This is a paper prepared for the 2018 Queensland Bushfires Review by Neil Burrows for FireNinti Consulting and the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC.
The Lessons identified from the paper below are not the whole paper. They are chosen to be helpful for local authorities and emergency management agencies; to help communicate what has been learned from the previous experience of others.
Who is in charge?
In previous fires emergency management has faltered because of confusion about roles, responsibilities and accountabilities, and deficient leadership.
There is a need for clarity around roles and responsibilities of the State Controller, and in multi-agency events, of the various agencies – clarifying who is in charge, and of what.
An old issue but one worth establishing through discussions before the fire season.
2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission
Pinery fire, SA, 2015
Canadian fires, 2011, 2016
Portugal fires, 2017
Think about prevention of electrically-caused fires.
Bushfires caused by the electricity distribution network are not uncommon, especially on hot, windy days. The VBRC report has a number of technical recommendations to reduce the risk of this ignition source. What is the local energy provider doing?
2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission
2013 Tasmanian Bushfires Inquiry
Low fuel conditions ‘buys’ time.
With low fuel loads, fires burn slower, with lower intensity, less spotting and ember attack, increasing the likelihood of early suppression success. Implementing a rolling fuel hazard reduction burning program of 5% of public bushlands per annum is a challenge – resource intensive and unpopular with the community. And indications are that 5% is not enough. Victoria’s ‘risk-based’ approach appears logical. But 8% is thought to be more effective. What is happening is your local area?
2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission
Wambelong fire, NSW, 2013
Rapid and aggressive initial attack using ground crews and air attack can be effective.
Reviews of fires both here and internationally identified the potential of rapid early attacks for stopping later damage. The K’gari report form IGEM in 2019 emphasised the importance of surge capacity and requests for fire assistance. Something to check with your local fire authorities.
2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission
2013 Tasmanian Bushfires Inquiry
Greece fires, 2017, 2018
Local knowledge is important.
Having local knowledge and relationships with community and local government is critical in times of emergency. Ensure someone with local knowledge is part of the fire-fighting IMT.
2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission
2013 Tasmanian Bushfires Inquiry
Canadian fires, 2011, 2016
Emergency traffic management is a recurring issue.
From evacuation routes to enabling appliances get to the fire, put it on the agenda.
Make sure that all those involved in firefighting including volunteers are issued with I.D. cards to get them through road blocks.
2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission
2013 Tasmanian Bushfires Inquiry
Waroona fire, WA, 2016
Sampson Flat fire, SA, 2015
Dealing with fuel build-up in road verges is important.
Heavy fuels in road reserves (verges), along irrigation drains, tree lines and other linear features act as ‘fuses’ or ‘fire wicks’ frustrating suppression operations and taking fire into communities. It needs attention before the fire starts.
Waroona fire, WA, 2016
Canadian fires, 2011, 2016
Portugal fires, 2017
Don’t waste the night hours.
Lessons from these fires include the need for fire authorities to enable Remote Aerial Response Teams to operate at night, and to develop better operating procedures for nighttime operations. From logistics, planning, archiving records, and getting ready for the next day, think what support the fire authorities could use, and what emergency management agencies could do.
2013 Tasmanian Bushfires Inquiry
Wambelong fire, NSW, 2013
Don’t assume evacuation will be ok; in a fire it needs multi-agency cooperation.
In Western Australia in 2016 residents were advised to evacuate but didn’t know where to evacuate to!
Given that in Portugal in 2017 almost all the 67 deaths were people trying to escape the fires by car, the need for early and clear instructions about evacuations stands out.
2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission
2013 Tasmanian Bushfires Inquiry
Waroona fire, WA, 2016
California fires, Oct-Dec 2017
Canadian fires, 2011, 2016
Automatic vehicle location capability is “…a very, very good tool”.
The safety of all involved in fighting a big fire is paramount. It is enabled by good incident management.
For safety and efficiency, it is essential to have a system that will enable better registration, tasking, tracking, management and coordination of people and appliances.
2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission
Pinery fire, SA, 2015
Sampson Flat fire, SA, 2015