a n ni n g
issues . Bot h o f the se fa cili t i e s ope r a t e d e f f e c t iv e l y . The N o r t h E a st IF A CC
expe rie n ce d gr e a t d i ff i c ul ty i n r e p or t i n g se p a r a te l y to b ot h a g e n c i e s so th e o nl y
pra cti c a l s ol u ti on w a s to d u pli c a te in f o rm a t io n fl ow f r om t h e c e n t re to sa t i s f y
ne e d s o f b o t h a g e n ci e s . T hi s in sta nc e se rve s a s a n e x c e llent exa mpl e wher e
e f fe ct i v e int e gra t i on b e t w e e n th e t w o a gencie s is st ifle d by s ys t e m ic
l i m ita t ions .
I t is no t a b i g le a p fro m t h is pos i t i o n to t h e po in t w h e r e th e r e is a si n g le li n e
o f r e p or t ing fo r a l l f i re ma t t e r s to a s i n g le e m e r ge nc y co or d i n a t i o n ce nt r e – n o t
to e i t h e r or bot h of t h e S E C C a nd E C C bu t t o a de d i c a te d, s in g l e , a ll a ge n c y
E C C or SE CC . T h is co n c e p t w a s ra ise d in t h e V B I a n d, w h il e p r e l im i n a r y s t e p s
ha ve bee n u nd e rta ke n on thi s i s s ue , the tim e i s op p ort u ne to pr ogr ess it
f u rt he r.
Th e r e i s a s t r o ng m e s s a g e t h a t k e y l o c a l a n d re gi on a l op e r a t o r s a r e no t a b le t o
op e r a t e a s e f f e c t i v e l y a s p r a ct i c a b le w i th du pli c a te d I T s y st e m s t h a t a r e n o t
co m p a ti bl e . I t ma y w e l l be a m e a sur e of th e str o ng e r l e v e l of i n teg r a ti o n
b e tw e e n CF A a n d DSE a t I C C /R E C C/ IF A C C l e v e ls, r e f l e c t i n g g r e a t e r le ve ls o f
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o r ga n i sa t i on a l ma t u r i ty , t h a t fu rth e r h i gh l i gh t t h e dis b e n e f its o f se p a ra te IT
s y stems.
I t is no t a s i m p le un de r t a k i n g to d e le t e e x ist i n g s y s t e m s a n d r e pl a c e t h e m w i th
a s i n g le a l l p u r p ose IT sy ste m . T h is ma tte r w a s e xte ns i v e l y c a n v a sse d d u r i ng
th e 2 00 5 /0 6 de b ri e f s 13 a nd t he i ss ue s i d e nti fi e d th e n a r e v e r y si m i l a r in
2 00 6 /0 7 . T he r e i s n o e a s y sol u ti o n bu t t h e m a tte r r e q u ir e s ex ha us t i ve
exa m in a ti o n to de te r m in e w h a t is fea s i b le a n d w h a t wi ll w or k . A n y rev ie w o f
j o i n t o r in te ro pe ra ble IT sys t e m s m u st proce e d ha nd in ha nd w i th th e co n ce p t
of e sta b li s hi ng o ne sta t e le v e l c o o rdi n a ti o n c ent re . Th e re will be a n imp a ct t ha t
w i l l a c cr ue o n re po rt i n g be tw e e n th e p r o p os e d s i ngle S t a t e ce ntre a n d ICCs ,
IF A C ce nt r e s a nd t he e xi s t i ng re g io na l str u c tur e s f o r C FA a nd D S E .
Key Issues:
•
T h e r e is ne e d fo r e xa m i n a t io n o f i n f o rma t io n te ch no log y s y st e ms to
ov e r c o me t h e e x i s t i ng imp a sse a nd t o de t e r m in e h o w e ff e c t i v e a nd
int eg r a te d in f o rm a t i o n s yst e m s ca n be esta bli s he d .
•
T h is e xa m in a t io n ne e d s to o c c u r co n c u r re nt l y w i th a n y p r o p o s a ls t o
impl e m e n t a s i ngl e st a t e c o o rdi n a t i o n ce nt r e .
13
“W hi l e i t i s a tt ra ct i v e t o c o n c l u d e that a single Emergency Services IT system should be
cr e a t e d , pr o g r e s s i o n o f t h e c o n c e p t r e q u i r es v er y c a r e f ul i n v e s t i g at i o n a n d anal ysis .
I nv e s t m e nt i n a s i n g l e e m e r g e n c y i n t e r n e t s it e w he r e ag e n ci e s c a n e a s i ly s h a r e t h e i r la t e s t
i nf o r m at i o n m a y b e s u b stantial . Suc h a syst em would nee d t o be i nt e r o per a bl e a n d compati b l e
a cr os s a n d bet we e n E m er g e nc y Ser v i ce s ag enci es, be r ob u s t and r e l ia bl e, pr ovi d e e a s y acce ss
f o r e nd u s er s – St a t e a n d R e g i o n al c o or dinati on, I M Ts , fir egr o u nd - and ha v e su ff ici en t
c a p a c i t y t o h a n dl e v e r y h i g h p e a k i nf o r m a t i o n loads duri ng si gnif ic an t e v e n t s . The sol u t i o n
m a y b e a si n gl e sy st e m o r a r a n g e of c o m p a t i b l e sy st e m s , w it h pr o v i s i o n f o r e f f i ci e nt d a t a
s h ar i n g a n d d a t a w a r e h o u s i n g , b u t t h e r e a r e m a n y q u e s t i ons t h at r e q u i re ans w er s b e f o r e
e m b a r k i n g o n ei t h e r c o u r s e . ” Ex t r a c t f r o m 2 0 0 5 / 0 6 r e v i e w .
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LOGISTICS
Introduction
T h is s e c t ion d i sc uss e s l o g i s t i c s s u p p l y (e x c l u d i n g i n te ra ct io n w i th ME C C s t ha t is
d i sc usse d e a r l ie r). A m a j o r i n i t ia ti ve w a s th e us e o f m o bi le f u l l y s e lf con t a i n e d
ca m p i n g f a c ili ti e s pr ov ide d b y t h e N o r t h Al t o n a E q uip m e n t C e n t r e ( DS E ).
Key issues:
L o gi s tic s su p pl y
• De fi n i ti o n of ro le s in l og i sti c s a n d spe c ifi c c r oss a g e n c y tr a i ni ng .
•
T r i g ge rs t o i n d i ca te w h e t he r to fa vo ur e s ta b l i s h m e n t o f b a se ca m p s vs.
h a r d a c co mm o d a t io n, i n c l udi n g pr o c e d u r e s fo r ca m p ma na ge me nt a n d
la y o ut.
•
Ne e d to r e c o gn ise t h e ne e d fo r p r o v is io n o f lo g i st i c s s u p p o r t a n d / o r a
log i sti c s r o le a t st a g in g a r e a s a n d b a s e c a m p s .
F i na nc e an d r es o u r c es tra c k i n g
• D e ve lo pm e n t o f a ca pa b l e fi na nce tra c ki n g s y st e m.
•
Ne e d f o r d e v e l o pm e n t of a c a p a b l e e l e c tr o ni c r e sour c e s tr a c ki n g s y st e m .
•
R eso u r c e tra c ki ng a n d st or e s c o ntr o l needs a co ns istent syste m a t IMT,
S t a g in g A r e a a n d Ba se Ca mp le ve ls.
Com m unicati on
• Ne e d to a sse s s e x ist i n g ra dio a nd te l e p h o n e a nd c o v e ra g e to id ent i fy
l i m it e d co ve ra ge a r e a s .
•
Need to en su re th at c o m m un ic a ti o n s pl a n ners a re in corpora ted i n to each
IMT/ICC an d th at th er e ar e ad eq uate n u mb er s of tr ai n e d commu n i c a ti on s
pla n n e r s a r e a v a il a b l e .
•
T h e r e is ne e d fo r re v i e w of a n d a d o p t i o n o f a co ns ist e n t t e m p la t e f o r
de v e l o pi ng c o mm u ni c a ti on s p l a n s.
•
Nee d f o r c o m m u n ic a ti o n c a p a bi li t y w i th ex ter n a l pl a n t op e r a tor s.
•
Nee d to e n s u re th a t a ll c o m m a nd v eh ic l e s in c lud e com m a nd a n d
op e r a t io n a l ra di os (d u a l ra di o s) .
Positive outcomes
Log i st ic s i s s u e s i d e nt i f ie d w i th b e n e fi ci a l i m p a ct i n cl ud e d :
Abil i ty to c a mp fir e fi ghter s cl oser to r e m o te fi res was valu abl e . For fi res in
ar eas r e m o te fr om th e norm al ru n of servi c es av ail a b l e i n ru r a l c o m m un iti e s,
espe ci a ll y ca te ri ng a nd a c c o m m o da t i o n, t h e s e rvice s pro v ide d by t h e DS E
E q ui p m e n t C e nt re a t N o r t h A l to na w e r e v e ry h i gh l y re g a rd e d . T h e Ce nt re ha s
th e a bil it y t o pr ov i de f ul l y se lf c o n t a in e d m o bi le u ni ts i ncl udi n g c a mp ing ,
ca t e ri n g , l a u ndr y , a bl u ti on a nd t oi le t f a cili ti e s . A l th ou g h t h e c a mp pr oc e s s w a s
su it a b le , s om e w o r k i s ne e d e d r e g a rdi n g c a mp m a n a g e m e n t , a s t h e r e a r e
a l w a ys fi re f i g hte r s in ca m p r e st in g be tw e e n s h i f ts. Ca m p la yo ut ca n im pa ct
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sig n if i c a n tl y o n t h e a b i lit y of o f f s h i ft p e r s o n ne l t o r est , a s c a n d e t erm in a t i o n
a b ou t w h e t h e r a c a m p s ho ul d be w e t or d ry .
Tr a v e l t o a nd fr om fi r e s by b us /c oa ch w a s ge ne r a ll y w e l l pl a n ne d a nd or g a ni se d
( t h e re w e re so me issu e s w i t h t h e use o f sh o r t ha u l buse s tha t w e r e not
co n s id e r e d s uit a bl e f o r l o ng dist a n ce tra nsp o r t).
A p p l ica t ion o f ke y le a r n i ngs f r om 2 0 0 2 / 0 3. P e rs ons w i t h e x p e r i e n c e f r o m t h e
A l p i n e F i re s w e r e a b le p r ov i d e use f u l lo ca l a d vi ce re ga r d i n g su pp l y o f
a cco mmo d a t io n, c a te r i n g a n d othe r essenti a l services .
Fo rm a li s e d a nd d o c u m e n t e d h a n do ve r br iefin g s betwee n l o gi sti c s lea de r s
in cl ud e d d e ta i l s of c o mple te d a c ti on s a nd th ose i n tr a i n or w hi c h n ee d to b e
f o ll ow e d up . Th is m e a n t “ l es s to sl ip thr o ug h c r a c k s .”
C D - IMT too l k i t w a s us e f u l . F r o m lo g i st i c s pe rs pe c t iv e , va l u e w a s in c r e a s e d b y
a dd i ng t h e L og i sti c s M a n u a l to t h e I M T t ool kit .
Areas for strengthening
Are a s w h e r e st re ng th e n i ng w a s c o ns id e r e d n e cess a r y i n c l ud e d :
Tr a i ni n g o f l o gi st i c s s t a f f . Oft e n L og i st i c s p o si ti on s w e re f ill e d b y p e r s o n s w i th
litt l e or n o tr a in i ng in IM T f un c ti o ns. There w a s a percepti o n a m o ng lo gistic s
sta ff f r om 2 0 06 / 0 7 t h a t the l o gi st ic s f u n c ti on w a s som e ti me s ta k e n for g r a n te d
a nd t h a t t h e re w a s n o c o n s i s te nt sy st e m a c r o ss t h e st a t e a nd b e tw e e n
a g en c ies , w i t h l i mi te d pr e -pl a nn ing a nd i n te g r a te d tr a i n ing .
Fi n a n c e s . T he r e w a s a pe r c e i v e d ne e d f o r s t ro nge r li nk s b e twee n I FA C a nd I CCs
i n tra c ki n g e x p e n d it u r e . T h e r e is l i m ite d a b il i t y to a sc e r t a i n “ bi g pi c t u r e
sp end i n g ”, e . g. pla nt it e m s w e re cons ide r e d to re pre s e nt a n e x pen ditur e it e m
a pp r oa c hi n g a i rc ra ft c o st s in re a l te rm s o n s om e f i re s b u t th e r e we re
limi t a ti o n s o n m a n a gi n g th a t e x pe nd it ur e i m p ose d b y o v e r a ll pl a nt ma na g e me nt
pro ce d ur e s a nd r e so u r ce tr a c ki n g c a p a bi li t i e s, r e sul t i n g i n i n a bi l i t y to
u nd e r st a nd e x a c t ly w h a t pl a n t w a s i n serv i c e , w h e r e i t w a s l o c a te d a nd w h a t
fi n a n ci a l a r ra nge m e n t s e x i s t e d .
E xte r n a l pl a n t co nt ra c t or s a nd th e ir m a n a g e me n t . I n a p pr op r i a te or in a d e q u a te
pla nt a nd p l a nt op e r a t e d b y i n e x peri e n ce d a nd u n pr e p a r e d op e r a to r s, u n c e r t a in
tim e k e e pi n g a nd a cc o u nt i ng pr o ce d ur es. E x a mp l e s i n cl ud e d pl a nt e ng a g e d f o r
fi re fi g hti n g in he a v y ti mbe r w it ho ut fa l li ng o bje ct a nd r o ll o ve r pr ot ect i on ,
i n a d e q ua te l y a t t i re d o p e r a t ors (PP E no t w o r n or not pro v id e d ). A p e rc e p t i o n
w a s tha t oft e n o u ts ide co nt ra cto r s w e re retaine d without a n y a p pre c ia t i on o f
th e ir s k ill , ca pa bi l i ty a nd e xp e r i e n c e . N o te d t h a t thi s is a Di s tri c t /R egi o n a l is sue
to id e n tif y a nd e s t a bli s h a r e g i st e r o f s ui t a ble pl a nt a nd op e r a t ors d ur i ng the
of f fir e sea s on (a l o n g th e sa m e li n e s a s t h e pro ce s s u s e d b y t he S A U to id e nt i f y
a nd a c c r e d it ca ll w h e n n e e d e d a ir cr a f t )
R e s o ur c i ng o f st a gi n g a r e a s a n d ma na ge me nt p r oc e s s e s f o r s t a gi n g a r e a s a n d
ba s e c a mp s ne e d s a l o gi s t i c s pr e s e n c e . Th e re w a s a l a c k of c o n s is te nc y in
sy s t e m s a p pl ie d t o s t a g ing a r e a s a n d ca m p s ma na geme nt th a t c ou l d b e
ov er c om e b y tig ht e r l o gi sti c a l a r ra n geme nt s .
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Key issues:
•
De fi n i ti o n of ro le s in l og i sti c s a n d spe c ifi c c r oss a g e n c y tr a i ni ng .
•
T r i g ge rs t o i n d i ca te w h e t he r to fa vo ur e s ta b l i s h m e n t o f b a se ca m p s vs.
h a r d a c co mm o d a t io n, i n c l udi n g pr o c e d u r e s fo r ca m p ma na ge me nt a n d
la y o ut.
•
Ne e d to r e c o gn ise t h e ne e d fo r p r o v is io n o f lo g i st i c s s u p p o r t a n d / o r a
log i sti c s r o le a t st a g in g a r e a s a n d b a s e c a m p s .
•
D e ve lo pm e n t o f a ca pa b l e fi na nce tra c ki n g s y st e m.
•
De v e l o p m e n t o f a c a p a bl e e l e c tr o ni c r e sou r ce s tr a c kin g s y st e m .
Resources Tracking
It is no te d tha t the iss ue o f a re so urce s tra c king s ys t e m is a ma tt e r t h a t r e ma in
o u ts ta nding fr o m t h e V B I re com m e n da t i o ns 14 fr om 2 00 2 / 03 . It i s a ma tte r t h a t
r a t e d me nti o ns i n ma n y fa c e ts of f i r e m a na g e me nt o p e r a t i o ns dur i n g t h is
revi e w. F o r exa mp l e, the c o mm un ic ati o n s d e b rief n o ted th a t “ la ck of a s u i t abl e
reso urces tracking s y stem mea n s that a num be r o f por t a b le in f r ast r uc tu re un i t s
ar e still ou tsta n d i ng , l o c a ti on un kn own as of 13 Apr il 2 007 .” Th i s is b u t o n e
exa m p l e a n d h ig h l ig ht s t h e n e e d f or a si n g le a l l-a g e n cy tr a c ki n g s ys te m th a t is
a pp lic a b le a t a ll le v e l s .
Key Issu e : De ve lo pm e n t o f a ca pa ble elect r on ic re s ou r c e s tra c k in g sy st em .
R eso u r c e tra c ki ng a n d st o r e s c o ntr o l n e e ds a co ns istent syste m a t IMT, Sta ging
A r e a a n d Ba s e Ca m p le ve ls.
Catering
Overwhelmingly , ca te ring w a s t h e sub j e c t o f a mu c h gre a te r i nc i de nce of
f a v ou r a b le c o m m e n ts t h a n u n f a vo ur a b l e c o m men ts . O f 17 deb ri e f r e c o rd s tha t
n o m i na t e d i ssu e s a b ou t ca te r i n g , 14 w e r e ve r y po si ti ve . T h e sa me 1 4 de b r ie f s
a l so p r o v id e d 5 n e g a ti ve co m m e n t s, pr e d omi n a n t l y ce nt ri ng o n sp e ci a l n e e d s
ca te rin g (e .g . ve g e ta r i a n) . In a l l , 7 d e b r i e fs id e n ti f i e d a r e a s fo r i m p r o v e m e n ts.
Pe r h a p s a n ot he r i m p o r t a n t s t a t i s tic i s th a t 5 3 ot he r d e bri e f re c o rd s (l oc a l ,
cre w , r e gi on , I M T) m a de n o re fe r e nc e t o c a t eri ng , t he r e b y in f e rr i n g th a t n o
issue s w e re e vid e n t a n d tha t ca te ring w a s sa tis f a c to ry.
Fr om t h e to ta l s ui t e of c o m m e n t s r e c or de d 1 4 w e r e fa v o ur a bl e a nd 7 id e n t i fie d
so me s h or t f a ll, i.e . 6 6 . 7 % fa v o u r a b le v s . 3 3 . 3 % u n fa vo u r a b le . ( N ot e : in
2 00 5 /0 6 , r a w a n a l y s i s of c o m m e nt s d r a w n f r om the d ebr ie f d a ta b a se i n dic a te a
ra t i o o f f a v o u r a b le to u nf a v o ur a b l e c om m e n t s o f 5 5 : 4 5 )
For r e c o rd p urp ose s, a ll o f th e c o m m en t s i d e n tif yi n g ca ter i n g a r e a s f o r
impr o v e m e nt e xt ra cte d fr om t he de br ie f s r e vi ewe d a r e li ste d b e l o w :
• Ca t e r i n g ma na ge r s ha v e n o he a l th tr a i ni ng (t hi s re fe rre d to p e opl e in
IM Ts r e sp o n si b l e f o r o rga ni si n g ca te r i ng ) .
•
T y pe o f f o od .
14
V BI r e c o m m e n da t i o n 2 1 .8 “ T h a t DS E , CF A , M F E SB a nd V I CS E S wo rk c o -o pera t i v e l y to
e s ta b lis h a co m m on sy st e m fo r re s o u r c e t r a c ki n g du r in g m a j o r f ir e s a nd in c i de n t s .”
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•
So m e s hi f ts mi sse d .
•
Ca te r ing di d n’ t g o w e l l (v s. in t h e sa m e d e b r ie f : ca ter i ng did go w e ll ).
•
Ca te r ing a t ( the l o c a l ) h o te l n o t g o o d ( p re fe r r e d D S E c a t e r i ng tra i l e r),
l a t e f i n is he r s m i sse d , o r a n g e s not s u ita b le du e to pe e l.
•
So m e pr obl e m s w i th s pe c ia l n e e d s/ v e geta r i a n.
•
Ca te r ing f o r ve ge ta r i a ns to be c o ns ide red .
Pe r h a p s a te l li ng sta t i s tic li e s in t h e c o m m en t s p r o vid e d b y
int e rst a te /int e r na t i o n a l units . Th ose t h a t c o m ment e d a b o u t ca t e ring (U SA, N T &
AC T) w e r e hi gh in th e i r p r a i se f o r b o t h the s ta nd a rd s of c a t eri ng a nd i t s
deli ver y . T he U S c o nt i nge n t i n d i c a t e d its int e n t to in tro d u ce so me o f t h e
V i ctor ia n c a t e r i ng c o n c e p ts to US f ir e m a na g e m e n t .
Th e C FA im ple m e n t e d a co mp r e h e n s i v e C a t e r i ng R evi e w d u ri n g t h e fir e se a s o n .
A c o m p o ne n t of t h i s r e vi e w w a s a su r v e y u n d e rt a k e n thr o u gh o u t t h e Br ig a d e
str u ct ur e t o co lle c t d a t a a bout t h e ne e d s a nd pr e f e r e n ce s of b r i g a d e s
co n c e rn i ng c a teri ng st a nd a rd s, t y pe s o f m e a l s (i n c l u di ng “ r a ti o n pa ck s” ),
met h od s a nd t im e li ne s s o f di st ri b ut i o n , h y g i e n e , l o ca l or o th e r f a c il i ti e s a nd
a rr a nge m e n t s a n d c o m m u n ic a ti o n a b ou t c a t e ri ng i s s u e s .
Wh il st c a te r i ng i s n o t i de n ti fie d a s a n i s su e t h a t r e qui r e s a n y s pe c i f i c a t t e n t ion ,
li ke m a n y ot he r f a ce t s of f ir e m a n a g e m e n t , i t i s a m a tte r th a t a l w a y s h a s to b e
in th e f o r e gro u nd a nd ne ve r a ll o w e d to “ s l i p th r o ug h t he cr a c k s ” . T he o utp u t s
fr om th e C F A s u rv e y w ill p r ov id e a so u n d p la t f o r m t o ma i n ta i n a hi g h sta nd a rd .
Communications
Th i s secti o n di scu s ses c o mm uni c a ti on s p r in cip a ll y in the c o n t ext of fir egr o u n d
i ssu es. It id e n t i fi es t h a t co mm uni ca t i ons f r om a g i v e n p o in t to a n y ot he r po in t
is n o t a l wa ys a c hi e v a b le . T hi s i s n ot re l a te d to a n y i n a d e q u a ci e s i n th e
infr astru c ture u s ed b u t to p h y s i c al li mitati on s th at af fe c t an y gr ou nd b a sed
co mmu nic a ti on s y st e m . S o m e te mpo r ary s o lut i o n s ar e av ai la ble t o d e al wi th
a r e a s o f poo r co ve ra ge b u t t h is is n o t a g u a r a n te e d so lu t i o n a n d
“c omm u n i c a ti o n s p l a n s ” tha t id e n t i f y a n y s h o rt f a l l s a r e c r it ic a l to s a f e a n d
ef fi c i e n t op e r a t io n s .
Key issues:
•
Ne e d to a sse s s e x ist i n g ra dio a nd te l e p h o n e a nd c o v e ra g e to id ent i fy
l i m it e d co ve ra ge a r e a s .
•
Need to en su re th at c o m m un ic a ti o n s pl a n ners a re in corpora ted i n to each
IMT/ICC an d th at th er e ar e ad eq uate n u mb er s of tr ai n e d commu n i c a ti on s
pla n n e r s a r e a v a il a b l e .
•
T h e r e is ne e d fo r re v i e w of a n d a d o p t i o n o f a co ns ist e n t t e m p la t e f o r
de v e l o pi ng c o mm u ni c a ti on s p l a n s.
•
Nee d f o r c o m m u n ic a ti o n c a p a bi li t y w i th ex ter n a l pl a n t op e r a tor s.
•
Nee d to e n s u re th a t a ll c o m m a nd v eh ic l e s in c lud e com m a nd a n d
op e r a t io n a l ra di os (d u a l ra di o s) .
“C omm uni c a ti o n s” i ss u e s c a nv a s se d d u ri ng t h e r e vi e w co ve r e d t h e f u ll ga m u t
fr om i n te r - a g e n cy co m m u n ic a ti o n, c o m m un ic a ti o n li nk s b e twee n in ci de nt
ma na geme nt str u ct ur e s (Di v /S e c t or – I M T- I FAC C - E C C), li n k s to ME CC s ,
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me dia , V B IL, CFA/DSE w e bs it e s, int e rst a te /in t e r na t i o n a l unit s a n d f ire g round
co mm u ni c a ti on s. Ma n y of t h e s e i s su e s a r e a ddre s se d e l s e w he r e i n thi s r e p o r t
so t hi s s e c t i o n de a l s p rin cip a ll y w it h f ir e gr o u nd com m u ni c a ti on s .
P ositi v e o utco mes
Fir e gr o u nd c o mm u ni c a ti on s l i s te d th e fo ll ow i n g p o si ti ve ma tte r s:
“ R a d io co mmu n i ca ti ons s y ste m - S u f f i c ie nt ch an ne ls c o mmo n to CF A / DSE…”
“Tec hn ic al staff on gr ou nd , C o m m uni c a tion s p l ann e r i n situ i n I M T...”
“Fir e g r oun d c o mm un i c ati o n s wor ked we ll
Loc a l l i ai so n
Tech ni cal supp or t
P e o p le m o re a w a r e”
“R ad i o in fr a s t r u ct u re in N E an d Gipp sl and ( M ou nt ai n s and e l e v a t ed si te s ) …”
“UHF p o r t ables for tal king to con t r a c t or s - F ire ser vic e integr atin g to p ubli c
sy s t e m …”
“Use of t he cr an e tru c k to temp orar il y el ev at e b a ses or rep e ater s t o obtai n
e l eva t ion fo r i m p r ov ed ra d i o c o ve ra ge… ”
“R el oc a ti o n of t h e c o mmu ni c a ti o n s v a n a n d in st a l l a ti o n o f add i ti on al ph on e
lin es… ”
“Su pp ort t o T el s tr a T ech ni ci an s to e n abl e a cce s s t o T e ls tr a co de red ar e a f o r
m a in te nan ce / r e pa ir wo r k …”
Ar ea s f or s t re n gt h e n in g
Area s i de nti f ie d f o r str e n gth e n in g in cl ud e d t h e f o ll ow i n g, som e of w hi c h
co n v e r sel y , a r e a l so i d e n ti fi e d a s a r e a s w it h a p o si ti ve ou t c om e :
“Management o f firegro und black s p ots… ”
“ R a d io co mmu n i ca ti on pra c t i ces /di sc i p l i n e…”
“ N o ca pa ci ty to s p ea k w i th pr i v ate con t rac t or s - P r i v a t e co nt ra cto r s a r e
o p era t ing on a different radio s y stem...”
“C omm uni c a ti on “age ncy spe cif i c” - Di ff er ent way s of op er ating ,
Co mm un i cat io ns P l a n i s n o t i n t e gr at ed… ”
“In e ff ec tiv e C o m mun i c ati o n s Pl an. C o mm un ic ati o n s pl an ner in fl exib le…”
“Rad i o n e twork c o ng ested . - L a c k of d u al fi t r a di os in ve h icl e s, di d n o t u s e
def a u lt c o mmu nic a ti ons pl an , p o or r a di o d i sc ipli ne, in su ffi cie nt f r eq uenci e s…”
“ S y st em fa il u r e - Bla c k s p o ts and r est r i c ted f r e q ue nc ies . D i d not us e
trunking...”
“Nil or in su ffici e n t and in effi ci en t c o mm uni c a ti on s to exi s ting pl ant op er ator s
(and G P S and tr aini ng ) . L a c k of off s ider s…”
“ T r un k i n g s y st em fa ile d… ”
“Not en ou g h r a di os h a ndh e ld s a n d m o bil e s - Vehi cl es on fir el in e n o t sui t abl e …”
“C over age not g o od at tim e s - D e ad sp ots, fr eq uenci e s not suited/strong
e n o u gh for de nse sm ok e o r mo unt ai ns/ g ul l i es…”
“Mor e m o bi le r e p e ater s 161 Mhz a nd UHF … ”
“ A rea o f c o v e ra ge o f m o bi le p h on es - To pog r ap h y an d l a c k o f tow er s …”
C o nsi d e r a t io n of th e p os i t i ve o u tc om e s a n d a r e a s fo r st r e n g t h e n i n g in d i ca t e a n
u ne ve n di s pla y of i mp l e m e n ta ti on a cr o ss th e sta te . S o m e i s su e s a r e l i s te d a s
s i m u lta n e ou s l y “ g o o d ” a n d “no t goo d ”. Fo r e x a m p l e som e a r e a s re po rt e d tha t
th e “ fir e servic es were ab le to i n tegr ate in to th e ‘ p ubl ic ’ sy stem an d h a v e g o od
comm u nic a ti on s wi th contra ct or s vi a UHF ” v s . th e c o nt ra o f “ nil or i n suffi ci e nt
comm u ni c a ti on s t o exi s ting pl an t op er ator s ” , a n d “ Com m uni c a tion s Pl an ner i n
si tu in th e IMT w o rk e d w ell ” v s . “ I n e f fe ct i v e Co mm u n ic at io ns P l an –
Co mm un i cat io ns pla n ne r in f l ex i b le ”. The s e diff er enc e s sugg e s t th ere i s a ne ed
to cl osely e xamin e th e way i n w hich c o m m unic a ti on s servi ce s ar e pr ovid ed and
ma na ge d i n d if fe r e nt p a r t s of t he sta te .
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A c kn ow le dg i n g t h a t a r a n g e o f ph ys i c a l co nd i t ions ca n se ve re l y im p a c t o n t o
co mm u nic a ti on s a b i li ti e s, a l li e d w it h i n f r a st r u ct ur e u s e d by d i f f e r e n t a g e n c i e s ,
t h e r e ha s lo ng be e n re co g nitio n t h a t a critica l element o f ma jo r re s p o n se
a c t i vi ti e s is t h e de ve l o p m e n t o f a n e f f e c t i v e c o m m u n i ca t i o n s p l a n t h a t ta k e s
int o a c c o u n t t h e e x i s ti ng s y ste m s a nd i n fra s t ructure , kno w n limit a tions in t h e
a r e a (e . g . b l a c ks pot s ) a n d a n y pr o vis io ns fo r te m p o r a r y a d d i t i o n s t o ca pa c i t y o r
in fr a s tru c t ure (e .g . te m p or a r y b a se s/ r e p e a te r s su s p en de d o n cr a n e s or
ba lloons ) .
Th e s ta tew id e c o mm u n ic a ti o n s d e bri e f n o te d in c on s i s te n c ie s i n t he w a y i n
w h ic h co mm u n i ca ti o ns p la n s w e re d e ve lo p ed : “ In cons ist e n t fo r m a t ” , “ Dif f er en t
stand a rd f o rmat ” and a “ r a ng e of te mpl a te s bein g u s ed t o pr ep ar e th e p l an s ” .
Th e r e a r e cle a r l y e xp e c t a t i o n s h e ld b y s om e p e opl e th a t the y s h o ul d b e a b le to
co mm u ni c a te fr om a l m os t a n y p o i n t, a t a n y t i me , to a n y o t he r po int . Give n the
na t u re o f the te rr a i n w ithi n w hi c h fir e f ig h t i n g m u st h a p pe n , t hi s ca nn ot o c c u r
w i th c u rr e nt l y a v a i la b l e t e ch no log y tha t us e s a n a r ra y o f g r o u n d lo ca t e d ba se s
a n d re p e a te r s. Som e o f t h e co n d i t io ns descri be d ne g a tive l y a r e th e v e ry
re a so n s th a t r a di o c o mm u nic a ti on s d o n’ t w o rk w e ll or a t a ll e . g . m ou n ta i n o us
t e rra i n a n d t h e e f fe ct o f d e e p w a t e rsh e ds . L o ca l s s h o u ld b e a b l e to id e n t i f y
a r e a s o f poo r o r n i l c o v e ra ge a n d b u i l d those in to t h e p l a n n i n g pro c e ss e s fo r
ma na geme nt of i nd i vi d ua l fi re s u n le ss t h e r e a r e a l t e rn a t iv e s o l u ti o n s th a t ca n
b e ins t i t u t e d i n t i m e fo r e f f e c t ive use o v e r a d e fi ne d a re a e .g . in sta ll a tion of a
te mp or a ri l y e l e v a t e d r e p e a te r .
Wh il st t h e s e c o n c e rn s a r e not e d t h e re o ug h t t o be n o expe ct a ti o n t h a t t h ose
ma t t e r s ca n be e a s i ly re s o lve d . S o me a rea s reso rt e d t o inn o va tive mea s ure
su c h a s su s p e nd i ng r a di o re pe a t e r s f r om a cr a n e or a la r g e b a ll oo n , or by
p o s i t i o n i n g i n to a n a i rc ra f t . A l t h o u g h t h e fi re s e r v i c e s c a n s o me tim e s
impl e m e n t e m e rg e n c y m e a su r e s in p o or r a d i o c o v e r a g e a r e a s, m o b i l e t e le p h one
co ve r a ge r e sts w i th t e l e c o mm un ic a ti o n s pr o vi d e r. G iv e n th e si mi l a r i ty in t h e
t e c h nol o g y us e d , i t is n o t su r p ris i n g t h a t a r e a s o f p o or ra d i o c o ve r a ge o f t e n
co i nc id e w i th “bl a c k s pot ” ra di o c o ve r a ge a n d a g a in t h e re i s no si mple fi x .
T h a t n o te d, t h e o p po rt u n i t y s h o u l d be e x plor e d w i t h te l e co mm un i c a t io ns
pro v id e r s r e g a rdi n g t h e p r ovi s i o n of te mp o ra r y c o ve r a ge e nh a nc e m e n t s i n th o se
a r e a s wher e the te le co mmunica t io ns a gencie s ca nno t j ust if y pe rma n e n t
a r ra ngements .
It i s imp o r t a n t th a t e n d u s e r s c a n un d e r s ta n d th a t the r ea s on s w h y e v e ry o n e
ca nn ot c o m m uni c a t e w i th ev er yon e e l se , wh e r ev er a nd w h en ev er t h ey w a n t t o ,
ar e te chn o l o gi c a lly b a s e d an d ar e n o t sp eci fic all y r e l a t e d t o t h e s y s t e m / s u s ed
in Vic t ori a . It is n o t that Vi ctor i a use s a lesser techn o l o gy – it i s th at ther e ar e
n o ra d i o c o m m u n i ca t i o n s s y s t e m s t h a t a l low m u lt i p l e use r s t o re l i a b ly
co mm u ni c a te irr e sp e c t iv e o f l oc a ti o n , te rr a i n , di sta n c e s a n d e xi s ti n g netw o r k
loa d s .
I t is c r it ica l t h e n to a p p r e c ia te th a t e f fe ct iv e us e o f e x ist i n g s y ste m s re li e s
hea vi l y up on u n de r s ta nd ing t he c a p a bi li tie s a nd li m ita t i on s of t he sy st e m s i n
use , tempor a r y fixe s tha t ca n be a p pl i e d, a d e q ua t e us e r t r a i n i n g a n d
in c o rp o ra t i o n in to in c i de n t c om m un ic a ti o n s pla n s o f kn ow n we a k n e ss in a l o c a l
area.
Th e i ss ue of fir e gr o u n d c o mm un i c a ti o n s n e c e ssa ri l y in v o lv e s a c o n s id e r a b le
e l e m e n t o f t e c h ni ca l u n de r s ta ndi n g. Im p o r t a nt l y , th e co mm u ni c a ti on s St ra t e gi c
Wor k i ng Gr o up in clu d e s m e mb e r s te ch n ic a l l y sk il le d i n c o mm u ni c a ti on s s y st e m s
a nd i n fr a str uc t ur e . Ap a r t f r om i t s p rim a r y r o le of de ve l o pi ng r e c o m mend a t io ns
f o r c h a n ge t h is g r o u p c o u l d a l so b e ta s k e d w i th pr e p a r a t io n of a s h o r t b r ie f i n g
th a t s u c c i n ctl y d e s cr i b e s r a d i o c o m m un ic a t i o n s y st e m s in u s e i n c l u di ng a s h or t
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na rr a t ive on w hy it i s not p o s si b l e to gu a r a n t e e 10 0% e f f e c t i v e p o i n t t o p o i n t
co mm u ni ca t i on .
Cen t r a l to th eir del i b e rati on s, in add i ti on to c o mm uni c a ti on s i ssu es r a i s ed
ac ross the wh ol e sp e c tru m of d e brie f s will be th e d e tail ed deb r i e f r e c e n t l y
c o n d uc te d, t h e “ S t a te w i d e Co mmu n i ca t i o n s D e b r i e f ” .
Key issues:
•
Ne e d to a sse s s e x ist i n g ra dio a nd te l e p h o n e a nd c o v e ra g e to id ent i fy
l i m it e d co ve ra ge a r e a s .
•
Need to en su re th at c o m m un ic a ti o n s pl a n ners a re in corpora ted i n to each
IMT/ICC an d th at th er e ar e ad eq uate n u mb er s of tr ai n e d commu n i c a ti on s
pla n n e r s a r e a v a il a b l e .
•
T h e r e is ne e d fo r re v i e w of a n d a d o p t i o n o f a co ns ist e n t t e m p la t e f o r
de v e l o pi ng c o mm u ni c a ti on s p l a n s.
•
Nee d f o r c o m m u n ic a ti o n c a p a bi li t y w i th ex ter n a l pl a n t op e r a tor s.
•
Nee d to e n s u re th a t a ll c o m m a nd v eh ic l e s in c lud e com m a nd a n d
op e r a t io n a l ra di os (d u a l ra di o s) .
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GENERAL OBSERVATIONS
Introduction
T h is s e c t ion d e sc r i b e s o b se r v a t ion s a bo u t the i m po r t a nc e o f c o nsist e n c y i n
c o m p le ti n g d u ti e s a n d ta s k a c ros s t h e w h o l e f i r e ma na g e me nt st ru c t u r e .
Wh e n e v e r t h e r e i s a d e p a r t ur e f r om “ s t a nd a r d pr a c t i ce ” d u ri ng d e m a nd in g
e v e n ts, e x t r e m e f r u s tr a t i o n i s e x pe ri e n c e d b y in di vi d ua l s a nd t ea m s w h o m a y
th e n a tt e m p t to “ f i x ” t h e pr ob le m. On e of t h e pr inc i p a l re a so n s to d e ve l o p
“s ta nd a rd op e r a t ing pr oc e d u r e s ” or “ sta n d ing ord e r s ” is th a t i f a ll p a r t ic ip a nt s
a r e t r a i ne d a n d o r e x e r c i se d t o s i m i la r le ve ls , t h e n t h e y w i l l u n d e r s ta n d w h a t
ta sk s t h e y a r e r e qu ir e d t o p e r f or m a nd t h e s ta nd a rd p r o ce s se s t o a c hi e v e t h ose
ta sks.
Key issue:
A l l f i r e ma na g e me nt pe rso n n e l m u st be a w a r e o f a n d un d e rst a n d
th e n e e d f o r sta nd a r d a nd c on s i ste nt pr o ce d ure s to a pply to e a ch f a ce t o f fire
m a n a g e m e n t . Wh i l st in no va tio n s h o u l d a l w a y s b e e n c o ur a g e d , c h a n g e s to
s t a n d a rd p r o c e d ur e s m u st n o t o cc u r i n a n a d h o c fa s h io n a n d a l l pe r s o n n e l
sh ould be t r ai ne d and enc o ur ag e d t o ac ce pt syst em s as th ey are pre s en ted and
not to in sti t u t e ch ang e s “ o n the run ” . It i s app r opri ate to m a k e repr esen tati on s
f o r c h a n ge t h rou g h r e le va nt c ha n n e ls e . g. de b r ie fs or p o st f i r e r e v i e w s.
Th e re w a s a ve r y s tr o ng r e c u rr e n t m e ssa g e fr om i n di v id u a l s a nd g r oup s a b ou t
th e “ i m p o r t an c e o f c o nsi s ten c y i n h o w thi n g s a r e do n e . ”
To i ll u str a te thi s fur t h e r a se l e c t i o n o f c o m m e n ts d r a w n f r om debr i e f r e c o r d s
fol l ow :
“La c k o f consis te ncy b e tw ee n s h ifts – o f te n no co nsta ncy be twe e n t e ams… ”
“To o mu ch t ur n ove r of pe opl e on t h e d e sk , p e r s onn e l n eed t r a i ni n g a n d
c o ns is te ncy ... ” and
“ if th er e w a s a p r ot oc ol e s tabli s h e d f o r all o c a t i ng a c o n s i s te nt ti tl e , d a te and
tim e i t wou l d m a k e sa ving it to a folder easi er …” (In d i vid u a l fe ed b ack f o r m s)
“C on si s t e n cy of i nf o r m a t i o n t h r o ug h ch ain of c o m m a n d n e e d s i m pr ov em e n t … ”
( S e c t o r Com m a n de r/st r i ke te a m )
“ T oo m u c h t u rno v er in p o si t i ons . ‘ E ve ry da y w a s g r o und h o g da y’ . Es pe c i a l l y
log i sti c s.” , a nd “ N e e d c o ns is te ncy ( f u l l t i m e ) i n who e ve r is do i n g t h e
buying/purcha s ing a n d tracking fina n cing...” (U S d e b rie f)
“We ne ed pre - org a n i se d I M Ts fr om a c o r e group to achi ev e consi s t ency of
a p pr oac h to IA Ps…” (Re g io na l d e b r ie f)
S o me e xa m ple s o f the ma nife s t a tio n o f la ck o f co ns ist e nc y in clude :
Changeovers:
T h e im p o r t a n ce o f th e ou tg oi ng p o si ti o n /u ni t/ cr e w bri e fi ng
t h e in co m i n g po s i t i o n / u ni t/ cr e w . S u c h br ie fi n g s ne e d to be c o n c i s e a n d s i m p l e
but m u st i n cl ud e d e ta i l or d e scr i p t i o n s of w h a t w e r e th e c r it ic a l a c hi e v e m e n t s
in th e ou tg o in g s h i ft t ha t w ill im pa ct on t he in c o mi ng s hif t , w h a t c ri t ic a l
p r io r i t i e s st i l l e x ist, w h a t ne e d s to be don e n e x t a n d w h a t s y ste m s a r e be in g
us e d t o a c hie v e w o r k ou tp ut s. T he le v e l s o f ch a ng e o v e r b r ie f in g s r a ng e d f r om
nil to v e r y go od .
Systems and Templates:
Pe rh a ps o n e o f th e m o st co mm o n re fe re n c e s
w a s tha t syste m s a n d w a ys o f a chie vi n g wor k o u t p uts a n d the tem pla te s use d
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f o r d e v e lo pi n g pl a ns a n d re co rd i n g va r i o u s d a ta w e re su b j e c t to co nst a nt
ch a ng e , i n cl ud i ng hig h ly cri t i c a l d oc u m e n t s su ch a s IA Ps a n d e n d o f shi f t h a n dov e r fo ld e r s a n d p a p e r s. A n u mb e r of re spon dents , a nd no ta bl y sev er a l o f the
o u t- of- s ta t e cont inge n ts , not e d t h e co ns ta nt l y c h a n g i ng f a c e s t h e y e n c o un te re d
e a ch da y w e re o f te n a cco mpa nie d by a ne w metho d or sy ste m o r t empla te fo r
deta i li n g a nd r e c o r d in g w or k .
O t he r co mme n ts in clu d e d : “ th e r e d i d n ’t see m to be an y s y st em f o r re co r d in g
t h is so I de ve lo p e d my ow n te mp l a te ” ( m ayb e relate d to e l ectro ni c te mp lat e
for m a t s th a t di d n o t w o r k or w e re mi s s in g or th e op e r a t o r w a s n o t a w a r e h o w
or w h e r e t o a c ce ss t h e f o r m a l te mpl a t e ) . Co mment s of this na t u re in d i ca t e a
la ck o f u nde rs ta nding a n d e x po sur e to the in t e nde d s y st e ms a n d pe rha p s a less
t h a n f ull a ppre ci a tio n o f the c o nt e xt o f t h e ro le/ s be ing u nde r ta ke n.
Constant staff rotation: “ l o g i sti c s wor k ed r e a l ly wel l – we h a d a
c o ns is te nt t e a m . ” W h e n e v e r st a ff w e re a l loc a t e d t o a t a sk fo r rea so n a b le
rot a tions o f 5- 7 da y s the y ha d opportu ni t y t o de v e lo p s y n e r g ie s w i t h in th e ir
te a m a nd w it h o t h e r a r e n a s i n t h e I M T/I F ACC/SE C C /E CC , e sp e ci a ll y if the y
r e tu rn e d to t h e i r or i g i n a l a ss i g n m e nt a n d w e r e no t re -a l l o c a t e d e l s e w h e r e .
W h e r e t h e y w e r e ro ta t e d ve ry q u ic k l y i n a n d o u t, t h e r e w a s no opp o rt u n it y to
de v e l o p th e s e re la t i on sh i p s w i t h a lo ss o f c o n t in ui ty a nd p o te nti a l f o r
tasks / is sues being “ dr opp e d through the cr ack s ” b e tw ee n shi f t s . Th e ma t t e r of
commu ni ty inter a ction was ide n tifi ed as a cri t ic al are a wh er e i t was se en t o b e
be ne f i c i a l to ha v e “ th e sa m e f a c e s ”, in c l u d in g lo ca ls, d e l i v e r i n g t h e l a te s t
upd a t e s a n d fir e n e w s to th e c o m m u n it y , t hr o ug h d e v e l o pm e n t o f
u nd e r st a nd i ng a n d t r u s t b e t w e e n th e p r e s e n te r s a nd t h e c o mm u ni t y , r a th e r
th a n a lt er n a te pr o c e ss e s w he r e d if fe re nt pr e se n te r s r o ta te d a lm o st d a il y .
Communications planning:
I n c id e n t c o m m un ic a ti o n s pl a n s , a cri t i c a l
a sp e c t o f I M T a n d fi r e gr ou nd op e r a t io n w e r e fr e q ue ntl y di f f e r e n t b e t w e e n I M Ts
due to “ Inco ns iste nt fo r m at ”, “ D i ff er e n t stand ar d f o rm a t ” a n d a “ range of
temp l a tes b ein g u sed t o p r ep ar e th e p l an s ”. A s a con s e q ue nc e , so m e pl a n ne rs
expe rie n c e d di ff ic u lt y i n c omp l e t i ng a d e q u a te pl a n s.
Con s i s te n c y in t h e w a y in w h ic h a c ti v i tie s a re p l a n n e d a nd im pl eme n te d i s
imp o r t a nt t o e na bl e s y ste m s a nd p ro ce d ur e s to st a nd up u nd e r d if fi c ul t
op e r a t ing c i r cu m st a n c e s a nd f o r op e r a t o r s t o k n ow a n d u nd e r s t a n d w h a t t h o s e
s y st e ms a r e . T h is is a ma t t e r tha t a ll St ra tegic W o rkin g Gro u ps ne e d to
co n s id e r a s it p e r v a de s t h e w h ol e s p e c tr u m of f ir e m a na g e m e n t a c tiv i t i e s .
Key issue:
A l l f i r e m a na g e m e nt pe rson n e l mus t b e a w a r e of a n d
u nd e r st a nd t h e ne e d f o r st a nd a r d a nd co n s i s te nt pr oc e du r e s t o a pp ly t o e a c h
fa ce t o f fir e m a n a ge m e n t . W hi l s t i nn o v a ti o n sh o ul d a lwa y s be e n c o u r a ge d ,
ch a ng e s t o s t a nd a r d p r o c e d ur e s mu st n o t o cc u r in a n a d h o c fa s h i o n a n d a l l
pe r s o n ne l sh o u ld be t r a i ne d a nd e n c o ur a g e d t o a c ce pt s y s t e m s a s t h e y a r e
p r e se n t e d a n d not to i n s t it ute cha n ge s “o n t h e r un ” . It is a ppr o p r i a te to ma k e
repr es e n ta t i o n s for c h a ng e t hr o ug h r e l e v a nt c h a n n e ls e . g. de b r i e fs o r pos t f i r e
revi e ws.
J u ly 2 00 7
P a g e 75 of 9 6
STRATEGIC ANALYSIS OF KEY ISSUES – THE
WAY FORWARD
Introduction
T h is s e c t ion b r ie fl y de s c ri b e s how th e re v i e w p r oc e ss w i l l co nt in u e on be yon d
t h e co mp le t i o n o f t h is r e po rt. Com p l e t i on o f t h is re po rt m a r k s a po i n t on l y pa rt
o f t h e w a y t h rou g h t h e a n a ly s is st e p s r e p r e se n t e d d i a g r a m m a t i c a l ly in A pp e n d ix
5. Th e r e p o r t h a s id e nt i fi e d k e y a r e a s tha t V i ct or ia n p r a ct i ti o n e r s h a v e ju d g e d
sh o ul d e i th e r b e a d op t e d or a m e n de d . It i s n ow t h e ta sk of t h e l o c a l
pra ctit i o ners w ho un d e r s ta nd h ow f i re m a n a g e m e n t ope r a te s i n V i ct or ia to
e n s u re t h a t t h e ir pr o p ose d a c ti on s f i t w i th i n th e p o l i t i c a l , s o c i a l a n d fi n a n c i a l
cons tra int s tha t pre va il .
Strategic Analysis of Review Outcomes
K e y iss u e s i d e n t i f i e d t h ro u g h th is r e vi e w proc e ss w e r e p r e se n t e d a n d d i sc u ss e d
a t a work sh op o n 8 Ma y 2 0 0 7 t h a t i n cl u d e d f i v e S t r a tegic Wor ki n g Gr o up s . T h e
fi ve gr ou p s a r e f o cu s s e d o n :
•
I n fo r m a t ion F l ow t o th e C o m m u n i t y
•
Coo r di na t i o n w i th Ot he r A g e n c i e s
•
Co mm un i c a t io ns
•
Log i st ic s
•
Pl a n n i ng /F i r e gr o u nd
E a c h gr o up is l e d b y s e ni or fu nc ti on a l p e r s o n ne l fr om wit hi n ea c h a g e n c y w h o
ha ve pri m a ry p o r t f o li o c a rri a g e of t he ke y i s su e s a ssi g n e d to th e g ro up . T h e
wor ki n g g r o up m e mb e r shi p s i n cl u de oth e r p r a ct i ti o ne r s f o r t h e s ub j e c t a r e a s t o
a n a lys e out c o m e s a n d d e ve lo p s t r a t e g i c l e ve l a c t i o n s th a t c a n pro v i d e
ma xi m um r e t urn f o r i n ve st m e n t .
A r is in g fr om th e r e v i e w p r oc e ss a r e ve ry la r g e q u a n t i ti e s o f da ta , m o st o f w h i c h
ha ve be e n a c qu ir e d fr om t h e e x t e n s i v e op e r a ti o n a l ob se rv a ti o n s th a t a r ose
du ri ng a se ve r e a n d p r ot r a c t e d se a s o n . To ga i n f u ll v a l ue fr om th e r e vi e w
process these data r e quir e add i tional co n s id e r at io n and ana l ys is t o de l v e mo re
deeply in to key i s su es th at h a ve bee n i d ent i fied . Of te n , th er e will be n o sim p le
a nd ea sy so lu ti o n a n d it m a y not a l w a y s be t h e c a se th a t a g e n e ri c so lu ti on w ill
fit t h e e n ti re st a t e .
Str a teg ic W or k i ng Gr o up s w ill h a v e a c ce ss to a n y re vi e w m a teri a l f o r
exa m in a ti o n, i n c lu d in g th i s r e p o rt, the si x m a jo r r e gi on a l d ebri e f s, oth e r
debr ie f r e c ord s a nd r e p o r t s o f a ss o ci a te d p r og ra m s . E xa m i n a ti o n o f de bri e f s
t h a t w e re th e f o u n d a t io ns fo r t h e r e gi ona l de b r ie fs i n dic a t e s tha t t h e y a c h i e v e d
th e ir g oa l of ide nt i fy i n g k e y i s su e s a nd fil ter i ng o ut th o se m a tte r s t h a t o ug h t to
b e , a n d ca n b e , a d d r e ss e d a t l o c a l a n d r e gi o n a l le ve ls. It is co nsi d e r e d t h a t i t
w o u l d b e m o re p r o d u c ti ve fo r th e S t r a tegi c Wor ki n g Gr o up s to f o c us on t he
mor e la te r a l de b r i e f s a nd r e vi e w s – t he f u n c ti ona l a r e a , sp e ci a li s t, a nd
int e rst a te /int e r na t i o n a l d e brie fs a n d a s socia t e d pro g ra ms report s - ra t h e r tha n
to e xa m in e th e u nd e rl yi ng de b r i e fs in deta il . T ha t s a i d , s h o uld S t r a tegi c
Wo r k i n g Gro u ps w is h t o e x a m i n e t h e un d e r l yi n g de b r i e fs, t h e n t h e y s h o u ld be
a ff o rde d t h a t o pp o r t u n it y.
J u ly 2 00 7
P a g e 76 of 9 6
T h e y ha ve a s h or t t i me f r a m e i n w h i c h t o cre a te a n d ma in ta i n mom e nt um t o
de v e l o p pr op o sa l s f o r a m e nd ing h ow C F A a n d D S E will move their pa rtne r s hi p
fo rw a r d . The y a ls o ne e d to pla ce a ny o b se rv a t io ns f r om th is fi r e se a son in to
t h e f r a m e w o r k o f le a r n i n g s f r o m e a r l ie r f i r e s e a sons , a n d i n c l u d e o t h e r
perf or m a n c e im pr o v e m e n t p r ogr a m s a l re a d y un d e r w a y or pl a n ne d . T he ti me l i ne
to c h a rt t h e ir d ir e c t i o n a nd de ve lo p re s pe c tiv e a ctio n pla ns fo r pre s enta t i o n a t
a j o in t D S E / CF A w o rk s ho p i s b y m id J u ne 2 0 07 .
Th e t im e fr a m e t o a ch i e v e a n y c h a ng e s th a t a r e a pp r o v e d , pr i o r t o ne x t fi r e
se a son is a l so l i k e l y to b e sh or t. Wh e n e v e r c h a n ge is a g r e e d , it is n e c e ssa ry t o
d e f i n e th e c h a n ge pa ra m e te rs, de ve lo p a p pr o p r i a t e doc u me nta t ion / t e m p la te s
a nd c o m m u n ic a t e t h e ch a ng e s t o s t a ff . Sp e c i fi c t r a in i n g m a y a l s o b e ne ce s s a r y .
Any ch an g e s t h at are c o n t em pl ated bu t not c o mpl e ted by th e st art of th e n e xt
fi re sea son need ve ry care ful assess ment to determin e wh et h e r t h ey sh oul d be
impl e m e n te d m i d se a s on or h e ld o v e r un t il a f te r the fi re se a s on .
So m e ch a n g e s, by t he i r v e ry n a t u re w i ll r e q u ir e a l o n g e r p e ri od f o r
impl e m e n ta t i on th a n is a va i l a bl e be f o r e th e o n se t of t he 2 00 7/ 08 se a so n . I t is
imp o r t a nt t h e r e f or e t h a t in de t e r m ini n g w h a t cha n ge s o u g ht to oc c ur , tha t a
pro po se d ti me ta ble f o r im p l e m e n ta t i on sh o u l d sim u l t a n e o u s ly be d e v e l o p e d .
Wh e r e a n i mme di a t e s olu ti on , pri o r t o 2 0 0 7 /08 fi re se a s on , is not r e a l ist i c,
str a t e gi c w o rk i ng gr o u p s , a nd ul tim a te ly t h e a g e nc i e s , ne e d t o d e t e rm in e
w h e t he r t h e c u rr e n t si t u a ti o n sh o ul d r e m a i n or w h e t h e r s h ort t erm pr o ces se s
c a n a n d o u g h t to be pu t in pl a ce t o a d d r e ss i d e n t i f i e d sh or tc om i n g s.
Idea l l y , some c ha ng e s sh o ul d be a c hi e v a bl e be f o r e th e on s e t o f t h e 20 0 7 /0 8
fire sea son , b u t giv e n cur r e nt cli m atic in dic a tor s , the next fir e season m a y wel l
comm e nc e ea rli e r r a t h er th a n l a t e r an d t h e tim e fr ame for de ve l o p m en t , te sti n g
a nd im p leme n ta t i o n c o ul d be li m ite d to a s lit t l e a s 4 - 5 m o n t h s f o r a ny
in it i a ti ve s s o ug ht to b e i n trod u c e d f o r the 2 0 07 / 0 8 f i r e sea so n .
Concluding Remarks
R e c o g n i s i n g th a t b e n e f i t s c a n o nl y a cc r ue if e a rly a n d dete rm i n e d p r ogr e ss i s
m a de on i n t e rna l r e vie w , D S E a nd C F A a g re e d to co mm e n c e th is c u rr e n t r e v i e w
pro ce ss in Fe b r u a r y 2 0 07 , d e spi t e t he p o te nt i a l tha t r e m a in e d f o r f ir e a c ti vi ty .
Th e p r e li m i n a r y b r ie fi n g of th e S t r a te gi c W or k ing Gr o up s on 8 Ma y 2 00 5 w a s
th e i n it ia l ste p in the de ta i le d a n a ly s i s to d e term in e w ha t n e e d s to b e a d op te d
or a l t e r e d , w h a t t h e o u tc o m e s s o u gh t a r e a n d w h e n a n y a c ti on s s h o u ld o c c u r .
T h e f i r e bus i n e ss is no t a pa rt t i m e pro g ra m . D i ff e r e n t a s p e ct s o f i t re q u ir e
a tte nt io n a t d i f f e r e n t t i me s o f t h e ye a r bu t t h e r e is a l w a ys a c r iti c a l com p on e n t
in pr og r ess t h a t n e e d s a tte n t i o n a nd r e so ur c ing – d i r e ct f ir e fig hti n g i n t he fi re
sea s o n, pr e s c r ibe d fi r e a c ti v i ti e s in a u t u mn , r e c r ui tm e n t , tr a i n i ng a nd
pre p a r a t or y a cti vi ti e s i n w in t e r /s pr i ng . A r e vi e w sim i l a r t o t h e 2 0 0 6 /0 7 r e vi e w
w a s u n de rta k e n f o r t h e 2 00 5 /0 6 fire sea so n .
Th e 2 00 5/0 6 fi r e se a s on re vi e w w a s c o m p l e te d in J ul y 20 06 , a l t h o ug h s om e
st ra te g i c a n a l ys is ha d b e e n i n it ia t e d e a rl ie r. By t h e ti me th e w o r k in g g r ou p s
co m m e n c e d th e i r a n a l y s e s, ha z a rd m a n a ge m e nt bu rn in g o p e r a t i o n s w e re w e l l
u nd e r w a y a nd t he f ir e se a s o n in N or t h Am er i c a w a s w e ll d e ve l o p e d . V i cto r i a
w a s so o n r e que ste d t o d e pl oy r e so ur c e s t o t h e US A , m e e t in g t h o se r e qu e s ts
u nd e r a n i n t e r n a ti o n a l a g re e m e nt .
At a b out th e sa m e t i m e a s th e U S d e pl o y me n t retur n e d t o A u s tra li a , f i re
ser vi c e s i n NS W s o ug h t in t e r s ta t e a s sis t a n ce . V i c t o r i a , th e c l o s e s t s t a t e t o
mu c h o f t h e NS W fi re a c tiv i t y , d e p lo ye d c o n s id e r a b le r e so ur ce s t o N S W b u t th e
J u ly 2 00 7
P a g e 77 of 9 6
ra p i d on s e t of t h e l o c a l fir e s e a s on , m a n y w e e k s a h e a d o f s ch e d ule f o r V i ct ori a ,
dicta te d tha t this a ss i sta nce could no t be s u s ta ined . A sh ort while l a t e r the
ta bl e s w e r e tur n e d c o mp le te l y w it h N S W a nd o t he r s t a t e s pro vidin g a ss i sta nce
to V ic t or i a thr o ugh De ce m b e r a n d J a n u a r y. B etwee n 1 D e c e m b e r 20 06 a nd ea rl y
Fe b r u a r y 2 0 0 7 , a c o n s ta nt a nd p r otr a c t e d fi r efi g h t, l a st i ng f o r on e d a y s h or t of
t e n w e e k s, w i t h on l y a li m i t e d re s p it e , i n la t e D e c e mb e r 2 0 0 7, o c c u rr e d .
Wh a te v e r t h e c a u s e a n d l o n g e vit y of c u rr e n t c lim a te i m pa ct t h e r e c a n b e n o
dis p u t e th a t S o uth E a s te r n A u str a li a i s i n t h e thr o e s of a dr o ug h t t h a t n o w
ex ce e d s a n y s im i l a r e v e n t i n l i vi n g m e m o r y . D e spi t e t h e in te n ti o n t o impl e m e n t
ch a ng e s a r isi n g fr om t h e r e vi e w o f th e 2 00 5/ 0 6 fi re sea s o n , e ve nt s co n s pi r e d
to mi l it a te a g a i n s t im med i a te o u tp u t s f r om most o f th e st r a t e gi c wor ki n g
g r ou ps t h a t w e re c r e a t e d to ma na ge t h e p r o c e ss fr om t w e l v e mo n t h s e a rl i e r .
It i s imp o r t a nt to a ppr e ci a te t ha t c ha n ge to procedur e s a nd pr oces s d o e s not
ju st h a pp e n w it h t he f l ic k of a sw i tc h, a nd in m a ny ca se s se ve ra l y ea r s a re
re q u ir e d f o r f ul l a nd e f fe ct i v e im pl e m e n ta t i o n . W hil st th e re w e r e f e w i m m e dia t e
be n e fi ts a p pa r e n t f r om the 2 0 0 5 / 06 w or ki n g gr o up s - ex cl udi n g c o m m un it y
in f o rm a ti o n fl ow w he r e 2 0 0 5 /0 6 str a tegi e s e f f e c t iv e l y deli ver e d w h a t th a t w hi c h
th e y i n t e n d e d - str a t e gic p r oc e sse s a r e n o w imb e dd e d in t h e P u bl ic L a nd s F i re
I n i t ia t i v e – O p e ra t iona l P r o c e d u r e s Pr o j e c t, w h i c h is ma tc he d b y s i m i la r a n d
re l a te d CF A pr oj e c t s . Ta k e n t o t h e i r ul ti m a te c o n c lu si on s, t h e s e pr oje c t s w i ll
a dd r e ss t h e i s s u e s ra i s e d i n th e 2 0 05 /06 r e vi e w a s w e ll a s t hi s re v i ew . T h o se
pro ce s se s ha ve be e n i n cl ud e d i n t h e Stra tegic Wo rki ng Gro u ps proc esses .
Information flow to the community
E s ta bl is hme n t o f t h e V B IL a n d i t s su bs e q ue n t e x pa ns io n a n d e n or m o us
a d va n c e s in co mm u n it y in te ra c t io n, b u i l d i ng on t h e p r o c e ss e s d e v e l o pe d d u r i n g
2 00 2 /0 3 b o t h p r i o r to a nd du r ing f ir e s i s a m od e l f o r ot he r sta t es, i n d e e d o th e r
c o u n t r ie s to fo llo w . T h e a g e n c i e s h a v e d e ve l o pe d st ron g in f o r m a t io n f l o w s to
co mm u ni ti e s to e n a bl e re s i de nt s to m a ke ti m e ly de ci si o ns to sta y o r go, a nd
in c o rp ora t e g ood u n de rsta n d i ng o f t he l ik e l y c o n s e q u e n c e s of l ea vi n g h o m e a t
ina pp r op ri a te ti mes , a nd t h e c o n d iti o n s li ke l y to be e xpe r i e n ce d d uri ng t h e
pa s s a g e o f t h e f i r e fr o n t .
Act i vi ti e s u n de r F R V p r ov id e p e op le li vi ng a n d wor ki n g in b u s hf i r e pr o ne a r e a s
w it h a bi l i t y t o b e t t e r u nd e r st a nd th e p o te nt ia l imp a ct s of fir e on t h e m a n d t h e i r
imm e di a t e e nv i r o n s . A l th ou gh th e t a rge t s se t by t he V BI rega rd i n g co m m u ni t y
i n fo r m a t io n f l o w ha ve c l e a rl y be e n a c hi e v e d , in it ia ti ve s to ma in ta in s t ro n g
bon d s b e tw e e n fi re a g e nc i e s a nd fire pro n e communi t i e s w i ll e ns u re no
d i m i nu tio n i n com m u n i t y u n d e r st a n d i n g a n d a p pr e c ia ti on o f t h e ro le o f f i r e .
Resourcing
A c r i t ica l ne e d i d e n t i fi e d un de r re s o u r c i n g is t h e de ve lo p m e n t a nd
impl e m e n t a t i on of a n e f f e c t i v e t r a c ki ng s y st e m f o r re so u r c e s a nd f in a n ce s.
D e ve lo pm e n t o f a coop e r a t i v e re so u r ce s tra ck ing s y ste m a cross C FA , DSE , M FB
a nd V ic S E S i s a m u lt i- a g e n c y r e c o m m e n d a ti o n th a t r e ma i n s o u t s ta n di n g f r om
t h e V B I. Gi v e n th e a l m o st ce rta i n a ssoc i a t io n w i t h i n fo r m a t io n te c hno lo g y , i t is
a pp r op ri a te t h a t thi s p ro ce e d in c on c e r t wit h I T r e v i ew s.
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P a g e 78 of 9 6
Coordination and Integration
Th e tw o f ir e a g e nc i e s CFA a nd D S E a re r a pi d ly tr a n si ti ng fr om j o i n t to
int eg r a te d op e r a ti on s . R e fl e c ti on o n t he in te r a g e nc y r e l a ti on shi p s on l y a
d e ca de o r s o a g o h i gh l i g h t s t h e a d va n c e s m a de a n d th e se w e re f u rt he r
ch a r a c te ri se d t hi s s e a s on b y f ull y i n tegr a t e d f a ci l iti e s th a t w e r e e st a b l i s h e d –
S t ra t e g i c Pl a n n i n g U n it , J o i n t IMT de s k a n d i n te gr a te d I M Ts. O n e o f th e
o u ts ta nding re co mme n da t i ons fro m t h e V B I i s the esta bli s hme n t o f a singl e
sta t e c o ord i n a ti on c e n t re c o v e ri n g a ll e m e rg e nc y a g e n c i e s . I t i s pr o p ose d to
a d dr e ss t h a t re c o mme n d a t io n, fr o m t h e p e r s pe ct iv e o f th e f i r e se r v ice s , b y
esta b l i s hm e n t of a si n gle fi re e me rg e n c y c o o rdi n a t io n ce n tr e p ri o r to th e
2 00 7 /0 8 se a so n . I m pl e m e n ta t i on of t hi s w ill sub s ta nt i a l ly r e i n f o r c e
i m p r o v e m e n ts in i n te g r a t io n a c hi e v e d du r i ng 2 0 0 6 / 0 7.
Planning
Imple m e n ta tio n o f t he Int e gra t e d Fir e Ma na ge me nt Pla n n i ng mode l, a d o p te d i n
2 00 7 , w i ll c o nti n u e to st r e ng t h e n c o m m un i t y i n te r a cti o n w i th t he f ir e a g e nc i e s.
A p r e ss i ng n e e d re ma i n s fo r r e vie w of i n c i de nt a c t i o n p l a n n i n g pro c e ss e s, on e
of t h e k e y f a ce t s of op e r a ti o n a l f ire m a n a g e m e n t .
Fireground
Wh il st t he r e a r e se ve r a l i s s u e s fl a g g e d f or i m pr ov e m e nt , t he f i re g ro u nd
pe r s on ne l w h o s u c c e s s f ul l y im pl e m e n t e d tw o m a ssi v e c o n t r o l l i n e s r e fl e c ts th e
s k i l l s a n d tr a i n i ng o f th e m a n y pe rso n ne l w h o p a rti ci p a te d in t h e se fi res . Th e
a c hie v e m e nt o f the se t w o co nt ro l line s is s y m b oli c of t h e d e gr e e o f sk il l s a n d
ca pa bi l i ti e s e xe r ci s e d . It is im p or t a n t to reco gnis e the de ve lo pment o f s u ch
sk ill s a n d c a p a bi l iti e s a nd a l so th e m a n a gem e nt s t r u c t ur e s t h a t a l lo w e xe r cise
of t h ose sk i ll s ov e r p r ot r a c t e d e v e n t s .
IT compatibility
In co n ce r t w i th t h e pro p osa l t o impl e m e n t a s i n g le sta t e l e ve l e m e r ge nc y
co or di n a ti o n c e n t r e i s th e n e c e ssi t y f o r r e vi e w of I T pl a t f o rm s a nd so f t w a r e to
e n a b le sea m l e ss i n t e rc ha n g e o f in f o r m a t io n a n d da t a b e tw e e n t h e s e r v ic e s.
Be a r in g in m i n d t h is n e e d , g e n e ra l l y ve r y po s i t i ve c o mm e n ts w e re con t ri b u te d
a b ou t th e s t a n d a rd a n d a v a il a bi li ty of w e b b a se d fi re m a pp i ng .
It i s th e op ini o n o f t h e a u th or , s u pp o r te d b y t h e o u t c o m e s o f t h i s r e v i e w , th a t f
i r e ma na ge me nt i n V i c t o r ia ha s c o m e a l o n g w a y i n re ce n t yea r s. 2 00 2/ 03 w a s a
wa te r s h e d ye a r t h a t re su lte d i n e xt e n s iv e inq u iri e s t hr o ug h the V BI . Si nc e
th a t in qu ir y m o st o f i t s r e c o m m e nd a ti o n s ha v e bee n a dd r es se d . C FA a nd D S E
re p o r t s o n th e V BI re c o m m e nd a ti o n s i nd i c a te th a t spe c if ic re c o m m e n da t i o ns
co n c e rn i ng e a c h a ge n c y h a ve be e n a d dre s se d . Th e r e a r e r e c o m m e n da t i o ns th a t
re m a i n o u t s ta n di n g a cr o ss t h e f u ll s uit e o f e m e rg e n c y m a n a g e m e n t a g e n c i e s
th a t a re n o t s ol e ly w i t hi n th e p u r v ie w o f e i t h e r CF A or DS E to i mp l e m e n t.
Wh il st n o t ne a rl y a s si gn i f i c a n t a s 2 002/ 03 , t h e fi re s ea s on i n 2 0 0 5 /0 6 w a s on e
of t h e c a ta ly s ts for th i s re vi e w p r o ce ss. A si mil a r pro c e ss w a s insti tute d in
2 00 5 /0 6 b u t w a s re fin e d a n d t ig h te ne d in f o cu s th i s yea r . A s i n di c a te d a b o ve ,
th e 2 00 5 /0 6 pr oc e ss w a s o ve rta ke n t o som e exte nt b y o th e r c ri t i c a l fi re
ma na geme nt d e m a nd s b u t n o n e the l e ss sig n i f i c a n t a d v a n c e s w e r e m a de o n
p r oc esse s a g re e d in 20 0 5 / 0 6.
C u r r e n t cl im a t e c o n d it i o ns su g g e s t, a t lea st i n th e s h o r t t e rm, t h a t S o u t hE a ste r n A u str a li a m a y e xp e ri e nc e a h i gh e r fr e q ue nc y of d if f i cu l t fi r e c o n d it i o n s
th a n h a s p r e vi o u s l y b e e n the n o rm . I t i s p o s sib le t h a t se v e re s ea s on s i n t h e
J u ly 2 00 7
P a g e 79 of 9 6
na t u re o f 2 0 0 2 /0 3 a nd 2 00 6/ 0 7 w it h pr ot ra ct e d pe r i o d s o f a d v e rs e f i r e w e a t h e r
will pr e v a il more fr e q u e n t l y th a n hi st or y n o w re co rds . F o r th e se re a sons , it is
impe r a ti ve t h a t c o m m u ni ti e s i n fi re p r o ne a r e a s c o n t i n ue t o w o r k i n a n a lli a n ce
wit h t h e f i r e se r vi c e s a nd i t i s e q ua l ly imp e r a tiv e t h a t t he fir e se r v ic e s
re co gnise the be ne fit s o f tha t a l lia n ce .
U p to t h i s p o i n t, t h e fi r e se rv i c e s ha v e re s p o n de d to co mm u n i t y n e e d s t o re a c h
a pos i t i o n w h e r e V i cto r ia no w ha s com m uni t i e s ba se d i n fi re pron e a r e a s t h a t
a r e , m o r e t ha n li ke ly , be tte r i n f o r me d th a n t h e ir c o u n terp a r ts e l se whe r e on th e
glo be . I nd i ca t i o ns fr o m the i r r e spo n se to t h e 2 0 0 2 /0 3 i n qui r ies , a nd t he e ve nt s
of 2 00 5/ 06 a nd 2 0 0 6 /0 7 , r e g a rd i n g op e ra t io n a l i s su e s , a r e th a t t h e t w o f i r e
ser vi c e s, C F A a n d D S E , w il l c o n t in u e to de v e l o p a nd r e fine their p a r t ne r s hip in
o r de r to ma i n ta in e f fe ct i v e ru ra l a n d fo rest f i r e ca pa bil i t ies.
J u ly 2 00 7
P a g e 80 of 9 6
APPENDICES
J u ly 2 00 7
P a g e 81 of 9 6
Appendix 1: Terms of Reference
Independent Review of DSE and CFA Operational
Performance
2006/2007 Fire Season
Terms of Reference
1
B A CKGROUND
V i ct or ia n F i re Au t h or i t i e s (CF A a n d DS E ) h a v e b e e n , a n d m a y c o n t i n u e to be , in v o l v e d
in m a j or r u ra l / f o r e st f i re s d u ri ng 2 00 6/ 2 00 7 fir e se a s on . Alr e a dy , t h e Gr e a t D i vi d e
Com p l e x of f ir e s h a v e re q u ir e d e xte n de d f i re fi g h t i n g op e r a ti on s f r o m a ll V i ct or i a n fi re
a g e n ci e s, a nd s up p o r t fr om in te r s ta t e a nd ov e r sea s a g e nc i e s. Oth e r si g ni f ic a nt f ir e s
ha ve a l so o c cu rre d t o da te , i n c l u d i ng f ir e s i n Gi pp s la nd i n m id O c t ob e r 20 0 6 , a nd t he
Ca ste rt o n c o mp l e x of f i re s in l a te No ve m b e r 2 00 6 . V i c t ori a n fi re fi g hte r s w e r e a l so
depl o y e d to the U ni te d Sta te s i n A ug u st th r o ug h to O c t obe r t o a s si st i n m a j o r fir e s i n
weste r n US A , a nd to N S W in N o v e mbe r 20 06 . T he p o t e n t i a l sti ll e xi s ts f o r a d di ti on a l
ma j or fi re s to o c c ur i n the n e xt fe w m o nt h s du e to dry w e a t h e r c o n d it io ns .
DS E a nd C F A j o in t ly u nd e rta ke a n um b e r of j o in t op e r a ti o n s p e r f o r m a nc e
i m p r o v e m e n t pro c e sse s , i n c l ud in g de b r ie fs, i n ve s t i g a t i o ns o f nea r m i sse s a n d
a c c i de nts, a n d re a l t i m e pe rf orm a n c e mon i to r i n g vis its . I t is pro p os e d t h a t th e
c o ns u l ta nt p a rt ic i p a t e i n ke y de br i e fs a s th e y a re s c hed uled , a n d re vie w t h e o u t c o m e s
of a l l pr o ce ss e s t o i de nt i fy str a te gic o pp o rt u n iti e s for i m pr o v e m e nt .
2
2.1
OPERATIONAL R E VIEW PROCESSE S
1
D ebrie fs
I t is i n t e n d e d to u n d e r t a k e a se ri e s o f d e br ie fs a t lo ca l a n d re g i ona l l e v e l of t h e
Gr ea t Di v id e C o m p le x fi re s to c a p t ur e k e y l e ss on s lea r n e d . I t i s pl a n ne d th a t
R e g i o n a l De b r ie fs of t h e Gr e a t D i v i d e Co m p le x f i r e s w i ll b e s c he d ul e d t h r o u g h o u t
V i ct or ia i n la t e F e br u a ry a nd e a r l y Ma r ch (s u b je ct to pe rso n ne l a v a ila b i l i t y d u e to
p o t e n t ia l op e r a t io na l ; co ns tra i nts ) . P r e l im in a ry p l a n ni ng h a s ide nt i f ie d th a t up t o 6
R e g i o n a l De b r ie fs w o u l d be c o nd u c t e d s t a te w id e . Lo ca l D e br ie fs a r e a l so p l a n n e d f o r
fireg r o und pe r s o nne l , IMTs, a nd sta t e co or d i na t i on ce nt res, a nd o f a ll int e rst a te a nd
o v erse a s suppo r t a g e n cie s .
Debr ie fs h a ve a l r e a d y be e n h e l d or a re pl a n n e d f o r oth e r sp e c i fi c si g n if i c a n t f ire s
th a t h a v e o c cu r re d i n V i ctor ia in 20 0 6 /2 00 7 fi re s ea s on . I n a d di ti o n, de bri e f s h a ve
bee n c ond u cte d or a r e pl a n ne d f o r the C F A/ D SE de pl o yme nt to U S A i n O c tobe r 2 0 0 6 ,
a nd t he C FA de pl o ym e nt to NSW i n N o v e m b e r 2 0 0 6 .
2.2
Near Miss /Accident Inv estigations
DS E a nd C F A h a ve c o mme nc e d i n ve sti g a ti o n s in to a n u mb e r of n e a r m i ss in cid e nts or
a c cid e n t s. It i s pr op os e d th a t in d iv id u a l r e po r t s w il l b e pr e p a r e d fo r e a c h i n cid e n t ,
a n d tha t a n ove rvie w r e po rt w i ll be prepa r e d a t t h e e n d o f t h e sea s on r e vi e w i n g th e
o u t c o m e s id e n t i fi e d i n a l l in d i vi d u a l re po rts.
J u ly 2 00 7
P a g e 82 of 9 6
2.3
3 Rea l Time Perform a nc e Monitoring Progra m
To da t e , R e a l T i m e Pe r f o r ma n c e Mo ni to ri n g T e a m s ha ve be e n de pl o y e d on 5
oc c a si on s i n 20 06 / 20 0 7 . A dd i ti on a l de p l oym e n t s a r e p o ssib le d ur i ng the r e m a i nde r
of t h e fir e se a so n. In d iv id u a l r e por t s w il l b e pr e p a r e d f or ea ch v i si t a nd a n ov e rv i e w
re p o r t w i ll be p re p a re d a t th e e n d o f t he s ea so n re vie wi n g t he o ut c ome s o f a l l
in div id ua l r e p o r t s.
3
PROPOSAL
T h e i n de pe n d e n t c o nsu l ta nt w i ll b e re t a i n e d to :
4
4.1
12 .
mee t th e C hie f O f f ic e r (CF A ), C hi e f O ffi ce r F ire a nd E m e rg e n c y Ma na g e m e n t
Divi s i on (D SE ) to discu s s iss u e s a n d e x pe cta tio ns e a rly in t h e pr o c e ss ,
13 .
a tte nd the R e gio n a l De brie fs of t he G r e a t Di v id e C o mp l e x f ir e s,
1 4.
.re vi e w str a te g ic i s su e s i d enti fi e d i n L oc a l D e bri e f s o f t he G rea t Di
vi d e Com p l e x fir e s ,
1 5.
.pro v id e a p re l i m in a r y r e p o r t to b o t h C hi e f O f f ic e r s i ndi ca t i ng k e y str a tegi
c is s ue s i de n t i fi e d t h a t nee d to b e imm e di a te ly a ddr e sse d ,
1 6.
.a tte n d or re v i e w th e o u t c o m e s o f ot he r d e br i e fs c o n d u c te d in 20 06 / 2 0 0 7 ,
1 7.
.re vi e w t h e o u tc om e s o f rea l t im e pe r f o r m a n c e m o n i tor i n g vi si ts ,
1 8.
.r e v i e w t h e o u t c o m e s of ne a r mi ss a n d a c c i de n t in ve s ti g a tio ns,
1 9.
.m e e t w i t h k e y i n t e r n a l a n d e x te rn a l s t a k e h o l de rs,
2 0.
.re vi e w op e ra t i o n a l pe r fo r m a n c e i n the 20 06 / 20 07 fi r e sea so n a g a in s t i s su e s
ide n ti fi e d i n pr e vi o u s yea r s to i d e n ti f y a r e a s w h e r e improvement s ha ve bee n
ma d e a n d a r e a s t h a t re q u ir e o n goi n g a tte nt i o n,
2 1.
. pr o vi d e a fin a l re p or t on op e r a tio n a l p e rf or ma n c e f o r th e 2 0 0 6/ 20 07 fir
e se a s on i n a n a gr e e d f o rm a t b y 3 0 Ap ril 2 0 0 7
2 2.
.a ssi st in t h e pr e s e n ta t i on of ou tc om e s to k e y in te rn a l a nd e x te rn a l
sta ke ho l de rs .
OUTPUTS
Prelim inary Report
Th e Pr e lim i na ry R ep o r t will be a n inter n al b r iefi ng d o cu me n t p r ovi d ed sp ecifi cally to
bot h Chi e f Offi cer s an d sh oul d f o cu s on ke y issue s th at were id e n tified th at c o ul d b e
imm e di a te l y a dd r e ss e d to p ro vid e im pr ov e m e n t opp o r t un iti e s d u ri ng th e rema i n d e r
of t h e f ir e se a so n. Th e P re l imi n a ry R e po r t s h ou l d be s ubm i t te d wi t hi n 1 0 w or ki ng
da y s of th e fi n a l R e g i o n a l D e bri e f .
4.2
Final Re po rt
Th e Fi n a l R e p o r t w i l l b e a d o c um e n t th a t i s i nte nd e d f o r br oa d c ir c ul a ti o n w i t hi n t he
fire a g e n cie s a n d a ls o e x te rna lly. T he rep or t sh o ul d d e ta il h ow DS E a n d CF A
pre p a r e d f o r a nd r e sp on de d t o, th e 2 0 0 6/ 2 0 07 f ir e sea so n , w h a t w e n t w e ll , w h a t
ne e d s to b e im pr o v e d , a n d s ug g e sti o n s a b o u t how imp r ov e m e n t s ma y b e a c h i e v e d .
T he F i na l R e po rt s ho ul d i d e nt i f y a l l a sp e cts a ri s i ng fr om t he ope r a ti o n a l re vi e w
pro ce ss e s t ha t i m p a c t e d V i ct or ia ' s a b i li ty t o ma n a g e b u s hfi re ri sk s, a n d to r a pi dl y
a nd e f fe c t i ve l y r e sp on d to a nd c o n t r o l fu t u re b u sh f ir e s. T he Fi n a l R e p o r t s h ou ld
ide n ti fy ma jor p o li cy , pro ce d ur a l , a nd c a p aci ty i ssue s g r oupe d un d e r the f o l l owing
hea d i ng s :
• Pre ve ntion/ P re pa re dne ss ,
• R e sp o n s e
J u ly 2 00 7
P a g e 83 of 9 6
In it i a l A t ta ck ,
O n go in g Inc i de n t Co ntr o l,
E m e r g e nc y Ma na ge me n t Coo r d i na tio n a n d Li a i son .
•
R e co ve ry
•
Oth e r sig n i f ic a n t i ss u e s a ri s i n g wit h f o c u s o n si g n i fi c a n t r i s k s to f ir efi g hte r s,
the publi c a nd the ir a s se ts a nd the e n vir o n m e nt.
Th e Fin a l Rep o r t sh ou l d id en tify pri o ri ty issues an d p o tenti a l solu ti on s ar i s in g f o r
th e op er ati o n a l re vi e w pr oce sse s. Whil e t h e c o ntr a ct or m a y c o m m en t on pr ior i ti e s
a n d int e rde pe n de ncie s be t w e e n iss u e s ra ised , t h e c o ntra ct o r w i ll not unde rta k e
se p a r a te o pe r a ti o n a l r e vi e w s of a n y of th e fi res .
T h e dra f t Fi na l R e p o r t sh ou l d b e c o m p le te d b y 15 A p r i l 2 0 07 . T h e d r a f t F i na l R e po rt
will be j o i n tl y re v ie w e d by th e D S E - CFA d e bri e f pr oj ect te a m , a n d m a y r e q u ir e
se ve ra l ite r a t io ns for c o m p le ti on. Th e F i na l R e po rt is re q u ir e d to b e c o m p le te d by 30
April 2 0 0 7 .
4.3
Stakeholder Brie fings
Th e C o ntra ct o r w i ll b e re q u ir e d to b r ie f se nio r ma na ge rs w i t h in t h e C F A, DSE , O f f i c e
o f t h e E m e r g e n c y Se r v i c e s Co mm iss i o n e r a n d o t h e rs a s a g r e e d on ma jo r iss u e s a n d
su g ge st e d pri o ri ti e s, a nd p a r t i c i p a te i n i n ter n a l w or k sh op (s ) , pr o vi s ion a ll y i n Ma y or
J u n e 2 0 0 7 w h e r e f i n d i n gs a r e p r e se n t e d a n d p r io r i t y iss u e s di s c uss e d .
5
IMPLEMENTATIO N
T h e s c he d ul e o r ra te s s u bm it te d b y th e co ns ul ta nt w i ll be us e d. D u r i n g pr e pa r a t io n
o f t h e r e vie w a n d a t its co mp le t i o n , t h e co nt ra cto r a g re e s t h a t a l l m a te r i a l
i n s p e c te d, r e v i e w e d or p r o d uce d to o r b y th e co nt ra cto r , r e m a i n s a s t h e e x cl u s i v e
pro pe r ty of th e St a t e of V ic t ori a . The c o n t r a c t or u nd e r t a k e s t o r e t u rn a n y a nd a ll
s u c h ma te ri a l a t t h e co nc l u si on of th e r e vie w a n d a gree s tha t t h e S t a t e of V i cto r ia
re ta ins e x cl us i ve int e lle c t u a l prope r t y right s to s u ch ma t e ria l .
Th e c o n t r a ct or a g re e s th a t a n y i n f o rm a t i o n p r odu c e d or ob t a i n e d d ur i ng t h e c o ur s e
o f t h is re v i e w p r o c e ss w i ll re ma in s t ri ct l y co n f i d e n t i a l a n d tha t t h e con t ra c t or w i l l
n o t pu b l ish o r a tt e m p t to ma ke pu b l i c a n y i n fo r m a t io n a r is i n g d u r i n g t h e cou r s e o f ,
or f oll ow i n g th e c o m p l e t i on o f t h e c o ntr a c t.
J u ly 2 00 7
P a g e 84 of 9 6
Appendix 2: Operational review process 2006/07
Introduction
T h is a p pe nd i x d e sc r i be s th e re v i e w p r o c esse s tha t w e re emplo y e d t o ide n t i f y
th e i s s u e s e m e r gi n g f r om t he 20 0 6/ 07 f ir e se a so n. Si x ma j o r re g i o n a l debr i e fs
w e re joint l y cond ucte d b y CFA a nd D S E . T h e s e d e br ie fs w e r e s u pp o r te d a n d
i n fo r m e d by d e b r ie fs a t u n i t / l o c a l / d ist r ic t le v e ls a n d a l so b y de b r i e f s f r o m
sp e ci a li st a nd f u n c ti on a l a r e a s. T hre e c ont i n uo u s im pr o ve m e n t p r o gra m s t h a t
h a v e e a c h b e e n ru nn i n g fo r se ve r a l ye a rs – N e a r Mi ss a n d A c c i de n t
I n ve st ig at io n, Rea l Tim e P e r f o r m a n c e Mo ni to r i n g a n d O p era t ions A n a l ysis – also
c o n t r i b u te d to t h e re v i e w . Man y pe op le s u bmi t te d i n di v i d u al “ D e b r ie f i n g Re co rd
P r o f or m a s ” to re co rd a n d co nt ri bu te th e i r ide a s.
In a d di ti on t o t he a b o ve i n p ut s t he re v i e w proces s in clude d con sul ta t i o n w i th
sta ke h old e rs li s te d i n a p pe n di x 3, in s pe c ti o n s a n d d i s c u s si on s a t ke y si te s ( e . g .
No rt h A l to na E q u i pme n t Ce nt re , V B I L ) a n d t h e o p por t un i t y to c o ns i d e r a dra f t
p a pe r b y th e S u m m e r C a m p a i gn R e v i e w W o r k i n g P a rt y o f th e V o l u n t e e r F i r e
Brig a d e s V i ct ori a ( V FB V ) .
Regional debrief process
A s e ri e s of j o in t f i r e se r v ice s de br i e fs w a s he l d a t loc a l a n d re g i ona l l e v e ls for
fi re a c ti vi ty dur i ng 20 0 6/ 07 . Si x j oi n t CF A / D S E reg i o n a l d e b r ie f s we re
co n d u c te d to e xa m in e th e Gr e a t Di vi d e Fi r e C omp l e x to ca pt u r e l e ss on s l e a r ne d
fr om th a t e v e n t a s w e l l a s oth e r ma j o r fi re s e xp e ri e nc e d d u ri ng t he sea so n .
Wh e n e v e r po ss ib le , t h e s e d e bri e f s w e re in f or m e d by ea rli e r de b r ie f s fr om cre w ,
u n i t a n d d i st r i c t l e v e l, to ge th e r w i th fu nc t i o n a l a r e a de b r ie fs, f o r e xa m p l e
In f o rm a ti o n, Lo gi st i cs a nd C o m m u ni ca t i on s f u nc t i o ns .
To e n s u r e c o n s is te nc y i n a pproa c h , t h e s i x r e gi o na l d e brie f s w e r e c ond u cte d by
a fa cilit a tor, on the ba s i s t h a t a con s is te nt me t h o d o l og y ma y a ssis t in
ide n ti fyi ng w h e t he r i ss ue s s ho w e d a c o n s i s te n t trend , we re re g i o n/ a r e a sp eci fi c
or w e r e on e - o ff o c c a s i on s .
Th e me t h o d ol og y u t il i s e d w a s b a s e d on t h e O R I D d i s c u s si o n t e c h n i q ue w h e r e
pa r t i c ip a n ts i n th e pr o c e ss w e re e n c o ur a g e d to b e :
O b j e ct i ve : gr o und t he i r di s cu s si o ns i n f a c t a nd id e n t if y ke y f a c t s a nd e ve nt s
r a t h e r t h a n p l a c in g re li a n ce u p on o p i n i o ns;
R e fl e cti v e : i de nti f y ke y t ur n i ng p o in ts a nd t hi nk a b o u t w h y t he y w ere k e y
poi n ts ;
I n t e r pr e t iv e : w h a t i ss ue s d o t h e fa ct s of t h e c a se r a i s e , a nd
D e ci s io n a l: d e te r m i n e w h a t sh o u ld b e d o n e a b ou t th o se i s s u e s th a t w o r k e d
w e ll, thos e t h a t ne e d st r e n g t h e n in g , th e ne ce ss a r y a c t i o n s to fol l ow a n d w ho
o u ght to cha mpio n tho s e a c t ivit i e s .
Pa rt i c ip a nt s w e re le d t hr o ug h a l o g i c a l p r oc e s s t o a c hi e v e a “ fir e m a na g e m e nt”
m i n d se t to a ss i st re ca ll of s i gn i f i ca nt e v e n ts f r om t h e f i r e sea s o n d u r i n g a n
i n tr od u c to ry s e ss io n , t o a ssis t i n e s ta bl i s h i ng the f a c t s th a t c o ul d b e reli e d on
a nd w hi ch co uld be us e d i n l a te r gr ou p di s c u ssi o n . Pa r t ic ip a n ts w e r e the n
vol u n t a ril y spl i t in t o 6 gr o up s to pa r t i c i p a te i n d i scu ssi on s a b o ut ke y i s su e s o n
t h e fo l l ow in g s i x to p i c s :
J u ly 2 00 7
P a g e 85 of 9 6
I n fo r m a t ion f l ow t o th e co m m u n i t y ;
Co ord i n a ti o n w i t h ot he r a g e n ci e s ;
Pl a n n i ng ;
Fir e gr ou nd c om m a n d ;
Log i st ic s;
Co mm un i c a t io ns.
P a r t ic i p a n ts w e r e a ske d to vo l u nt a r i l y no mi n a t e a s a hos t to l e a d a n d re co rd
dis c u s si o n s u nd e r e a c h m a j o r t op ic . T h e h o st r e m a i n e d w i th t ha t to pi c f o r a ll
discus s i o ns a b out it a n d othe r pa rtic i p a n ts m o v e d be t w e e n dis c u ssi o n gr ou ps ,
ge n e r a ll y a tte nd i ng di s c u s si on s i n w h ic h th e y ha d m o st i n te r e st i n t he s u b j e ct
a r e a . T h e to p i cs w e re d e l i be r a te l y n o t n a rr o wly de fi n e d to e n a bl e pa rt i c ip a n ts
to d e term i n e w h a t i ss u e s th e y w i s he d to di s c u s s i n e a c h g r o up . N ot a ll
p a rt ic i p a n ts a t te n d e d d i sc u ss i o ns i n e a c h ma jo r to pi c, b u t ha d t h e o p po rt un i t y
to h a v e i n p u t t o a t le a st t h r e e ke y t o pi c a r e a s.
Th e ta sk f or e a c h d i sc us si o n g r o up w a s to i d e n ti f y a nd re c or d i s s u e s th a t
wor k e d w e l l , i s su e s t h a t r e qui r e d str e ng t h e n ing , a nd w h e r e a r e a s of a g r e e m e n t
o r d i sa g r e e m e nt e x is te d. Pa r t ic i p a n ts w e r e a l so a s ke d t o i d e n t i f y , f o r thos e
matt er s th at r e qui r e som e c h an ge , wh at t h e d e si rabl e ou tc om e sh ould be and
iden ti fy th e n e c e ssar y act i on t o impl em en t th at c h ang e . Th ey w e re al so ask e d
to c o n s ide r a n a p pr op r ia t e tim e li ne for w h e n the a ctions oug ht to be
impl e m en te d a nd to a ll o ca t e a g e n e r a l l e v e l o f respo nsibilit y fo r implement a tio n
a t lo ca l, r e g i ona l o r st a t e le ve l.
Ul tim a tel y , e a c h di s c u ss i o n gr o up de ve l o p e d a s ch e d u l e id e nti f y ing the a c t i o ns
t h a t ma tte re d t h e mos t i.e . th e mos t i m porta nt , a n d the a ct i ons tha t o u g ht to
be i m pl e m e n te d f i r s t, a nd in s om e c a se s t o i de n ti fy a “ c h a mp io n ” t o e n s ur e
th a t a c ti on s a r e ca r ri e d f o r w a rd .
E a ch ke y pa rt o f t h e p r oc e ss w e r e c a p t u r e d b y no te s e i th e r o n w a l l c h a r ts or
l a be l l e d not e pa pe r. T h e r e c o r d s o f e a ch de b r i e f w e re s u bs e q u e n t l y ty pe d in to a
f o rma t ma tc h i n g t h e di sc uss i o n f o r m a t a nd c op i e s w e r e di st ri b ute d to ea c h
pa r t i c ip a n t. T he f ul l r e c o rd s fr om ea ch o f th e m a j o r debr ie f s a n d th e u nd erl yi ng
debr ie f s a r e n o t i n cl u d e d a s a p p e n di c e s t o t h i s re vi e w si nc e m uc h o f th e
c o n t e n t re fe rs to ma t t e r s t h a t ne e d to be a d o p t e d, re a f fi r m e d o r i n tro d u c e d a t
lo ca l or reg io n a l l e v e l. T he r e i s opp o r t u n i t y t o c o ll a te t h e r e c o rd s f r om th e si x
ma j or d e br i e f s i n to a c on s ol id a te d d o cu me nt , a l tho u g h it is impor t a nt to e n sure
th a t ea ch d e bri e f re c o rd r e ta i n s i t s id e n ti t y a s m a ny i n di vid u a l , l o c a l a nd
regi o na l a c ti o n s w e re re c o r d e d .
Th e va l u e i n r e ta i n i n g e a c h se p a ra t e de bri e f re c o rd in it s ori g in a l f orm a t i s t ha t
i t se r v e s a s a r e a d y re f e r e n c e do c u me nt. Se v e ra l ins t a n c e s w e re d i s c u sse d
du ri ng th e ov e r a ll pr o c e s s w h e r e i ndi vid ua l s i ndi c a te d t ha t on e of th e ir f ir st
rea c ti on s o n r e c o g n i s i n g the p o t e n t i a l o f 2 0 06 / 0 7 a f te r m a s si ve li g h t ni ng
a c tiv i t y o n 1 D e c e mb e r 20 06 w a s t o l o c a te th e i r r e c o rd s f r om 2 0 0 2/ 0 3 a nd
re fre s h the ir me mo ry o n is s u e s th a t a r o s e f r o m t h a t c a mp a i gn .
T h e a d va nta g e s o f u s i n g th is p r oc e ss a r e :
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
c o n s is te nc y be t w e e n d e bri e fs;
a bi l it y to r a pi dl y d i sti l e v e n ts d o w n to i m p o rt a n t i ss ue s;
c o ns ta nt r e qu i r e m e n t t o gro u n d di sc uss i ons a r ou n d fa ct ua l e v e n ts
a bi lit y f o r a ll p a r t i ci p a n ts to c o n t r ib u te e q u a l l y a n d to dete r m i n e
in div i du a l ly w h a t t h e k e y e l e m e n t s w e re fr om t h e i r p e r s p e c t iv e ;
no i n h ibi ti o n o n d i s cu s si on t op i c s ;
a bi lit y to i d e n t if y a r e a s o f c o n s e ns u s ;
a bi lit y to d e fi ne th e m o st imp o r t a n t a n d va lu a b le o u t c om e s.
J u ly 2 00 7
P a g e 86 of 9 6
T h e disa d v a n ta ge o f u s i n g t h is p r o c e ss is t h a t w h i l e t h e r e is s co p e t o ra p i d l y
ide n ti fy ke y i s su e s, t h e cr u c i a l p la yer s (t h e l o c a l I M T or IF A C m e mb e r s) d o n’ t
ha ve th e opp or t u ni ty t o a n a l y s e th e ou tp ut s a s a gr o u p, a nd th e r e a r e qu e s t i on
m a rks a b ou t w h e t h e r t h e y r e a l l y “o w n ” t h e o u t p ut , u n l e ss t h e y ha v e fu rt he r
in v o lv e m e n t in the pr o ce ss . I n t hi s i n sta nc e , membe r s f r om the re gi on a l d e br ie f
tea m s h a v e be e n i nc l u d e d in to w or k i ng gr o u p s to un d e rta ke str a te g i c a na l y s i s
T h e co l l a t e d r e co r d s fr o m re g i o n a l d e br ie f s, f u nc t i ona l a n d s p e c ia li s t de b r i e f s
a nd a s s o ci a t e d pr ogr a m s w i ll f o rm a c r i t ic a l pa rt o f t h e s t r a te g i c a n a ly s i s o f t h e
2 00 6 /0 7 op e r a ti on .
Specialist, functional area and other debriefs
Mo st fu nc ti o n a l a n d s p e c ia l i s t a r e a s, i n c l ud in g in t e rst a t e a n d in te r n a t ion a l
depl oy m en t s c o nd u cte d d e br ie fs, a s d i d r egi o n a l a n d lo ca l a r e a s i n a dd i t i o n t o
th e si x m a j o r re g i on a l de b r ie f s . I n a ll , a pp r o xim a te l y 7 0 d e br ie f re c o r d s
co nt ri b u te d t o t hi s t h e re v i e w p r o ce ss. A ll d e bri e f re c o r ds w e r e e l e c tr oni c a ll y
r e co rd e d i n m i nu te , s c h e du l e o r po rta b le do c u m e n t fo rm a t e n a b li n g s e a r c h a n d
e x t r a c t i on o f k e y i ss u e s . T h e de b r i e f re co rd s w i l l li ke w i s e fo r m a ke y pa rt o f
th e str a te g i c a n a l y s i s t h a t w ill f ol low t hi s r e v iew .
S o m e s p e c ia l i st a n d fu n c tio n a l a r e a de b r ie f s u t il ise d a s i m i la r fo rm a t a s t h e
ma j or r e gi ona l de b ri e f s a n d w e r e a s si st e d b y t h e sa m e f a c ili t a t o r. Ot he r
debr ie f s we re c o n d u c te d w it h o ut th e a ssi sta n ce of a f a c ili ta t or , b u t in
a c c o rd a n ce w i t h s t a nd i ng p r o c e d ure s a n d we r e a pp r op ria te l y re c o rd e d . In li n e
w it h d e br ie f pr ot o c ol s a d op t e d b y D S E a n d C FA , ma ny i nd iv i d ua l s c omp l e te d
a n d s u bm itt e d a “ D eb r ief i ng R ec o rd P r o f o r m a ” i n w hi c h t h e y re c o r d e d idea s a n d
su gge s t i o n s f o r a d op t i on or i m pr ov e m e n t .
Associated Improvement Programs
Th re e p r og ra m s c o m p r isi n g p a r t o f t h e re v i e w a re des cr i b e d b e l o w .
Near Miss and Accident Investigation
Ne a r M i ss a n d Ac c i de n t in ve s t i g a t io ns w e re jo in tl y c o n d u c te d o n a n u m b e r o f
in ci de nt s f o ll ow in g t h e 2 0 02 /2 0 0 3 fir e sea s o n . G i v e n t he ex te n t o f fir e
su p pr es si on a c ti vi ty d u rin g 2 0 0 5 / 06 , th e Ch ie f s o f CF A a nd D S E f o r m a lly
e s ta b lis he d a jo i n t re vi e w p r oc e ss to p r o v id e a ddi ti o n a l s cr u t i n y t o n e a r m i ss
a n d a c ci de n t r e po rts. A nu m b e r o f n e a r -m iss in ci d e n t s a n d a c c i de n t s to f i r e
f i g ht i n g pe r s o n n e l w e r e re po rte d a n d re c o rd e d i n a ccor d w i th s t a n d i n g
procedures .
Th e p u rp o se w a s t o re vie w a ll r e p or t e d i n ci d e n t s, id e n ti fy a ny in c i de n t s th a t
w a r r a n te d f u rt he r in ve s t ig a t ion , c o n d uc t s u c h in ve s t iga t io ns a n d i d e n t i f y k e y
lea r n i ng s a r is i ng fr om th e r e v i e w s a n d f ur t he r in ve s t i g a t io n a n d pr o v i d e a mo re
co mp r e h e n s i v e r e c o rd of th e se e ve n ts
To u nd e r ta ke t hi s pr o c e s s a s ma ll m a n a ge me nt g r ou p, c o m p r i si n g Ma na ge r :
O p e r a t io ns P e r f o r ma n c e Im p r o v e m e n t, CF A a n d Ass i sta n t Ch ie f O f f i c e r :
O p e r a t io ns S u pp or t, D S E w a s e st a b l ish e d. To a ss i st th e m a na ge m e nt pro c e ss a n
i n ve s t ig a t io n a n d re po rt i n g tea m co m p r i s i n g a fo rm e r se nio r o f fi c e r f r om e a ch
fire s e rvice w a s e s ta bl ish e d.
A simi l a r p r o ce ss w a s a g a i n u n d e r ta k e n d u r i ng 20 0 6 /0 7 .
J u ly 2 00 7
P a g e 87 of 9 6
Th e b e n e f i t s of n e a r m i ss or a c c i de n t in v e stig a t i o n e m e rg e w h e n s o m e t h in g
ch a ng e s a s a re s ult of a n in ve s t i g a t i o n . T h os e c h a ng e s ma y r e s u lt f r om
impr o v i ng e ngi ne e r i ng c on t r o l s , e .g . ma nda t ory us e of sa fet y b oo t s a nd
he l m et s, tr a i ni ng ope r a tor s so t h e y k n ow t h e sa f e a nd cor re ct w a y to d o a ta sk ,
a nd tra i ni n g pe op le to ide n ti fy a da n g e ro u s si tu a t i o n b e f o r e s om e thi n g g o e s
w r ong .
Ke y le s so n s ca n on ly p ro vi d e b e ha vi our a l c h a nge if th e l e s so n s a re
d i sse mi na te d. Mos t pe op le a r e na tu ra ll y c u ri ou s a nd wa nt to kn ow the
c i r c u m sta n c e s o f pa rt ic u l a r e v e n ts – th e y w a nt to k n ow w h a t ha p p e ne d a nd
w h et he r a s y ste mi c , o pe r a ti o n a l or p ur e ly a c cid e n t a l o c cu r re nc e co ntr ib u te d to
t h e event . Abo ve a ll e l se , t h e y w a nt to k n ow w h a t ke y l e sso ns e m e r ge d f r om
t h e e v e n t a n d s u bse q u e nt in v e st ig a t io n a n d w h a t a c t i on ha s o c c u r r e d to
a dd r e s s a n y sy st e m i c i s s u e s .
T h e r e is opp o rt un it y to use si g n i f i c a n t in vest i g a t io ns a s ca se st ud i e s a n d
pu bli s h th e r e s u lts i n a “ S a f e ty B u ll e ti n ” or l i ke d o cu me nt t h a t i s r e gul a r ly
p r od u c e d a n d w i de l y a v a ila b l e . I t i s c r i t i c a l t o ma in ta in co n f id e n tia l it y a n d n o t
ide n ti fy th e p e r s on ne l in v o l v e d . E v e n ts m u st b e d e scr i be d in s u f fi c i ent deta i l to
e n su re th a t re a d e r s c a n a p pr e c ia t e t he c h a i n of e v en t s t h a t g a v e r i se to the
incident a nd a ny pro c e dura l , o p e ra tio na l or s y stemi c cha nge s tha t a r e
e n v i s a ge d . It i s r a re f o r a n e ve n t to be pu r e c h a n c e or mi s f or tu n e . E qu a l l y i t i s
of te n th e c a se t h a t a s e q u e n ce of e v e n t s lea d s to th e in ci de nt . C a r e fu l a n a l y sis
of e a c h e v e n t sh ou ld i de n ti fy t h e c h a i n of e v e n ts a nd ke y c o n t r i but i ng fa ct o r s,
wit ho ut a p p or t i o ni ng b la m e to a ny i n d iv i d ua l .
R e su lts s h ou l d be pe ri o d ica l l y re le a se d i n t h e fo rm a t o f a jo i n t l y b a d g e d a n d
a p pr opr i a te l y t i t l e d pu bl ic a t io n. T h is a v e n ue o f us i n g “ c a s e s t udie s ” to
dis se m i n a te k e y le s s on s re g a rdi n g sa fet y i s r e c o g n i s e d a s a n im p o r t a n t
t e c h ni q u e to t r a n s f e r i n fo r m a t io n a n d t o h i gh l i g h t r e le va nt messa ge s . W h ils t it
i s i m po rta n t to e n s u re t h a t SO Ps a n d Sta n di n g Or d e rs a r e up da te d a n d re iss ue d , t he “ c a se st ud y” te c hn i q u e , w he r e r e a de r s c a n ide nti f y w i t h rea l l if e
s i t u a t io ns o f t e n ca r r i e s a mo re p o w e r f ul mess a g e t h a n a re la ti ve l y s t e r i l e SO P.
Real Time Performance Monitoring
R e a l T i me P e rf or ma n ce Mo n i to r i n g is a pr ogr a m de ve lop e d i n 2 0 0 1 / 02 t o :
a ) mo n i to r t h e a c t i vi t i e s o f In c i de nt Ma na ge me nt s t r u c t ur e s to
• p r omo t e sa f e ty t h rou g h o u t t h e f i r e s u p p r e ss i o n e f fo rt
• prom ot e e f fe c t i v e a nd e f f i ci e n t i n cid e n t ma na g e m e n t , a nd ;
b) pr om ote c o nti n uo us i m pr ov e m e n t in i n ci de nt m a na ge me nt by
• e f f e c t iv e l y me a sur i ng op e r a ti on a l pe r f orm a n c e d uri n g i n cid e n t s, a n d
• r e in fo r c i n g e s ta bl is he d sta n da r d s a n d pe r f or m a n c e m e a s u r e s.
As a c o n s eq ue n c e of t he i r d e pl o y me n t , m o ni tor in g tea m s f o c u s on sy st e m s,
structur e a nd proce ss . The y do not a d dress i ssue s o f stra tegy o r ta ctics unles s
th e y i d en t i f y sp e ci fi c s a f e ty c o n c e rn s . T he y s h o uld n o t be c o m e i n v o lv e d i n
c a r r y in g out a n y i n c i de nt ma na ge me nt f u n c t i o n ot he r t h a n i n e x ce pt io na l
ci r c um sta n ce s.
Act i v a t i on of a P e rf or ma nc e M o n i t o ri ng T e am m a y occ u r at the r e qu est of eith er
th e S t at e C o ordi n a t o r of th e c o nt rol age n cy or th e I n ci den t C o ntr o ll er of a l e v e l
tw o or thr e e fi re . The tea m s ope r a te in a c c o r d wit h f o r m a l b u si n e ss r u l e s a n d
a s t h e y a r e i n e ss e nce co ndu ct i ng a rea l tim e a n a l ys is o r a u d i t o f c r it ic a l fi r e
s u ppress i on a n d ma na ge me nt ope r a t io ns , ex peri en ce d a nd q u a li f ie d pe r s o n ne l
a r e m a nd a t ory a s t e a m m e mb e r s. Th e y mu st in se r t th e ir t e a m i n to t h e
op e r a t io n i n s uc h a f a sh i on a s to ne ve r c o m p rom i se t h e a bil i ty of th e i n ci de nt
J u ly 2 00 7
P a g e 88 of 9 6
ma na geme nt str u ct ur e to c o nd u c t it s bu si n e s s a nd t h e In c id e nt C o n t r o l l e r ha s
th e a u th o ri t y t o h o l d o r a me n d m o nit o r in g a c t i vit i e s if the te a m sa f e ty o r fir e
fi gh t i n g e ff e c t iv e n e ss i s lik e ly to be c omp r o m i se d .
R TP M t ea m s r e p o r t a n y i s su e s of imm e d i a c y dir e c t l y to t h e I M T b u t ult im a tel y
th e y f o rm a lly r e p o r t to t h e r e l e v a n t S ta t e C o ordi n a tor w it hi n s e t ti me l i n e s.
A n im po rt a n t c o m p o n e n t o f r e por t i n g i s to a ss i gn a “r is k ra ti n g ” to fi n d i n gs,
co mpr i si ng a n a m a lg a m of c o n s e q ue nc e a nd lik e li h o od o f a n e ve nt oc cu r ri ng
Operations Analyses
O p e r a t io ns A n a l yse s c o m p r i se the in v e st i g a t io n a n d a n a l y sis o f s p e c if i c
o p e r a t iona l ma t t e rs bro u g ht to t h e a tte ntio n o f the jo int Chie fs . F o r t h e
ma tte r s t h a t a re i n v e s ti g a te d , t he a na l y s i s tea m i s req uir e d t o d e term in e
w h e t he r a n y s y st e m s, e qui pm e n t or tr a i n in g co nt r ib u t e d t o t h e m a t t e r u n d e r
r e v i e w . A fu r t h e r o b je c t iv e is t o id e n t i fy f r om w i t h i n t h e ma t t e r s in v e st i g a t e d
a n y ca n d i d a t e sc e na r io s fo r m o re de ta il e d a n a lys i s to p r o v i d e str a t e g i c l e a r n i ng
o p po rt un it ie s a s pa rt o f jo i n t CFA / DSE pe r f o r ma n c e im p r o v e m e n t pr o g ra ms.
O p e r a t io ns A n a l yse s m a y co mme n c e b e fore a n i n ci de n t is co nt ro l l e d , b u t
g e ne ra l l y co nt i n u e fo r so me t i me a f te rw a r ds r e vi e w in g d o c u me nta t i o n a n d
int er v iew i n g pe r s o nn e l .
As i s th e c a se w it h p e r f or m a n c e mo ni to ri n g r evi ew s , t h e op e r a ti o n s a n a ly s i s
tea m s must work in clos e co llaboratio n wi th IMTs in ci rcum st an ce s wh er e th e
i n c i d e n t is n o t yet cont ro l l e d to en su re tha t t h e i r ac ti v i t i es do not n e gat i v e ly
imp a c t on r e sp o n s e or re co ve ry o p e r a t i o n s .
J u ly 2 00 7
P a g e 89 of 9 6
Appendix 3: Schedule of persons consulted
Or ganisa t ion
CFA
D e pa rt me nt o f H uma n S e r v ic e s
D SE
E m e r ge nc y S e r v i c e s
Te le c o mm u n ic a ti o n s A u th ori t y
J o int CFA/D SE T e a ms
P osition occupi ed
Chief Officer/Director Operations
Depu ty Chief Officers:
Manager Operational Policy and Planning;
Manager State Operations;
Emergency Management.
Operations Manager SECC:
Manager Research and Evaluation;
Manager Community Development Project Manager, IFMP Project;
Manager Environmental Management;
Manager OH&S;
Operations Officer Region 23.
Director Emergency Management Branch;
Acting Manager Recovery Unit;
Operations Manager.
Chief Of ficer Fire and Emergency Management
Assistant Chief Officers:
Strategy and Partnerships;
Operations Support;
Manager Preparedness;
Manager Capability Support;
Manager ECC;
OHS Coordinator (Regional);
Project Officer Planning;
Manager Strate gic Planning and Risk De partmental Liaison – Water;
North A ltona Equipment Centre Management Team:
Manager Equipment Services
Business Manager –Warehouse;
SAU/SAD Manager:
Response Support Manager.
Centre Manager.
Debrief Team:
Deputy Chief Officer, Manager Operations Performance
Improvement CFA;
Manager Business Improvement DSE;
Manager Continuous Improvement DSE
P oli cy/P rojec t Offi ce r Fi re Cod e Imp le men tat ion DSE.
Community In formation Flow:
Project Officer CFA;
Project Officer Fire Information DSE.
Ne ar Miss an d Accid e nt Investi gation Team (2 ).
Real Time Performance Monitoring Team (2).
Operations Analysis Team (2).
Narrative Team (4).
Of fi ce o f E me rg e n c y S e r vi c e s
Com m i s si o ne r
Pa rk s V i cto ria
Deputy Commissioner Policy and Planning.
Depu ty General Manager/Director Fire & Emergency Serv ices.
V i ct or ia P o l i ce
State Emergency Response Coordinator.
V i ct or ia S t a t e E me r ge n cy S e r vi ce
Director Operations.
V i ctor ia Bu s h f ir e I nf o r m a t i o n Li n e
Wendouree Management Team (4).
J u ly 2 00 7
P a g e 90 of 9 6
Appendix 4: External coordination with support agencies
E x te rn a l C o o r d i na ti o n w i th su p p o r t age n ci e s ( e xc l u d i n g M E C C )
Victoria Police
I n a d d i t i o n to t h e iss u e s o f i n te ra ct io ns bet wee n ME CC S a nd t he f i re a g en ci e s
discusse d a b o v e in ( E x te r n a l C o o r d i na ti o n b e tw ee n F i re a ge n ci e s a n d M E C C )
V i c t o r i a Po li c e ra is e d i ss ue s w i t h t r a f fi c m a n a ge m e nt po i nts a n d ro a d c l os u r e s .
Th e r e i s a ne e d t o r e -e ng a g e o n th e i s su e o f r o a d c l os ur e s a nd c o n t in ue t he di a l og u e
to e n su r e tha t th e f i re se r v i c e s , Po lic e a n d s u pp ort a g e n c ie s un d e r s ta nd a n d
impl e m e n t t h e pr ovi s i o n s th a t a p ply , a nd c o m m u n ic a te th ose pr o v i si o n s t o t h e
co mm u ni ty u s in g pr e - f ire e d uc a ti o n to ol s.
Th e s e m a tt e r s m a y n o t b e e a sy t o r e sol v e a n d r e qu ir e c on s id e r a t i o n a t a pp r o pr i a t e ly
se ni or le ve l s be tw e e n re p re s e n ta t iv e s of t h e v a r i o u s a g e n c i e s, a b le to ma ke b i n d in g
a gr e e m e n t s a n d c o m m it m e nt s on be h a l f o f t h e ir a ge n c y . Th e r e i s n e e d f or a
str u ct ur e d pr oce ss t h a t id e n ti f i e s th ose a r e a s w h e r e t he r e i s a l a ck of cl a r i t y a b o ut
procedure s a nd t h e i r imple me nta t i o n , follow e d b y a c ti on t o re sol v e the i s su e s
ide n ti fi e d .
T h is ma t t e r is fu rt he r d i s cu sse d i n F ir eg r ou n d C o m m a nd : N o n- c o m ba ta n t s.
Victoria State Emergency Service
V i c to r i a Sta te E m e r ge n c y Se r v ic e (V i c SE S) u n dert oo k m a n y i n di v id u a l ta s k i ng s a n d
depl o y m e n t s du r in g t h e fir e s, in cl ud i ng 8 0 0 + v o l u n t e e r s w h o we re i nv o l ve d in 2 4 5 0
i n d i vi d u a l a ss i gn me nts , a n d s t a f f w h o w e re i n vo lv e d in mo re t h a n 5 2 0 i n d i v i d u a l
a ss i gnments.
V i cS E S v o l u nte e r s p r o v i d e d s up p or t f o r m o re th a n 27 0 s hi f ts a t fi re g r o u nd Sta gi ng
A r e a s, in clu d i n g th e p r ov is i o n o f St a g i n g Ar e a Ma na ge rs to ma na ge so me S t a g i n g
Areas . Staf f and volun t eer s und ertook more tha n 49 0 depl oy ments to Incid e nt C o ntr o l
C e nt res, Mu n i ci pa l Em e r ge nc y C o o r di nat i on Ce n t r es (ME C Cs) a n d A g e n c y Coo r d i na ti on
C e nt re s a c ross t h e Nor t h E a st a n d E a st e r n p a rts o f the Sta te , a s w e l l a s a t S ta t e l e v e l
a t t h e DS E E CC .
T h e a b o v e st a t ist i cs re la te to f i re s u pp or t o n l y a n d do not re c o g n is e th e si g n i f i c a n t
co mm i tm e n t by v o lu nt e e r s a nd U n it m a n a g e me n t (C o n tr ol le rs a nd De p utie s ) in b o t h
pla nn i ng for a nd p r ovi di ng s ta nd - by i n t he i r lo ca l a r e a s to e n s u re t h a t c o v e r a ge o f
t h e i r V i c S E S co re re s p o n se a c t i v i t i e s s u ch a s R oa d R esc u e w e re m a in ta i n e d w h i l e f i r e
dut y te a m s w e re a bs e nt, a n d o u t o f a re a in ma ny ca ses.
V i cS E S id en t i f ie d a n u mb e r o f a re a s w h e re it i s wil l i n g a nd ca p a b le of a s si st i ng t he
fire a g en cie s . T o a c hie v e this re quire s so me re - t h i n k in g a n d est a b li s h m e n t o f
pa r a mete r s u nd e r w h i c h V i c S E S ca n pr o vi d e s up p o rt . T h i s wou ld e n t a il th e
d e ve lo p m e n t o f s ta n da r d op e r a t in g s y st e ms a nd pr otocols b e twee n the f i r e servi c e s
a nd S E S, a nd u n d o ub t e dl y so m e cr o ss -tr a i ni ng a nd e xer ci s es.
Th e re v i e w pr o c e s s h a d n o t e d t h e r e w e re oc c a si on s w h e r e a c cr e di t e d fi re f i ght e r s w e r e
us e d f o r ta sk s t h a t c o uld ha ve b e e n h a ndl ed by no n - fi re f i gh te r s a nd i nd ic a te d th e r e
sh o ul d be m or e e f fo rt to u s e n on - fi re f i gh te r s f o r a p pr op ri a te ta sk s a s e a rl y a s
po ssib le a t ma j o r fir e s . Th e V i cS E S of f e r m es h e s w e ll int o t h e se o b se rva t ions . V icS E S
no t e d th a t it w o uld b e cr i t ic a l t o e n s u re th a t pe r s o nn e l w e re n o t pl a c e d i n to p o si ti on s
for wh ic h t he y a re n o t tr a in e d or a c c re d i ted .
J u ly 2 00 7
P a g e 91 of 9 6
V i c S E S i s a ble to f ill m a ny n on f i re ta sk s in s upp or t o f f ir e c a mp a i g n s e .g . st a g i n g
a r e a m a n a ge m e n t (a s it did d u ri ng t he c a m p a i gn) a nd i s wil l i ng t o co n s ul t wit h t h e
fi re ser vi c e s a n d e n te r in t o a n a g reem ent or Mo U r e g a r d ing th e r o l e s th a t V i c S E S c a n ,
a nd wi ll f ill , a s a s upp or t a g e nc y .
Victoria Department of Human Services
Th e De p a rt me n t of H u ma n S e r vic e ( D H S ) pr o vi d e d t h e p rim a r y c o or d i n a t i on of
r e co ve ry op e r a t io ns. D H S d i sc u sse d a n um be r of pr od uc tiv e a r e a s to p u r s ue .
Abil i ty to p a r t i c ip a te i n the S t r a tegi c P l a n ni n g Un it c e l l a t D S E a n d o bta i n r e gul a r
brie f ing s on t he sta te - w id e pi ct u r e w a s of hi g h va l u e to DHS. D HS a c t i va t e d i t s ow n
re c o v e r y E CC f o r th e f i r st ti me a nd t h i s e n a b l e d e f fe ct i v e co or di n a t i on a t st a t e a nd
regi o na l l e ve l be tw e e n D H S a nd th e fi re a g e nc i e s.
Th e a v a il a bil i ty of p o t e nt i a l fi re s pr e a d a nd i mp a c t ma ps to D H S a s si ste d in
ide n ti fyi ng c omm u ni ti e s a n d p o te nt i a l vi cti m s . T h i s e n a ble d D H S t o m a in ta i n a hi gh e r
sta t e o f re a d ine ss a nd a le r t in those a r e a s an d t o b e a b le to in sti t ut e re co ve r y
op e r a ti on s mor e ra pi d l y a nd e f f e cti v e l y .
Th e r e i s a ne e d p e r c e i ve d b y D H S t o f o rm a l i se tr a n si ti on p l a n n in g a rr a ng e m e n t s f o r
tr a n si ti on i n g fr om re sp on se to r e c o ve r y . E a r ly in v o lv e m e n t i s cr u c i a l a s D H S begi n s t o
ha ve a fa ce a n d ca n gr a dua lly a ss u me a mo re d o m i n a nt r ole a s t he rea c ti o n c h a n g e s
f r om re s p on se to re cov e ry . T h e r e is g o o d o p p o r t u n i t y t o use the D S E / CF A co mm u n i t y
in f o rm a ti o n pr o c e ss to in j e c t r e c o ve r y m e ss a ge s ea r l y a nd to “i ntr o du c e ” D H S
pe r s on ne l so b y the ti m e re c o v e ry i s in f u ll swi n g th e r e i s n o n e e d f o r a n “ e duc a ti on
p r og ra m ” w i th c o m m u n i t i e s a b ou t t h e ro le t h a t DH S o c c u pi e s. The r e is n o c l e a r c u t
t r a n s i t i o n p o i n t f r o m r e s p o n se to re c ov e r y a n d ma n y v i c t i ms a r e n o t i n t e res t e d i n
re c o v e r y pr oc e s s u n t i l th e y re c o g n i s e t h a t t h e y n e e d i t a nd a r e e n ti tl e d t o i t . T he
ne e d t o pr o vi d e tr a i n e d a n d a c c r e di t e d sta ff to ICC s , ME CC S, IF A C C s /R E CC s st re tc he d
D H S ca pa bil i t y w h e n t h e r e w a s a n e x pe cta t io n t h a t reco ve r y w o u l d ta ke o v e r f r o m
resp o n se a nd r un to t h e sa m e f orma t .
At Sta t e le v e l , DH S str on gl y s up p or t s th e c o n cept tha t a t R e gio n a l level, the R e s p o n se
a n d R e co ve ry C o mmit t e e s sho u ld be re prese n te d a t e a ch ot he rs me e t ings, to a chie v e
n e cessa r y in te ra ct i o n a n d m u t u a l r e c o g n it io n of t h e ro le s a n d ne e d s of e i t h e r p h a se o f
o p e r a t i o ns. T h e I F M P m o de l is re g a rd e d b y D H S a s a goo d m o d e l f o r a n i n te g r a te d
re c o v e r y m o d e l
Fo ll ow i n g t he e a rl y c o mme nc e m e nt o f the fi r e sea s o n , it w a s r e c o g ni s e d t h a t som e
la n d h o ld e r s f a ce d e x tr e m e ly c h a lle ng i n g si t u a t i o n s r e g a rd i ng a v a i la b ili ty o f wa t e r f or
e ss e n t ia l pu r p os e s i n cl u d in g use s a sso ci a te d w i t h r e s i de nt ia l p u r p os e s, p e ts a n d th e
hea l t h /pr o d u c t i vi ty o f liv e sto c k , i f the ir su p p lie s w e r e d ra w n up o n f o r fir e fi g hti n g .
Un de r n o r m a l ci r c um s t a nc e s, w a t e r m a y b e u t il i s e d b y t h e fir e a g e n ci e s fr om a n y
so u r ce . I f l i m it e d w a te r s u p p l ie s w e r e ut i l i s e d fo r f i r e fi g h ti n g , a p o li c y i n t r od u c e d i n
N ov e mb e r 2 0 0 6 , Wa te r R e p l a ce m e n t P o l i c y G uid eli n e s , pr o vid e d f o r re p l a c e m e n t of
e ss e n t ia l su p p l ie s du ri n g t h e 2 0 0 6 / 0 7 f i r e se a son. T h e g u i d e l in e s s e t o u t the re q u i r e d
re c o r d in g, re p o r t in g a nd n o t i fi c a ti on pr o c es s e s to e n a b le re p l e ni s h m ent . W he r e a n y
co n fli ct o c c u rr e d , D H S be ca m e in vol v e d to c o n s i d e r a n d a d vi se o n hu m a n or
a gr i cu l tur a l h a rd sh ip i s su e s.
D H S i n d i ca t e d tha t i n i t s vi e w , t h e p r ov is io ns w i t h in t h e Wa te r R e p l e n is h m e n t Po li c y
wor k e d v e r y w e ll .
J u ly 2 00 7
P a g e 92 of 9 6
Appendix 5: The Way Forward
Review of CFA and DSE Operational Performance
2006/07 Fire Season
Error ! N o to pic sp eci fied .
J u ly 2 00 7
P a g e 93 of 9 6
Appen di x 6 Glossa r y of ab b r evi a tions
AC T
AFA C
A I IM S
CFA
CSC
D E CC
DH S
DPI
DSE
E CC
FR V
IAP
IC
ICC
ICS
IF AC (C )
IL U
IMS
IMT
IT
ME C C
ME R C
ME R O
MFB
MOU
NI IM S
NSW
NT
NZ
OE SC
OH& S
PF F
Qld
R E CC
R T PM
SA
SA D
SAU
SE CC
SE W S
SOP
SP U
TO R
U SA
V BI
V BI L
V F BV
V i cS E S
WA
Jul y 2 0 0 7
Au st r a li a n Ca p i t a l Te r r it or y
Au st ra l a si a n Fi re Au t h ori t i e s C o u n cil
A u s t r a l i a n I n te ra ge n cy I n c i de nt Ma na ge me n t S y st e m
Co u ntr y F ir e A ut ho r i t y
Cu st o m e r S upp or t C e n tre
D i s t ri ct E m e r ge nc y Co o r di na tio n C e nt re
De p a r t m e n t o f Hu m a n Ser vi c e s
De p a r t m e n t o f Pri m a r y I nd u st r y
D e pa r t me nt o f S u st a in a bi l i t y a nd E n v i r o n m e n t
E m e rg e n cy C o or di na t i o n Ce nt r e ( DSE )
Fir e R e a d y V i ct or ia
In cid e n t Ac ti on Pl a n
In cid e nt C o ntr o ll e r
In cid e nt C o ntr o l Ce nt r e
In cid e nt C o ntr o l Sy st e m
Int e g r a te d Fir e Ag e n c y C o or d i na t i on (C e nt r e )
Int e r s ta t e /I n t e r n a ti on a l Li a i so n U ni t
In f o rm a ti o n Ma na g e m e nt S y ste m
In c i de nt Ma na ge me nt Te a m
In f o rm a ti o n Te c h no lo g y
M u n i ci pa l E m e r ge nc y C o o r di na t i on Ce n t r e
M u n i ci pa l E m e r ge nc y C o o r di na t i on Ce n t r e
Mu ni c i p a l E me rg e n c y R esp o n se O f fi ce r
Me t r op oli ta n Fi re a nd E m e rg e n c y S er vi c e s B o a rd
Me mo ra n d um o f U n d e rst a n d in g
Na t i ona l I nte r a ge n cy I n c id e nt Ma n a ge me nt S y s t e m ( N A m e r. )
Ne w So ut h Wa le s
N or t h e rn Te r ri to ry
Ne w Ze a la nd
Of fi ce o f th e E m e rg e n c y S e r vi c e s C omm i ssi o n e r
Oc c u p a ti o n a l He a lt h a nd S a f e ty
Pr o j e c t F i r e fig ht e r
Que e n s la n d
R e gi o na l E me rg e n c y C oo rd i na t i on C e ntre
R e a l T i me Perf or ma nce Mo n i to r i ng
Sta gi n g Ar e a
Sta t e A ir D e sk
S t a t e A i rc ra ft U n i t
Sta t e E m e r ge n cy C o or di na ti o n C e ntr e (C FA )
Sta t e E m e r ge n c y Wa r n ing Sig n a l
Sta n da r d O p e r a ti ng Pr oc e d ure ( s)
Str a t e gi c P l a n ni ng Un i t
Te rm s of r e fe r e n c e
Un ite d Sta te s o f Am e ri c a
V i ctor ia n B u s hfi re I nq u iry
V i ct or ia n B u s h fi re I n f o rm a t i o n Li ne
V o lunte e r Fir e Brig a d e s V i cto r ia
V i ctor ia n S t a te E m e rg e nc y Se r vi c e
W e st e r n A u s t r a li a
Pa ge 94 o f 95
Jul y 2 0 0 7
Pa ge 95 o f 95