Fire and Emergency Services Act 2005

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

56—Fire prevention on private land

• (2) If a council believes that conditions on private land in a fire district are such as to cause an

• unreasonable risk of the outbreak of fire on the land, or the spread of fire through the land, due

• to the presence of flammable undergrowth or other flammable or combustible materials or

• substances, the council may, by notice in writing that complies with any prescribed requirement,

• require the owner to take specified action to remedy the situation within such time as may be specified in the notice.

71—The South Australian Bushfire Prevention Advisory Committee

• (1) The South Australian Bushfire Prevention Advisory Committee continues in existence.

• (2) The Advisory Committee consists of—• (b) the following members appointed by the

Governor:• (i) 2 representatives of local government, at

least 1 being a suitable person to represent rural councils, nominated by the LGA;

73—Regional bushfire prevention committees

• (1) The Chief Officer may, by notice in the Gazette, establish a regional bushfire prevention

• committee in relation to an SACFS region.• (2) A regional bushfire prevention committee

will consist of—• (ii) 2 representatives of the councils whose

areas lie wholly or partially within the• region, selected by those councils in

accordance with the regulations;

75—District bushfire prevention committees

• (1) A rural council, or 2 or more rural councils acting together, must, by notice in the Gazette, establish a district bushfire prevention committee in relation to its area or their areas.

77—Fire prevention officers

• (1) Subject to this section, each rural council must appoint a suitably qualified fire prevention officer for its area.

• (2) A rural council may appoint 1 or more assistant fire prevention officers.

83—Private land

• (1) In this section—

• responsible authority means—

• (a) in relation to land within the area of a council—the council for that area;

84—Council land

• (1) A rural council that has the care, control or management of land in the country must take reasonable steps to protect property on the land from fire and to prevent or inhibit the outbreak of fire on the land, or the spread of fire through the land.

• (2) A rural council must, in acting under subsection (1), take into account proper land management principles.

• (3) If, in the opinion of the Chief Officer, a rural council has failed to comply with subsection (1), the Chief Officer may refer the matter to the Minister to whom the administration of the Local Government Act 1999 has been committed (with a view to that Minister taking action in relation to the council under that Act).

Local Service Areas include:

• Barossa Yorke –Nuriootpa • Far North – Port Augusta• Mid West – Whyalla• North East – Port Pirie• West Coast – Port Lincoln• Hills Murray – Mt Barker• Riverland – Berri• South East – Mt Gambier• South Coast – Christies Beach

SA Government Reform CommissionRegional Boundaries

• The GRC has considered the development of a single set of regional boundaries to provide for greater efficiencies in the planning, delivery and monitoring of government services.

• Cabinet has approved the proposal, which will be implemented by agencies over a two-year timeframe with PIRSA taking the lead role in terms of monitoring and review.

SAMFS has the following functions`

SAMFS has the following functions:

• (a) to provide services with a view to preventing the outbreak of fires, or reducing the impact of fires, in any fire district;

• (b) to provide efficient and responsive services in any fire district for the purpose of fighting fires, dealing with other emergencies or undertaking any rescue;

• (c) to protect life, property and environmental assets from fire or other emergencies in any fire district;

SAMFS functions (cont):• (d) to develop and maintain plans to cope

with the effects of fires or emergencies in any fire district;

• (e) to provide services or support to assist with recovery in the event of a fire or other

• emergency in a fire district;• (f) to perform any other function assigned

to SAMFS by or under this or any other Act.

SACFS has the following functions

SACFS has the following functions:

• (a) to provide services with a view to preventing the outbreak of fires, or reducing the impact of fires, in the country;

• (b) to provide efficient and responsive services in the country for the purpose of fighting fires, dealing with other emergencies or undertaking any rescue;

• (c) to protect life, property and environmental assets from fire and other emergencies occurring in the country;

SACFS functions (cont):

• (d) to develop and maintain plans to cope with the effects of fires or emergencies in the country;

• (e) to provide services or support to assist with recovery in the event of a fire or other emergency in the country;

• (f) to perform any other function assigned to SACFS by or under this or any other Act.

SASES has the following functions

`

SASES has the following functions:

• (a) to assist the Commissioner of Police in dealing with any emergency;

• (b) to assist the State Coordinator, in accordance with the State Emergency Management Plan, in carrying out prevention, preparedness, response or recovery operations under the Emergency Management Act 2004;

• (c) to assist SAMFS and SACFS in dealing with any emergency;

SASES functions (cont):

• (d) to deal with any emergency—– (i) where the emergency is caused by flood or

storm damage; or– (ii) where there is no other body or person with

lawful authority to assume control of operations for dealing with the emergency;

• (e) to deal with any emergency until such time as any other body or person that has lawful authority to assume control of operations for dealing with the emergency has assumed control;

SASES functions (cont):

• (f) to respond to emergency calls and, where appropriate, provide assistance in any situation of need whether or not the situation constitutes an emergency;

• (g) to undertake rescues;• (h) to perform any other function assigned

to SASES by or under this or any other Act.

Pathway for declaring an Identified Major Incident

CONTROL OR COORDINATING AGENCY

STATE CONTROLLER

STATE COORDINATOR

Zone Emergency Centres (ZECs) are located at:

• Christies Beach• Mt Gambier• Berri• Mt Barker• Nuriootpa

• Port Pirie• Whyalla• Port Augusta• Port Lincoln

SEC SCC

ZEC LCC

The Local Government Act 1999 commits Local Government to responsibilities for

emergency Management:

Section 7. Functions of a council:

Para (d)…to take measures to protect its area from natural and other hazards and to mitigate the effects of such hazards.

THE STATE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ORGANISATION

STATE COORDINATOR .... MINISTER .... GOVERNOR

ZECs ……. SEC .......... NEMCC (EMA)

AGRICULTURE FIRE STATE EMERGENCY SERVICE & ANIMAL SERVICES HEALTH & COMMUNITY SERVICES AMBULANCE MEDICAL & FIRST AID MEDIA

ENGINEERING POLICE LOGISTICS

DEFENCE FORCE (SA) COMMUNICATIONS

CONCEPTS OF DISASTER MANAGEMENT

The Commonwealth recognises four concepts of emergency / disaster management. They are:

1. The All Hazards Approach2. The Comprehensive

Approach3. The All Agencies (or

Integrated) Approach4. The Prepared Community

THE ALL HAZARDS APPROACH

Even though specific counter-measures will often vary with different hazards, it is desirable to establish a single set of management arrangements capable of encompassing all hazards.

Flood damage at the Yanyarrie Creek, approximately 15km north of Carrieton. Picture: Sam Gameau

THE COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH

‘PPRR’

Prevention (or mitigation - reduce the severity of) hazard impact.

Preparedness within the community.

Response - providing an effective response immediately following any hazard impact.

Recovery - providing for recovery of the community affected by the hazard impact.

Hazard-centred approach to Disaster Management

HAZARDOUS EVENTS

which increases that is related to demand for

EMERGENCY RESPONSE ACTUAL LEVELDRIVING THE ALLOCATION OF OF RISKRESOURCES AND FUNDING

which reduces focus onand resources for which increases RISK MANAGEMENT

& RISK PREVENTION

Risk Management approach to Disaster Management

RISK MANAGEMENT& RISK PREVENTION

which allows which reduces further focus on

EMERGENCY RESPONSE ACTUAL LEVEL DRIVING THE ALLOCATION OF RISK OF RESOURCES & FUNDING

which reduces which aims to reduce the need for frequency or severity of

HAZARDOUS EVENTS

PREVENTION / MITIGATION• Zoning / land use

management• Building codes• Building use regulations• Relocation• Safety improvements• Legislation• Public Information• Community awareness /

education• Tax, insurance incentives /

disincentives

Sir John Harvey-Jones, a former director of ICI once said…

“Planning is an un-natural process: it is much more fun to do something.The nicest thing about not planning is that failure comes as a complete surprise, rather than being preceded by a period of worry and depression.”

PREPAREDNESS

• Community awareness / education

• Disaster plans• Training / test exercises• Emergency

communications• Evacuation plans• Mutual aid agreements• Warning systems• Resource inventories• Provision of special

resources

SES volunteer Steven Allen crosses Wonoka Creek on the washed out Wilpena Rd. (Jan 07) Picture: Jill Pengelley

RESPONSE• Implementing plans• Implementing emergency

legislation / declarations• Issuing warnings• Activating emergency

operations centres• Mobilising resources• Notifying public authorities• Providing medical assistance• Providing • immediate relief• Search and rescue

RECOVERY• Restoring essential services• Community rehabilitation• Counselling programs• Temporary housing• Financial support / assistance• Health and safety information• Long-term medical care• Physical restoration /

reconstruction• Public information• Conducting economic impact

studies• Business recovery A railway line buckled near

Whyalla after earth was washed from beneath the

tracks. (January 2007)Picture: Nigel Cooper

THE ALL AGENCIES (OR INTEGRATED) APPROACH

• Our arrangements for dealing with major emergencies and disasters in Australia require an active partnership between Commonwealth, state / territory and local levels of government, statutory authorities and voluntary and community organisations.

Things to address…

• Control agencies• Command Control and

Coordination• Memoranda of

understanding• Cross-jurisdictional

arrangements• Multi-agency exercising• Networking

                                                                                                                            

      

THE PREPARED COMMUNITY• From the community

viewpoint, the three vital links in dealing with emergencies / disasters are individuals, voluntary organisations, and local government.

• Public education plays a key role in preparing communities.

How do we change people’s attitudes?

• Confronting apathy and disinterest is an on-going challenge.

• A mitigation mind-set needed.

• Communities need to be empowered to take appropriate actions.

Some challenges to Public Education

– Only 17.5% of Australia's working-age population, less than one in five, is able to cope with all the literacy demands of everyday life.

– It is estimated that 7% of the world’s population has dyslexia.

This is not about ridiculing dyslexics. Talented dyslexics include:

 Inventors /Engineers / Scientists

• Albert Einstein• Thomas Edison• Alexander Graham Bell Artists /Writers• Leonardo Da Vinci• Walt Disney• Hans Christian Andersen• William Butler Yeats 

Military / Political Strategists

• General George Patton• Winston Churchill• Michael Heseltine Performers• Cher• Whoopi Goldgberg• Susan Hampshire

EM Project Opportunities in Local Government

Background

The 2002 Council of Australian Government (COAG) review:

“A shift in focus towards cost-effective, evidence-based disaster mitigation”

“Beyond disaster response and reaction, to anticipation and mitigation”

Endorsed roles and responsibilities for all levels of government

Funding opportunities for State and Local authorities

• Natural Disaster Mitigation Program

• Working together to manage emergencies program

• Catchment management subsidy scheme

• Local Government disaster fund

• Post event recovery programs

Best Management Practice (BMP) funding

• Natural Heritage Trust Projects Investments and Fundings

• Website www.nht.gov.au• The Commonwealth provided $12.7 million for 69

priority projects identified by the eight SA regions in 2003-2004. The projects ranged from $135,000 to conserve the black-eared miner, one of Australia's most endangered birds, $135,000 to implement irrigation reform in the Lower Murray and $350,000 in incentives and technical support for environmental and resource management by Lower South East land holders.

Working Together To Manage Emergencies Program

• Projects that enhance community safety • All hazard emergency/risk plans, preparation

and recovery plans, personnel development protective measures for Critical Infrastructure

• Local government and volunteers• $50K amounts ~ $1.5m for SA• 100% grants, 12 month focus• Opened Nov 2006, how many more rounds?• www.ema.gov.au

Natural Disaster Mitigation Program (NDMP)

• Natural disaster mitigation works and studies

• ~ $1.5 m, 66% grants

• Multi year projects

• Opened Nov 2006, one more round +

• www.dotars.gov.au

Local Government Disaster Fund

• Post-Ash Wednesday• Infrastructure restitution and mitigation• All hazards disasters, flood• Open all year, ongoing• Eligibility based on formula of % capital

base and operations budget• Contact Local Government Relations

Unit: Jane Gascoigne

Catchment Management Subsidy Scheme (CMSS)

• >40Ha catchment• Flood/stormwater management• Works• Variable $Xm pa pool• 50% subsidy• Annual cycle• Dept of transport energy and infrastructure• Links to urban stormwater body

Event based programs

• Spalding/Koolunga/Renmark recovery • Gawler river recovery program, community

development• Karoonda community recovery program,

community facilities• EP bushfire recovery program, community

development, environmental health, infrastructure repair, planning and mental health support

• NDRA (natural disaster relief arrangements)

Research Options• EMA ( Emergency Management Australia) Research

program.• The Australian Government Department of the Environment

and Heritage (DEH) develops and implements programs to protect and conserve Australia's natural environment and cultural heritage.It also has a Climate change program

• Health clinical & environmental health development program• NHMRC/ARC (National Health and Medical Research

Council/ Australian Research Council) community development program

• UN ISDR (United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction) program grants

Risk-focussed grants

• LG Risk services

• SAICorp

• Insurers and underwriters

Some grant application tips

• Get all the documents• Read and understand the criteria• Speak to contact officers• Don’t miss deadlines• If you make a claim link it to the benefit and

provide evidence• find someone with the “art” in council• Use key terms like, “mitigation strategy” and

“enhancing public safety”

Finding grants

• Office of Regional Affairs www.ord.sa.gov.au• Search web – www.grantslink.gov.au• Think laterally of benefits, key words• Subscribe to engines – ourcommunity.org.au• Local MPs• What “year” is it? Built environment? Deserts

and desertification

Training opportunities – Emergency Management Australia Institute (Mt Macedon)

• All costs from and back to Adelaide airport met by Federal Government.• Go to www.ema.gov.au and hit the “Education and Training” icon at the

top of the home page. This will reveal programme activities, nomination forms etc.

• Complete a nomination form and fax it to Allan McDougall at (08) 8410 3115.

For tailored, localised training…

Contact:

Allan McDougallState Emergency Management Training Officer,c/-Disaster Management Services,State Emergency Service Headquarters,Level 10, 44 Waymouth Street,Adelaide SA 5000Phone: 8463 7971Mobile phone: 0419 829 915Fax: 8410 3115Email: mcdougall.allan@ses.sa.gov.au

ANY QUESTIONS?.