Community-centred emergency management€¦ · Advisory and support activities include secretariat services for the State Emergency Management Committee and the State Mitigation Committee

FESA ANNUAL REPORT 2005-2006 27

Community-centred emergency management WESTERN Australia is faced with a broad range of natural and man-made risks – fires, cyclones, severe storms, floods, chemical spills, vehicle crashes and marine hazards. As terrorism has escalated, so too has the risk of explosions, chemical, biological and radiological emergencies. FESA embraces and actively promotes the concept of ‘community-centred emergency management’ to further bolster Western Australia’s capacity to deal with these events. Community-centred emergency management requires working with the community to draw on the knowledge and experience of community members in planning for, and to minimise the impact of, emergencies. FESA employs this concept in two ways:

• We use the community-centred concept as a foundation to shape our emergency management activities. We adjust our service delivery in keeping with the social, economic, cultural, environmental, geographic and other special needs of people. We consult with the community to determine these needs.

• We undertake the community-centred approach by promoting and facilitating emergency risk management in communities in Western Australia so they can be more self reliant and better prepared in case of emergencies.

Community-centred emergency management involves four components:

• PREVENTION: a range of prevention services is provided to increase community awareness of hazards and involvement in minimising their impact

• PREPAREDNESS: appropriate and adequate infrastructure, equipment, skilled personnel, plans and programs are provided and maintained in preparation for emergencies. The community is supported in its own preparations and planning for emergencies

• RESPONSE: rapid and comprehensive response to emergencies is ensured to contain and minimise the impact of hazards and to perform rescues. The community is supported in its own response to emergencies

• RECOVERY: assistance is given to the community, FESA's employees and volunteers affected by major emergencies to facilitate effective and efficient recovery from the impact.

CONTENTS EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS 28 CYCLONE 37

EARTHQUAKE 42

FIRE 43

FLOOD 58

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 63

SEARCH/RESCUE 66

STORM 83

TSUNAMI 86


EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS FESA plays an essential role in improving emergency management capability in Western Australia. It achieves this through providing capacity building services and advisory and support services to key stakeholders at local, regional, state and national levels. Capacity building activities seek to improve emergency management capability through training and development, policy and planning development and review, emergency management funding support programs and mitigation initiatives. Advisory and support activities include secretariat services for the State Emergency Management Committee and the State Mitigation Committee. FESA also participates in strategic working and reference groups at the state and national levels and undertakes research related to emergency management. The proclamation of the Emergency Management Act 2005 on 23 December 2005 was a critical accomplishment in 2005-2006. The Act came into operation the following day. Previously, Western Australia had no emergency management legislation and, consequently, the State Government and its agencies lacked appropriate key legislative powers and protection. LOCAL COMMUNITY THE AWARE PROGRAM FESA continued to engage the community in emergency management through the AWARE program (All West Australians Reducing Emergencies). AWARE aims to encourage communities to minimise the impact of local hazards through the emergency risk management process and local community emergency management training. The program has engaged local emergency management committees to assist local governments in taking ownership of emergency management for their communities. The implementation of AWARE has seen an increase in the number of local governments participating in emergency risk management and emergency management activities. This year, the program involved 12 local governments and funded six AWARE emergency risk management projects and 15 AWARE training activities. The total attendance at emergency management training through AWARE in 2005-2006 was: • Emergency Management for Local Government 38 • Introduction to Recovery Management 180 • Introduction to Emergency Risk Management 148 • AWARE coordinators workshops 9 INDIGENOUS PROGRAMS The Indigenous Programs Team continued to extend its activities in 2005-2006. Networks also expanded following the implementation of the Emergency Management Act 2005. Strong relationships developed with key service providers including the Department of Indigenous Affairs, Department of Housing and Works, Department of Local Government and Regional Development, Indigenous Coordinating Centres (replacing ATSIC), Indigenous Language and Interpreter Services, Indigenous Training and Education organisations and the Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA).


As evidenced below, the team is committed to getting out into the communities to support the development of integrated and effective emergency management arrangements. Implementation of the Emergency Management Act 2005 Community consultation was facilitated throughout the Pilbara and Kimberley regions as part of the Emergency Management Act Awareness Campaign (see below). Community meetings were held in Port Hedland, Karratha, Broome, Derby, Fitzroy Crossing, Halls Creek, and Bidyadanga. Organisations including the Aboriginal Lands Trust and the Aboriginal Legal Service were also consulted. Safer Country – A Community Centred Approach to Emergency Risk Management The Safer Country program was developed to enable Indigenous communities to become safer through emergency risk management. The program integrates cultural protocols and views within the framework of the Australian / New Zealand Risk Management Standard AS/NZS 4360. Partnerships to undertake emergency management and emergency risk management were formed with three local governments, all with significant Indigenous populations (Halls Creek, Broome and Ngaanyatjarraku). Training commenced with these local governments and was also delivered to several communities outside these areas. Communities visited in 2005-2006 included Bidyadanga, Oombulgurri, Kiwirrkurra, Beagle Bay, Lombadina/Djarindjin, One Arm Point, Punmu, Kunawaratji, Warburton and other Ngaanyatjarra Lands communities. Translation of Emergency Management Arrangements and Emergency Risk Management Guidelines A project commenced to develop support materials to assist both local governments and Indigenous communities in working together to undertake emergency risk management and emergency management activities. The project is in partnership with the Kimberley Language Resource Centre with the support of the Kimberley Interpreter Service. A translation workshop was held in Broome in May 2006. INDIGENOUS AWARE PROJECTS Halls Creek Local Government – Emergency Risk Management Halls Creek Local Government received funding from the AWARE program to undertake emergency risk management with town-based and remote Indigenous communities in its district. The local government in partnership with FESA’s Indigenous Programs Team was also successful in securing funding for interpreter support for the AWARE project. Ngaanyatjarra Lands – Goldfields FESA Goldfields/Midlands Region, in collaboration with the Indigenous Programs Team has recently commenced engaging Indigenous communities in the Ngaanyatjarra Lands (spanning the Gibson and Great Victoria Deserts) to undertake a risk analysis of the area. Visits proved timely as Warburton had been recently impacted by a severe storm causing damage to houses and power failure. The Ngaanyatjarraku local government was successful in applying for AWARE funding. The immediate aim is to assist in the establishment of a local emergency management committee. FESA Geoscience Australia – Mapping Project FESA partnered with Geoscience Australia to undertake a joint mapping project to develop a clearer understanding of the level of vulnerability the 280 or more Indigenous communities within Western Australia have to emergency hazard risk. The development of a state-wide understanding of risk by mapping existing data, assists in strategic planning and the prioritisation and delivery of emergency management programs and activities. The mapping tool was completed in 2005-2006 and will be used as a data base for more detailed information that is gathered by FESA, local governments and communities undertaking emergency management and emergency risk management programs.


COMMUNITY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICERS To assist local governments in meeting their bush fire and emergency management responsibilities, FESA is employing seven Community Emergency Management Officers. The officers will be based in Belmont, Joondalup, Northam, Geraldton, Albany and two in Bunbury. Over the course of their contracts, the officers will work with designated local governments to review the local Bushfire Response Plan and suggest enhancements where applicable, and identify the other emergency management arrangements and plans and suggest possible enhancements. The task in relation to bush fire is in accordance with one of the recommendations of the Auditor General's report Performance Examination – Responding to Major Bush Fires, of October 2004. BUNBURY REVIEW A major review of emergency services in Bunbury and the surrounding areas has been completed in consultation with key stakeholders, including local governments and volunteers. Stakeholders have been invited to participate in work groups to identify and address challenges associated with the implementation of the recommendations. Bunbury and the surrounding areas are experiencing unprecedented growth, which is significantly impacting on emergency risks. The aim of the review was to identify the future strategic resourcing requirements for the region. Recommendations contained in the report consider the emerging issues and are designed to ensure that emergency services that match the risks can be provided into the future. MINISTERIAL REVIEW A Ministerial Review of Emergency Services in the Shires of Busselton and Augusta Margaret River was announced in October 2005. The review was prompted because of the unprecedented economic growth and demographic change within the area in recent years. It was considered that the nature of the growth may also give rise to hazards not previously encountered in the area. It was therefore timely to evaluate the current and future capacity of existing emergency services to respond to potential hazards against this backdrop of change. The review methodology and approach follows that of the Ministerial Review of Emergency Services in the Burrup Peninsula in 2004. It will specifically emulate the extensive stakeholder consultation that was undertaken at that time. The terms of reference for the review are to: • Review the current arrangements and methods used to provide emergency services in the

Busselton/Leeuwin-Naturaliste area. • Identify the natural and other community risks facing the residents and visitors in the area in accordance

with Australian/New Zealand Standard 4360:2004 Risk Management. • Determine future emergency service requirements and provide mitigation strategies based on an all-

hazards approach. • Develop a service delivery model and implementation plan, including timeframes. A steering committee chaired by the Minister for Police and Emergency Services includes the Assistant Commissioner of WA Police, Shire Presidents, the Member for the South-West, the Hon Adele Farina (deputy chair), the chief executive officers of FESA and CALM and a representative of St John Ambulance. The steering committee is supported by a project team comprised of representatives of all of the participating agencies and the Chief Executive Officer of the South-West Development Commission. The project team will conduct research and consult widely, and provide advice and reports to the steering committee. Input from emergency service volunteer groups, commercial and industrial interests and the general community is also being sought.


COMMUNITY SAFETY AWARDS Individuals and organisations who have made their mark in community safety in Western Australia were recognised in the FESA Community Safety Awards 2005. The awards are made by FESA to encourage and recognise practical community initiatives designed to help protect lives, property and the environment. Awards nominations are sought from within FESA, with staff and volunteers being given the opportunity to formally acknowledge people or organisations in the community who have supported community safety programs, or undertaken their own safety initiatives. Projects must relate to community safety activities relevant to FESA’s organisational focus across all of the hazards it addresses. From 20 nominations received in 2005, four were selected for the top award and six as highly commended winners. Award Winners • Mr Clarrie Djanghara – Kalumburu Community

Preparing for Tropical Cyclone Ingrid – March 2005 • Rae and Richard Thorp of Capel – Australian Citizens Radio Monitors WA Inc.

Provision of Emergency Radio Monitoring Service for South-West Mariners • City of Bunbury

Emergency Risk Management Plan – A Cornerstone in Community Safety • David Wirrpanda Foundation

Active support for the Juvenile and Family Fire Awareness (JAFFA) Program and preventing deliberately lit fire activity in Fitzroy Crossing

Highly Commended • Kalumburu Aboriginal Corporation

Preparedness for Tropical Cyclone Ingrid – March 2005 • Department of Education and Training

Emergency Risk Management Plan • City of Stirling

Residential Aged Care Emergency Plan • Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mine

Emergency Response Team – Mutual Aid and Cooperation • The Laminex Group

Community Recovery Assistance following May 2005 tornado affecting Bunbury • Shire of Mundaring

Information Technology Team – Emergency Risk Management Web-based 'One-Stop-Shop' and update information on line.

STATE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT LEGISLATION The Emergency Management Act 2005 was proclaimed on 23 December 2005 and came into operation on 24 December 2005. Prior to the commencement of the Act, Western Australia had no emergency management legislation, relying upon the 1985 Cabinet Minute which approved the basis of the State Emergency Management Committee’s Policy Statement No. 7 Western Australian Emergency Management Arrangements. The Act establishes overarching emergency management arrangements for the state’s emergency services, including local governments and support organisations. It provides a framework for managing emergencies requiring a significant and coordinated response, including the provision of necessary legislative powers and protection to prevent or mitigate, prepare for, respond to and take measures to recover from large scale incidents.


FESA, on behalf of the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, is responsible for the administration of the Act and established an Implementation Project Team to facilitate its implementation through the development of regulations, policy and administrative arrangements. The Emergency Management Regulations 2006 were published in the Government Gazette on 21 April 2006. The Regulations include provision for the appointment of members, additional to those provided in the Act, to the State Emergency Management Committee (SEMC) and details administrative requirements for the operation of the SEMC. Remaining provisions will require the formation of additional regulations and administrative arrangements developed through stakeholder consultation. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ACT AWARENESS CAMPAIGN An extensive campaign to raise stakeholder awareness of the Act commenced early in 2006, with approximately 200 organisations targeted. The awareness campaign was launched at a Sunrise Seminar in March 2006 (see below). Following the launch, the implementation project team delivered presentations to organisations in the remaining eight Emergency Management Districts throughout the state in March and April 2006. The campaign was extended to other hazard and emergency management committees, agencies, local governments, and representatives of remote Indigenous communities. In total, awareness campaign presentations were delivered to more than 450 delegates across a broad range of emergency management organisations. On-going strong support to these organisations will be a continuing focus in 2006-2007. Sunrise Seminar More than 160 representatives from key emergency management organisations in the Perth metropolitan region attended the Sunrise Seminar, The Emergency Management Act 2005 – what it means for you on 1 March 2006. The breakfast seminar comprised an opening address from the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, presentations from key speakers, and concluded with an open forum. Subject areas included specific responsibilities under the Act, what had changed or stayed the same and the assistance available to agencies. Representatives included state emergency management committee members, contact officers from key agencies, chairs of the district emergency management committees, chairs of metropolitan local emergency management committees and chief executive officers of metropolitan local governments or their nominees. WESTERN AUSTRALIAN EMERGENCY RISK MANAGEMENT GUIDE Emergency risk management is an essential part of a community’s ability to identify and work to minimise risks. In conjunction with the AWARE Program, a Western Australian Emergency Risk Management Guide was developed that addresses state issues, policies, reporting requirements and appropriate templates in accordance with the Australian New Zealand Risk Management Standard AS/NZS 4360. Developed by FESA and the Western Australian Local Government Association, under the direction of the State Mitigation Committee, the guide was launched by the Minister for Police and Emergency Services in October 2006. The guide will provide an ongoing support and a step-by-step reference to local governments and communities undertaking the emergency risk management process. STATE EMERGENCY COORDINATION GROUP The State Emergency Coordination Group was activated for: • the Bali Bombings #2 (October 2005) • Exercise Eleusis (November 2005) • Pandemic Influenza update (convened only, November 2005) • the Dwellingup Bush Fires (January 2006) • Tropical Cyclone Clare (January 2006)


• the consequences of ex-Tropical Cyclone Clare – Lake Grace flooding and flood warnings for the Avon River and Greenough River catchments (January 2006)

• Tropical Cyclone Daryl (January 2006) • Tropical Cyclone Glenda (March 2006) STATE AND NATIONAL EXERCISES Emergency management assistance and support, including the provision of umpires and volunteers, was provided to five exercises: • Mercury (October 2005) • Eleusis (November 2005) • Canister (April 2006) • Wild West (May 2006) • Western Explorer (June 2006). WESTERN AUSTRALIAN NATURAL DISASTER RELIEF ARRANGEMENTS FESA is responsible for the management of the Western Australian Natural Disaster Relief Arrangements (WANDRA), under which relief measures are provided on behalf of the State Government to assist the recovery of communities whose social, financial and economic well-being has been significantly affected by a natural disaster event. During 2005-2006, eight events were proclaimed as eligible natural disasters under the provisions of the WANDRA. FESA managed the provision of assistance to individuals and families, primary producers and local governments affected by these events in partnership with the Department for Community Development and Department of Agriculture and Food. The eight events were: • 25 Mile Rock and Borden Bushfires – December 2005 • Ledge Point Bush Fire – 1 January 2006 • Tropical Cyclone Clare and associated flooding – 7 January 2006 • Tropical Cyclone Daryl and associated flooding – 17 January 2006 • Dwellingup Bush Fire – 22 January 2006 • Neerabup National Park Bush Fire – 19-20 February 2006 • Tropical Cyclone Emma and associated flooding – 27 February 2006 • Tropical Cyclone Glenda and associated flooding – 24 March 2006 In March 2006, FESA established a dedicated WANDRA administrator position within FESA’s Emergency Management Services division. This greatly increased the ability to ensure an integrated approach to the development, reform and implementation of the WANDRA. Substantial benefits have included: • more timely identification and proclamation of eligible events • enhanced promotion and awareness of the WANDRA through ministerial and agency media releases for

each eligible event, and direct liaison with local governments and local recovery committees. STATE MITIGATION COMMITTEE The State Mitigation Committee is tasked with developing and maintaining the state infrastructure required to reduce the social, economic and environmental cost of natural hazards in Western Australia. The committee advocates an inclusive approach to natural hazard mitigation, emphasising the need for all levels of government to work with the community to achieve the common goal of a safer community. The State Mitigation Committee was endorsed as a sub-committee of the State Emergency Management Committee in March 2006 and, following this, commenced an overview role in relation to the mitigation and prevention elements of all hazards prescribed under the Emergency Management Act 2005. The State Mitigation Committee undertook to assume this role to ensure hazard management agencies lacking in the resources or expertise necessary to fulfill mitigation and prevention responsibilities would be provided with adequate assistance. The FESA Chief Executive Officer chairs the State Mitigation Committee with executive support provided by the FESA Manager Mitigation. The following outcomes were achieved in 2005-2006:


Review of Committee Composition, Role and Functions A review workshop of the committee’s composition, role and functions was conducted in May 2006. All recommendations put forward from this review were endorsed by SEMC in June 2006. Remote Indigenous Communities The Integration of Emergency Mitigation Strategies into Remote Indigenous Communities Working Group resolved to promote its agenda through the State Environmental Health Coordinating Committee. Statement of Planning Policy for Natural Hazard Mitigation Drafted by the Land Use Planning Working Group, a Statement of Planning Policy for natural hazard mitigation was approved by the Western Australian Planning Commission. The policy applies across the state to the planning and development of all land that may be affected by natural hazards. Spatial Information The State Mitigation Committee's Spatial Information Working Group continued to develop a coordinated approach to the use of spatial information in support of emergency management. The working group provides regular reports to the State Mitigation Committee and State Emergency Management Committee on the following: • the development of the emergency management component of the state’s Shared Land Information

Platform initiative • the development of a new Emergency Services Directory covering the Wheatbelt Emergency

Management District (this has been completed with the assistance of Natural Disaster Mitigation Program funding and further directories are scheduled for production in 2006-2007)

• progress of the state’s spatial data collection and maintenance activities, to ensure that available spatial information is fit-for-purpose

• the groups' contribution to a national working group tasked with developing a coordinated approach to the use of spatial information for national emergency management, counter terrorism and critical infrastructure protection.

STATE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT CAPABILITY – PANDEMIC INFLUENZA As a consequence of the State Emergency Coordination Group Pandemic Influenza meeting in November 2005, in January 2006, FESA's Emergency Management Division created the position of Manager State Emergency Management Capability to develop an overarching government perspective to pandemic influenza emergency management. This perspective was additional to the roles and responsibilities undertaken by the Department of Health, as the hazard management agency for human epidemic in Western Australia. The focus is on developing whole-of-government contingencies that ensure agencies continue to provide important essential and routine services. The following outcomes have been achieved since January 2006: • In-depth interviews were held with a range of priority state agencies to scope the nature of pandemic

preparedness, understand planning perspectives, issues and constraints. • A planning forum was held on 17 March 2006 involving 30 representatives from 15 priority state

government agencies to report on pandemic planning progress and identify priority whole-of-government issues. A number of priority recommendations were identified and are being progressed.

• A closed email network group was established on 8 May 2006 to improve information exchange and communication between pandemic planners in agencies across the state.

• Input was provided to the formation of the State Government Human Influenza Pandemic Plan.


NATIONAL NATIONAL AND STATE LIAISON Liaison between FESA and Emergency Management Australia provides an important link between Australian Government and state/territory emergency management agencies. This occurs through a number of strategies such as participation on national working groups, committees, reference groups and the provision of advice and recommendations to the Australian Government. FESA participates in a number of initiatives supporting this liaison as is evidenced by its representation on the following national committees and working groups in 2005-2006: • Augmented Australasian Police Ministers Council • Australian Emergency Management Committee • National Information Management Advisory Group • National Response Arrangements Steering Group • Australian Emergency Plan Working Group • Remote Indigenous Communities Advisory Committee • Catastrophic Disasters Emergency Management Capability Working Group • Australian Safer Communities Awards review group • Emergency Management Sector Working Group • National Risk Assessment Working Group • Natural Disaster Relief Arrangements (NDRA) Review and Reform Working Group • NDRA Review – Infrastructure Team • NDRA Review – Data and Information Team/ REMOTE INDIGENOUS ADVISORY COMMITTEE FESA provides the Western Australian representatives on the Australian Emergency Management Committee Remote Indigenous Communities Advisory Committee. In 2005-2006, this committee commissioned a consultancy to develop a National Strategy for Emergency Management in Remote Indigenous Communities. In July 2005, FESA hosted focus group meetings in Derby and Perth. In total, 80 participants attended from communities in the East and West Kimberley, the Pilbara, Midwest, Goldfields and Perth metropolitan area. The completed draft strategy was presented to the Prime Minister’s National Indigenous Council in June 2006. The Attorney General, the Hon Philip Ruddock MP will nationally launch the strategy in November 2006, in Bidyadanga. CATASTROPHIC DISASTERS EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT CAPABILITY WORKING GROUP In March 2004, the Australian Emergency Management Committee established the Catastrophic Disasters Emergency Management Capability Working Group to implement recommendations from the Council of Australian Governments Review Report: Natural Disasters in Australia: reforming mitigation, relief and recovery arrangements (2002). The Manager Policy and Planning in FESA's Emergency Management Services Division represented Western Australia on this working group. A series of workshops was conducted in every Australian jurisdiction resulting in a survey of each jurisdiction’s capability to cope with a catastrophic disaster with and without inter-jurisdictional assistance. The analysis of the workshop findings resulted in the report: Review of Australia’s Ability to Respond to and Recover from Catastrophic Disasters (October 2005). The report, along with a proposed implementation strategy for its 32 recommendations, was tabled with the Australian Emergency Management Committee in February 2006 and was endorsed in principle by the Augmented Australasian Police Ministers Council in April 2006.


AUSTRALIAN SAFER COMMUNITIES AWARDS Emergency Management Australia coordinates the Australian Safer Communities Awards annually, with assistance from each jurisdiction to manage local components of the awards. FESA manages the awards program in Western Australia. The awards recognise best practice and innovation by organisations and individuals that help to build safer communities. All aspects of emergency management – risk assessment, research, education and training, information and knowledge management, prevention, preparedness and recovery – are considered. In 2005, the 11 awards submissions received in Western Australia were diverse and innovative and produced five winners and five high commendations at the state level. There were no WA winners at the national level. NATURAL DISASTER MITIGATION PROGRAM The Natural Disaster Mitigation Program was established to identify, assess and provide funding for natural emergency mitigation initiatives. As a priority, the program funds projects which contribute to a community’s ability to withstand the effects of natural disasters. FESA administers the program in Western Australia. In the 2005-2006 funding round, 18 Western Australian projects were considered to meet the NDMP eligibility criteria. Total funding of $1.157 million was approved. The Natural Disaster Mitigation Program State Assessment Panel assessed 2006-2007 funding applications in April 2006. The 20 projects considered eligible hold a total value of $4.2 million, of which WA is seeking $1.47 million from the Australian Government. WORKING TOGETHER TO MANAGE EMERGENCIES Working Together to Manage Emergencies is a Commonwealth-funded initiative managed by Emergency Management Australia. Over four years, this initiative will provide $49 million in grants through two programs, the Local Grants Scheme and the National Emergency Volunteer Support Fund. FESA's Emergency Management Services division provides expertise, ongoing project liaison and executive support to the Western Australian State Assessment Panel. Local Grants Scheme The completed draft strategy was presented to the Prime Minister’s National Indigenous Council in June 2006. The Attorney General, the Hon Philip Ruddock MP will nationally launch the strategy in November 2006, in Bidyadanga. National Emergency Volunteer Support Fund In the 2005-2006 funding round, 21 projects were considered to meet the eligibility criteria under the Local Grants Scheme. Total funding of $945,480 was approved for the projects.


CYCLONE THE northern coastal region of Western Australia is one of the most cyclone-prone areas in the world. This region experiences cyclonic winds and associated flooding, high seas and – in rare cases – storm surge (which resembles a large, sudden tidal movement). FESA is the hazard management agency for tropical cyclones that have crossed the Western Australian coast. This means it is responsible for the overall management of cyclones in the areas of prevention (mitigation), preparedness, response and recovery activities. FESA State Emergency Service (SES) and Volunteer Emergency Service units have prime responsibility for ensuring coordinated, timely and effective help is provided to communities threatened or impacted by cyclones.

PREPAREDNESS PREPARING FOR THE WET SEASON FESA staff and volunteers worked together to prepare northern communities for the wet season and the threat of cyclones and flooding. The coastal stretch from Exmouth to Broome has the highest incidence of tropical cyclones anywhere in Australia. The Bureau of Meteorology predicted two possible cyclone coastal crossings for the 2005-2006 summer and expected one of them to be severe – of magnitude category 3 to 5. Four, in fact, crossed the coast – see under the following Response heading for more information. Awareness activities commenced with a tour of coastal areas in the Mid-West/Gascoyne, Pilbara and Kimberley regions in October 2005. Bureau of Meteorology and FESA staff addressed local and district emergency management committees, community members and media outlets in these areas. Safety messages were broadcast through community service announcements on radio and television in the Pilbara and Kimberley regions and safety presentations were made to industry groups and remote Indigenous communities to inform them of the risks they may face and what action to take. Community safety resources, including a CD and a cyclone tracking map, were provided on request to schools, businesses, mining companies, removalists, shire offices, hospitals and local communities. In a novel project, five Kimberley SES and Volunteer Emergency Service units were selected to trial the use of digital cameras in a new preparedness program. They collected photographs of local hazards and of volunteers engaging with their communities to help spread community preparedness messages. The photographs provided a unique local information bank about resource needs. SAFETY BROCHURE FOR NORTH WEST TRAVELLERS

FESA and ABC Radio joined forces to provide safety information on floods and cyclones to travellers who visit the North West of Western Australia during the wet season, through a new brochure, Travel Safe in the North West. The brochure outlines the risks and what people can do to stay safe when travelling in the North West in the wet season. The first print run of 8,000 copies was distributed through ABC stations, FESA regional offices, visitor centres, camper van hire companies and CALM offices. Regional staff and local emergency services volunteers identified self-drive travellers as an important target group for the FESA wet season campaign, which is designed to provide cyclone and safety information to people at risk.


FESA’s recent cyclone research indicated that ABC Radio was a trusted source of cyclone information for people in the Pilbara, Kimberley and Gascoyne regions. The new brochure listed all the frequencies for ABC Radio North West and ABC Radio Kimberley for travellers wanting information during an emergency. Tourism Western Australia figures show that each December quarter over the past three years the North West was host to around 142,100 visitors. The majority (93,000) were Western Australians, followed by 32,000 interstate travellers and 17,100 overseas tourists. FESA and ABC Radio shared the costs of producing the co-branded brochure, building on the partnership that began with a cyclone tracking maps resource in the previous season. RESEARCH The second stage of a joint cyclone safety research project by FESA and Edith Cowan University (School of Psychology) has now been completed. It included phone interviews with more than 800 people from 11 Gascoyne, Pilbara and Kimberley towns and found that although residents were quite familiar with advice on how to prepare physically for a cyclone, many did not necessarily exhibit psychological readiness. The study showed that some residents had become complacent, possibly because they had experienced alerts in the past where cyclones had veered away from the coast. Other residents were anxious, but rather than confront their fears, they chose not to dwell on the risk of cyclones. The research showed that people based their decision to prepare for cyclones on three factors – awareness of the hazard; perception of risk; and anxiety associated with the threat. FESA is now considering how it will implement the report's recommendations. One proposal called for community safety messages to be localised by linking them to natural hazard events in an area’s history. TRAINING The VectorCommand system, which employs computer-based simulations to aid training, is used by FESA as a tool for enhancing the skills of incident managers. The system allows FESA to: • develop staff capability in effective emergency management • exercise and assess their competency. The VectorCommand simulators assist in testing plans, training, communications and inter- and intra-organisational coordination. In February 2006, FESA staff participated in a world-first pilot exercise using the VectorCommand cyclone module. The exercise focused on the crisis phase (pre-impact) and the consequence recovery phase (post-impact). MAJOR EMERGENCY REPONSE TEAMS In order to better support communities and emergency responders in the event of a major emergency, FESA has established four major emergency teams that can be deployed quickly anywhere in the state. While the existing initial response to emergencies remains unchanged, a major emergency team will be mobilised to complement current arrangements, to assist as required, or to manage complex events. The membership of each team is based on Australasian Inter-agency Incident Management System (AIIMS) roles. The teams will train and respond together in the event of significant emergencies. The personnel for each team have been sourced from across the organisation, predominantly from the existing on-call rosters already in place. The formation and mobilisation of pre-determined teams will ensure: • a response with the appropriate number of people • team members have the necessary competencies • timely response to relieve the first Incident Management Team for longer duration events • specialist competencies for complex emergencies outside the normal operations of the organisation.


Processes and procedures were tested during Exercise Western Explorer, an investigation and consequence management exercise conducted under a Council of Australian Governments agreement, which took place in Perth from 1-22 June 2006. RESPONSE SES volunteers spent a total of 656 hours responding to cyclone-related activities during 2005-2006. Four tropical cyclones crossed the Western Australian coast – Clare, Emma, Glenda and Hubert. Tropical Cyclone Daryl tracked parallel to the coast, in the main as a category 2 system and threatened coastal communities between the Northern Territory border and Exmouth. A sixth system, TC Floyd did not impact the coast. In addition, TC Monica which crossed the coast in the Northern Territory, resulted in alerts being issued for some Kimberley communities after it had degenerated into a tropical low. NOTABLE INCIDENTS TROPICAL CYCLONE CLARE – 7-10 JANUARY 2006 Tropical Cyclone Clare crossed the Pilbara coast west of Dampier about midnight on Monday 9 January as a category two system, with maximum wind gusts up to 195km per hour. Dampier experienced destructive 195km per hour wind gusts on the evening of Monday 9. Karratha experienced destructive winds comparable to a category two impact for over seven hours and gale force winds for 16 hours. No major structural damage was recorded, although many properties in Dampier, Karratha and other areas sustained minor damage and loss of power for a number of hours. Telecommunications were disrupted throughout the Pilbara for a significant period, creating the most significant issue for welfare support. This problem was overcome through assistance with radios from FESA and use of FESA satellite telephones. Floodwaters later cut off several roads, including the North West Coastal Highway. The Ashburton and Fortescue rivers also flooded. SES volunteers, volunteer Fire and Rescue firefighters, and FESA staff were involved in a range of activities, including warning communities, assisting people to evacuate from flooded stations and areas prone to storm surge. Evacuation centres were opened in the Town of Port Hedland (in Port Hedland and South Hedland), the Shire of Roebourne (in Karratha and Wickham) and the Shire of Ashburton (in Onslow). TROPICAL CYCLONE DARYL – 17-23 JANUARY 2006 Severe tropical Cyclone Daryl threatened the North West when it tracked parallel to the coast mostly as a category two system. Evacuation centres were on standby in the Town of Port Hedland (in Port Hedland and South Hedland), the Shire of Roebourne (in Karratha) and the Shire of Ashburton (in Onslow). The cyclone eventually weakened into a tropical low on January 23 prior to any impact on the mainland being recorded. However, it caused major disruption to oil and gas drilling activities with many workers being evacuated. TC Daryl also delivered heavy rain to the Murchison catchment. TROPICAL CYCLONE EMMA – 26-28 FEBRUARY 2006 Tropical Cyclone Emma was declared a category one cyclone prior to crossing the coast near Mardie just before noon on 28 February 2006 with winds gusting to less than 90 kilometres per hour. Heavy rain preceded landfall and the associated storm system covered a wide area throughout a region already well into the wet season. Karratha registered 190mm of rainfall in the 24 hours to 9am on 28 February and a total 306mm for the whole event. In the early stages, SES volunteers were involved in the successful rescue of several motorists from floodwaters outside Karratha. People were also rescued from Yarraloola Station, 150km south of Karratha on the banks of Robe River. As the low moved towards the south-south-east, heavy rain caused extensive flooding in the Pilbara and subsequently in the Gascoyne and Murchison River catchments. Mileura Station (70km north-west of Meekatharra) reported its homestead flooded for the first time in 120 years. More than two weeks after Tropical Cyclone Emma made landfall, rivers remained swollen, with some communities still isolated by floodwaters in early March. An account of the flood response is included in the Flood section of this report on page 59.


TROPICAL CYCLONE GLENDA – 24-31MARCH 2006 Tropical Cyclone Glenda developed from a monsoonal low that dumped heavy rain in the East Kimberley from 23-24 March. SES volunteers advised residents to prepare for widespread flooding from the Dunham and Ord Rivers. Tracking off the Kimberley coast, TC Glenda attained category 5 status on 28 March and subsequently battered the Pilbara coast from Karratha to Onslow at category 4 as it moved southwards. People in or near the communities of Point Samson, Wickham, Roebourne, Karratha, Dampier, Pannawonica, Mardie and Onslow were placed on red alert on 30 March. The SES advised them to move to shelter as TC Glenda began to track closer to the coast, producing gusts of up to 250km/h. Evacuation centres were opened in Karratha and Onslow. TC Glenda weakened to category 3 intensity before crossing the coast near Onslow overnight on 30 March. Onslow recorded 206mm of rain in the 24 hours to 9am on 31 March, the sixth wettest day on record for the town. Roads were flooded, powerlines downed and trees uprooted by winds of up to 179 kilometres per hour. The early warning of the cyclone's approach and the preparedness of the community combined to help avert major damage in the town. Other centres in the Pilbara recorded cumulative rainfall of more than 200mm. Although Glenda produced less than average rainfall for a land-falling tropical cyclone, rainfall was sufficient to cause problems for transport in the Pilbara. In the Kimberley, however, in the first few days before the cyclone reached the Pilbara coast, it caused record floods in the East Kimberley district, washing out many roads around Kununurra, including part of the Great Northern Highway. An adult and three children were evacuated from Ellenbrae Station, 220 kilometres west of Kununurra, while Home Valley (where residents had not been able to leave their station since Christmas) was also resupplied with fresh fruit and vegetables. FESA also organised the evacuation of two adults and a dog from Diggers Rest Station. The Wyndham Volunteer Emergency Service Unit was placed on full activation and assessed the situation in the town. Volunteers responded to a call for assistance from the local hospital to provide temporary repairs to a leaking roof. TROPICAL CYCLONE HUBERT – 5-8 APRIL 2006 Onslow, Exmouth and adjacent areas were placed on yellow alert and an evacuation centre put on standby in Onslow in preparation for Tropical Cyclone Hubert. Hubert broke up off the Pilbara coast, crossing near Onslow as a category 1 storm, leaving little damage in its wake, but bringing rain to the west Pilbara and parts of the Gascoyne. RECOVERY FESA is responsible for the management of the Western Australian Natural Disaster Relief Arrangements, under which relief measures are provided on behalf of the State Government to assist the recovery of communities whose social, financial and economic well-being has been significantly affected by a natural disaster event. During 2005-2006, FESA proclaimed four cyclone events and the flooding associated with them, as eligible natural disasters under the provisions of the Western Australian Natural Disaster Relief Arrangements. These were: • Tropical Cyclone Clare • Tropical Cyclone Daryl • Tropical Cyclone Emma • Tropical Cyclone Glenda In partnership with the Department for Community Development and the Department of Agriculture and Food, FESA managed the provision of assistance to individuals and families, primary producers and local governments affected by these events.


CYCLONE SEASON REVIEW A comprehensive review of the 2005-2006 cyclone season was conducted in Karratha on 24 May 2006 to determine what went well and what matters needed to be addressed prior to the 2006-2007 season. All government, local government and related agencies involved in responding to cyclones during the season were invited. Eighteen representatives from 13 agencies attended. In general terms the delegates agreed that the level of cooperation and interaction, support and networking between all agencies, was very effective during this cyclone season. They recognised the hard work done by many agencies over recent years in building good working relationships. The contribution of the WA Flood Warning Coordination Centre was specifically noted. The centre was used extensively for the first time and its participation enabled the sharing of vital flood-related information between the Bureau of Meteorology, the Department of Water and FESA. The Department of Land Information was also able to provide information from satellite pictures to assist the Flood Warning Centre and FESA in assessing where the run off was going in the Murchison catchment area. During the debrief, 45 issues were raised, most of which were minor in nature. The major concerns were associated with the roles and responsibilities of the SES in relation to local government and the community, and the loss of major telecommunications services in the Pilbara at the height of the Cyclone Clare coastal crossing. All agencies agreed to determine and undertake necessary action in relation to the issues raised that fell within their authority or jurisdiction. FESA is to address clarification of the roles and responsibilities of the SES units and to continue to work with the community and local government to ensure there is a mutual understanding by all of the volunteers’ roles and what they can deliver. The Department of Community Development and FESA are to work with the SES units and local emergency management committees to ensure that the procedures for the activation of the Welfare Support Plan and the emergency evacuation centres are known and understood. FESA and the Department of Community Development will also jointly instigate discussions with the management of all industry villages in relation to appropriate arrangements being made for evacuation of their residents in times of an emergency event. To address confusion that arose over the demarcation of roles and responsibilities, the Chair of the district emergency management committee and the committee's executive officer will document the roles, responsibilities, and communication processes between the district and local emergency management committees during the preparation, response and recovery phases for an emergency event. This document will be presented to all DEMC members in the Pilbara, Kimberley and Mid-West.


EARTHQUAKE FESA is the hazard management agency for earthquakes in Western Australia – it has responsibility for emergency management of earthquakes in the areas of prevention (mitigation), preparedness, response and recovery. FESA's State Emergency Service (SES) is responsible for the development of the State Earthquake Emergency Management Plan, which determines overall management and coordination of response to earthquake emergencies. Generally, State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers undertake activities related to earthquakes. In some areas Volunteer Emergency Service units may also take on responsibilities related to earthquakes. FESA receives notification of earthquakes from GeoScience Australia, which is required to alert the state of all earthquake occurrences recording 4.0 and above on the Richter Scale.

RESPONSE In the reporting period, there were 84 earthquakes recorded in Western Australia, four of which had a magnitude of more than 4 on the Richter Scale. In addition, a Western Australian team assisted with response to a major earthquake disaster in Indonesia. NOTABLE INCIDENTS

KALANNIE – 21-23 September 2005 A series of earthquakes ranging from 2.1 to 4.1 on the Richter Scale occurred north of Kalannie in the Shire of Dalwallinu between 21 and 23 September 2005. The two largest were recorded at magnitude 4 on 21 September and 4.1 on 22 September. No damage was reported. TOM PRICE – 2 April 2006 A quake registering 4 on the Richter Scale was recorded north east of Tom Price. No damage was reported. YOGYAKARTA, INDONESIA – 27 May 2006 A team of two Urban Search and Rescue professionals from FESA joined the disaster response to earthquake stricken Yogyakarta in Indonesia in June 2006. They were part of a 14-person Australian Medical Assistance Team coordinated by the WA Department of Health under its Disaster Preparedness and Management Unit. They worked in the earthquake stricken area, where 5,800 people died, tens of thousands were injured and an estimated 200,000 left homeless after a quake registering 6.5 on the Richter scale occurred on May 27. The Western Australian group took over from a New South Wales contingent dispatched immediately after the quake. The team’s role was to provide medical support, particularly in the area of orthopaedics, and to give overworked local doctors much-needed relief. The FESA team managed the enormous logistics of the contingent. This included establishing communications and ensuring doctors had access to the stores and supplies necessary to complete their difficult work. Over the 16-day deployment the WA team attended to 1,630 people and established seven field clinics. MT CLERE – 6 June 2006 Mt Clere, 200km north-west of Meekatharra, was shaken by an earthquake measuring 4.5 on the Richter Scale on 6 June. On 12 June another quake of magnitude 3.9 was recorded. No damage was reported.


FIRE EACH year thousands of fires impact on man-made structures, bushland and rural properties in Western Australia. FESA is the hazard management agency for fires in gazetted fire districts in both urban and rural areas. This includes fires on land managed by the Department of Conservation and Land Management that fall within gazetted fire districts. Local governments are responsible for fire management in other areas of the state. A hazard management agency has responsibility to ensure emergency management activities related to prevention of, preparedness for, response to and recovery from designated emergencies are undertaken. Career and volunteer sections of the Fire and Rescue Service of Western Australia, volunteers in Volunteer Fire Service brigades and Volunteer Emergency Service units combat fires in urban, urban-rural fringes, CALM-managed land and other areas of the state. Volunteer bush fire brigades, managed by local governments, combat fires in urban fringes, CALM-managed land and other areas of the state. As funding for local government bush fire brigades is now provided by the Emergency Services Levy, data about local government fire incidents is also included in this chapter.

PREVENTION SIMULATED HOUSE BURNS FESA undertook a number of simulated burns of three condemned houses for a media promotion to highlight the need for awareness and preparation for home fire safety during winter. The vision was used by a national current affairs program to show the danger associated with fire and how to improve home fire safety. The simulation, on 1 June 2006 (the first day of winter) showed media and invited participants first hand how everyday situations in the home can become killers. Fires were simulated involving electric blankets, heaters too close to furniture and hot oil on a stove top. The residential units, owned by Homeswest, were to be demolished for a site redevelopment and provided FESA with an excellent venue to conduct these realistic scenarios. Just prior to the event on June 1, fire services had been called to three major house fires in WA. In one of these, four overseas students had been lucky to escape a fire ignited by a heater too close to a bed. The current affairs segment and vision obtained from the simulations will be used to promote fire safety through the state. Fire Services from other states have requested use of the material for their fire safety education programs. SMOKE ALARM CAMPAIGN FESA's annual smoke alarm promotion, the Don’t be a Fool! Change your Smoke Alarm Batteries on April 1st campaign was launched on 31 March 2006 at the Bibra Lake site of a recent house fire. Resident Julie Ruddick, told the media how a smoke alarm had saved her life and the lives of her three children two weeks earlier. The Ruddick family’s experience highlighted a number of campaign messages such as the importance of replacing smoke alarm batteries annually; having a home escape plan; and testing that smoke alarms work when moving into a new house. The campaign, sponsored by Gillette through its subsidiary Duracell Batteries, included advertising and promotional activities. Fire Services managers and firefighters held a variety of promotional activities at a


local level. Many fire stations undertook an annual battery replacement program, distributing more than 2,000 batteries provided by the sponsors, to the elderly and disadvantaged in the community. Research undertaken after the campaign found that the proportion of households with a smoke alarm has continued to increase. Of households surveyed, 24% reported they had a hard wired alarm and 62% had a battery powered alarm – compared with 18% and 58% respectively in 2005. Only 16% reported no smoke alarm, and this figure has fallen from 22% in 2005. Almost seven out of ten (68%) reported having seen or heard one or more of the campaign advertisements, an increase from 57% in a 2005 survey. In addition, seven out of ten (69%) battery alarm owners reported that the effect of seeing an advertisement had reminded them to change their battery. Of those who did not have smoke alarms, 56% reported that the effect of seeing an advertisement was to make them think seriously about getting a smoke alarm. However, the survey results also indicated that whilst the campaign appears to have had quite an impact on households where there is no alarm currently, over time, the campaign appears to be losing some of its impetus. FESA will now review the concept before planning for 2007. REDUCING ROADSIDE FIRES CAUSED BY CIGARETTES The latest data on bush fires caused by discarded cigarettes show that incidents have dropped to a six-year low of 540 in 2005-2006. This follows improved practices and awareness in the management of a certain type of mulch used for landscaping street-edge gardens. FESA discovered that much of the mulch was recycled green waste, which was fine, aerated and had a propensity to burn when it contained either little moisture, or was applied incorrectly or at the wrong time of year. Between 2002 and 2004, fire services attended growing numbers of fires ignited by cigarettes discarded in street-scaping covered with this type of mulch.

Number of fires caused by discarded cigarettes/smoking materials

0200400600800

10001200140016001800

00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06

Financial year

Num

ber o

f fire

s

FESA worked with local governments to manage the moisture content of roadside mulch, particularly for periods of high fire danger. Moisture content is the most important factor affecting the mulch’s propensity to ignite. Further to this initial work, tests by FESA have identified the levels of water needed to be added to the mulch to reduce its propensity to ignite for correlating periods. The findings have been delivered to a number of local governments. In another initiative to reduce the incidence of bush fires caused by discarded cigarettes, FESA invited staff and volunteers to report people discarding cigarettes from their cars. A Discarded Cigarette Report Card was developed to record any offender’s vehicle details. A supply of report cards was dispatched to all regional offices, stations, brigades and units. While participation by staff and volunteers is voluntary, all have been encouraged to support the initiative in the interests of reducing bush fires.

Commencement of prevention activities (March 2003)


FESA received 110 report cards in 2005-2006. Details from the cards were used to send bush fire prevention awareness letters to vehicle owners, encouraging voluntary compliance with the law. FESA is monitoring the vehicle owner information for re-offenders and will review bush fire data to gauge if there is a reduction in the numbers of bush fires. ENHANCED SHARING OF INFORMATION ON ARSON FESA has worked with the WA Police and the Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM) to develop an arson information network. The network has formalised many existing practices and procedures that have been in place since the late 1980s. The network is a key resource in the fight against arson-related fires (those that are deliberately lit or about which there are suspicious indicators), which account for up to 50% of fires responded to by FESA and CALM. The network has made considerable enhancements to the management and prevention of suspicious and deliberate fires – both structural and bushfire – over the reporting period. For example, members of the WA Police Arson Squad now have online access to timely and confidential information on fire incidents from a FESA database. This saves the police significant time piecing together details that could lead to the apprehension of perpetrators of suspicious and deliberate fires. Arrangements now also capture additional information from volunteer Fire and Rescue Service brigades, bush fire brigades and local governments where it was identified a wide range of expertise, history and understanding of the arson problem was held. Information from fires in adjoining land tenures managed by CALM can now also be captured and disseminated to both FESA and the police. In the past year, 27 people have been charged with arson and two have been charged with making hoax 000 calls. A person was cautioned for impersonating a public officer. The WA Police reported a higher clearance rate for arson cases than in previous years, and it is believed this in part can be attributed to the new network. BUSH FIRE ARSON REDUCTION Firefighter responses to bush fires in Western Australia have decreased for the fourth consecutive year since FESA commenced concerted arson reduction activities in December 2001. Over the program’s lifetime the number of firefighter responses to the same categories of fires has declined from 13,245 to 6,567, a total reduction of 6,678 incidents. Less natural environment is being burnt and the aesthetics of bushland are not being as badly affected. While the annual number of bush fires may be affected by the number of ignitions influenced by the weather, particularly by lightning, it is believed to be highly unlikely that a decrease in lightning strikes and other weather-caused fires would alone account for the magnitude of the reduction in bush fire incidents. Bush fire arson prevention activities draw together staff and volunteers from FESA, the Fire and Rescue Service, bush fire brigades, local governments, Department of Education and Training, Catholic Education and WA Police. The program makes specific communities aware that deliberate firelighting is putting local lives and properties at risk. Community members are also encouraged to report suspicious behaviour. The activities are modified to meet the specific needs of each community, both to ensure that residents are aware of the arson problem and to provide them with some options to resolve the problem in their area. The activities usually involve doorknocking on hundreds of homes and simultaneous school visits and shopping centre displays in targeted areas. This year, bush fire arson prevention activities were implemented at five locations – Ellenbrook, Wangara, Armadale, Kalgoorlie, Geraldton and Darlington where high incidences of bush fires had been recorded.


RESEARCH FESA has established significant short and longer-term involvement in bush fire and associated environmental protection research through a range of scientific and operational research partnerships. In its formative years, FESA was a minor partner in many areas of research but not a significant contributing partner to bush fire and associated environmental protection scientific research. Following a strategic decision in 2003-2004, considerable efforts have been made to increase participation. At 30 June 2006, FESA was involved in nine major research programs. Partners range from Western Australian universities, other WA government agencies, to the Bushfire Cooperative Research Centre (Bushfire CRC) and the private sector. Additional funding is provided by the Australian Research Council, Natural Disaster Mitigation Program, the Office of Crime Prevention and the Department of Primary Industry. Details of some of the projects are included in following pages. During 2005-2006 the FESA Research Coordinating Committee was established. The purpose of the committee is to oversee FESA research including the setting of research objectives, establishing FESA research priorities, fostering research links with tertiary institutions and ensuring efficient use is made of research resources. The general research principles which provide guidance for FESA bush fire and natural environmental research were established through the Draft Natural Environment Strategy. Over the past year, research undertaken was directed towards: • evaporative air conditioner bush fire ember protective screen • road side mulch fires • impact of fire fighting suppressants on native vegetation • effectiveness of helicopters in bush fire suppression • fire management for Swan coastal plain wetlands • bush fire threat analysis • visual determination of fuel loads • profiling of bush fire arsonists • research into fire-related deaths. FESA is also supporting a number of other research projects as a nominated end user partner: • bush firefighters smoke mask study • design methods for bush fire sensor system • computer simulation model project • microbial clues for ecological sustainable management of fire prone landscapes • grassland curing project • factors affecting the fight or flight decision in the face of encroaching bush fires.

Annual bush fire numbers

0

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

10,000

12,000

14,000

1999-00 2000-01 2001-02

2002-03 2003-04 2004-05

2005-06Year

Bus

h fir

e nu

mbe

rs

Commencement of targeted arson activities (December 18, 2001)


EMBER PROTECTION FOR AIR CONDITIONERS FESA is undertaking a research project in partnership with the University of Western Australia to produce a design for a screen that will protect evaporative air conditioners from bush fire ember attack. Evaporative air conditioner units can be at risk of catching fire when airborne embers come into contact with combustible material such as the air conditioner pads. The air conditioner's ducting provides an entry point for the fire to gain access into the building. FESA recommends that buildings within one kilometre of bush land should be protected from ember attack and provides brochures to the community warning of the potential threat from bush fires and evaporative air conditions. However, there is currently no specific, well-researched advice on the standards and designs that should be applied to protect the appliances. This project aims to develop appropriate standards and designs for ember screens that will not adversely affect the performance of the air conditioner. A test rig was constructed at the FESA Training Centre hot fire ground for tests to be run under actual ember conditions. The initial tests were held in April 2006 with further testing to be undertaken in a controlled burn in bush land in mid 2006. PROFILING BUSH FIRE ARSONISTS FESA has contracted a researcher to undertake work into the profiling of bush fire arsonists in Western Australia. It is estimated that the majority of the bush fires in WA each year are either deliberately lit or caused by human activities. However, there is very little information on bush fire arsonists that FESA and its partners can use to develop and implement bush fire prevention strategies. The researcher has begun studying: • the distance of deliberately lit bush fires from the arsonists’ home • the age and gender of bush fire arsonists • socio-economic characteristics of bush fire arsonists • the education levels of bush fire arsonists • their physical and mental characteristics • the consistency in motives of structural fire arsonists and bush fire arsonists. The research is concentrating on members of the general community who are lighting bush fires but will also undertake a comparison between: • arsonists who are firefighters and arsonists who are general community members • arsonists who are career firefighters or volunteer firefighters. It is an unfortunate fact of life that sometimes firefighters are convicted of arson and related offences. However, it should be stressed that firefighter arsonists, both volunteer and career, represent a very small percentage of a very large group of people. The research is looking at this area but the primary research is into the general community, principally among juveniles. It is hoped that the research related to firefighters will assist FESA and other fire agencies in the development of tools that will enable them to better screen new recruits and detect potential offenders. IMPROVED BUILDING APPROVALS PROCESSES FESA’s existing computer-based property tracking database has been expanded, enhanced and web-enabled to provide faster and better management of building approval processes. Following completion of staff training, the improvements will permit state-wide access to property information and provide more integrated management of building approvals.


PLANNING MAJOR VENUES With plans underway for new major sporting facilities (including a 60,000-seat stadium) and the city underground railway tunnel under construction, FESA’s Built Environment Branch undertook a study tour in June 2006 to ensure they have up-to-date knowledge on fire and life safety design for high life-risk facilities. The staff members, who have specialist responsibilities with regard to sports stadia and road and rail tunnels, visited a broad cross section of tunnels, sports arenas and construction projects in New South Wales and Victoria. They also met with the fire brigades in those states to discuss building regulation issues associated with large facilities. As a result of the study, FESA is in a far greater position of authority to pursue the best possible safety designs for proposed new venues, protecting firefighters, building owners and the general public. PREPAREDNESS FIRE SAFETY INSPECTIONS OF VULNERABLE ACCOMMODATION FESA has addressed the vulnerability of backpacker style accommodation to fires by conducting joint inspections of selected premises with local governments. Following the disastrous Childers backpacker accommodation fire in Queensland, FESA reviewed the situation in Western Australia and established the FESA Community Safety Project Unit to conduct audit inspections across Western Australia in conjunction with local government officers. In total, 401 inspections were completed across 102 local government areas in the state between March 2005 and June 2006. These inspections included backpackers, country hotels with accommodation, motels and various other lodging houses, caravan parks, tourist parks and wilderness parks. The program has also included inspections of some public buildings with a priority given to inspection of nightclubs. In addition, inspections have been undertaken at psychiatric hostels and some aged care facilities.

Low Budget Accommodation Inspections 2005 - 2006

BUILDING TYPE QUANTITY INSPECTED

Metropolitan hotels/lodging houses 51

Country hotels with accommodation 140

Country lodging houses 103

Nightclubs 53

Other public buildings 54

TOTAL 401

The program involves follow-up visits to many backpacker properties and this has revealed a high rate of adoption of fire safe recommendations. Many local governments have issued orders to premises to comply with findings during inspections. Some, notably the City of Perth, have written to all lodging houses inspected in the initial program instructing operators that they must comply with smoke alarm requirements recommended in the inspection by a nominated date. Strong relationships have been built with local governments across the State. Since the program began, FESA has inspected premises across 115 local government areas and follow-up visits have revealed a high level of compliance with the inspection team’s recommendations. There is also an increased level of enforcement by local government as a result of the visits.


FIRE INVESTIGATION COURSE

FESA out-sourced training in fire investigation in 2005-2006. Subsequently, a group of ten career Fire and Rescue Service officers successfully completed a Diploma of Fire Investigation. Trainers from the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service, which developed the diploma course, delivered the training in Western Australia to FESA and WA Police personnel over a period of two weeks. Five new fire investigation officers were trained and another five existing officers undertook a transition course. The diploma course, considered to be the best option to train new fire and arson investigators, is registered, giving those who complete it nine competencies under the Public Training Industry – Training Advisory Board: • protect and preserve incident scene • conduct initial investigation at scene • give evidence in a judicial or semi quasi judicial setting • represent the organisation in a judicial or quasi-judicial setting • use and maintain forensic equipment • maintain a safe forensic working environment • manage media requirements at major incidents • conduct interviews • conduct fire investigation and analysis activities. Attainment of the Diploma provides the officers with 50% credits towards the Graduate Certificate of Fire Investigation which is delivered by Charles Sturt University in South Australia. Over the past four years, FESA has conducted joint fire investigation training with the Police Arson Squad. The difficulty of keeping up with the required competencies, frameworks and standards was a contributing factor in the decision to outsource the training. The Australasian Fire Authorities Council National Fire Investigation Group assisted in fostering collaboration between both FESA and the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service and close ties have now been formed between fire investigation units from both states. VOLUNTEER READINESS REVIEWS

To meet statutory requirements, FESA needs to ensure that all volunteer brigades meet minimum standards in terms of readiness and efficiency. A system of readiness reviews has been developed to assess the level of preparedness and efficiency of volunteer Fire and Rescue Service brigades. The reviews are conducted in a 'no blame' environment and should areas for improvement be identified, the brigade leaders and their respective district managers work together to implement any improvements. Twenty two reviews were undertaken in 2005-2006. COMPETENCY TRAINING FOR MAJOR EMERGENCIES In response to the Auditor General’s report Performance Examination – Responding to Major Bushfires FESA developed a set of minimum competencies required to manage emergencies within its hazard management responsibilities. It was identified that although many managers had significant operational experience in managing Level 1, 2 and 3 incidents, their competencies had not been formalised with endorsed training programs. A program was fast-tracked to deliver training in the Australasian Inter-Service Incident Management System (AIIMS) competencies of Logistics and Planning. Nine competency-based courses were conducted with 101 attendees. As a result of the training program, Level 2 and Level 3 competencies in Logistics Management and Incident Planning have been significantly improved. These courses were held in addition to scheduled training in these competencies.


MAJOR EMERGENCY REPONSE TEAMS In order to better support communities and emergency responders in the event of a major emergency, FESA has established four major emergency teams that can be deployed quickly anywhere in the state. While the existing initial response to emergencies remains unchanged, a major emergency team will be mobilised to complement current arrangements, to assist as required, or to manage complex events. The membership of each team is based on Australasian Inter-agency Incident Management System (AIIMS) roles. The teams will train and respond together in the event of significant emergencies. Full details are provided in the Urban Search and Rescue section of this report on page 81. COMMUNITY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICERS To assist local governments in meeting their bush fire and emergency management responsibilities, FESA is employing seven Community Emergency Management Officers. The officers will be based in Belmont, Joondalup, Northam, Geraldton, Albany and two in Bunbury. Over the course of their contracts, the officers will work with designated local governments to review the local Bushfire Response Plan and suggest enhancements where applicable, and identify the other emergency management arrangements and plans and suggest possible enhancements. The task in relation to bush fire is in accordance with one of the recommendations of the Auditor General's report Performance Examination – Responding to Major Bush Fires, of October 2004. PREPARE … STAY AND DEFEND OR GO EARLY In line with recommendations contained in the Council of Australian Governments' report National Inquiry on Bushfire Mitigation and Management 2004, FESA, the WA Police, CALM and the WA Local Government Association endorsed a joint position statement prior to the 2005-2006 bush fire season in relation to the relocation of people during bush fires. The document, entitled WA Position Statement on Evacuation and Protection of People and Property, established clear guidelines for people endangered by bush fires. FESA developed a community information campaign Prepare … Stay and Defend or Go Early 2005-2006 to inform the community of the WA position. The campaign targeted residents living 100 metres from bush land in the rural-urban fringe and residents in rural and semi-rural areas of South-West Western Australia, with a particular emphasis on residents living within the Darling Escarpment. The principal campaign strategy involved distribution of 35,000 Bushfire Stay or Go kits, which encouraged residents to make a decision and either prepare to stay and defend their homes or to prepare to 'go early'. The kits included materials to assist with preparedness activities and to help householders to assess their capacity to stay and defend their homes. Other strategies included production of a CD-ROM/DVD, promotional posters, extensive website resources and a television, radio and newspaper advertising campaign. FESA evaluated the program through a written survey completed by 600 respondents and through an independent telephone survey of 400 residents. The evaluation indicated that the campaign was effective in raising awareness, achieving a much stronger recollection of the message than for previous campaigns and had a definite impact on the propensity of people to make a decision about whether they would stay or go in the event of a bushfire. However, a disturbing finding was that around half of the residents in the Perth Hills area did not believe they were at risk of bushfire. More than half believed the fire service would prevent any real damage if there was a fire and a significant number of people would wait to be advised by authorities on when to leave. At the same, time a third of Perth hills residents mentioned without prompting that they were concerned about the risk of bush fires.


The surveys have provided FESA with a better understanding of community needs and a guide for more effective community safety initiatives in future campaigns. FIRE MANAGEMENT FOR SWAN COASTAL PLAIN WETLANDS Fighting fires in wetlands such as those on the Swan coastal plan, creates complex challenges for fire managers. Fires in these locations have a tendency to smoulder for extended periods, well beyond the passage of the initial fire front. Bush fire suppression in peat (high organic content) sites is therefore more difficult to achieve than in standard bushland fuels. Not only must the Incident Management Team deal with both surface and underground fires, but there is also the added complexity of problems associated with potential acid sulphate soils. These naturally occurring soils contain iron sulphide materials which, when exposed to air, produce sulphuric acid and can often release toxic quantities of iron, aluminium and heavy metals. This means that construction of standard mineral earth fire breaks in such circumstances is just not possible. There are a number of research projects under way to address these issues. One project is gathering together research undertaken over the previous 30 years on fires in Swan coastal plan wetlands. The project will draw together the appropriate data and scientific principles so that FESA can better manage fire in, and adjacent to, wetlands. Another component of this project is to further develop fire fighting techniques that will assist in ensuring that environmental harm is minimised during fire management. In particular incident managers are seeking knowledge that will assist in preventing fires entering wetlands and/or provide appropriate techniques to extinguish fires in organic soils in wetlands without downgrading water quality (see next item). A summary of a workshop held in March 2004, Preventing wetland soils and sediments from burning on the Swan Coastal Plain, convened by Pierre Horwitz, of Edith Cowan University and FESA’s Ralph Smith, has been published in the Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, Volume 88 Part 3 September 2005. BUSH FIRE MANAGEMENT IN ORGANIC SOILS FESA is developing greatly improved guidelines for the management of bush fires in organic soils (also known as peat), which will help protect the wetlands on the Swan coastal plain and potentially those in other parts of the state. The guidelines are in development as a result of three serious fires at Lake Neerabup, a wetland north of Perth on the Swan coastal plain, which is usually completely dry in summer. The first blaze was the consequence of an extensive bush fire in February 2001. It severely affected Lake Neerabup, causing a large area of underground peat to catch alight and burn unabated for a number of months. This proved a considerable challenge to firefighters and caused a significant smoke problem for the local community. FESA responded by undertaking a number of initiatives to promote continuing research into the management of fires in these difficult wetland sites. FESA's Bush Fire and Environmental Protection Branch worked with stakeholders including Department of the Environment, Edith Cowan University, the City of Wanneroo and FESA personnel, to develop a range of operational strategies that would assist fire managers in the future. A second major fire at Lake Neerabup started in November 2005. This provided an opportunity for FESA to test a number of the strategies, in particular a trenching and backfilling operation that isolated and contained the burning peat. At the same time a partnership was forged between the Department of the Environment, Edith Cowan University and FESA to conduct a scientific study of the still-smouldering fire and apply strategies. This included monitoring the water level and quality, along with changes to the environmental structure and air quality within the lake and areas adjacent to it. Water testing bores and air monitoring devices were in place for some time, collecting this data.


A third fire invaded the lake bed in February 2006 and caused equally difficult firefighting conditions. On this occasion researchers took the opportunity to test the use of fire suppressants to extinguish the surface fire and stop the subterranean running fire. The research will provide firefighters with a guide as to what products can be used without causing further damage to the environment. By applying the scientific data from these fires and other FESA-funded research on the Swan coastal plan wetlands it is anticipated that FESA will be able to develop significantly more sound firefighting guidelines to protect the wetlands across the state. IMPACT OF FIREFIGHTING SUPPRESSANTS ON NATIVE VEGETATION FESA is working with the Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority and a University of Western Australia research doctoral student to research if fire suppressants have a toxic impact on Western Australian vegetation. A concise preliminary project has indicated some potential concerning adverse effects for some species. Fire suppressants have, in most instances, not been assessed for their ecological (plant, animal and soil environmental) effects under Western Australian conditions. At the conclusion of this project it is expected to determine if fire-suppressing foams, retardants and gels negatively impact: • on plant community health, both growth and reproduction and what species are most susceptible • on seed germination and seedling recruitment. This has the potential to affect the firefighting tactics applied in ecologically sensitive locations. BUSH FIRE ASSESSMENT GUIDE A resource has been developed to provide bush fire managers with a range of tools that can enhance strategic decision making in prevention and response activities. Guide and Tables for Fire Management in Western Australia – due to be published early in the next reporting period – will allow bush fire managers to: • calculate fire intensity and rate of spread in various vegetation under different conditions • discover at a glance which fire intensities will limit direct attacks (this information, for example, could

prompt consideration of alternative fire control options or strategies) • calculate dispatch times of suppression appliances for fires in different vegetation types • discover quickly the rate of fire spread on slopes of varying degrees. The resource also contains meters for calculating: • the danger level of fires in grassland • the spread rate of grassland fires • the spread rate of forest fires. The guide is the amalgamation of anecdotal information, the knowledge of experienced FESA fire managers and research undertaken by the CSIRO, the Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment, the University of Melbourne and CALM. STRATEGIC PASTORAL STATION BUSHFIRE MANAGEMENT FESA has begun working with a number of experienced Kimberley pastoralists to develop a best practice framework for bush fire prevention and response. Some fires in the Kimberley can take days to control because grasslands can become highly combustible during the extended dry season. In the process, vast areas of productive pastoral rangelands and sensitive environmental belts are lost. Pastoral stations participating in the project will provide examples of best practice based on many years of practical experience, in order to promote strategic bushfire prevention throughout the Kimberley. It is hoped the project could provide the basis for similar approaches to bushfire prevention across the north of Australia and in other pastoral regions. The project will involve a two-way flow of information and expertise:


• Experienced pastoralists will provide FESA with specific data and information about prescribed burns. The data will be used to identify optimal conditions for prescribed burning.

• FESA will provide expertise to assist pastoralists to develop their own strategic bushfire management plans to meet each pastoralist's needs.

The research component of the project aims to identify optimum conditions for prescribed burning. Pastoralists have been asked to record conditions such as temperature, relative humidity, wind direction, cloud cover, soil type and vegetation properties. This data will be used to determine the factors which influence the outcomes of different prescribed burns. Reports on the gathered data will be distributed to others pastoralists, who can either review the data or use the data for their own needs. Through the project FESA will provide pastoralists with more options for identifying and managing bushfire threats. For example, pastoralists will have a greater range of possible strategies from which to choose when creating fire buffers in areas that require retention of vegetation to prevent erosion. Benefits of the project will include: • increased community awareness of bush fire management options • improved identification of bush fire risks and threats • improved community preparation through the development of strategic bush fire management plans. USING HELICOPTERS TO FIGHT BUSH FIRES FESA has completed the first phase of a study into the effectiveness of helicopters in fighting WA bush fires. Helicopters were first used by FESA in the 2002-2003 summer because of their ability to apply water and foam quickly and accurately on bush fires in Perth suburbs and the urban-rural fringe. However, a better understanding was needed of the helicopters’ capabilities and limitations in suppressing the rate of bush fire spread in a variety of vegetation types to ensure: • resources were matched appropriately to risk • suppression performance was improved • cost effectiveness was optimised, particularly as aerial suppression has been a high-cost operation. The study examined previous national and international research into the use of aerial suppression. It concluded there was limited published material on the helicopter size and configuration used in Western Australia – and research that existed did not demonstrate effectiveness in a definitive, scientific manner. The study also examined data gathered during incidents involving helicopters in the 2002-2003 fire season in Western Australia. The study found: • response is most effective within the first 30 minutes of the bush fire starting • speed, accuracy and ready access are positive features of the helicopters • the helicopters have limited carrying capacity • this type of aerial suppression must be supported by ground suppression crews • the issue of accurately determining the impact of helicopters on the rate of suppression remains

unanswered because of lack of data. The study also identified definitive criteria for determining cost and performance effectiveness of aerial suppression. It highlighted the difficulty in determining effectiveness using current incident data collection methods. Further investigation has been proposed using automatic data logging of future incidents from helicopters using infrared or thermal imaging linked to GPS. The study also proposed an examination of operational issues, specifically dispatch and deployment strategies, to ensure helicopters reach fires faster. In addition, the study offered a secondary issue to be considered: Would a helicopter with a much larger capacity be more effective? It is hoped these issues will be answered by a research project on aerial suppression to be undertaken by the Bushfire Cooperative Research Centre in three to four years.


AERIAL INTELLIGENCE Increased State Government funding has enabled the acquisition of a Star Safire III thermal imaging camera incorporated with digital video camera, laser rangefinder, microwave down link and Avalex mapping system for the air intelligence helicopter. The new equipment, which is used predominantly in the designated air intelligence helicopter, is an invaluable tool for bush fire and incident management. It transmits real-time images of mapping, hot-spot information and digital / infrared vision from the helicopter to management teams in the field. The maps indicate the exact location of the fire and assist in identifying vulnerable community assets. The new equipment will also be invaluable with real time data capture for a wide range of incidents including hazardous materials response, urban search and rescue, land search and rescue, floods and storms. Evaluation of the equipment for these types of call outs is still underway. The information gathered and transmitted by the new equipment in relation to bush fires has greatly enhanced the ability of incident management teams to view hotspots, predict fire shapes and escalating threat. This has allowed for early community warnings to occur, more effective protection of community assets and ensured a greater level of firefighter safety. RESPONSE STRUCTURAL FIRES In 2005-2006, a total of 1,350 structural fires were suppressed by FESA’s career firefighters or volunteer firefighters supported by FESA. BUSH FIRES Over the year, a total of 6,566 bush fires were responded to by FESA’s career firefighters or volunteer firefighters supported by FESA. AERIAL FIREFIGHTING Since their introduction during the 2002-2003 bush fire season, the integration of helicopter water bombers (Helitacs) with fixed-wing water bombers has once again proved very successful. The bush fire knockdown capacity of the fixed-wing aircraft, combined with the fast turn around times of the Helitacs, provides a formidable protection in Perth’s rural-urban fringe. The Helitacs are considered as an essential fire fighting tool in WA in support of firefighters on the ground. Prior to the 2004-2005 fire season, the use of the Helitacs outside of the immediate Perth area was not possible because it removed the only aerial resource that can operate over the built up areas of Perth. However, an increased State Government recurrent contribution to $1.75 million has allowed FESA to double its helicopter response capability from two to four Helitacs. As a result, the response area was expanded from an 80km radius of Perth to a 120km radius, and the Zone 2 automatic response area was increased to Chittering in the north and Serpentine in the south. Zone 2 automatic responses comprised the dispatch of two Helitacs and two-fixed wing water bombers with the remaining two Helitacs available at Perth airport if required. This proved to be effective with an estimated $12 million of assets saved and $26 million protected. With the expansion of the response area, additional collar tanks for water resupply to the Helitacs have been sourced and strategic locations have been identified. Additional collar tanks were strategically located by the commencement of the 2005-2006 fire season. In 2005-2006, Helitacs were activated for 50 incidents, delivering 1,305,000 litres of water and 3,713 litres of foam in a total of 1,305 drops. Fixed-wing water bombers worked jointly with the Helitacs at 10 incidents.


BUSH FIRE MAPPING FESA’s dedicated air intelligence helicopter, which maps bush fire shapes and intensities and transmits the data to management teams in the field, attended 25 incidents in 2005-2006. The information supplied by this helicopter has greatly enhanced the ability of incident management teams to view hotspots, predict fire shapes and escalating threat. This has allowed for early community warnings to occur, more effective protection of community assets and ensured a greater level of firefighter safety. NOTABLE INCIDENTS – STRUCTURAL FIRE WELSHPOOL FACTORY FIRE – August 31, 2005 More than 50 firefighters battled a large fire at a wood products factory in Somersby Road, Welshpool. Thirteen Fire and Rescue Service appliances from across Perth attended the fire. Firefighters used breathing apparatus to access the fire area inside a dust extraction unit in a manufacturing plant. This area was clogged with heavy smoke with zero visibility. The entire factory site was evacuated. One firefighter suffered minor burns and was taken to hospital. DAMPIER SALT WHARF – 15 September 2005 A fire in the engine room workshop of the Opal Naree – a 29,000 tonne Thailand registered bulk carrier –started when molten metal landed on coiled electrical cables during a welding project, causing them to ignite. The crew closed all the engine room doors and fire dampers and carbon dioxide was released into the room. FESA was involved in two inspections of the engine room. There was no sign of the fire and the ship’s crew were given the all clear to ventilate the area. WILLETTON SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL – 22 September 2005 Fire and Rescue Service crews from Canningvale, Murdoch, O'Connor and Welshpool were called to a fire at the Willeton Senior High School. Firefighters arrived on site within five minutes of the fire being reported by the education security service following the activation of a smoke alarm. The blaze spread rapidly through the roof space destroying the school gymnasium and causing considerable smoke damage to the adjacent performing arts centre. More then 15 firefighters battled the flames to save changerooms and other facilities from total destruction. The blaze resulted in a $500,000 damage bill. FREMANTLE BOATLIFTERS – 17 NOVEMBER 2005 Career firefighters contained a fire which destroyed two luxury boats at a shipyard in Mews Road, Fremantle. The boats, worth a total of $1.2 million, were doused with foam from a hydraulic lift. The blaze was a challenge for firefighters because it was not known what was on the boats and the fumes and smoke from the blaze had caused a hazardous plume. STOCK ROAD MARKETS, SPEARWOOD – 6 DECEMBER 2005 Thirty Fire and Rescue Service firefighters responded to a fire which caused $1.2 million damage in a big section of the Stock Road Markets. All people were evacuated from the building unharmed. Firefighters from Success, Fremantle and Murdoch fire stations contained the blaze to the building and had it under control in 45 minutes. WA SALVAGE, MORLEY – 17 MARCH 2006 A spectacular blaze gutted the WA Salvage store in Morley. The fire took hold quickly and had consumed 80% of the building when firefighters arrived at the scene. This fire, which could be seen all over the metropolitan area, took 18 hours to totally extinguish. Career Fire and Rescue Service firefighters from Bassendean, Malaga, Midland, Belmont and Perth attended the incident. Department of Environment representatives were present, conducting air monitoring and an adjacent premises was evacuated as a precaution. It was thought that the cause of the fire was in the vicinity of citronella bottles packed in pallets at the rear of the store. However, investigators said the exact cause of the $3 million blaze could not be determined beyond doubt. It was thought that sunlight shining through the citronella bottles may have had a magnifying effect, bringing the contents of the bottles to ignition temperature.


NOTABLE INCIDENTS – BUSH FIRE BEVERLEY SPRINGS PASTORAL STATION – 6 October 2005 This level-two fire burned 1.2 million hectares of bush and pasture over a period of eight weeks. FESA provided assistance to control the fire through the provision of aerial and ground support. KARIJINI NATIONAL PARK – 4-7 NOVEMBER 2005 A fire burned about 250,000ha of land in Karijini National Park and adjacent rangelands before being contained by volunteer Fire and Rescue Service firefighters and Rio Tinto’s private brigade. Operations were controlled by an incident management team jointly run by FESA, CALM and the Shire of Ashburton. LAKE NEERABUP – 13 NOVEMBER 2005 - APRIL 2006 This fifth-alarm bush fire, although relatively small in area (67ha), posed many complex challenges to firefighters. Surface fires were contained relatively quickly by career firefighters and bush fire brigade volunteers. However, a subterranean peat fire continued to burn. Major efforts were required to prevent flare-ups escaping into the suburb of Carramar – and to combat acrid smoke emanating from the smouldering peat. Following consultation with the City of Wanneroo, the Department of Environment, CALM and the Water and Rivers Commission, FESA approved the strategy of installing a trench across the swamp and neutralising acid soils with lime. The City of Wanneroo built a trench 350m long and back-filled it with more than 3,000 tonnes of lime, taking 32 hours to complete. In February 2006, another fire which started near Burns Beach Road, Joondalup, crossed Wanneroo Road and entered the southern end of Lake Neerabup. This fire quickly spread north through surface fuel on the dry lake bed and eventually jumped the trench, to join up with the November fire. As a consequence of the two fires, a substantial area of peat was alight and caused a significant smoke problem for the local community. FESA monitored the spread of the peat fire through Forward Looking Infrared Radar (FLIR) on aircraft, to ensure that hotspots were identified. In addition, Fire and Rescue Service crews and bush fire brigade volunteers patrolled the area on a daily basis to minimise the potential of an escape of the fire. Subsequently, a specialist fire suppressant was used to assist in containing the fire. Monitoring continued beyond the reporting period. NORSEMAN – 9-11 DECEMBER 2005 A multi-agency effort was able to contain a bush fire which burnt 60,000ha of unallocated Crown land 40km north of Norseman. The fire ran for three weeks and was contained with the aid of firebreak lines and favourable wind conditions. BORDEN – 19 December 2005

More than 100 volunteer fire units, two water bombers, a spotter aircraft, a bulldozer and three graders were used to combat a bush fire which destroyed 2,500 ha of farm land north of Borden. The fire, ignited by a faulty harvester, was also responsible for the deaths of about 700 sheep. LEDGE POINT, LANCELIN – 1 January 2006 FESA assumed control of this fifth-alarm bush fire at the request of the Shire of Gingin. Residents in the Ledge Point and Seaview Estate were alerted to evacuate or stay and defend. Some residents decided to go to an emergency centre for evacuees in Lancelin. The fire, which rapidly burnt 1500ha of coastal heath, was quickly contained as a result of close working partnerships between the responding agencies. More than 100 volunteers fought the fire. There was a minimum of disruption and no loss of property. LIGHTNING SWAMP, NORANDA – 10 January 2006 Two Helitacs supported fire crews from Malaga, Bassendean, Canning Vale, Belmont, Daglish, Joondalup and Wangara to quickly control a bush fire that was in an ecologically sensitive area and threatened Malaga’s industrial area. Several crews had to use four-wheel drive vehicles to gain access to the fire because of the thick vegetation and difficult terrain. Firefighters worked with the Bayswater City Council to


minimise damage to the ecologically sensitive Lightning Swamp. Appliances were driven along existing tracks where possible and the fire was not suppressed with foam, in case of harm to native vegetation. WAROONA – January 2006 (10,000 hectares) Two Helitacs and the air intelligence helicopter were used to support CALM and FESA ground crews and fixed wing water bombers during this fire. Helitacs were primarily tasked for asset protection of the Alcoa Refinery and associated conveyer belt. MURRAY VALLEY – 22-24 January 2006 More than 100 volunteer and career firefighters were part of a 350-strong contingent which attended a bush fire that burnt through more than 9100ha of bushland and pasture and threatened townships. Firefighters – including volunteers from 13 local governments and career and CALM firefighters – were on rotating shifts to fight the blaze, which started in state forest in Dwellingup and moved into private property north east of Yarloop. The fire – thought to have been deliberately lit – forced the evacuation of 1,500 campers and bushwalkers from Lane Poole Reseve. Later, the blaze came within 600m of Aloca’s Wagerup refinery and caused the closure of the South Western Highway between Waroona and Harvey. Police and FESA officers door knocked homes in Yarloop, Hamel and Waroona to advise residents of options to evacuate or stay and defend. An emergency centre for evacuees was set up in Waroona town hall. It took two days to contain the fire. Mop-up included creation of a 100m buffer around the 90km perimeter of the fire zone. BURNS BEACH – February 2006 Multi-agency fire services took three days to bring a bush fire under control in the Burns Beach area. The fire encompassed 558 hectares and threatened a number of residential properties. An intense response averted any major structural damage. Four Helitacs were utilised with 232 drops made totalling 232,000 litres of water and 400 litres of foam. Air intelligence provided ongoing valuable fire shape and activity data to the incident management team. MOORE RIVER NATIONAL PARK – 17 MARCH 2006 Two fixed-wing water bombers and two Helitacs worked to help 20 FESA firefighters and 44 CALM and Forest Products Commission firefighters to contain a fire in Moore River National Park. The fire started on the Brand Highway and damaged 400ha before it was extinguished. Police directed traffic as smoke was heavy and affected visibility. GERALDTON – 23 MARCH 2006 Several homes and a primary school at Bluff Point were saved from a bushfire by firebreaks and back burning created by 25 career and volunteer firefighters. RECOVERY INCIDENT ANALYSIS BRINGS UPGRADE Homeswest and the Department of Housing and Works made a commitment to upgrade the fire safety features in some Homeswest apartment blocks following a fire in the Wandana Flats in Subiaco. A post incident report by an officer from FESA's Built Environment Branch indicated a number of matters in the 40-year-old building needed attention. The agency agreed to provide improvements including internal fire hydrants, boosters and pumps. Along with direct brigade alarm connections and smoke and thermal detection equipment, the building will be well protected. As a result of further consultation, Homeswest has established a significant funding program to provide improvements in other older housing units.


FLOOD Many parts of Western Australia are prone to flooding at different times of year. Floods can cause significant disruption to road, rail, and communications and damage other community infrastructure. Torrential rain in the monsoonal wet season the Kimberley and other northern areas of the state can cause the flooding of vast areas. The wet season also may bring rivers down in flood, threatening life, livestock and property. FESA is the hazard management agency for flood in Western Australia with responsibilities in relation to preparedness, response and recovery. State Emergency Service units and Volunteer Emergency Service units undertake the primary response roles.

PREPAREDNESS FLOOD PLAIN MAPPING FOR PERTH RIVERS FESA has entered into an agreement with the Department of Water to fund production of flood plain mapping of the Swan and Canning rivers. The project will cost $40,000, with FESA and the Department of Water each funding 50%. Growth in population density combined with changes to land use along the Swan River, such as agricultural and industrial development, have increased significantly the potential for loss of life, damage to industrial, commercial, agricultural facilities and strategic public utilities. The digital floodplain mapping will be used to support emergency response planning during major flood events in the Swan and Canning rivers. PREPARING FOR THE WET SEASON FESA staff and volunteers worked together to prepare northern communities for the wet season and the threat of cyclones and flooding. The coastal stretch from Exmouth to Broome has the highest incidence of tropical cyclones anywhere in Australia. The Bureau of Meteorology predicted two possible cyclone coastal crossings for the 2005-2006 summer and expected one of them to be severe – of magnitude category 3 to 5. Four, in fact, crossed the coast – see over the page under the heading Response for more information. Awareness activities commenced with a tour of coastal areas in the Mid-West/Gascoyne, Pilbara and Kimberley regions in October 2005. Bureau of Meteorology and FESA staff addressed local and district emergency management committees, community members and media outlets in these areas. Safety messages were broadcast through community service announcements on radio and television in the Pilbara and Kimberley regions and safety presentations were made to industry groups and remote Indigenous communities to inform them of the risks they may face and what action to take. Community safety resources, including a CD and a cyclone tracking map, were provided on request to schools, businesses, mining companies, removalists, shire offices, hospitals and local communities.


SAFETY BROCHURE FOR NORTH WEST TRAVELLERS FESA and ABC Radio joined forces to provide safety information on floods and cyclones to travellers who visit the North West of Western Australia during the wet season, through a new brochure, Travel Safe in the North West. The brochure outlines the risks and what people can do to stay safe when travelling in the North West during the wet season. The first print run of 8,000 copies was distributed through ABC stations, FESA regional offices, visitor centres, camper van hire companies and CALM offices. Regional staff and local emergency services volunteers identified self-drive travellers as an important target group for the FESA wet season campaign, designed to provide cyclone and safety information to people at risk. FESA’s recent cyclone research indicated that ABC Radio was a trusted source of cyclone information for people in the Pilbara, Kimberley and Gascoyne regions. The new brochure lists all the frequencies for ABC Radio North West and ABC Radio Kimberley for travellers wanting information during an emergency. Tourism Western Australia figures show that each December quarter over the past three years the North West was host to around 142,100 visitors. The majority (93,000) were Western Australians, followed by 32,000 interstate travellers and 17,100 overseas tourists. FESA and ABC Radio shared the costs of producing the co-branded brochure, building on the partnership that began with a cyclone tracking maps resource in the previous season. IMPROVED LOGISTICS A 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week service to make emergency flood control equipment available to volunteers at major incidents has been established under a commercial contract let by FESA to Mercury Firesafety Ptd Ltd. The service was initially established to ensure emergency supplies of firefighting foam were available for firefighters. However, it has been extended to include bulk supplies of items such as sand bags are available at any time. Under the contract, Mercury Firesafety holds the bulk supplies at its warehouse. The incident controller is able to request urgent deliveries through the FESA Communications Centre or State Coordination Centre. The contract covers the dispatch directly to the incident scene. The service to the SES was first used successfully during the regional floods in early 2006. RESPONSE The Bureau of Meteorology reported eight major flood events in 2005-2006. State Emergency Service volunteers committed 1,144 hours to responding to floods. Tropical cyclones Emma, Clare and Glenda caused widespread flooding in the Pilbara. TC Emma went on to produce floods along the Murchison River. Rainfall from the remnants of TC Clare caused the Greenough River to break its banks. The Lake Grace region was inundated by floodwaters twice and the Goldfields/Eucla region was also hit. NOTABLE INCIDENTS TROPICAL CYCLONES CLARE AND DARYL – 13 JANUARY - 17 MARCH 2006 After crossing at Dampier in the Pilbara early on 10 January, the remains of Tropical Cyclone Clare moved southwards, generating heavy rainfall and causing some flooding through the Gascoyne and inland parts of the South-West land division. The State Emergency Coordination Group was activated for flooding in the Great Southern and Greenough River catchments. On Friday 13 January 2006, as a result of heavy and constant rainfall from ex Tropical Cyclone Clare, the shires of Kulin, Kondinin, Kent, Corrigin, Dumbleyung and Jerramungup reported various levels of damage to roads, culverts, stock, feed and fencing. The towns of Lake Grace and Kulin were the worst hit. The Shire of Kulin and Kulin SES volunteers were activated to assist with floodwaters threatening the town’s business area, the local school and a private residence. The Kulin Local Emergency Management


Committee was activated. The local emergency services building was used as the emergency operations centre from where SES volunteers were dispatched to sandbag and divert water away from the threatened areas. The Shire of Lake Grace and Lake Grace volunteer Fire and Rescue firefighters were activated to alleviate flood damage by sandbagging properties. All access roads were blocked and the entire town isolated. Many residents had flood water through their homes. Attempts to transport extra sandbags from Kulin to Lake Grace were unsuccessful due to rising flood waters from surrounding lakes. Many farming communities surrounding the township of Lake Grace were under water and remained so for weeks. Greenough River – 14-16 January 2006 The Greenough River recorded its highest flooding in 100 years as a consequence of rain dumped by ex Tropical Cyclone Clare. The flood was similar to that experienced in 1999, when roads were cut and the town evacuated. Mitigation strategies for the town of Walkaway were successful thanks to early planning before the flooding began on 14 January. Volunteers from the SES and bush fire brigades joined Walkaway residents to build temporary levees at strategic locations around the town. A 1.5 metre high levee at the north end of town was instrumental in preventing major flooding. Late on Sunday 15 January, SES volunteers from Gosnells, Armadale and Bayswater arrived to assist in case the levees broke and urgent evacuations were required. The response also included a group of prisoners under the care of the Ministry of Justice, who helped fill sandbags. The town became isolated by floodwaters. Access roads, including the Brand Highway, were closed. The flood level peaked at about six metres just after 2am on 16 January and another levy was added. When the water receded later that morning, it was obvious from the water marks that damage had been minimised by the levees. After Tropical Cyclone Clare crossed the Pilbara coast, widespread rain flooded both the Ashburton and Fortescue Rivers and cut off several major roads, including the North West Coastal Highway. Tropical cyclone Daryl followed a fortnight later delivering more heavy rain to the Murchison River catchment. TROPICAL CYCLONE EMMA – 28 FEBRUARY - 17 MARCH 2006 Heavy rain preceded the landfall of Tropical Cyclone Emma on 28 February. The associated storm system covered a wide area throughout a region already well into the wet season. Karratha registered 190mm of rainfall in the 24 hours to 9am on 28 February and a total 306mm for the whole event. In the early stages, SES volunteers were involved in the successful rescue of several motorists from floodwaters outside Karratha. People were also rescued from Yarraloola Station, 150km south of Karratha on the banks of Robe River. Rivers remained swollen more than two weeks after Tropical Cyclone Emma crossed the coast, with flooding in the Gascoyne River and Murchison River catchments between 28 February and 17 March. Some communities remained isolated by floodwaters until early March. Mileura Station (70km north west of Meekatharra) reported its homestead was flooded for the first time in 120 years. Damage was reported in the Shires of Carnarvon, Upper Gascoyne, Meekatharra, Murchison, Northampton and Ashburton. Flood waters entered four homesteads of pastoral stations along the Murchison. In response to the flooding, FESA established a regional coordination centre in Geraldton. District emergency management committee agencies also became involved at various phases of the flood response. These included local governments, the Water Corporation, Western Power, Main Roads WA and CALM. Thanks to a massive mitigation effort by emergency services and the community in general (including backpackers and children), commercial and residential properties in Kalbarri escaped damage from flooding.


Sixty SES volunteers from Geraldton, Morawa, Eneabba and Carnarvon joined their Kalbarri counterparts, fire services and marine rescue volunteers to provide support. Preparation included: • air reconnaissance missions to assess the flood water impact • issuing of community flood warnings • early warning, advice and assistance to 11 pastoral stations located along the length of the Murchison

River, including provision of 4,000 sand bags • sandbagging and building of temporary levies to protect Kalbarri and its assets, conducted by SES,

other emergency service volunteers and community members (9,000 sandbags, 400 tonnes of sand and 35 rolls of heavy duty plastic were used for levee construction in Kalbarri).

Significantly, this was the first time remote sensing images had been used as a decision-making tool in preparation for a flood in WA. It proved valuable for identifying the amount of water gathering in the catchment area. TROPICAL CYCLONE GLENDA – 24-31 MARCH 2006 Tropical Cyclone Glenda developed from a monsoonal low that dumped heavy rain in the East Kimberley from 23-24 March. SES volunteers advised residents to prepare for widespread flooding from the Dunham and Ord Rivers. Tracking off the Kimberley coast, TC Glenda attained category 5 status on 28 March and subsequently battered the Pilbara coast from Karratha to Onslow at category 4 as it moved southwards. TC Glenda weakened to category 3 intensity before crossing the coast near Onslow overnight on 30 March. Onslow recorded 206mm of rain in the 24 hours to 9am on 31 March, the sixth wettest day on record for the town. Roads were flooded, powerlines downed and trees uprooted by winds of up to 179 kilometres per hour. Other centres in the Pilbara recorded cumulative rainfall of more than 200mm. Although Glenda produced less than average rainfall for a land-falling tropical cyclone, falls were sufficient to cause flooding problems for transport in the Pilbara. In the first few days before the cyclone reached the Pilbara coast, it caused record floods in the East Kimberley district, washing out many roads around Kununurra, including part of the Great Northern Highway. An adult and three children were evacuated from Ellenbrae Station, 220 kilometres west of Kununurra, while Home Valley (where residents had not been able to leave their station since Christmas because of flooding) was also resupplied with fresh fruit and vegetables. FESA also organised the evacuation of two adults and a dog from Diggers Rest Station. RECOVERY During 2005-2006, FESA proclaimed four events which involved flooding as eligible natural disasters under the provisions of the Western Australian Natural Disaster Relief Arrangements. These were flooding associated with: • Tropical Cyclone Clare • Tropical Cyclone Daryl • Tropical Cyclone Emma • Tropical Cyclone Glenda In partnership with the Department for Community Development and the Department of Agriculture and Food, FESA managed the provision of assistance to individuals and families, primary producers and local governments affected by these events. SHIRE OF GREENOUGH Following the 14 January 2006 flood, the Department of Works and FESA have been exploring with the Shire of Greenough the possibility of employing a consultant undertake a full flood assessment of the Walkaway area. It would include assessing what mitigation works could be done to minimise damage to the town in the event of the river flooding in the future. The initial report is now part of a consultative process with the shire.


LAKE GRACE At the invitation of the Shire of Lake Grace, FESA provided guidance on the establishment of a recovery committee after the 13 January 2006 flood. FESA also provided guidance on procedures to help the shire recover from the incident. TROPICAL CYCLONE EMMA The Geraldton SES provided a team to Bullabulong Station for two days to assist with recovery. They pumped out floodwaters and helped to clean the main homestead. Assistance was offered to other stations as water levels receded. The remote Indigenous community of Barringarra, in the Shire of Murchison, was resupplied from the air.


HAZARDOUS MATERIALS (INCORPORATING CHEMICAL, BIOLOGICAL AND RADIOLOGICAL THREATS) HAZARDOUS materials are widely used and transported throughout Western Australia. Wherever they are used within the community, there is a risk of an emergency occurring. They include explosives, compressed gases, corrosive substances, poisons, radioactive materials, infectious substances and flammable liquids and gases. As the designated hazard management agency in WA, FESA has responsibility for the management of emergency incidents involving hazardous materials (HAZMAT). These include chemical, biological and radiological (CBR) incidents – ever present threats in a changing global environment in relation to terrorism. Because of the unique circumstances of chemical, biological and radiological incidents, a separate emergency management plan, Westplan – CBR, has been developed. This outlines the consequence management role for incidents involving chemical, biological and radiological materials. Generally, career and volunteer firefighters manage these incidents.

PREVENTION The Western Australian Hazardous Materials Coordinating Committee – made up of representation from government agencies, the community and industry – investigates all major hazardous materials incidents in the state with a view to preventing any recurrence of the cause of the incident. This proactive approach has resulted in Western Australia having one of the lowest incidences of hazardous materials emergencies in Australia. PREPAREDNESS TRAINING OTHER AGENCIES

Representatives from the Chemistry Centre, Police forensics officers and specialist groups, including St John Ambulance, undertook intensive training in the use of chemical, biological and radiological protective clothing and equipment so they will be better prepared when entering contaminated environments. Fire and Rescue Service trainers showed 24 participants how to use and service breathing apparatus and a range of protective clothing. The training highlighted possible challenges at a complex incident when wearing specialised protective clothing and operating alongside Fire and Rescue Service personnel. It was also a precursor to Exercise Canister, a major inter-agency scenario held in April to test chemical, biological and radiological capabilities. NEW FACILITIES A new tanker roll over and LPG tanker fire simulation prop was installed at the FESA Training Centre at Forrestfield, enabling advanced training in an authentic location. IMPROVED LOGISTICS Foam Watch, a 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week service to make foam available to firefighters at major hazardous materials spills or fires, has been established under a commercial contract let by FESA to Mercury Firesafety Ptd Ltd. The service will ensure firefighters have access to bulk foam concentrates during significant emergency incidents at any time.


Under the contract, Mercury Firesafety holds bulk supplies at its warehouse. The incident controller is able to request urgent deliveries through the FESA Communications Centre. The contract also covers the dispatch of other equipment items directly to the incident scene, such as emergency hose stocks. The capability is also being extended to provide supplies to regional areas. MAJOR EMERGENCY REPONSE TEAMS In order to better support communities and emergency responders in the event of a major emergency, FESA has established four major emergency teams that can be deployed quickly anywhere in the state. While the existing initial response to emergencies remains unchanged, a major emergency team will be mobilised to complement current arrangements, to assist as required, or to manage complex events. Full details are provided in the Urban Search and Rescue section on page 81 of this report. MAJOR INTER-AGENCY OPERATIONS Two major inter-agency exercises held during 2005-2006 specifically examined hazardous materials response capability. Mercury Mercury a multi-jurisdictional counter-terrorism exercise under the National Counter-Terrorism Committee’s capability development program was conducted in October 2005. The aim of the exercise was to practise the National Counter Terrorism Arrangements in support of the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games. FESA staff were involved in two phases of the exercise: • a cargo incident at Fremantle Port, Customs Department • response to assist the South Australia Metropolitan Fire Service in a chemical, biological and

radiological incident in Adelaide. FESA staff performed roles as umpires and as delegates of the international observer program. Within Western Australia there were three broad objectives: • to practise and evaluate the operational response to hazardous materials incidents • to test activation and operational response of the Hazmat emergency advisory team • to evaluate inter-operability between the stakeholders attending the incident. Deployment to assist in South Australia provided an opportunity to test inter-state mobilisation of chemical, biological and radiological equipment and operators. Canister Exercise Canister 2006, a two-day multi-agency chemical, biological and radiological materials exercise, was held in April 2006. Managed by FESA personnel, it tested Western Australia's emergency management arrangements and the preparedness, response and recovery capabilities and procedures of all of the agencies participating. Participants included 17 Fire and Rescue Service crews, Police forensic and tactical response groups, St John Ambulance crews and representatives from the Chemistry Centre and the Department of the Environment. The exercise management team faced major logistical challenges involved with the management of significant numbers of casualties and their decontamination, as well as marshalling, mobilising and ensuring the welfare of response personnel. As a follow-up, all of the agencies reviewed and modified protocols and procedures in preparation for an actual chemical, biological and radiological materials incident.


INTERNATIONAL TRAINING A Memorandum Of Understanding signed between FESA and the Singapore Civil Defence Force in March 2005 resulted in an officer exchange program and specialist urban search and rescue operator training during 2005-2006. The professional relationship provides cost-effective training opportunities for both agencies and in the coming year is to involve participation by FESA personnel in internationally-accredited specialist courses including hazardous materials and ship and tank farm firefighting. RESPONSE Career and volunteer firefighters attended a total of 1,285 hazardous materials incidents during the reporting period – 264 were of a serious nature and, of these, 68 were significant events requiring a major response. NOTABLE INCIDENTS KEWDALE LPG LEAK – 10 October 2005 Twenty-one firefighters contained a gas leak from a 30,000-litre LPG tank at a business in Kewdale. Some of the firefighters used breathing apparatus to inspect the source of the leak. Staff were evacuated from the premises and a section of Leach Highway closed. The leak was contained two hours after FESA was notified of the incident. The highway was reopened when the Department of Environment Pollution Response Unit, which had been monitoring air quality, gave the all clear. CHEMICAL FIRE, KWINANA – 8 JANUARY 2006 Firefighters attended a chemical fire in storage shed containing a pallet of a hazardous material called acrymlamide, used to make plastic products. Four other pallets were found during removal. In days following the fire, thermal-imaging cameras found two more pallets reacting. These were immediately cooled and made safe. LPG TANKER ROLLOVER, ENEABBA – 14 March 2006 The Brand Highway 35km north of Eneabba was closed for 16 hours while firefighters attended to a motor vehicle crash involving an LPG tanker and a car. Dongara volunteer Fire and Rescue Service firefighters extricated the body of the car driver. They were also on stand-by when the contents of the LPG tanker, which had rolled over, were decanted into another tanker. Due to the prolonged nature of the incident, career and volunteer Fire and Rescue firefighters from Geraldton were called in relieve the Dongara volunteers from their watch. CHEMICAL LEAK, NORTH FREMANTLE – 19 April 2006 Firefighters used a spill pad to contain about 1,000 litres of styrene that leaked from a 24,000 litre bulk container. Foam was released to prevent vapour escaping from the liquid styrene, which is used to make plastic products. The owners of the styrene decanted the remaining product into another container. CHEMICAL FIRE, KWINANA – 25 May 2006 More than 1,300 occupants from 10 businesses In Kwinana were evacuated following a fire at a chemical blending facility. Firefighters contained the blaze, which involved caustic soda, tridimefon, ammonium sulphate and a red food dye. The fire caused widespread public complaints and 114 people were advised to seek medical attention.


SEARCH / RESCUE FESA provides a variety of search and rescue services, primarily in support of the Western Australia Police Service. These range from operation of the state’s only dedicated emergency rescue helicopter service to marine search and rescue, in addition to a recently- enhanced capability to deal with casualties of terrorist activities.

CONTENTS AERIAL RESCUE 67

CLIFF AND CAVE RESCUE 70

LAND AND AIR SEARCH 72

MARINE SEARCH AND RESCUE 74

ROAD CRASH RESCUE 78

URBAN SEARCH AND RESCUE 80


Aerial rescue RAC Rescue 1 is Western Australia’s only dedicated emergency rescue helicopter. The service provides: • Emergency rescues, eg. For the victims of car crashes, cliff rescues, farming accidents • Ship to shore rescues including responding to Emergency Position Indicating Radio

Beacons • Hospital transfers for critically ill patients.

PREPAREDNESS RAC Rescue 1 and its highly trained crew are on standby, ready to fly 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The helicopter is crewed by a pilot, rescue crewman (both supplied under contract by CHC Helicopters Australia) and a St John Ambulance Critical Care Paramedic. Stationed at Jandakot Airport, Perth, RAC Rescue 1 typically operates within a 200km radius, covering 90% of Western Australia’s population or 1.8 million people. The Emergency Rescue Helicopter Service is managed by FESA and is funded by the State Government and principal sponsor, the Royal Automobile Club of Western Australia (RAC). Call outs are usually initiated by, or through St John Ambulance, or at the request of the WA Police. Critical life-saving missions take precedence over any other call out. NEW FACILITIES The response time of the rescue helicopter will improve thanks to the allocation of $900,000 for an integrated base at Jandakot Airport. The new facility will have a hangar, planning and operations room and accommodation housed under the same roof. When the base is built (expected to be in 2006-2007), the target response time for the helicopter to be airborne will be reduced from 20 minutes to 15 minutes. PROMOTION To promote the Emergency Rescue Helicopter Service capability, over the past year live demonstrations were provided at community events and for a number of emergency services, including: • the IFAP Emergency Response Games • Australia Day Sky Show • Hillarys Boat Show • the Whitfords Volunteer Sea Rescue Group • the Perth Royal Show • RAC Centenary Rally • annual camp of the Emergency Services Cadet Corps The service was also involved in a number of training exercises including multi-agency training with the Australian Defence Force at Lancelin. RESPONSE In 2005-2006, the Emergency Rescue Helicopter Service undertook 217 missions. Of these: • 60% (130) were primary taskings, attending on scene at rescue incidents • 13% (27) of missions were for retrievals of critically ill patients from regional hospitals to metropolitan

tertiary hospitals • 25% (54) of missions were search and rescue, most often in response to the activation of an

Emergency Positioning Indicating Radio Beacon. These missions were requested either by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority through the Australian Search and Rescue Coordination Centre in Canberra, or the Western Australia Police.


Two percent of missions were listed as 'other'. These included a request for an assistance flight by WA Police, which did not fall into any of the above categories. The helicopter was also used to gather data with an infrared camera for research into the effectiveness of peat fire suppression at Lake Neerabup. Of all missions, approximately 34% (74) were in response to motor vehicle and motorcycle crashes. The average activation (response) time was 15.2 minutes against a timeliness target of 20 minutes. Flight time logged in the air for rescues (mission hours) constituted 254 hours as against an estimated 330 hours. Each mission averaged 1.17 hours as against 1.98 in 2004-2005. There were less hours as fewer missions were flown. As only a limited number of operational personnel are involved in the rescue helicopter, their number is not included in the operational total of those ready to respond. The cost of the service cannot be included as representative of the general cost of response. However, the service can be considered separately and be costed by its mission hours as an efficiency indicator as seen in the following table.

AVERAGE COST PER MISSION HOUR WESTERN AUSTRALIAN EMERGENCY RESCUE HELICOPTER SERVICE 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06

Number of mission hours(a) (b) 330 387 254

Total expenditure $’000 3,800 3,921 3,950

Average cost per mission hour $ (c) 11,515 10,132 15,551

(a) Mission hours are actual hours in the air (ie. flight time) for rescues and other activities.

(b) Variance in mission Hours for 2005-2006: Fewer extended distance rescues were flown this year.

(c) Cost of helicopter service is linked to Consumer Price Index (CPI) and will increase each year. Total expenditure includes time on the ground, even if no missions are activated. NOTABLE INCIDENTS NORTHAM – 18 August 2005 RAC 1 transferred a woman with serious injuries to Royal Perth Hospital after the car she was driving near Northam left the Great Eastern Highway and hit a tree at high speed. Firefighters took more than 90 minutes to extricate the woman from the car wreckage. RAC landed in a paddock next to the highway to attend to the woman. DUNSBOROUGH – 17 September 2005 A man was washed off Sugarloaf Rock near Dunsborough by a large wave and broke a leg in two places. Ambulance officers could not lift the man over treacherous rocks so RAC 1 was called in from Perth to winch the man off the rocks. He was then flown to Bunbury Regional Hospital. COLLIE – 21 OCTOBER 2005 RAC 1 flew two seriously injured women to Royal Perth Hospital after the car in which they were travelling collided with another vehicle on Wellington Dam Road near Collie. Firefighters had to cut the roof from the car to extricate them. BALDIVIS – 25 OCTOBER 2005 A critically injured child was flown by RAC 1 to Royal Perth Hospital after the bus in which she and 20 other year-eight students were travelling collided with a semi trailer on Mandurah Road, Baldivis.


HENDERSON – 20 NOVEMBER 2005 A 38-year-old man was rushed to hospital by RAC1 in a critical condition with suspected head, leg and spinal injuries after a trail bike accident in Henderson. AUGUSTA – 30 NOVEMBER 2005 The RAC 1 helicopter made a mercy dash to a coal freighter off the Augusta coast to rescue a man suffering from severe abdominal pains. PINGELLY – 28 DECEMBER 2005 A boy was airlifted to Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital’s Poisons Treatment Centre after being bitten a dugite. PINGELLY – 18 February 2006 A Pingelly woman was flown to Royal Perth Hospital after she received serious burns as a result of fuel igniting. TOODYAY – 22 January 2006 A man with arm and shoulder injuries and a woman with chest injuries were taken to Royal Perth Hospital after being involved in a serious motorcycle accident in Toodyay. WEDGE ISLAND – 5 March 2006 Four people were flown to hospital after two motorcycle accidents at Wedge Island. The patients who had spinal and multiple injuries, were airlifted by the rescue helicopter to Royal Perth and Sir Charles Gairdner Hospitals. CERVANTES – 23 June 2006 RAC 1 flew a man to Royal Perth Hospital who had lost an arm in a crayfishing accident.


Cliff and cave rescue VOLUNTEERS from State Emergency Service units and some Volunteer Emergency Service units are trained to undertake vertical rescues on cliffs and in caves. These volunteers provide a support role for the Western Australia Police Service, the hazard management agency for land search and rescue. Volunteer Emergency Service units may also participate in cliff and cave rescues.

RESPONSE SES volunteers undertook 15 cliff rescues during the reporting period. No cave rescues were required. In total, 481 volunteer hours were spent in response. NOTABLE INCIDENTS KARIJINI NATIONAL PARK – 6 March 2006 A 30-year-old Dutch woman was lifted out of Mena Gorge by a SES cliff rescue team after she slipped and injured her hip. The incident prompted renewed calls for regulation of adventure tour operators in WA. KARIJINI NATIONAL PARK – 25 June 2006 A 56-year-old Victorian woman was rescued by SES volunteers after she slipped and fell three metres into Dale's Gorge. At the time, it was suspected the woman had a broken leg or hip and she had to be transported out of the gorge by stretcher. RECOVERY PROGRESS ON KARIJINI REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS A major incident review was undertaken by FESA following the tragic death of a State Emergency Service volunteer during a cliff rescue operation in Karijini National Park in April 2004. As a result of the review, 65 recommendations were developed and in January 2006, the FESA Regional Director Pilbara was given carriage to ensure the report recommendations were finalised. In response to recommendation 43, an independent review was commissioned into vertical rescue equipment, techniques and training within FESA. The objective of the review is to enable the development of a single, whole-of-FESA standard and approach to vertical rescue. Specific terms of reference include a review of the following areas in relation to State Emergency Service and Fire and Rescue Service vertical rescue: • existing vertical rescue equipment • vertical rescue techniques, training, policy, procedures and standards • vertical rescue qualifications and the recognition of prior learning/current competency processes • other matters relevant to the organisation’s vertical rescue operations. As part of the contract the consultant is preparing a report for FESA’s Chief Executive Officer that: • details a standard of approved modern vertical rescue equipment that takes into consideration the

unique Western Australian environment and FESA’s vertical rescue responders • comments on best practice techniques, training (initial and maintenance), policy, procedures and

standards for FESA vertical rescue • outlines a structure to manage vertical rescue organisational requirements. It is anticipated that the report will be available early in the 2006-2007 financial year.


FESA has been working with other agencies including the Department of Environment and Conservation and WA Police Service to progress the implementation of other recommendations in the Karijini report. These include the installation of emergency rescue points and fixtures and the development of radio communications plans. FESA has upgraded Tom Price communication repeater facilities at Mt Nameless and in July/August 2006 will improve additional repeaters on CALM radio towers. These installations have already resulted in vastly improved communications between Tom Price and Karijini National Park. A specific priority was to conduct an exercise to test existing standing operating procedures for response to incidents in the park. This was fulfilled when the Karratha State Emergency Service held a detailed exercise from 28-30 April 2006. Subsequently, FESA regional staff, volunteers from the Tom Price and Newman SES, CALM staff and local police held a comprehensive exercise in June to test regional inter-agency arrangements. To ensure all services were working from the same information base, FESA distributed topographical maps to all Volunteer Emergency Service units within the region and to the local police. In order to improve response times to incidents in the park, FESA has allocated a new seven-seat vehicle to the Tom Price SES. This is in the current FESA vehicle build program and will be delivered to the unit as soon as possible. In consultation with volunteers from the Newman SES unit, and after a trial of waterproof cases, FESA has undertaken to purchase waterproof radios for both the Newman and Tom Price SES. The new equipment will be provided early in 2006-2007.


Land and air search The Western Australia Police Service is responsible for managing land and air search and rescue but FESA's State Emergency Service (SES) and Volunteer Emergency Service units provide skills and resources to assist. Assistance is in the form of fully trained and self-contained teams of volunteers who work under the leadership of volunteer field search controllers. Most of the searches are for missing people but they also have sought criminal evidence such as murder weapons. Air search can also be conducted in support of marine rescue. Among the resources made available to Police are a horseback mounted section and tracker dogs.

PREPAREDNESS REGIONAL EXERCISES Forty SES volunteers from the Karratha, Onslow, Port Hedland, Tom Price, Newman and Pilbara Regional Operations units took part in a major exercise at Eagle Rock Pools to test their skills in land search, communications, maps and navigation and cliff rescue. TRAINING Protect and Preserve Incident Scene A Unit of Competency from the Certificate III in Public Safety (SES Rescue), Protect and Preserve Incident Scene (PUALAW001A), was embedded into the new Land Search training resource kit and distributed to land search trainers. Staff and volunteers who had already achieved Search as a Member of a Land Search Team (PUASAR008A) were able to meet this extra competency through a 90-minute gap course. All future Land Search training resource kit courses will automatically incorporate this new competency. SES personnel across Western Australia will achieve the two competencies on completing the Land Search training program. Land Search Team Leader / Field Search Controller Development of training materials for Land Search Team Leader and Field Search Controller courses commenced following reviews with WA Police. The reviews looked at the role of SES in land search and the current training material. The new training will bring these higher level training courses into line with FESA’s training for Land Search, which was adopted nationally as the base level in 2004-2005. RESPONSE SES volunteers spent a total 865 hours undertaking 124 searches during 2005-2006.

NOTABLE INCIDENTS NORTH BANNISTER – 10-12 AND 22 AUGUST 2005 A 42-year-old father of five was the centre of a major search after he failed to return home from his office in Balcatta. He had left without his wallet or mobile phone. The man’s vehicle was located in North Bannister. SES units from Boddington, Murray, Mandurah, Collie, Waroona and regional staff were activated in the search. A month after he was reported missing, the man was discovered by chance living in a derelict house in Bunbury.


PINJARRA – 5 OCTOBER 2005 SES units from Murray, Mandurah, Waroona, Boddington, Harvey, Collie and Australind were involved in a race against time to find a 13-year-old diabetic boy who had run away from home with only enough insulin to last him three days. The search – which involved 200 people, including the WA Police Airwing, horseback searchers and community members – ended in tragedy when the boy’s body was found. KALBARRI – 5 OCTOBER 2005 SES volunteers were involved in a massive search for two men swept out of a dinghy at the mouth of the Murchison River. Police, marine rescue volunteers and aircraft were involved in the search for the men, last seen at Frustration Reef, only 100 metres off shore, before a large wave swamped their boat. The body of one man was found. Partial remains of the other man were found six weeks after the incident. Two other men in the boat survived after they were washed on to the reef. FITZGERALD RIVER NATIONAL PARK – 8 October 2005 SES volunteers joined sea search and rescue volunteers, police, CALM staff and community members in a five-day search for a fisherman swept off rocks at Caves Point, 14km west of Hopetoun. A RAAF helicopter with infrared equipment and an aircraft from Esperance Air Service were also involved in the search. The man was not found. GEIKIE GORGE NATIONAL PARK – 31 October - 2 November 2005 Volunteers from SES and Volunteer Emergency Service units joined police, CALM staff and the Bayulu Aboriginal Community in an extensive three-day search for a 63-year-old German tourist in Geikie Gorge National Park. The volunteers undertook the search in extreme heat and topography to find the woman, who was last seen walking with a large group of German tourists. Her body was found after she apparently fell from a ledge. MEEKATHARRA – 19-20 MARCH 2006 SES volunteers were part of an air and land search for two men and a woman who failed to arrive at a mine site 150km north of Meekatharra. The men, who had left their vehicle after it became bogged, were found in separate locations. The body of the mother of two was found on the second day of the search.


Marine search and rescue FESA supports 33 volunteer marine rescue groups that are formally approved under legislation. It has also established a service delivery arrangement with the Metropolitan Volunteer Sea Rescue Group which has three member groups operating in the Perth metropolitan region. The approved Volunteer Marine Rescue Services (VMRS) groups are involved in a wide variety of marine emergency management activities. These include:

• assisting WA Police to search for missing people or vessels

• providing help to drifting vessels

• assisting in operations to remove grounded or submerged vessels

• providing a ‘sail plan’ notification service for boat owners

• monitoring marine radio services

• providing training in small-craft proficiency courses, communications and safety

• providing information to boat owners on appropriate actions to take during an emergency at sea.

PREVENTION IMPROVED SAFETY FOR CRAYFISHERMEN VMRS has stepped up distribution of its fishing tags, a simple and effective initiative aimed at preventing injury to crayfishermen caused by snagged fishing hooks, lines and sinkers on craypot lines. There are 5,000 tags now available free of charge in tackle shops, fishing clubs and FESA offices. The tags – the brainchild of a Lancelin volunteer and developed by FESA – simply warn crayfishermen of any fishing line and tackle that has been snagged on craypot lines and cut free. Marine rescue volunteers have witnessed many accidents involving craypots. Crayfishermen have received head injuries and hooks through their hands from snagged lines when retrieving craypots. The tags are packaged in a handy plastic bag that bears an important message reminding fishermen to log on and log off with their local volunteer marine rescue group before and after a fishing trip. The life of the log on-log off message is extended as the bag can be reused for various functions on a boat. PREPAREDNESS NEW EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES FESA approved a number of capital grant applications from Volunteer Marine Rescue Service (VMRS) groups for the 2005-2006 financial year. The current reporting period was the second year of an ongoing VMRS hull and motor replacement program, designed to improve the overall safety and standards of the VMRS fleet. The program was the result of a commitment by the State Government to significantly increase the level of funding available annually for vessel replacement. Under the requirements of the program there is an expectation that volunteers raise up to 50% of the cost of the vessel and or motors required. The FESA VMRS Consultative Committee, in consultation with the FESA VMRS Coordination Unit, approved thirteen capital funding applications for 2005-2006, with an overall project total of $1,594,000.


The approved funding was for: • five new or replacement rescue vessels (for Walpole, Port Denison, Margaret River, Bremer Bay and

Dampier) • construction of a new operations centre in Busselton • various vessel equipment and motor upgrades • refurbishment of the Volunteer Sea Rescue Group headquarters in Rockingham. RESOURCING VOLUNTEERS A new vessel for Port Denison is currently under construction and will be delivered in 2006-2007. Similarly, the construction of the Busselton Operations Centre is in progress. During 2005-2006, vessels were delivered to the following groups: • Fremantle – August 2005 • Broome – September 2005 • Whitfords – October 2005 • Derby – October 2005 • Mandurah – December 2005 • Margaret River – January 2006 • Bremer Bay – March 2006 • Dampier – May 2006 • Walpole – June 2006. BLACK SPOT COMMUNICATIONS FESA has been allocated funds by the State Government to address black-spot marine VHF communication areas along the coastline of Western Australia. This project aims to provide necessary marine radio communications during operations in areas where the signal constantly drops out. In 2005-2006, four repeaters were installed: two in Wyndham and one each in Walpole and Bremer Bay. This brings the total number to 11 since this program began in 2003-2004. Other sites are being assessed for potential future installations. NEW SAFETY PROMOTION TOOL A new interactive display panel has been created to encourage recreational boaters to log on and log off with their local volunteer marine rescue group when they embark and return from a journey to sea. Volunteer marine rescue groups offer this safety marine radio service to all mariners throughout Western Australia, so that an early alarm can be raised if a vessel does not return as planned. The display, the first of its kind in the state, includes a mock boat dashboard with a working VHF marine radio. This radio enables event visitors to practice logging on and off with a volunteer manning the stand. The display also has a number of safety messages playing on a television monitor. The display was unveiled at the Perth International Boat Show and considerable interest was received from the boating public. VMRS groups can book the display for use at local community events. INAUGURAL CONFERENCE The first Volunteer Marine Rescue WA association conference, supported by FESA, was held in August 2005, bringing together representatives from volunteer groups round the state. It presented opportunities for interaction between the groups and for delegates to hear from industry representatives on new developments within the marine industry, research into emergency incidents at sea and new strategies for recruitment of volunteer members. A second conference is planned for August 2006.


TRAINING More than 127 marine rescue volunteers enrolled with TAFE Colleges throughout Western Australia in 2005-2006 to participate in high level maritime training courses such as the Certificate III in Volunteer Marine Rescue Studies, Master 5 and Coxswain courses, and including marine search and rescue coordination, and senior first aid. The Yachting Association of Western Australian also delivered training to 125 marine rescue volunteers for a variety of introductory courses, including Powerboat Instruction, Certificate IV Work Place Assessors, and Recreational Skippers Ticket Assessors. Assessment of volunteer skills levels is ongoing and has ensured recognition of prior learning. RESPONSE Marine rescue volunteers committed 1,496 hours to 953 rescue incidents during 2005-2006. NOTABLE INCIDENTS KALBARRI – 3 SEPTEMBER 2005 A closed sandbar at the mouth of the Murchison River forced Kalbarri volunteer marine rescue crews to use jet skis and an inflatable dinghy in large swell to rescue a 15-year-old surfer swept out to sea. If a large search boat is required when the sandbar is closed, it has to be deployed from Port Gregory, 50km away. KALBARRI – 5-15 OCTOBER 2005 Marine rescue volunteers in Kalbarri initiated a massive search for two men swept out of a dinghy at the mouth of the Murchison River. A 75-strong search team – including SES volunteers, police and community members – were involved in the search for the men, last seen only 100 metres off shore before a large wave swamped their boat. Ten aircraft, five commercial fishing craft and 14 amateur craft were also involved in the search. The body of one man was found. Partial remains of the other man were found six weeks after the incident. Two other men in the boat survived after they were washed onto the reef. FITZGERALD RIVER NATIONAL PARK – 8 October 2005 Sea search and rescue volunteers from Hopetoun and Esperance joined SES volunteers, police, CALM staff and community members in a five-day search for a fisherman swept off rocks at Caves Point, 14km west of Hopetoun. A RAAF helicopter with infrared equipment and an aircraft from Esperance Air Service also joined the search. The man’s body was not found. BALLA BALLA – 25 DECEMBER 2005 Two Port Walcott Volunteer Sea Search and Rescue volunteers sacrificed their Christmas Day celebrations to answer a call for assistance from two men on a seven-metre vessel in Balla Balla – a place known for its numerous mangrove-lined rivers. The vessel’s engines had seized after sucking in sand at low tide and the boat had begun drifting. The group's rescue boat, Pilbara Seeker, was too large to enter the mangrove area so a local member offered his smaller boat, which was towed to Balla Balla – a round trip of 250km. The stranded men were safely returned to land but their vessel remained in the mangroves. PORT WALCOTT – 8 January 2006 As Tropical Cyclone Clare bore down on the Pilbara coast, Port Walcott Volunteer Sear Search and Rescue volunteers answered a distress call from a broken down vessel 65km off shore. The search and rescue attempt commenced in fading light at 5pm and efforts to keep on bearing were hampered by strong squalls. Strong winds also impeded communication on the return leg to shore with the rescued vessel in tow. Increasingly rough conditions prevented the mission from making a direct line toward their destination at Point Samson. The rescue team eventually arrived at the marina about 2am. The next day the eye of TC Clare was in the vicinity of the rescue area.


GEOGRAPHE BAY – 30 January 2006 Members of the Naturaliste Volunteer Sea Rescue group were involved in a large-scale sea, air and land search for a recreational fisherman who fell overboard from his aluminium boat. The search – which involved 10 vessels, a police helicopter and several four-wheel drive vehicles – ended when the man walked ashore after swimming more than 5km in rough seas. MANDURAH – 4 February 2006 Two men were winched to safety by the emergency helicopter RAC1 after their small boat capsized more than 30km off the coast south of Dawesville. The two spent more than three hours clinging to the bow of the boat before they were taken by RAC1 to Peel Hospital. RAC1 was mobilised after one of the men was able to retrieve and activate an emergency beacon that had been trapped under the boat. COWARAMUP BAY– 4 May 2006 Margaret River Sea Search and Rescue braved dark and rainy conditions to escort a sailing boat with a damaged rudder into Cowaramup Bay.


Road crash rescue WHILE the Western Australia Police Service is the hazard management agency for road transport emergencies, the extrication of casualties of vehicle crashes is undertaken by emergency services supported by FESA. Career and volunteer firefighters from the Fire and Rescue Service predominantly provide this service throughout the state. However, volunteers from State Emergency Service (SES) units and Volunteer Emergency Service units also undertake this often lifesaving task in areas where Fire and Rescue Services are unavailable. PREVENTION DRIVE SAFE While FESA does not have direct responsibility for road crash prevention programs, it regularly supports road safety programs undertaken by the WA Police Service, Road Wise and other agencies. In Karratha in the lead up to Easter 2006, the Karratha State Emergency Service and Fire and Rescue Service volunteers joined the local Police, Road Wise, St John Ambulance and industry groups in promotion of a drive-safe program. ROAD SAFETY FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES FESA, St John Ambulance and the WA Police have joined forces to create an important brochure to promote safety on the roads: Every Second Counts - Give Way to Emergency Vehicles. It was launched as part of a new awareness campaign in October 2005 to educate motorists to give way to emergency vehicles to help increase the chance of saving lives. In Western Australia, every four minutes an emergency vehicle uses lights and sirens to mobilise as quickly as possible to the scene of an emergency. The brochure makes it clear that it is an offence to impede an emergency vehicle. It also clarifies the action drivers should take when giving way to emergency vehicles, emphasising that drivers must stay within the boundaries of the law or face a traffic infringement fine. PREPAREDNESS EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE A coordinated preventative maintenance program commenced during 2005-2006 for all motorised hydraulic rescue equipment located at State Emergency Service units throughout the state. It is the first time a coordinated program has been in place. In the first 12 months, all equipment will be serviced and thereafter the program will adhere to manufacturers' specifications. Loan equipment is made available to units while their gear is at the FESA O'Connor Workshops. ROAD CRASH RESCUE COMPETITIONS Two teams representing emergency services in Western Australia were fielded in the 2005 Australasian Road Crash Competition in Hamilton Hill, New Zealand, in October 2005. Teams were required to work on new vehicles to ensure rescue equipment and techniques kept pace with technological advances in motor vehicle manufacture. The competition is arranged to demonstrate excellence in road crash rescue. The Fire and Rescue Services team won the limited category (which limits the use of power tools) and gained second place overall in the competition. They then went onto the World Road Rescue Skills Challenge and scored ninth from 21 teams. A team of State Emergency Service volunteers from units across the state recorded 18th place in the Australasian contest and 15th in the world contest.


WESTERN RESCUE 2007 FESA has been selected to host the 2007 Annual Road Rescue Challenge and Conference on behalf of the Australasian Road Rescue Organisation Inc. It is to be called Western Rescue 2007 and will have the theme: Road Safety – Are we prepared for the future? The event will bring together rescue practitioners and industry and road safety stakeholders from throughout Australia and New Zealand, and other international guests. It is to be held at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre from 28 June to 1 July 2007 and will include a trade display and learning symposium for up to 300 delegates. FESA hosted a similar, highly successful event in 2001. It is anticipated that up to 24 teams, each of six members, will participate in the competition. RESPONSE In 2005-2006, emergency services in Western Australia attended 500 road crashes and extricated, or released 347 victims. NOTABLE INCIDENTS HILLARYS – 1 SEPTEMBER 2005 An 18-year-old man with serious head injuries was extricated by career firefighters from a car that had been driven into a power pole on Marmion Avenue. The car’s driver and two other passengers received minor to moderate injuries. ESPERANCE – 29 SEPTEMBER 2005 The Esperance volunteer Fire and Rescue Service used the jaws of life to free the body of a man from a car which ran off the South Coast Highway. COLLIE – 25 OCTOBER 2005 Firefighters cut the roof from a sedan to free two trapped women involved in an accident on Wellington Dam Road near Collie. Two women were flown to Royal Perth Hospital. STIRLING – 1 JANUARY 2006 A woman was extricated from her vehicle after the car she was driving hit a utility on Karrinyup Road. She was transported to hospital. The occupants of the other vehicle received only minor injuries. GUILDFORD – 13 FEBRUARY 2006 Firefighters cut free the body of a teenager killed when he drove into the path of a train. The 18-year-old male died instantly when he drove down the wrong way of a one-way street and across the railway tracks. HILLMAN – 16 JUNE 2006 The jaws of life were used by firefighters to extricate a 35-year-old man in a car that had flipped on to its roof. The car had failed to take a corner, become airborne and landed on its roof, trapping the man inside. The man was taken to hospital where he died later from his injuries.


Urban search and rescue (INCORPORATING CONFINED SPACE AND HEAVY RESCUE) AS a combat authority, FESA has developed a capability to deal with the rescue of casualties trapped by buildings, landfall or slippage which collapse as a result of industrial accidents, explosions, natural disasters and terrorist activity. Additional funding in the past three years has allowed significant advances to be made in the state's preparedness, response and recovery capabilities in relation to urban search and rescue. Career personnel along with volunteers from State Emergency Service (SES) units, volunteer fire brigades and multi-skilled Volunteer Emergency Service (VES) units provide this service throughout the state.

PREPAREDNESS INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION A Memorandum of Understanding signed between FESA and Singapore Civil Defence Force in March 2005 resulted in an officer exchange program and specialist urban search and rescue (USAR) operator training during 2005-2006. The arrangement has resulted in a number of cost-effective training opportunities for both agencies in the past year, including: • exchange of two FESA station officers to Singapore during August 2005 • 10 FESA staff trained in Singapore as specialist Category 2 USAR operators in March 2006 • two specialist Task Force officers participated in Singapore's Disaster Assistance Relief training. The relationship between FESA and the Singapore Civil Defence Force will be consolidated further through: • continued mutual training and professional development exchange opportunities • participation in internationally accredited specialist courses including USAR, hazardous materials and

ship and tank farm firefighting • exchange of information and ideas in regard to operational procedures, research and development,

equipment and training simulations. IMPROVED CAPABILITY During 2005-2006 FESA implemented an enhanced confined space rescue capability across the state. The program included upgraded equipment, improved skills among personnel and revised procedures. More than $200,000 was spent to enhance the safety and skills of rescuers, with $25,000 allocated to establishing eight confined space rescue specialist stations. Six of these are in country regions – Albany, Bunbury, Kalgoorlie, Geraldton, Karratha and Kununurra – and two in Perth, at Success and Joondalup. New equipment included atmospheric monitors, telescopic tripods, harnesses and haulage systems, ventilators, generators and escape breathing apparatus packs. Two training categories have been established: • category 1 – hazard identification and initial response • category 2 – technician trained to enter confined spaces and conduct rescues where safe to do so. Endorsement of assessors and specialist training were conducted in both regional and metropolitan centres. Phase-one training, which covers atmospheric monitoring, the use of breathing apparatus and


associated ventilation equipment, was delivered to crews at the confined space rescue specialist stations, crews at fire stations where special equipment tenders are located and to urban search and rescue teams in the Perth metropolitan area. Phase two training – covering the techniques for vertical and horizontal retrieval – was due to be completed by mid 2006. MAJOR EMERGENCY REPONSE TEAMS In order to better support communities and emergency responders in the event of a major emergency, FESA has established four major emergency teams that can be deployed quickly anywhere in the state. While the existing initial response to emergencies remains unchanged, a major emergency team will be mobilised to complement current arrangements, to assist as required, or to manage complex events. The membership of each team is based on Australasian Inter-agency Incident Management System (AIIMS) roles. The teams will train and respond together in the event of significant emergencies. The personnel for each team have been sourced from across the organisation, predominantly from the existing on-call rosters already in place. The formation and mobilisation of pre-determined teams will ensure: • a response with the appropriate number of people • team members have the necessary competencies • timely response to relieve the first incident management team for longer duration events • specialist competencies for complex emergencies outside the normal operations of the organisation. Processes and procedures were tested during Exercise Western Explorer in June 2006 (see details below). UPGRADED FACILITIES The urban search and rescue Category 2 training site at the FESA Training Centre at Forrestfield was extensively upgraded during the year. USAR DOGS FESA has begun training dogs to find survivors in collapsed buildings. The addition of the dogs to FESA’s urban search and rescue team will speed up the rescue process. The decision for the addition came after an explosion in a Yokine apartment block in April 2005 left a 71-year-old with critical injuries. The dogs will complement the team’s technical equipment, such as listening devices, search cameras and heat-seeking instruments. They will be used to locate trapped, unconscious people who would not normally be able to be found by listening devices. A three-day Canine Structural Collapse Search Workshop at the Forrestfield Training Centre encouraged the participation of more handlers and dogs from the State Emergency Service in this specialist field. Key aims of the workshop were to introduce trainers and dogs to new techniques and ensure they met nationally and internationally recognised competency standards. EXERCISE WESTERN EXPLORER – JUNE 2006 Exercise Western Explorer, an investigation and consequence management exercise conducted under a Council of Australian Governments agreement, took place in Perth from 1-22 June 2006. The purpose of the exercise was to test and practise the national counter-terrorism arrangements outlined in the National Counter-Terrorism Plan and handbook. The program included six discussion exercises and a three-day field exercise staged at a new purpose built building collapse facility at the FESA Training Centre in Forrestfield. The exercise involved Fire and Rescue Service and State Emergency Service USAR Category 1 trained operators, SES volunteer units, the FESA USAR Task Force and FESA's Major Emergency Teams. They were required to operate alongside WA Police and other key stakeholders from Western Australia. In


addition, New South Wales Fire Brigade and Australian Defence Force USAR teams also joined the exercise. EXERCISE PACKER – JULY 2005

Firefighters from Canning Vale, Maddington, Osborne Park, Welshpool and Belmont practised locating and rescuing trapped victims in an extended simulated breathing apparatus operation 50 metres inside the west end of the new Kenwick Tunnel rail tunnel, Western Australia's longest at 835 metres. Key learning was related to communications and logistics, especially in respect to the long distance over which rescuers had to carry casualties. With the simulated casualties weighing between 70kg and 90kg, the task of rapid extrication to a safe area was a demanding one. All objectives were achieved in the allocated time. The exercise provided a valuable opportunity to enhance FESA’s operational pre-plan for the new tunnel and familiarise firefighters with the structure. Observers from FESA, the Public Transport Authority, WA Police and St John Ambulance were also on-site to learn from the experience. COCKBURN CEMENT RESCUE DRILL – AUGUST 2005 An explosion on the sixth level of a furnace tower involving two injured workers formed the basis of a Fire and Rescue Service drill at Cockburn Cement, Munster. Firefighters from Success and Perth worked with the company’s emergency response team to evaluate specific rescue and recovery procedures. The exercise also allowed the Fire and Rescue Service crews to review their own abilities and limitations when operating at heights and with different skills sets. EXERCISE LEIGHTON – MAY 2006 The Leighton Battery historic tunnel system at Buckland Hill was the backdrop for a multi-agency exercise that tested the effectiveness of emergency services in a train tunnel crash scenario. The exercise prepared emergency services for any future incidents that may occur in the underground tunnel of Perth’s new rail system. The exercise involved more than 60 personnel largely drawn from FESA’s Curtin region, as well as Fire and Rescue Service crews from Fremantle, Success, Murdoch and Belmont. A St John Ambulance crew, Police officers, representatives from the WA Chemical Centre and the Department of Environment also participated. The old World War II tunnels put career firefighters to the test as they operated in a cramped, dark environment where access to the injured was difficult. Conditions were particularly demanding for firefighters carrying twin-cylinder breathing apparatus. RESPONSE NOTABLE INCIDENTS There were no major incidents during 2005-2006.


STORM WHILE they usually occur from May through to September, severe storms can hit throughout the year in the southern half of Western Australia. Each year, storms generally cause more damage in the state's communities than cyclones, floods, bushfires and earthquakes. FESA has overall responsibility for emergency management of storms in the areas of prevention (mitigation), preparedness, response and recovery. State Emergency Service (SES) units, and in some areas Volunteer Emergency Service units, are responsible for responding to call outs in relation to storm damage. After some severe storms, they may also call for assistance from other FESA services and local governments.

PREPAREDNESS STORMSAFE 2006 The StormSafe 2006 campaign was launched in May 2006 with a media event held at a Bicton home severely impacted by the previous year’s tornado. A regional media event to launch the campaign locally was held in Bunbury, also the scene of a tornado in 2005. Tips for residents to reduce the impact of storm damage were distributed to a wider catchment in the 2006 campaign. Local government and State Government agencies were invited to participate in encouraging better preparedness. In particular, local councils were encouraged to include educational articles in newsletters, information on rates notices and provide website links to FESA StormSafe messages. They were also invited to establish displays featuring the SES StormSafe poster and brochure. It was also suggested that regular council activities such as green waste collections be aligned with storm preparation. For the first time storm safety information was translated into nine different languages to meet the needs of multicultural communities. FESA's regional and Perth metropolitan staff and SES volunteers continued to promote storm safety in their communities according to the local risks. PLANS AND PROCEDURES Following the devastating early winter storms in 2005, the Metropolitan Storm Emergency Management Plan was reviewed and revised in consultation with experienced State Emergency Service volunteers. The revised plan reflects recommendations from the post-incident analysis of the May 2005 storm and adopts the latest principles in emergency incident management. It allows for the consolidation and maximisation of resources for a major event, or scaled down operations as necessary. Incident management centres were established in the six emergency management districts within the Perth Metropolitan area, all of which report to the SES Metropolitan Regional Coordination Centre at Belmont. All of these centres are staffed by qualified incident management personnel during complex emergencies. IMPROVED LOGISTICS A 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week service to make emergency flood control equipment available to volunteers at major incidents has been established under a commercial contract let by FESA to Mercury Firesafety Ptd Ltd. The service was initially established to ensure emergency supplies of firefighting foam were available for firefighters. However, it has been extended to include bulk supplies of consumable supplies such as black plastic, sand and ropes are available at any time. Under the contract, Mercury Firesafety holds the bulk supplies at its warehouse. The incident controller is able to request urgent deliveries through the FESA Communications Centre or State Coordination Centre. The contract covers the dispatch directly to the incident scene.


In addition, minimum stocks of consumable supplies to sustain an SES unit's response needs for 24 to 36 hours have been established at a local level through each unit's Emergency Services Levy operating grants. In the South-West, stocks of consumables are now also strategically stored throughout the region. STORM SAFETY FOR SCHOOLS Teacher registrations and requests for information on this year’s SES One Stormy Day program were encouraging, with more than 30 schools across metropolitan and regional areas opting to participate. The program teaches students how to be safe during a storm and how their parents can prepare their household for storms. SES volunteers visited schools in support of the program. Key marketing strategies for the annual initiative were taken up on a number of fronts: • This year’s event was promoted to all schools in areas of the State likely to be affected by winter

storms. • The activity was promoted through briefing letters to school librarians and an advertisement in School

Matters (a Department of Education and Training publication for teachers). • Information was made available with the Kidsafe’s Safety in Schools Week package, which was

posted to all WA primary schools. • FESA helped to consolidate storm preparedness messages in schools by providing teachers with

resources such as bookmarks, balloons and stickers, all of which were popular with young students.

RESPONSE SES volunteers spent a total of 6,352 hours responding to storm-related activities during 2005-2006. The Bureau of Meteorology reported 26 storms for the financial year, including summer thunderstorms and winter fronts. Hundreds of SES volunteers supported by FESA personnel were kept busy in an eventful winter in 2005 with the highest incidence of tornadoes (22) on record. Volunteers attended at least four times the number of storm damage call-outs compared to the same period in 2004. FESA figures show there were more than 1,800 calls for assistance with storm damage last winter (which straddled the 2004-2005 and 2005-2006 reporting periods). The Bureau of Meteorology issued 156 severe weather warnings for 20 events, some spanning several days, between April and mid-September 2005. NOTABLE INCIDENTS SOUTH WEST From July 2005, more than 280 SES volunteers from the South-West attended a significant number of call-outs to several major incidents. In a storm in early September, a large karri tree crashed on to two holiday units in Pemberton. On 17 September, calls for assistance were received in the South-West to damage caused by a severe front that also hit Perth. A number of homes in areas including Waroona, Eaton and Australind lost their roofs during various storms. In one incident, two cars were crushed by a falling tree and the Cowaramup Primary School was severely damaged. MID-WEST The Mid-West region had a quiet start to the season until 17 August 2005, when Geraldton and Leeman were struck by a storm and tornadoes that damaged trees, fences, sheds and roofs. SES volunteers from Geraldton, Morawa and Eneabba responded to 50 calls for assistance, including many complex jobs which took up to two days to complete. On 27 February 2006, SES volunteers were called to eight homes with roof damage caused by a storm that also uprooted trees, cut power and blew a roof off a shed into a main power line.


PERTH A tornado that hit Perth in the early hours of 17 September 2005 saw 128 SES volunteers from all metropolitan units working through the day to attend to more than 150 call outs, most of which were complex jobs involving structural damage. Winds over 150km per hour were recorded during the storm. The worst affected areas were City Beach, Kingsley, Padbury and Subiaco. Some homes had severe structural damage, including roofs completely ripped off. Five days earlier on 12 September, SES volunteers had responded to 40 calls for assistance throughout Perth following a severe storm. The storm caused more than $100,000 damage to commercial businesses in Canning Vale. GOLDFIELDS On 14 November 2005, a severe storm accompanied by torrential rain hit the Warburton community. The area recorded 50mm of rainfall in 24 hours. Four homes, the medical centre and the school were badly damaged and aircraft on the airstrip were also affected. Kalgoorlie-Boulder SES volunteers and FESA staff travelled 920km to Warburton to assist the Ngaanyatjarraku Shire and the community in assessing the damage and clean-up operations. On 1 March 2006, the SES responded to calls for assistance to a severe storm which caused roof and fence damage and uprooted trees. The storm emanated from the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Emma, as it moved to the south-south-east, after crossing the coast near Mardie in the Pilbara. The strong winds also downed power lines and ripped through vegetation in parts of the Goldfields including Kalgoorlie-Boulder. A couple narrowly escaped injury when a tree fell on their car while they were driving in Kalgoorlie.


TSUNAMI TSUNAMIS are surges of water in the ocean that can be generated by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides or meteorite impacts. Most tsunamis that reach the Australian coastline are too small to have any noticeable effect, or even be seen by people. On average, a local tsunami occurs once every two years in Western Australia. The biggest tsunami reported in Western Australia occurred in August 1977, at Cape Leveque and reportedly reached ground six metres above sea level. On 26 December 2004, a seafloor earthquake near Indonesia measuring 9 on the Richter Scale generated one of the most devastating tsunamis within living memory. It killed more than 270,000 people and made millions homeless along the coastline of 11 Indian Ocean countries from Africa to Thailand. The physical impact on Western Australia was minimal. Only minor environmental and property damage was reported. However, the event drew the community's attention to the potential threat of tsunami on the state. The severity of any impact will depend on the nature, intensity and location of the earthquake that causes the tsunami and the physical characteristics of the coastal zone in its path. It is not just beaches that can be affected by tsunamis. Bay mouths or tidal flats and the shores of large coastal rivers are especially vulnerable to tsunamis. As the hazard management agency for tsunamis in Western Australia, FESA is responsible for community preparation, response and recovery in relation to this hazard.

PREPAREDNESS TSUNAMI MODELLING FESA has commissioned research which will address a broad range of issues involving tsunami risk in Western Australia. It will provide impact estimates and tools to support emergency management planning and response processes for urban communities along the WA coast. The WA coast is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of tsunami inundation. This is especially so given its proximity to the Java Trench, the close relationship of the urban environment to the coast and the generally low relief of the coastal hinterland. Western Australia has little understanding of the relative risk to its urban communities from the threat of tsunami and only broad plans for how it might respond to such events. The Modelling Tsunami Behaviour project is a joint research project involving Geoscience Australia and FESA established in September 2005. It aims to provide a sound basis for tsunami planning and response operations. The research project will take two years and should be complete in July 2007. As part of the progress to date, Geoscience Australia has published a Preliminary Tsunami Hazard Assessment for Western Australia. FESA has established a WA Tsunami Reference Group to provide a forum for coordinated actions in relation to tsunamis in Western Australia as well as supplying user feedback to Geoscience Australia to refine the tsunami model design for Western Australia. To date, two north west communities have been assessed and a computerised assessment and mapping program has been developed. A hazard map and report for application to the WA coastline will be provided in July 2006. The research is developing measures and tools to support emergency management training and response activities for urban environments along the WA coast. Typical tools will include visualisations of the


exposure within communities and the impact of inundation – for example, water depth, the number of dwellings affected, the impact on critical infrastructure and casualty estimates. The research is providing estimates that accurately reflect the comparative risk of tsunami from one community to another and from one region to another along the WA coast. When completed in 2007, this will support emergency management decision-making as well as longer term planning and mitigation options. RESPONSE No major tsunamis impacted on the Western Australian coast in 2005-2006.

Documents

Community-centred emergency management€¦ · Advisory and support activities include secretariat services for the State Emergency Management Committee and the State Mitigation Committee