The document provides an overview of the 2012/13 fire season briefing. It summarizes the 2011/12 fire season, outlines the key themes and seasonal outlook to be discussed in scenario workshops. It also reviews command and control arrangements, safety procedures, warning systems, resources and additional information sources for the upcoming fire season.
2. 2011/12 Fire Season Review
Significant rainfall throughout 2011 contributed to the
potential for an elevated grassfire risk- the same is
expected for 2012/13
Total Fire Bans were declared in parts of the state on 9
days (3 of these were revoked)
Significant Incidents
– NuPlex Industries chemical incident (Wangaratta): 19 December
2011
– Port of Portland Hazmat Incident: 18 February 2012
– Floods (North East and Gippsland): March 2012
2011/12 Post Season Review Report
2012/13 Regional Briefings
Version 3.0 – 5 October 2012
3. Key themes
The following key themes will be addressed in the scenario
workshop:
Predictive Services & Products
Integrated Initial Attack
Transfer of Control
Warnings and Advice
Evacuation
2012/13 Regional Briefings
Version 3.0 – 5 October 2012
4. Seasonal Outlook
Seasonal Outlook
– Spring outlook available on the BoM website
– Drier and warmer than normal season expected
– Summer outlook issued by BoM in November
– Refer to BoM website and FireWeb for latest
information prior to and during Fire Danger Period.
Bushfire CRC Fire Note - Southern Australian
Seasonal Bushfire Outlook 2012-13
– Available on the Bushfire CRC website
– Southern Australia is likely to have normal or above
normal fire activity during the 2012-13 fire season.
2012/13 Regional Briefings
Version 3.0 – 5 October 2012
5. FireWeb
Weather
Section
Register
(DSE only)
2012/13 Regional Briefings
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6. Safety
The fireground is an OH&S workplace of the control agency- but safety is
everybody’s responsibility.
Actively manage safety. At large and level 3 incidents:
– Appoint a safety officer
– Establish the Medical Services Unit so that OHS incidents and
reports are promptly addressed
– Specifically address safety in the Incident Action Plan and every
briefing
Watchout for unacceptable risk and put controls in place. Unacceptable
risk may include:
– Crews working near areas of hazardous trees
– Using crews unfamiliar with local or general bushfire risks
– Long hours and tours of duty
2012/13 Regional Briefings
Version 3.0 – 5 October 2012
7. Command and Control Arrangements
Major changes
Preparedness (seasonal) and Readiness (short term)
arrangements separated and clarified
The arrangements are generic and the arrangements of
individual agencies are not included (e.g. role of Duty
Officers)
State and Regional Control Teams now include the
Recovery Coordinator/Manager and the SES Commander
Emergency Management Teams at each tier (incident,
regional and state) specifically include the Health
Commander.
2012/13 Regional Briefings
Version 3.0 – 5 October 2012
8. Standard Operating Procedures
Revised Joint SOPs:
– J2.03 IMT Readiness Arrangements
– J3.01 Determining the Control Agency
– J3.08 Appointment of Incident Controllers
– J4.01 Incident Warnings and Advice
Revised FSC SOP 02/2012- Reporting of Significant
fires/emergencies to Fire Services Commissioner
2012/13 Regional Briefings
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9. Aircraft
State Fleet comprises 42 contracted aircraft
– Includes three contracted Light Fixed Wing recce aircraft
Nominated Operational Bases (NOB’s) selected based on matching
aircraft with risk
Aircraft will position to Fire Readiness Locations as needed based on
forecast outlook and localised risk.
For further information on Aircraft for this
season please contact Adam Lawson –
Manager State Aircraft Unit
(03) 9412 4888
2012/13 Regional Briefings
Version 3.0 – 5 October 2012
10. Provision of Warnings to the Community
24/7 warnings support via the SCC (03) 9262 8779
Location based Emergency Alert- Telstra only for 2012/13
OSOM multilingual warnings
− Greek - Arabic
− Chinese - Vietnamese
− Italian
CFA/RFS cross border
messaging
Vulnerable persons register
− Web based registers
− Available by Summer 2012
− Accessible to Victoria Police
2012/13 Regional Briefings
Version 3.0 – 5 October 2012
11. Sirens
In May 2012 the State Government released a policy for the Use of
Sirens for Brigade and Community Alerting
Under the Policy, if a siren is activated, the sound will have one of the
following meanings:
− BRIGADE - A short, 90-second signal will alerting fire brigade
members to attend emergency callouts.
− COMMUNITY - A prolonged, 5-minute signal will indicate an
emergency in the local area and people should ‘seek further
information’
A pilot will be undertaken at selected sites this summer (locations still
being decided)
The focus is to provide the ability for three levels of activation:
− Automatically through OSOM or EA warnings platforms
− EAS paging system
− Manual activation
2012/13 Regional Briefings
Version 3.0 – 5 October 2012
12. Fire Agency Access Through TMPs
White CFA Volunteer stickers are no longer
available and replaced by CFA Member
photo ID cards
Bushfire Information Card has been re-
issued with no changes
CFA-DSE Formal Identification Sheet has
been re-issued with no changes
Guidelines for the Operation of TMPs
during bushfires has been re-issued with
no changes
2012/13 Regional Briefings
Version 3.0 – 5 October 2012
13. eMap
Replaces FireMap and EIMS Mapper on a common
platform
Uses Australian All Hazard map symbols
Includes Phoenix, Firescan and satellite hot spots
Includes field data capture (offline) tools
Live data feeds including road closures, weather, resource
tracking and river heights
New map backdrop used
(Mapscape)
High quality map printing
2012/13 Regional Briefings
Version 3.0 – 5 October 2012
14. State Resource Request System
Resources Unit members at Incident, Regional and State
level can submit, action and track requests for additional
resources during major incidents and planned burning.
All Resources Unit personnel, as well as those involved in
the dispatch of appliances, must complete an online
training session to ensure that they are familiar with the
system.
For further information (including access)
refer to page 46 in the Handbook
2012/13 Regional Briefings
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15. Community Information Guides (CIGs)
Formerly known as Township
Protection Plans
Current TPPs remain valid for
distribution
Future guides and those available
on the CFA website will be
updated to CIGs
Also available by calling VBIL
2012/13 Regional Briefings
Version 3.0 – 5 October 2012
16. Local Response Plan- Bushfire
Combines existing Bushfire Response Plans and Township
Planning Factors into one document to reduce duplication.
Developed by brigades with support from the local Group,
CFA regions, other emergency services and the
municipality
Contains local information to enhance initial bushfire or
grassfire operational planning, preparedness and response
Located on the X drive (CFA ICC drive) and the
Emergency Management Drive (R Drive)
reference/documentation/region/Township Planning
Factors.
2012/13 Regional Briefings
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17. Community Fire Refuges
Community Fire Refuge pilot underway
Three pilot sites at East Warburton, Millgrove and
Ferny Creek (all in District 13, all using new
structures on primary school campuses)
Pilot to test policy, practices, procedures, building
performance, operational issues,
community engagement
2012/13 Regional Briefings
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18. Additional Information
Victorian Fire Agency Bushfire Handbook- Edition 2
IMT Toolbox
FireWeb
Agency Intranet sites
FSC website
SCC Extranet
Pre Season Update
2012/13 Regional Briefings
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19. Further Information
A follow up survey will be emailed to you about 1 week
after this briefing.
This presentation will be available on the FSC website and
the Emergency Management Drive (R drive).
For further information, please contact:
− CFA (Jane Schendzielorz – j.schendzielorz@cfa.vic.gov.au)
− DSE (Gary White – gary.white@dse.vic.gov.au)
− MFB (Mark Swiney – mswiney@mfb.vic.gov.au)
− SCC (Cain Trist - cain.trist@firecommissioner.vic.gov.au)
− FSC(Tony Murphy – tony.a.murphy@firecommissioner.vic.gov.au)
2012/13 Regional Briefings
Version 3.0 – 5 October 2012
Notas del editor
Key ThemesThese themes are not addressed in detail in this presentation (apart from Predictive Services and Products) as they will be discussed in depth in the scenario workshop
FireWebFireweb is a website that is DSE’s primary source of integrated fire management information. http://fireweb/default.asp or on networked computers just type firewebor firewebtraining(all as one word) into the browser address barParts of the site (including weather) are open to anyone on a computer connected to the DSE or CFA network (e.g., computers at ICCs, fire stations) whereas others are only accessible by registered users. For access to the open areas, simply close the login box that appears when Fireweb opens.DSE users can register for access through the ‘Register’ link at the bottom of the navigation bar on the left hand side. Access for other agencies is currently a work in progress.The passwords of all registered users have recently been reset and can be updated by clicking “Forgot Password?” on the login page.
SafetyRole of the Safety Officer is to be the Incident Controller’s “Quality Assurance” person with regards to incident safety. Safety Officer to apply a risk management approach to incident safety by checking that proper processes are in placeRequired to be appointed to all Level 3 IMTsDoes not have power of veto.Is not the OH&S contact. Is an IMT focussed role but may visit the fireground if IMT safety-related systems and processes are OK.See SOP – J3.04 Safety OfficerRisk Controls include:Apply the processes in the Hazardous Tree Pictorial Guide (in IMT toolbox)Integrate treatment into plans and systems of workOnly appropriately accredited fallers are to fall trees, CFA has adopted policy of leaving hazardous tree ID and falling to DSE.Briefing visiting crews (e.g. urban and interstate/international firefighters ) about local hazards and provide close local supervision.Applying agency fatigue management proceduresIssuing Fireground Information Updates and Red Flag warnings (See Handbook p65-67)For those on the fireline where the risks change continuallyCompetency, equipment, good supervision so that the person is safeContinuous monitoring of risk by firefighters and review of their actions so that they maintain their own safety. (see Handbook p 60-64).
eMapOne mapping platform across DSE and CFA which replaces FireMap and EIMS Mapper (Formal notification of this will occur 17-21 September 2012)DSE and CFA have adopted the AFAC endorsed Australian All Hazard Map Symbols for this fire seasonPhoenix bushfire spread model, simulates bushfire spread for DSE and CFA bushfires. Predictions approved by Fire Behaviour Analysts viewable in eMap.Fire scan- infra-red image of bushfire or floodSatellite hotspots – Terra and Aqua satellites pass over Eastern Australia twice daily. They have infra-red sensors which detect hot spots.eMap Field is used for capturing field data and a redundancy for network outages.New multi-scale digital map backdrop used for the first time (Mapscape)Resource tracking for Aircraft and DSE first attack dozersHigh quality map printing from A4 - A0 page sizes.Joint Training will begin from 10 October 2012. To be officially launched during Fire Action Week.