DEPARTMENT OF FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES › publications › Annual... · 5 DEPARTMENT OF FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES ANNUAL REPORT 2015 / 16 RESPONSIBLE MINISTER Administered Legislation

DEPARTMENT OF FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES

Annual Report 2015 / 16

DEPARTMENT OF FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES ANNUAL REPORT 2015 / 162

REPORT ON OPERATIONS

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND PERFORMANCEINDICATORS GOVERNANCE

OTHER DISCLOSURESAND LEGALCOMPLIANCE APPENDICES

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

CORPORATE STRUCTURECONTENTS

OURREPORT

Executive Summary 3

Statement of Legislative Compliance 3

Our Commissioner’s Foreword 4

Responsible Minister 5

Administered Legislation and Changes 5

The Year in Review 6

Corporate Structure 10

Report on Operations 22

Financial Statements and Performance Measures 44

Key Performance Indicators 110

Independent Audit Opinion 125

Governance 129

Audit and Risk Management Committee 132

Unauthorised Use of Credit Cards 135

Other Disclosures and Legal Compliances 136

Ministerial Directives and Communication 137

Capital Works 138

Compliance with Public Sector Standards and Ethical Codes 141

Employment and Industrial Relations 142

Occupational Safety, Health and Injury Management 146

DFES’ Reconciliation Action Plan 150

Disability Access and Inclusion Plan 151

Record Keeping Plans 152

Freedom of Information 153

Glossary 154

Acronyms 155

Appendices 156


CONTENTSEXECUTIVE SUMMARY

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STATEMENT OF LEGISLATIVE COMPLIANCE

In accordance with section 63 of the Financial Management Act 2006, I hereby submit the Annual Report of the Department of Fire and Emergency Services for the financial year ended 30 June 2016, for your information and presentation to Parliament.

The Annual Report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Financial Management Act 2006 as well as the Fire and Emergency Services Act 1998, the Fire Brigades Act 1942 and the Bush Fires Act 1954.

W Gregson APM BA MBAAccountable Authority

25 August 2016

This publication is available in alternative formats on request.

Contact Details

POSTAL ADDRESS

GPO Box P1174 Perth WA 6844

STREET ADDRESS

Emergency Services Complex20 Stockton Bend Cockburn Central WA 6164

ELECTRONIC

Email [email protected] Website www.dfes.wa.gov.au Telephone [08] 9395 9300 Facsimile [08] 9395 9384

dfes_wa

For the year ended 30 June 2016

To the Honourable Joe Francis MLA Minister for Emergency Services

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Fire and Emergency Services (FES) Commissioner Wayne Gregson

OURCOMMISSIONER’S FOREWORD

Catastrophic weather conditions in November 2015, and high levels of unmitigated fuel loads, were major factors in the Esperance district fires. Despite the best efforts of responders, four people lost their lives and there was widespread loss to communities in the area. In January 2016 fires broke out around Waroona. Sadly two people perished and the community of Yarloop and surrounding areas suffered extensive damage.

Independent reviews acknowledged the responses to these extremely complex fires were broadly well managed. However, the reviews also stressed the need for greater cooperation between fire agencies, more awareness based on local knowledge and improving community information.

We will address as many recommendations as possible before the next southern bushfire season. The more complex and

far reaching recommendations included in the Special Inquiry into the January 2016 Waroona Fires will depend on a response from the State Government.

Fortunately, the cyclone season was quieter than normal, with only one system threatening Western Australia during 2015/16.

Preparedness to respond to increasingly complex incidents is a priority. Our eAcademy is helping to enhance the capability of personnel and volunteers through new and accessible training. New heavy rescue equipment caches established in regional areas will help people involved in road crashes and a new forward communications vehicle allows for continuous communication during major incidents.

Raising community awareness and supporting improved local resilience is an ongoing focus. Working in partnership with Western Power, Department of

Parks and Wildlife and the State Government we achieved record coverage for the Are You Ready? campaign.

Roll out of the bushfire risk management program is continuing. However, finite resources will impact our ongoing capacity to support local governments to develop their bushfire risk management plans from June 2017 onwards.

I am extremely proud of volunteer and career personnel who respond under extremely challenging and difficult circumstances. From storms to cyclones, bushfires to floods, all those involved always do their best to ensure the safety of the community.

On behalf of all Western Australians, I thank you for your ongoing commitment to continuous improvement and delivering the best emergency service that we can across Western Australia.

The 2015/16 financial year will be remembered for a series of complex and severe bushfire incidents in Western Australia’s south west.


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https://publicsector.wa.gov.au/waroona-bushfire-special-inquiryhttps://publicsector.wa.gov.au/waroona-bushfire-special-inquiryhttps://publicsector.wa.gov.au/waroona-bushfire-special-inquiry


RESPONSIBLE MINISTER

Administered Legislation and Changes to Written Law

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) was established on 1 November 2012 and operates under the Fire and Emergency Services Act 1998.

Administered Legislation

DFES administers the following Acts along with associated subsidiary legislation:• Bush Fires Act 1954• Emergency Services Levy Act

2002• Fire and Emergency Services

Act 1998• Fire Brigades Act 1942.

For other key legislation impacting DFES’ activities, please see Appendix 1.

Changes to Written Law

Fire and Emergency Services Amendment Act 2015

The Fire and Emergency Services Amendment Act 2015 came into effect on 26 August 2015.

This Act amended the Fire and Emergency Services Act 1998 to allow the FES Commissioner to designate bushfire-prone areas. The Australian Standard for building in bushfire-prone areas, AS3949, applies to designated areas.

Legislation Currently Before Parliament

Bush Fires Amendment Bill 2016

In April 2016 the Bush Fires Amendment Bill 2016 was introduced into Parliament. The Bill will protect occupiers of land from prosecution under other State laws when undertaking bushfire risk treatments on their land as set out in the risk treatment standards issued by the FES Commissioner and approved by the Minister.

Firefighters and Emergency Volunteers Legislation Amendment (Compensation) Bill 2016

In May 2016 the Firefighters and Emergency Volunteers Legislation

Amendment (Compensation) Bill 2016 was introduced into Parliament. The Bill will:

• provide uniform legislated insurance provisions for emergency services responders carrying out statutory functions under the Fire Brigades Act 1942, Bush Fires Act 1954 and the Fire and Emergency Services Act 1998 (the emergency services Acts)

• amend the emergency services Acts so if an emergency services volunteer or State employed firefighter contracts a prescribed cancer, it shall be a rebuttable presumption the disease is the result of performing a statutory firefighting function and is compensable.

The Honourable Joe Francis MLA, Minister for Emergency Services


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Operational Overview

The 2015/16 southern bushfire season will be remembered for the significant bushfires that led to the tragic loss of six lives and 175 homes.

During November 2015, more than 500 bushfires occurred across the state. In the Great Southern region these included multiple significant fires near Esperance. The fires burned for more than a week with 310,000 hectares burnt through, four deaths and widespread agricultural loss.

More lightning strikes in January 2016 caused the devastating Waroona fires. The fires were so severe that they generated their own weather pattern and led to the worst property losses recorded in Western Australia. The fires resulted in two deaths, widespread agricultural losses including pine plantations, significant public infrastructure damage and burnt through 69,000 hectares. The impact of the fires was widespread resulting in major disruptions to the South West region, including the cancellation of major community events.

In response to the complexity and severity of the Waroona fires, the Premier, the Honourable Colin Barnett MLA, announced an independent inquiry into the event. Mr Euan Ferguson AFSM was engaged to lead the incident inquiry including a review of the extent to which recommendations from previous bushfire inquiries had been acted on by the relevant authorities.

THE YEAR IN REVIEW


Numerous other bushfire incidents occurred throughout the season, including Myalup, Bullsbrook and Ellenbrook.

During January 2016, preparations were made for the anticipated impact of severe weather in the Metropolitan, South West, and Great Southern regions and Tropical Cyclone Stan. Fortunately, while these events recorded significant rainfalls and localised flooding, there was very little damage.

2015/16 Year at a Glance

FALSE

ALARM Career firefighters

and volunteers were involved in:

2,831 road crash rescues

Career and volunteer crews

turned out to a total of:

9,505 fires, including:

Career and volunteer crews turned out to:

14,009 false alarms

SEARCH+RESCUE

DFES career staff assisted at:

5 international emergencies

Career and volunteer crews attended:

168 hazardous material

incidents

1,295 structure fires

314 searches

4,964 bushfires

1,820 rescues


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HAZMAT


REPORT ON OPERATIONS GOVERNANCE

OTHER DISCLOSURESAND LEGALCOMPLIANCE APPENDICESCONTENTS

CORPORATE STRUCTURE

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND PERFORMANCEINDICATORS

DFES comprises:

• Career Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS)

• Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service (VFRS)

• the State Emergency Service (SES)

• Volunteer Marine Rescue Services (VMRS)

• Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services (VFES).

We support local governments in administering, training and funding the Bush Fire Service (BFS) and the participation of young volunteers through our Emergency Services Cadets and junior programs. DFES is also responsible for administering state resources to the Whitfords Sea Rescue Group and the service level agreement for Surf Life Saving Western Australia’s 5,000 volunteers who provide a range of essential services to the beach going community.

WHO WE ARE


WHERE WE AREKimberley RegionDFES offices / career stations

Volunteer Brigades / Groups / Units

2

21

Paid Personnel

Total Volunteers

8

526

Pilbara Region

DFES offices / career stations


2

25

Paid Personnel

Total Volunteers

7

701

Midwest Gascoyne Region



2

111

Paid Personnel

Total Volunteers

40

2,656

Goldfields Midlands Region



3

131

Paid Personnel

Total Volunteers

40

3,419

Perth Metropolitan



30

94

Paid Personnel

Total Volunteers

1,398

4,800

South West Region



2

50

Paid Personnel

Total Volunteers

52

1,717

Lower South West Region



1

126

Paid Personnel

Total Volunteers

15

4,628

Great Southern Region



4

240

Paid Personnel

Total Volunteers

42

8,178Volunteer figures for regions will not match service figures in Appendix 2 as volunteers can have dual registration across services and/or regions.

Metro NorthCoastal

Metro NorthEast

Metro SouthEast

Metro SouthCoastal

Joondalup

Belmont

DFESEmergencyServices Complex

Pilbara

Midwest Gascoyne

Goldfields Midlands

Great Southern

Lower South West South West

Kimberley

Kununurra

Kalgoorlie

Geraldton

Karratha

Broome

Port Hedland

BunburyNarrogin

Manjimup

Albany

Esperance

Perth Metropolitan Area

DFES Emergency Services ComplexRegional offices

Northam


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State Emergency Management Committee

Secretariat (sub Department)

Executive DirectorMal Cronstedt

• Formally established July 2013• DFES provides transactional services

free of charge

Acting Assistant Commissioner Hazard Planning & Response

Paul Ryan• Advisory Services• Bushfire and Environmental Protection• Community Engagement• Emergency Management

and Hazard Planning• State Operations

Assistant Commissioner Operations Capability

Gary Gifford ESM• Aviation Services• Built Environment• Marine Services• Special Operations• State Wide Operational Response

Division

Assistant Commissioner Professional Development

Brad Stringer• Campus and Business Services• Command and Academic Delivery• Operational Delivery• Professional Development• Standards and Training Support

CommissionerWayne Gregson APM

• Aboriginal Advancement Unit• Health and Safety Services• Ministerial Services

DirectorMurray Carter

Office of Bushfire Risk Management

Assistant Commissioner Metropolitan Operations

Darren Klemm• Delivery of operational services in the

Metropolitan area through the CFRS, VFRS, VFES and SES

• Support local governments in areas of the administration, training and funding of the BFS

Assistant Commissioner Country Operations

Graham Swift• Delivery of operational services in

regional areas through the CFRS, VFRS, VFES and SES


Executive Director Corporate Services

Frank Pasquale• Asset Planning and Delivery• Business Services• Human Resources• Information and Communications Technology• Media and Corporate Communications

Deputy Commissioner Capability

Stephen Fewster• Bushfire Risk Management• Capability Planning• Operational Readiness and Standards

Executive Director Governance and Strategy

Sue Paterson• Corporate Risk, Planning, and Reporting• Legal and Legislative Services• Professional Standards • Strategic Program Office

ORGANISATIONAL CHART(DFES CORPORATE LEADERSHIP TEAM)AS AT 30 JUNE 2016

Deputy Commissioner Operations

Lloyd Bailey AFSM• Delivery of operational services across

the State through the CFRS, VFRS, VFES and SES



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Deputy Commissioner Lloyd Bailey AFSM (Operations Command)

Deputy Commissioner Bailey has more than 40 years experience in fire and emergency services.

He held a number of roles within FESA before it became DFES, and was promoted to his current position in March 2012.

Deputy Commissioner Bailey holds a Diploma of Fire Engineering Management, a Graduate Certificate in Applied Management from the Australian Institute of Police Management and a Graduate Business qualification from Curtin University.

Deputy Commissioner Stephen Fewster BA(Mil) MSc (Capability Command)

Deputy Commissioner Fewster has worked in both the State and Commonwealth public sectors for the past 39 years.

Commissioner Wayne Gregson APM BA MBA (Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner)

Commissioner Gregson joined the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia (FESA) in September 2011 from Western Australia Police (WAPOL), where he held the rank of Assistant Commissioner.

He was appointed Commissioner when DFES was established on 1 November 2012.

Commissioner Gregson holds a Master of Business Administration from Edith Cowan University, Graduate Certificate in Applied Management from the Australian Institute of Police Management and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Western Australia.

His roles include senior positions with the Departments of Defence, Justice, Attorney General and Premier and Cabinet. He also held senior management positions with FESA in the State Emergency Service and fire services.

Deputy Commissioner Fewster holds a Bachelor of Arts in Military Studies from the University of New South Wales, a Master of Science in Explosive Ordnance from Cranfield, United Kingdom and a Diploma of Explosives Handling and Management.

Mr Frank Pasquale BCom (Executive Director, Corporate Services Command)

Mr Pasquale has 26 years experience in the public sector, commencing at the Office of the Auditor General. In 1996 he joined the Bush Fires Board of Western Australia.

During his 20 years with fire and emergency services, Mr Pasquale has managed significant financial reform projects, in particular the challenging implementation of the Financial Management Information System and the Emergency Services Levy.

Mr Pasquale holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Curtin University.

Ms Sue Paterson BSc (Hons) EMPA (Executive Director, Governance and Strategy Command)

Ms Paterson has more than 30 years experience in the public sector, with a long history in risk management, service delivery, performance measurement and evaluation, policy and legislation. Most recently she was at the Office of the Auditor General, leading audits on the effectiveness and efficiency of agency programs and functions, including in emergency management.



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experience in fire and emergency services, having served three years with the South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service before joining the Western Australian Fire Brigades Board in 1993.

Originally posted to Perth Fire Station, Assistant Commissioner Klemm has served at various metropolitan fire stations, followed by service in the Goldfields/Midlands region as part of Country Operations.

Prior to moving to Metropolitan Operations in April 2015, he was Assistant Commissioner Professional Development.

Assistant Commissioner Gary Gifford ESM (Operations Capability)

Assistant Commissioner Gifford has 39 years experience in the defence and emergency services industry and holds a Graduate Certificate in Emergency Management.

Ms Paterson has worked in New Zealand, the United Kingdom and regional Western Australia, and has a BSc (Hons) and an Executive Masters of Public Administration from the Australian and New Zealand School of Government.

Assistant Commissioner Graham Swift BBA (Country Operations)

Assistant Commissioner Swift has 36 years experience in the field of fire and emergency services, having commenced as a volunteer firefighter in 1980 before moving to the Bush Fires Board of Western Australia as a regional training officer in 1994.

Assistant Commissioner Swift holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Curtin University.

Assistant Commissioner Darren Klemm (Metropolitan Operations)

Assistant Commissioner Klemm has more than 26 years

He has been involved in emergency management at a national level for more than 15 years and in 2010 was awarded the Australian Emergency Services Medal.

Acting Assistant Commissioner Paul Ryan (Hazard Planning and Response)

Acting Assistant Commissioner Ryan has 28 years experience working in fire and emergency services, having joined the Western Australian Fire Brigades Board in 1989 as a recruit firefighter.

Acting Assistant Commissioner Ryan has undertaken a number of key appointments at Level 3 bushfires, structural fires, Hazmat incidents, ship fires, rescues, storms and cyclones. He has considerable experience liaising with various stakeholder groups on compliance matters pertaining to risk and emergency management best practice and achieving DFES’ operational requirements.

He holds a Graduate Certificate in Applied Management (AIPM) and an Advanced Diploma of Management (Bluestone). He has been managing DFES’ State Operations Centre for the past three years.

Assistant Commissioner Brad Stringer (Professional Development)

Assistant Commissioner Stringer has 27 years experience working in fire and emergency services, having joined the Western Australian Fire Brigades Board in 1989 as a recruit firefighter. He has served throughout the Metropolitan region as a firefighter, station officer, district officer, superintendent and Rural Operations Coordinator – North and South.

Prior to moving to Professional Development in April 2015, he was Assistant Commissioner Metropolitan Operations.



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THE FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES (FES) COMMISSIONER IS THE HAZARD MANAGEMENT AGENCY IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA FOR:

THE FES COMMISSIONER IS ALSO ENTRUSTED TO:• IDENTIFY AREAS WHICH MAY BE PRONE TO BUSHFIRE• DESIGNATE AREAS AS BUSHFIRE-PRONE

FIRE HAZARDOUS MATERIALS INCIDENTS

FLOOD CYCLONE STORM EARTHQUAKE TSUNAMI COLLAPSE LANDFORM OR STRUCTURE

HAZMAT



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SHARED RESPONSIBILITIES WITH OTHER AGENCIES

Weather Warnings

DFES and the Bureau of Meteorology each have a responsibility to ensure Western Australian communities are informed and supported in preparing for emergencies caused by severe weather events. The agencies have a close working relationship, underpinned by a Memorandum of Understanding renewed in May 2016. A meteorologist is based in DFES’ State Operations Centre at the Emergency Services Complex in Cockburn and provides forecasting services to support incident management. The primary objective is to provide incident managers with an understanding of current and predicted weather conditions to improve response planning.

Arson Reduction

DFES works closely with WAPOL and the Department of Parks and Wildlife (P&W) to reduce arson. A joint agency campaign encourages the community, particularly those vulnerable to bushfire, to be vigilant against arsonists and report suspicious behaviour. The DFES Extinguish Arson Database is an important tool that enables Fire Investigation Officers and WAPOL to identify trends and monitor suspicious fire activity and combat arson.

State Operations Air Desk

DFES and P&W have joint management responsibilities for the State’s aerial suppression assets. The State Operations Air Desk operates from DFES’ Emergency Services Complex in Cockburn, within the State Operations Centre. It is jointly resourced to carry out the tasks of dispatch and coordination of fire suppression aircraft.

State Emergency Rescue Helicopter Service

DFES manages the contracts for the State’s emergency rescue helicopters, RAC Rescue. Sponsorship is provided by the RAC and critical care paramedics are provided under a contract arrangement with St John Ambulance. Helicopter and crew are provided under DFES’ Aviation Services contract.


SIGNIFICANT ISSUES IMPACTING DFES

Bushfire Reviews

The 2015/16 southern bushfire season resulted in a series of complex and severe incidents that significantly impacted communities in the South West of Western Australia.

DFES commissioned a review of the Esperance district fires (November 2015), published in March 2016.

The State Government commissioned an inquiry into the Waroona bushfires (January 2016).

Both reviews acknowledged improvements in interagency collaboration and coordination over recent years. They also recognised the efforts of fire agencies in dealing with increasingly complex and difficult fire behaviour. However, they also identified ongoing challenges related to the ability to resource

incident management teams in regional areas:

• improved situational awareness through greater use of local knowledge

• the need for integrated, interagency resource management systems

• improved systems for disseminating community information and warnings.

January 2016 Waroona Fire Special Inquiry

The report of the January 2016 Waroona Fire Special Inquiry (Ferguson Review) provides 17 recommendations for strategic change and 23 opportunities for improving our State’s bushfire risk management.

These recommendations will affect, and require the involvement of, several agencies including DFES. Initiatives to address several of these recommendations are already underway, such as improved vehicle tracking on the fire ground and a new alerts and warning system. Other initiatives that are supported by DFES include the enhanced use of infrared technology to map fires, commissioning research into the relationship between unusual weather and fires and expanding the bushfire risk mitigation grants program.

The report recognises the progress that DFES has made over recent years. It highlights that all those involved in fire management are working better together at every level across Western Australia.


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https://publicsector.wa.gov.au/waroona-bushfire-special-inquiryhttps://publicsector.wa.gov.au/waroona-bushfire-special-inquiry


Significantly, the Inquiry found that people on the fire ground did the best possible job in extremely challenging conditions. The strategies employed were reasonable and the decisions made were appropriate.

This report also raises a range of complex issues that have far reaching implications, such as the establishment of a rural fire service.

Strengthening skills and training that will enhance Western Australia’s rural bushfire capability is critical. Whether that comes in the form of a rural fire structure within or outside of DFES is a matter for the State Government.

Bushfire Risk Management

Coordination of major emergency events continues to be a major focus. The Department and partner agencies continue to work together to improve capability and capacity to manage bushfire risk across Western Australia. Significant achievements in 2015/16 include:

• the mapping and declaration of bushfire-prone areas

• development of more effective mitigation planning processes

• additional contracted personnel to support local governments in their bushfire risk management planning.

Lack of funding for continued development and implementation of Bushfire Risk Management Plans could inhibit effective risk management into the future.

Emergency Services Act

The new Emergency Services Act will provide for a comprehensive, modern, consolidated emergency services Act to replace the Fire Brigades Act 1942, Bush Fires Act 1954 and Fire and Emergency Services Act 1998.

Drafting of the Act is anticipated to commence in 2016/17. The proposed legislation will clarify agency and stakeholder responsibilities for the prevention and mitigation of emergencies as well as during incidents where a multi-agency response is required.

One Source – One Message

A critical messaging system is anticipated to be implemented before the start of the 2016/17 fire season. The system will improve emergency services agencies’ abilities to keep the public informed.

Information and Communications Technology

The Department is collaborating with other emergency services organisations to ensure its approach to addressing its information and communications systems requirements is consistent with the Emergency Services Communications Strategy: 2016 Roadmap and Implementation Plan and the State Government Information Technology Strategy.

DFES anticipates significant opportunities to address its ageing information and communications systems through collaboration on the Emergency Services Communications Strategy and State Government Information Technology Strategy. Two high priority requirements for DFES are 400MHz compliance and replacement of its ageing Computer Aided Dispatch system.


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Volunteers

The impact of demographic shifts across Western Australia continues to challenge the Department’s ability to sustain the volunteer workforce. Issues include declining numbers of volunteers in the regions and a steady increase in volunteers’ average age. These issues could impact volunteers’ capability and capacity to respond to emergency incidents. Opportunities for improvement were highlighted in a performance audit conducted by the Office of the Auditor General into the management of emergency services volunteers. Recommendations from this audit have been incorporated into the Department’s Emergency Services Volunteer Sustainability Strategy (2016–2024).

Performance Management Framework

Changes to Outcome Based Management Framework

During 2015/16 DFES conducted a review of its Outcome Based Management Framework. The review had two objectives:

1. provide a greater level of detail on the outcomes DFES is seeking to achieve and the related services DFES delivers to the community

2. ensure key performance indicators used in the structure measure what is important to the agency and the achievement of community outcomes.

The revised framework was approved by the Under Treasurer on 11 December 2015 and applies from 1 July 2016.

This report is aligned to the existing Outcome Based Management Framework.


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https://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/volunteers/Documents/DFES-Your-Plan-Emergency-Services-Volunteer-Workforce-Sustainability-Strategy.pdfhttps://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/volunteers/Documents/DFES-Your-Plan-Emergency-Services-Volunteer-Workforce-Sustainability-Strategy.pdfhttps://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/volunteers/Documents/DFES-Your-Plan-Emergency-Services-Volunteer-Workforce-Sustainability-Strategy.pdfhttp://static.ourstatebudget.wa.gov.au/16-17/2016-17-wa-state-budget-bp2-vol1.pdf?


Government Goal

Results based service delivery: a greater focus on achieving results in key service delivery areas for the benefit of all Western Australians

Outcome 1

Western Australian communities able to prevent, prepare for and recover from emergencies

Service 1

Prevention and mitigation services

Outcome 2

The impact of emergencies is minimised through the delivery of appropriate response

Service 1 Emergency services

Key Effectiveness Indicators

Number of accidental residential fires per 100,000 households

Proportion of structure fires confined to the room or object of origin

Percentage of FES Emergency Response Guides for hazardous material sites reviewed within specified timeframes

Key Efficiency Indicator

Cost of prevention and mitigation services per capita (Western Australia)

Key Effectiveness Indicators

Percentage of 000 calls answered within the target timeframe

Percentage of metropolitan responses by the career Fire and Rescue Service within target timeframes

Percentage of Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service turnouts within target timeframes – Hazard Management Agency roles only

Percentage of required operational personnel trained in Level 2 and Level 3 incident management (Bushire)

Key Efficiency Indicator

Cost of emergency services per capita (Western Australia)


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LINK TO GOVERNMENT GOALS

Refer to page 24 for results against these targets.


DFES STRATEGIC PLANNING FRAMEWORK

Vision

Resilient Western Australian communities that work together to build capability and capacity to prevent, prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies

Mission

To improve community safety practices and provide timely, quality and effective emergency services, in partnership with local communities and emergency management partners

Values

Put the community

first

We share the responsibility to

prevent and mitigate hazards with the

community

Work together as a committed

team

We cannot do it alone

Respect and value each other

People are respected and diversity is

embraced at DFES

Continuously improve our

services

DFES continuously looks for better ways

to work

Act with integrity and

honesty

We acknowledge that we are in a position of trust and are an example to others

Have open, honest and two way

communication

DFES shares its objectives and goals

Strive to keep ourselves and

others safe

We don’t put ourselves or others in

harm’s way

Strategic Directions

A future focused organisation

An organisation capable of anticipating and responding to

the changing needs of the community and environment

A leading emergency services organisation

An organisation that achieves its goals through a foundation of strong leadership, governance,

collaboration and alignment

An integrated organisation

An organisation with consistent and integrated systems

and business processes

Valued and capable people

An organisation that values, protects and develops its

staff members and volunteers


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The first four year horizon in DFES’ Strategic Plan has now ended. During this period we focused on implementation of a reform program to ensure the structure of the Department supported core services, set standards for service delivery, reviewed and improved systems of work and identified ways to work more effectively with our stakeholders and the community.

Our four strategic directions will help us mature and develop our planning processes to ensure that activities across the Department are contributing to the organisation’s goals. In the first four year horizon we achieved 82 per cent of our planned outcomes.

DFES STRATEGIC PLAN

DIRECTION KEY ACHIEVEMENTS 2012–2016

Direction 1: A future focused organisation capable of anticipating and responding to the changing needs of the community and environment

• Improved and targeted community education and awareness programs to suit local requirements• Improved capability and capacity to respond to incidents in high risk bushfire areas and on the rural urban fringe including: – improved emergency management planning through the capability planning framework – development of a bushfire risk management framework – improved community education to support higher levels of awareness of emergency risk and how those risks can be mitigated• Established Community Liaison Units to increase support to communities during significant emergencies• Delivered targeted engagement and support to Aboriginal communities in preparing for emergency events• Implemented mechanisms to support innovation

Direction 2: A leading emergency service organisation that achieves its goals through a foundation of strong leadership, governance, collaboration, cooperation and alignment

• Implemented a restructure to better support core service delivery

• Put forward a Cabinet Submission proposing consolidation of the emergency services legislation

• Developed and implemented a governance framework and reviewed doctrine to support alignment with legislation, state and national agreements and protocols

• Embedded an all hazards approach to service delivery

• Improved processes for ensuring delivery of corporate projects and managing risk

Direction 3: An integrated organisation with consistent and integrated systems and business processes

• Developed an information and communications technology strategy and implementation roadmap

• Implemented an all hazards incident information management system to support real time intelligence sharing and incident management support

• Developed and implemented a reporting system for the Volunteer Marine Rescue Services

• Developed a communications system strategy to address current and future operational needs

• Implemented an integrated risk planning and reporting system

• Developed and implemented an enhanced learning management system – eAcademy

• Developed a long term vision and strategy for aviation service delivery

• Developed a long term vision and strategy for procurement of a fit for purpose operational fleet

Direction 4: Valued and capable people. An organisation that values, protects and develops its staff members and volunteers

• Developed a volunteer sustainability strategy to inform recruitment and retention programs

• Established mechanisms for building volunteers’ command capability

• Developed and implemented an enhanced safety management system

• Expanded health, safety and welfare programs for staff members and volunteers

• Developed and implemented enhanced learning pathways for staff members and volunteers

• Established a state of the art simulation centre

• Established mechanisms to improve cultural competencies of staff members and volunteers

• Implemented an Aboriginal Firefighter Cadet Program and established the Commissioner’s Aboriginal Scholarship Program


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Resource Agreement (Treasurer’s Instruction 808)

The following performance information (financial and non-financial) is the subject of a resource agreement signed by the Minister for Emergency Services, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services and the Treasurer under Part 3, Division 5 of the Financial Management Act 2006. Resources are provided for the delivery of two services, which are linked to two agency level outcomes.

Prevention and Mitigation Services

Western Australian communities able to prevent, prepare for and recover from emergencies.

Emergency Services

The impact of emergencies is minimised through the delivery of appropriate emergency response.


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http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/wa/consol_act/fma2006164/http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/wa/consol_act/fma2006164/


FINANCIAL TARGETS SUMMARY 2015/16 (further detail is provided in the Financial Statements)

2015/16 Target $000

2015/16 Actual $000

Variation $000

Reason for Significant Variation between Target and Actual

Total cost of services (expense limit) (see Statement of Comprehensive Income for more detail)

360,318 376,775 16,457 The variance is mainly due to an increase in DFES’ expense limit to address budget shortfalls including supplementary funding for the unanticipated expenditure on wildfire suppression and State Emergency Service response and recovery operations.

Net cost of services (see Statement of Comprehensive Income for more detail)

22,635 31,950 9,315 The variance is mainly due to an increase in DFES’ expense limit to address budget shortfalls including supplementary funding for the unanticipated expenditure on wildfire suppression and State Emergency Service response and recovery operations.

Net increase/(decrease) in cash held (see Statement of Cash Flows for more detail)

(9,007) (17,706) (8,699) The higher decrease in cash balances largely reflects the higher repayment of borrowings and no additional borrowings in 2015/16.

Total equity (see Statement of Financial Position for more detail)

351,517 379,886 28,369 The variance mainly reflects an upward revaluation of land and buildings from Landgate, together with an increase in cash balances.

2015/16 Target

2015/16 Actual

Variation

Approved average full time equivalent (FTE) staff level

1,511 1,520.87 9.87 The variance in staff level is within the agency salary cap.


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DFES’ performance is monitored against financial targets and through our key performance indicators. Performance results for 2015/16 are shown below.


DFES’ KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATOR RESULTS

Target Achieved Status Page

Service 1: Prevention and Mitigation

Number of accidental residential fires per 100,000 households

70 58.41 110

Proportion of structure fires confined to room or object of origin

72% 76.04% 111

% of FES Emergency Response Guides for hazardous materials sites reviewed within specified timeframes1

90% 69.89% ✕ 112

Service 2: Emergency Services

% of 000 calls answered within the target timeframe

95% 95.76% 115

% of metropolitan responses by the Career Fire and Rescue Service within target timeframes

Total Times2 90% 89.33% ✕ 116

Life Critical – Structural Fire 90% 92.58% 117

Life Critical – Rescue 90% 92.60% 118

% of Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service turnouts within target timeframes – Hazard Management Agency roles only

90% 94.59% 122

% of operational personnel trained in incident management (Bushfire)

Level 2 90% 77.00% ✕ 123

Level 3 90% 167.00% 123

Service 1: Prevention and Mitigation

Cost of prevention and mitigation services per capita (WA) $18.76 $17.00 114

Service 2: Emergency Services

Cost of emergency services per capita (WA)3 $113.89 $101.54 124

KEY

We are achieving our goals

✕ Desired result not achieved – taking action

1 Three factors impacted our capacity to review emergency response guides this year: the increase in the number of FES Emergency Response Guides over the last five years; operational personnel redirected to response activities for extended periods; the state government’s recruitment freeze.

2 The total response time is impacted by lower response time results for ‘Other (Property)’ and ‘Grass, Scrub, Rubbish and Bush’ fires.3 This result excludes supplementary funding of $19,140,000 provided for extraordinary and unforeseen expenditure on bushfire suppression and State Emergency Service response and

recovery incidents, which was not included at the time the Target was set. The inclusion of this extraordinary expenditure would result in an even more favourable result of $108.59 spent per Western Australian.


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OUTCOME 1

Western Australian communities able to prevent, prepare for and recover from emergencies.

DFES’ Key Achievements against Outcome 1 for 2015/16 are:

• Commenced formal bushfire risk management planning

• Conducted a trial of a householder preparedness tool

• Concluded the Kimberley bushfire trial

• Developed a revised school education strategy

• Established the DFES eAcademy

• Won three awards for excellence

– Aboriginal Firefighter Cadet Program

– Prepare to Care

– WAFES Concert Band.


Bushfire risk management

In October 2015 the Department commenced the development of Bushfire Risk Management Plans (BRMP) with 38 local governments across five country and four metropolitan DFES regions.

The BRMP program follows on from a successful pilot conducted by DFES and the Office of Bushfire Risk Management (OBRM) in four local governments, and will enable better protection of communities and community assets from bushfire. The May 2016 update of the bushfire-prone area map means that local governments can assess bushfire risk to assets and prioritise treatment strategies.

Additional staff have been appointed including eight DFES Bushfire Risk Management Officers, a Rural Urban Interface Planning Officer and eight local government Bushfire Risk Development Coordinators to support the program.

DFES is supporting 16 local governments with a high bushfire risk and limited capacity, to develop BRMP that meet the standards and guidelines published by OBRM.

A further 22 local governments with a high bushfire risk but with some capacity to develop plans have been offered training and support in adopting the BRMP process. Thirteen of these local governments have been trained to date in the planning processes and have access to the Bushfire Risk Management System to enable the development of tenure-blind BRMP.


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IMPROVING BUSHFIRE RISK MANAGEMENT


DFES also:

• developed the Bushfire Risk Management Framework and training resource kit for prescribed burning practitioners

• manages the National Bushfire Mitigation grants program

• issues daily weather forecasts and predicted rates of fire spread for the Metropolitan and South West regions

• monitors the daily burn summary for prescribed mitigation burns being undertaken.

In support of bushfire risk management, OBRM’s review of the Local Government Permit to Burn will result in an improved flexible process that reflects the varying environments across the State. OBRM continues to collaborate with local governments and communities to finalise the review.

Bushfire householder preparedness

Sponsored by the Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council (AFAC), DFES conducted a trial of the Bushfire Householder Preparedness Tool on behalf of AFAC agencies. The trial considered if the tool had practical application for fire agencies and assessed the preparedness of households involved in Bushfire Ready Groups.

The trial found that the survey tool:

• was easy to understand and complete

• raised awareness by providing a list of actions that need to be taken to prepare a household for a bushfire

• supported increased levels of bushfire preparedness.

AFAC members have agreed to adopt the Bushfire Householder Preparedness Tool nationally for monitoring the level of preparedness to bushfires and to support the monitoring and evaluation of community engagement programs and activities.

Kimberley bushfire trial

In June 2013, four Kimberley local governments and the FES Commissioner started a three year trial to transfer bushfire control from the four local governments to DFES. The trial ended on 15 December 2015.

Under the trial, DFES took responsibility for administration of Bush Fire Brigades, volunteers and management of the ESL funds. The local governments retained their legislative responsibilities under the Bush Fires Act 1954 and Emergency Management Act 2005.

Trial participants, including volunteers, local governments, P&W, WAPOL, pastoral representatives and DFES agree the Kimberley bushfire trial was a resounding success.

Through the trial DFES was able to:

• reduce arson with WAPOL and community support

• increase influence in the pastoral sector

• develop mutual aid arrangements with Aboriginal Ranger Groups

• more easily review and update volunteer records, brigade structures and fleet and equipment levels

• identify succession planning shortfalls and areas of improvement in incident support and contemporary practice.


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https://www.slp.wa.gov.au/pco/prod/FileStore.nsf/Documents/MRDocument:24798P/$FILE/Bush%20Fires%20Act%201954%20-%20%5b08-h0-00%5d.pdf?OpenElementhttps://www.slp.wa.gov.au/pco/prod/FileStore.nsf/Documents/MRDocument:24798P/$FILE/Bush%20Fires%20Act%201954%20-%20%5b08-h0-00%5d.pdf?OpenElementhttp://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/wa/consol_act/ema2005190/http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/wa/consol_act/ema2005190/


community. It clearly explains what the alerts mean. By understanding the different alert levels, people can assess the risk and decide how to make themselves safe. The video is available on DFES’ YouTube channel and website.

DFES worked in close consultation with the WA Deaf Society to develop the video with an Auslan interpreter. It explains the four different warning levels of Advice, Watch and Act, Emergency Warning and All Clear.

Community warning alerts for bushfires that threaten lives and property are issued by DFES. The alert levels change to reflect the increasing risk to life and the decreasing amount of time until a fire arrives.

Since the conclusion of the trial, the arrangements established have been extended under a Memorandum of Understanding between the four local governments and DFES.

Resourcing and political implications will need consideration should other local governments wish to agree similar arrangements.

Bushfire warnings explained in Auslan

As part of our commitment to support all Western Australians in the event of an emergency incident, DFES has developed a video explaining the different bushfire warning levels in Auslan. The video supports education and awareness among members of the Western Australian deaf


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Click for YouTube: DFES Alerts and Warnings in Auslan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_H0D-38AGQ


COMMUNITY EDUCATION

Ready on Country

Ready on Country has been a positive vehicle for building on DFES’ existing relationships with the wider Aboriginal community and enhancing emergency management and hazard identification in remote Aboriginal communities.

The program was delivered to seven remote Aboriginal communities this year:

• Mungullah

• Burringurrah

• Imjintji

• Warmun

• Jigalong

• Frog Hollow

• Jarlmadangah.

Click for YouTube: DFES Engaging Community

School education strategy

DFES recently reviewed the Year 3 school visit program through consultation with teachers, DFES staff members and volunteers across the South West region. The findings have been incorporated into the School Education Strategy 2015–2020.

The key purpose of the strategy is to increase children’s understanding and awareness of fire and other risks and the importance of planning and responding appropriately. The strategy is made up of a range of programs including:

• school visits

• excursions to the Education and Heritage Centre

• online resources including Bushfire Patrol and natural hazards programs.

The programs link directly to the Western Australian school curriculum and use developmentally appropriate messaging.


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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVsdnwcEV2Qhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVsdnwcEV2Qhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVsdnwcEV2Q


IMPROVING TRAINING AND PERFORMANCE

eAcademy

The Professional Pathways project is now complete with the launch of the eAcademy. Professional Pathways details the skills required to perform each rank, role or level within DFES. The eAcademy supports a strategic and streamlined view when planning, developing and delivering training.

Since the launch in early May 2016, more than 4,000 staff and volunteers have accessed eAcademy. At an individual level, staff members and volunteers now have greater visibility of their training records and input into their future training.

This will enhance DFES’ response capabilities when supporting communities in emergency situations.

My Path

The My Path project will deliver an agency wide performance management framework for strengthening performance and identifying development opportunities for DFES staff members. The project is being delivered in two stages:

1. plan and design

2. implementation.

Stage 1 is nearing completion with the creation of the My Path framework. The framework is based on contemporary research and comprehensive stakeholder consultation.

My Path aims to:

• encourage supervisors and employees to have a conversation about role requirements and development

• discuss future career aspirations

• identify developmental needs

• articulate and manage expectations

• address any performance improvement issues

• recognise good performance.

Implementation has begun and training will be delivered across DFES during 2016 and 2017.


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Driving simulator

Driving emergency vehicles under emergency conditions requires a high degree of skill and awareness to ensure the safety of the community and crews.

DFES has purchased two driving simulators and a mobile transport facility to ensure emergency services drivers have the necessary skills to respond to incidents under ‘emergency conditions’. The simulators also provide a training platform for the next generation of emergency responders.

False fire alarms

In January 2016, DFES introduced charges for multiple attendances at false alarms. DFES responds to approximately 14,000 false alarms a year across Western Australia at a cost of more than $10 million. Of these, approximately 10,000 are alarms triggered by automated systems. Less than two per cent of automated alarms are the result of a fire. For some sites, there are multiple false alarms every week. The majority of false alarms are the result of system malfunctions, incorrect installation, dust, or poor placement of the alarm. The impact of false alarms on the Western Australian community include:

• firefighters being unable to attend genuine emergencies

• the ineffective use of DFES’ resources, which means that DFES is not serving the community as effectively as possible

• the increased risk to firefighters and the community when firefighting vehicles are driven unnecessarily under emergency conditions.

The false fire alarm strategy commenced in January 2016 and aims to reduce the number of responses to automated false fire alarm calls. A $750 charge is applied on the fourth and every subsequent false alarm attendance to a premises within a financial year. When DFES attends the same premises more than once on any day, the attendances are only counted once, allowing owners and occupiers time to rectify the issue that caused the false alarm.

Commissioner’s Aboriginal scholarship

The Commissioner’s Aboriginal Scholarship Program commenced in 2015. DFES has committed scholarship funding of $5,000 to both the University of Western Australia (UWA) and Edith Cowan University (ECU) every year for four years. The Scholarships are for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander students who are enrolled in full-time or part-time study and can demonstrate how their course of study is related to emergency management or contributes to Aboriginal community resilience.

This year, the Scholarships have been awarded to:

• Mr Jackson Hunt who is enrolled to complete a Bachelor of Science (Paramedical Science) at ECU

• Mr Dylan Collard who is enrolled to complete a Bachelor of Arts and Law at UWA.


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SUPPORTING VOLUNTEERS

Western Australian Fire and Emergency Services Conference

More than 700 volunteers from across the State attended the annual three day Western Australian Fire and Emergency Services Conference, from 18 to 20 September 2015. The conference celebrated the theme of ‘putting the community first’.

Attendees included volunteers across all services as well as DFES staff members and external stakeholders. Keynote speakers were Corporal Mark Donaldson VC and Mr Allan Sparkes CV VA.

Opportunities to tour key DFES facilities were available to delegates, including the State Operations Centre, Communications Centre, Training Academy and the Simulation Centre. There were practical demonstrations showcasing the

latest operational techniques and equipment and a range of DFES appliances were on display. There were also exhibitions from a variety of DFES business units. The annual DFES Service Award ceremonies for VMRS, SES and volunteer firefighters were included in the program.

Emergency services volunteer fuel card scheme

The contribution of our emergency services volunteers cannot be overstated. The State Government is recognising this contribution through the Emergency Services Volunteer Fuel Card Scheme with the assistance of Royalties for Regions funding.


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Click for YouTube: 2015 Conference Wrap

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEph8F9tWgkhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEph8F9tWgk


New volunteer portal in the works

The first phase of a project to develop a more interactive and user friendly volunteer portal is complete. Phase two will see the design of the new portal completed, along with development, testing and the training of users.

The new portal will use more advanced technology, be easier to navigate, more visually appealing, and will feature more engaging and relevant content.

Fuel cards are being rolled out to Brigades, Groups and Units in the Bush Fire Service, Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service, State Emergency Service, Volunteer Marine Rescue Services, Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services and St John Ambulance.

It will also be integrated with some of DFES’ existing systems giving volunteers the ability to access and update their details, apply for National Medals and long service awards, and access their past incident history. The new portal will also provide a platform to communicate through forums and online chats.

Other achievements that support our volunteers in their roles include:

• development of an e-induction package

• review of the cadet program resulting in a new training and competency pathway

• implementation of the ongoing ‘Your First Year’ volunteer survey

• delivery of the volunteer leadership program.


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Click for YouTube: Aboriginal Firefighter

AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE

Aboriginal firefighter cadet program awarded for excellence

DFES was awarded the 2015 Premier’s Award for Excellence in Public Sector Management in the Improving Aboriginal Outcomes category for the Aboriginal Firefighter Cadet program.

The program is the first of its kind in Australia and is designed to increase the competitiveness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders’ applications within the firefighter recruitment process with nationally accredited training and industry experience.

The one year program includes:

• mentoring with Aboriginal firefighters

• attainment of firefighter relevant qualifications

• participation in community engagement activities

• leadership

• conflict resolution

• teamwork and communication techniques

• a strong emphasis on cultural identity and self worth.

Prepare to Care program wins award

DFES won the Department of Health Best Practice in Health and Wellbeing Award for its peer support program Prepare to Care.

The program addresses mental health issues prevalent in the emergency services sector, supporting DFES’ staff members, volunteers and families. The program is closely linked to the philosophy of a ‘mate helping a mate’ and staff members and volunteers across the State are trained to support their colleagues.

During 2016/17, support was provided to 1,282 people through the program.

The program will be reviewed in its third year to ensure the delivery model remains relevant to the needs of DFES staff members, volunteers and their families.


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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EmklDGkNgohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EmklDGkNgo


WAFES Concert Band takes top prize

In May 2016, the Western Australian Fire and Emergency Services Concert Band won the A Grade Championship at the 2016 Western Australian State Band Championships.

The band, affiliated with DFES since 2015, is comprised of over 50 volunteer musicians including DFES personnel.

The band was one of only two to qualify for the A Grade competition. There were 14 other bands competing across the B Grade Concert Band and Brass Band categories.

The band plays at DFES and community events throughout the year, including the Firefighters Memorial Day Service and firefighter graduation ceremonies.

Click for YouTube: DFES Concert Band’s Formation


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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJPxuXqD-3Uhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJPxuXqD-3U



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OUTCOME 2 DFES’ Key Achievements against Outcome 2 for 2015/16 are:• Delivered heavy rescue caches

to three regional career FRS stations and two Police Air Wing centres

• Established the new emergency rescue helicopter service in the South West

• Delivered a forward communications vehicle

• Supported five international emergencies

• Had six responders recognised for overseas assistance

• Responded to 30,045 emergency incidents.

The impact of emergencies is minimised through the delivery of appropriate emergency response.


NEWTECHNOLOGY AND EQUIPMENT

Crew protection

The fire appliance crew protection program is jointly funded by DFES and the Department of Regional Development’s Royalties for Regions Program. It is part of the ongoing initiative focusing on the safety and welfare of emergency service personnel, particularly in a bushfire context where burnover and entrapment can occur. It is a complex, comprehensive state wide initiative being delivered over four years and comprises the retrofitting of existing firefighting appliances with:

• burnover blankets

• radiant heat shields

• deluge, lagging and fire resistant panel systems

• in-cabin air systems.

The installation of 3,700 burnover blankets and radiant heat shields in 981 appliances was completed in early 2016. In late September 2015 contracts for the remaining

components commenced. At the end of June 2016, 73 existing appliances have been completed and 48 new appliances brought into service with crew protection systems.

Automated Vehicle Locator (AVL)

DFES’ AVL solution will improve the safety of crews on the fire ground and enable better tracking of resources as recommended in the Ferguson Review.

Due to the complexity of the project, the AVL deployment will be phased in over the next few years. In the first phase, DFES will provide two important improvements.

Initially, DFES and local government appliances will be fitted with a GPS transmitter and communications equipment to enable Incident Management Teams (IMTs) and Emergency Operations Centres (EOCs) to determine the location of

appliances. The next phase will integrate P&W appliances and other vehicles.

A distress button in vehicle cabs will alert the Communications Centre, IMTs and EOCs when the crew requires assistance.

The AVL equipment will be deployed across the state commencing in the south western areas classified as high bushfire risk. Deployment will commence late September 2016.

Heavy rescue air deployment cache

Every year hundreds of road crash incidents involve complex extrication of vehicle occupants. A Road Safety Commission Road Trauma Trust Account grant has enabled DFES to supply five heavy rescue air deployment caches to support road crash rescue in regional and remote areas of Western Australia.


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• lithium ion road crash rescue tools supplied to 155 units

• new vessels for Windy Harbour and Albany Volunteer Marine Rescue Services

• upgrade of Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service Brigade computers

• new vessel for Broome Sea Rescue with wheels suitable to drive on the beach and into the water.

Click for YouTube: Broome New ‘Sea Legs’ Vessel

The caches are mobilised by air or road and include state of the art lithium ion battery Lukas eDraulic cutters, spreaders and rams.

The caches are based at three regional career FRS stations and the Jandakot and Karratha Police Air Wing centres for easy deployment.

Supporting our responders

Making sure our responders have the right equipment at the right time is key to ensuring effective emergency services are delivered to the Western Australian community. This year, new equipment to support frontline response includes:

• purchase of the Western Shelter field system, that can be used as a secure base of operations or a temporary accommodation shelter

New emergency rescue helicopter airborne to save lives

Western Australia’s second emergency rescue helicopter commenced providing lifesaving services from Bunbury airport in February 2016. The helicopter has been provided through funding from the Royalties for Regions program of $29.95 million over three years.

The new rescue helicopter (Rescue 652), expands the services area of coverage and doubles its operational capacity. It offers:

• faster initial first response including rescue and emergency medical attention

• accelerated delivery to a point of definitive care

• higher patient survivability rates

Click for YouTube: New South West Emergency Rescue Helicopter


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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=or8OlRNYRS0https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=or8OlRNYRS0https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=or8OlRNYRS0https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHsoH6r4sjkhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHsoH6r4sjk


• reduced hospitalisation and rehabilitation times

• better patient and community outcomes.

Rescue 652 responds directly to the Peel, South West and Great Southern regions and provides support to search and rescue operations on land and in coastal waters.

Combined with the Perth based helicopter, the two rescue helicopters operate as a network, covering 95 per cent of the State’s population and providing redundancy for each other. This allows the Perth based Rescue 651 to respond more reliably to the Wheatbelt and Mid West regions.

In addition, the new base of operations will provide crews with a state of the art facility and training complex. It will be fully operational by late 2016.

All Hazard Incident Information Management System update

In September 2008, the State Emergency Management Committee endorsed a plan for state emergency management agencies to adopt an integrated, interagency incident information management system.

Phase one of DFES’ All Hazard Incident Information Management System project is now finalised. The project’s objective is to improve DFES’ management and response to incidents across all hazards, through enhanced information sharing to increase situational awareness.

To date the project has delivered a web based incident management system application (WebEOC) for DFES State Duty Rosters in EOCs and boards for supporting incident management and situational updates. It has also achieved integration

of WebEOC with existing key applications such as incident reporting and computer aided dispatch systems.

The next phase of the project will deliver replacement of the legacy system for tasking requests for assistance from SES crews.

Forward communications vehicle

The Command, Control, Coordination and Information Systems (C3IS) project delivered a range of operational improvements. A key outcome is enhanced mobile communications capabilities.

The first fully upgraded forward communications vehicle is now in operation, located in Belmont. A second vehicle, to be located in Broome, is in production.

The vehicles ensure continuous communications for incident management. Video footage

to enhance on the ground intelligence can be captured from three digital cameras:

• a mast mounted visual and thermal camera

• a body-worn camera

• a drone mounted camera.

During the Esperance fires in November 2015, telecommunication towers were impacted, causing the loss of radio, telephone and data connections in some areas. The new vehicles will maintain mobile satellite connections, providing a dedicated satellite broadband connection, enabling internet access and phone communications in locations where a communication network is unavailable. The technology also increases data exchange rates beyond that generally available.


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DFES AROUND THE WORLD

DFES has a culture of shared learnings with other jurisdictions which is supported through our active participation in multiple Australasian working groups and forums. We encourage and support our career staff and volunteers to participate in a variety of events across Australia and overseas.

From these events, our people gain exposure to different environments and operational techniques and provide much needed assistance to other jurisdictions. This valuable knowledge is then used to ensure our own protocols reflect best practice.

During 2015/16 DFES sent specialist response personnel as part of international contingents to five international incidents dealing with widespread bushfires and devastating floods.

DFES provided specialist assistance and advice to the Myanmar Government following Tropical Cyclone Komen which killed 125 people and displaced approximately 1.7 million people through floods and landslides.

Bushfires in California, Oregon and Washington states in the United States of America and Alberta and British Columbia, Canada were so severe and widespread, international assistance from mutual aid partners was requested. DFES officers supported local and international wildfire suppression activities for up to 45 days at these incidents.

Responders recognised for overseas assistance

Six DFES Urban Search and Rescue technicians were presented with the Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal by Emergency Services Minister, Hon. Joe Francis MLA at a ceremony at Government House.

The medal recognises Australians who perform humanitarian work in dangerous overseas situations and acknowledges their contribution as part of an international taskforce following the 2011 Christchurch, New Zealand earthquake. Only four other Western Australians have ever received this award.


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Learning from international emergency management partners

For some years now DFES and the Singapore Civil Defence Force, through Memorandum of Understanding arrangements, have participated in secondments for firefighting staff. Through these secondments, firefighters gain specialist skills in areas such as urban search and rescue and road crash rescue.

Recently, the program has been extended to include senior officer development to gain a more indepth view of the agencies' complete operations including procedures, policy and doctrine.

In November 2015, a visit by senior officers from Singapore provided them the opportunity to observe DFES personnel’s response during a major bushfire.

Singapore Challenge

The Singapore Global Firefighters and Paramedics Challenge is an annual event where elite rescue teams from around the world gather to compete against each other in demanding scenarios related to firefighting, rescue, medical emergencies and hazmat management. The event also has a strong educational element with four days focused on road crash rescue and urban search and rescue training.

DFES was represented by Station Officer Garth Lawrence, Senior Firefighter Dominic Reay and Firefighter Joshua Caddy. They were joined by Paramedic Sean Morris. The team competed in two events:

1. Braveheart – an individual event where competitors perform strenuous firefighting and rescue related tasks. Speed, skill and strength are essential

2. Rip-It-Off – a timed, team based challenge where teams safely complete a road traffic accident scenario.

In both competitions, DFES placed second behind the highly competitive Singapore Civil Defence Force.

Click for YouTube: Secondment Arrangements with Singapore


CORPORATE STRUCTURE




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XbW2Uoiv00



CORPORATE STRUCTURE




STATE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLANS – WESTPLANS

State Emergency Management Plans in Western Australia are known as Westplans and provide strategic, state level arrangements for managing the particular hazards to which they apply. Westplans are reviewed every five years, or as required. Reviews include extensive consultation with relevant stakeholders to ensure the plans are current and meet community and emergency service agency needs.

Interagency operational exercises are used to test Westplans and their frequency is determined by the State Emergency Management Committee (SEMC).

The formal operational activation of a Westplan may be considered as an exercise for this purpose. The exercises provide the opportunity to improve state preparedness by clarifying legislative responsibilities, testing systems and procedures, identifying training gaps and improving interagency cooperation.

DFES is currently responsible for 10 Westplans.


Current Status of Westplans:

Westplan Status 2015/16 Activations/Exercises

CBRN (Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear) Current 24 July 2015 – (Exercise Iron Sentinel) State level multi-agency table top exercise.

3 August 2015 – (Exercise Iron Sentinel) State and national level multi-agency counter terrorism exercise.

Collapse Current 31 August to 2 September 2015 – (Exercise Saw Point) State level multi-agency urban search and rescue exercise based on an earthquake event.

Earthquake Current 31 August to 2 September 2015 – (Exercise Saw Point) State level multi-agency urban search and rescue exercise based on an earthquake event.

Fire Current 16 Octob