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CONTACT DETAILS
In line with Western Australian Government requirements, this annual report is published in electronic format. In order to minimise download times and reduce printing, we have formatted the report in chapters. We encourage people to use recycled paper and to print double-sided if they print a copy of the report or sections of it.
Hard copies of this report have been digitally printed on chlorine free paper made from plantation grown timber. The paper manufacturer is certified to ISO 14001, the international standard for environmental management.
Limited hard copies are available from the Manager Corporate Planning and Reporting:
POSTAL ADDRESS Street Address ELECTRONIC GPO Box P1174 FESA House Telephone: [08] 9323 9300 Perth WA 6844 480 Hay Street Facsimile: [08] 9323 9470 Perth WA 6000 Email: [email protected] Website: www.fesa.wa.gov.au
ISSN 1442-8288
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2 FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
CONTENTS
CONTACT DETAILS 2 Our Roles and Responsibilities 14
Organisational Chart As At 30 June 2010 15 CONTENTS 3 The FESA Board 16
SENIOR OFFICERS 16 GLOSSARY 6 Administered Legislation 17
STATEMENT OF LEGISLATIVE COMPLIANCE 7 Other Key Legislation Impacting on FESA Activities 17
Performance Management Framework 18 1 OVERVIEW 8 Outcome Based Management Framework CHAIRMAN’S REPORT 8 – Link to Government Goals 18
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S REPORT 9 Changes to Outcome Based Management Framework 18
Shared Responsibilities with Other Agencies 19 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 10
Financial Overview 10 2 AGENCY PERFORMANCE 20 Performance Highlights 10 Performance against Targets 20 Quick Statistics 11 Resource Agreement 20 EMERGENCY RESPONSE 12 Financial Targets Summary 20 PREVENTION AND MITIGATION 13 kEY Performance Indicators Summary 21 OPERATIONAL STRUCTURE 14 Our Agency Objectives 22 Enabling Legislation 14
Responsible Minister 14 kEY Achievements 22
Our VISION, MISSION AND VALUES 14 SERVICE 1: PREVENTION AND MITIGATION SERVICES 22
CONTENTS 3 FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
WINTER BURNING PROGRAM – AUSTRALIAN SAFER COMMUNITIES AWARD 23 OTHER SIGNIFICANT INCIDENTS 42
STRATEGIC RESEARCH STRATEGY 23 INTERAGENCY TRAINING 46
NATIONAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PROJECTS 23 ENHANCED TECHNOLOGY TO SUPPORT OPERATIONS 46
FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES EDUCATION AND HERITAGE CENTRE IMPROVED OPERATIONAL RESOURCING 48 REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT 24 FIREFIGHTER RECRUITMENT PROCESS REFORM 50 MANAGING BUSHFIRE THREAT 26 CELEBRATED 50 YEARS OF SES OPERATIONS IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA 51 INTERAGENCY BUSHFIRE COMMITTEE 28
IMPROVED SUPPORT TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT 29 3 SIGNIFICANT ISSUES IMPACTING ON FESA 52 INDIGENOUS EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT STRATEGY 30 CURRENT AND EMERGING ISSUES AND TRENDS 52 REVIEW OF THE SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM 30 ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL TRENDS 52 INAUGURAL VOLUNTEER EMPLOYER RECOGNITION AWARDS 31 CHANGES TO WRITTEN LAW 52
SERVICE 2: EMERGENCY SERVICES 32 LIKELY DEVELOPMENTS AND FORECAST RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 53 CRITICAL AMENDMENTS TO BUSHFIRE LEGISLATION 32
STATE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLANS – WESTPLANS 33 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE 54
IMPROVED PUBLIC COMMUNICATION TO SUPPORT Financial Statements 54 EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT 34
IMPROVED PROCUREMENT PROCESS FOR RESCUE EQUIPMENT 36 kEY Performance Indicators 96
IMPROVED STRATEGIC RESOURCE PLANNING PROCEDURES 36 Detail on Key Performance Indicators 97
Major Incident Response 38 INDEPENDENT AUDIT OPINION 114 TOODYAY BUSHFIRE – DECEMBER 2009 38 Ministerial Directives and Communication 115 WEST COAST STORM – MARCH 2010 40
DEPLOYMENT OF FESA SES PERSONNEL TO VICTORIAN STORMS 42
4 FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Other Financial Disclosures 115 INDEMNITY INSURANCE 125
Pricing Policies OF Services Provided 115
Capital Works 116 5 OTHER LEGAL REQUIREMENTS 126
NATURAL DISASTER RESILIENCE PROGRAM 117 ADVERTISING 126
WESTERN AUSTRALIA NATURAL DISASTER RELIEF DISABILITY ACCESS AND INCLUSION PLAN OUTCOMES 126 AND RECOVERY ARRANGEMENTS 117
COMPLIANCE WITH PUBLIC SECTOR STANDARDS AND ETHICAL CODES 127 Employment and Industrial Relations 118
Staff Profile 118 RECORD KEEPING PLANS 128
STAFF DEVELOPMENT 118 FREEDOM OF INFORMATION 128 EQUITY AND DIVERSITY 119
RECRUITMENT 120 6 GOVERNMENT POLICY REQUIREMENTS 130 WORKPLACE MANAGEMENT 120 OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY, HEALTH AND INJURY MANAGEMENT 130
Governance Disclosures 120 FESA RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN 131 CONTRACTS WITH SENIOR OFFICERS 120
FESA BOARD MEMBERS AS AT 30 JUNE 2010 121
FINANCE AND AUDIT COMMITTEE 123
CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEES 124
BUSH FIRE SERVICE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE 124
FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICES CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE 124
STATE EMERGENCY SERVICE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE 124
VOLUNTEER MARINE RESCUE SERVICES CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE 125
CONTENTS 5 FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
GLOSSARY
AFAC Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council HEAT Hazmat Emergency Advisory Team
APSEA Asia Pacific Spatial Excellence Awards JAFFA Juvenile and Family Fire Awareness
AQTF Australian Quality Training Framework NDMP National Disaster Mitigation Program
AUSAR Australian Search and Rescue NDRRA Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements
AWARE All Western Australians Reducing Emergencies OAMG Operations Area Management Group
BFS Bush Fire Service SDC State Disaster Council
BoM Bureau of Meteorology SES State Emergency Service
BRAG Bush Fire Ready Action Group SECG State Emergency Coordination Group
CESM Community Emergency Services Manager SEMC State Emergency Management Committee
CFM Community Fire Manager SLIP EM Shared Land Information Platform – Emergency Management
CFRS Career Fire and Rescue Service SOP Standard Operating Procedures
CRC Cooperative Research Centre USAR Urban Search and Rescue
DEC Department of Environment and Conservation UWA University of Western Australia
DBMW Department of Building Management and Works VERP Volunteer Employer Recognition Program
DOAC District Operations Advisory Committee VES Volunteer Emergency Service
EMA Emergency Management Australia VFRS Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service
ESC Emergency Services Cadets VFS Volunteer Fire Service
ESL Emergency Services Levy VMRS Volunteer Marine Rescue Services
FESA Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia VMRWA Volunteer Marine Rescue Western Australia
FRS Fire and Rescue Service WARHS Western Australian Rescue Helicopter Service
GA Geoscience Australia WAERN Western Australian Emergency Radio Network
HAZMAT Hazardous Materials WANDRRA Western Australia Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements
6 FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
STATEMENT OF LEGISLATIVE COMPLIANCE
Hon. Rob Johnson, MLA Minister for Police; Emergency Services; Road Safety
In accordance with Section 63 of the Financial Management Act 2006, we hereby submit for your information and presentation to Parliament, the annual report of the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia for the financial year ended 30 June 2010.
The annual report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Financial Management Act 2006 as well as the Emergency Management Act 2005, the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia Act 1998, the Fire Brigades Act 1942 and the Bush Fires Act 1954.
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A Skinner J Harrison-Ward Chairman of Accountable Authority Member of Accountable Authority
23 August 2010 23 August 2010
STATEMENT OF LEGISLATIVE COMPLIANCE 7 FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
The emergency services environment within Australia continues to face major The role of volunteers in delivering emergency services in Western Australia cannot challenges from natural hazards, including bushfire and major storms. Western be overstated. It is also important to acknowledge the support provided by Western Australia is no exception and FESA, as a key emergency services organisation in this Australian employers in releasing their people to undertake this important role in state, has continued an active involvement in shaping strategies to cope with existing keeping our community safe. The FESA Volunteer Employer Recognition Program and emerging threats. is the first initiative of its kind in Western Australia to acknowledge that without the support of employers, sustaining volunteer membership would be much harder for Interagency cooperation continues to be a priority, both for improving Western emergency services organisations. Australia’s capacity to cope with significant events, as well as for sharing industry knowledge and expertise. During 2009/10, FESA representatives participated Western Australia’s State Emergency Service celebrated its 50th anniversary this year. in a range of projects and initiatives that aim to improve community outcomes. I offer my congratulations to all SES volunteers on reaching this significant milestone. These included delivery of interagency incident management training in Victoria, coordination of interagency exercises to test capacity and capability to deal with Finally, I acknowledge the valuable contribution to the governance of the organisation significant emergencies, as well as national projects to improve data collection by my fellow Board members. I also especially extend my sincere thanks and to support decision making processes. We also provided a team of operational appreciation to all FESA staff and volunteers for their professionalism and ongoing personnel to assist Victoria with the response to major storms that affected that state commitment to the organisation and the community of Western Australia. in early March 2010, a timely preparedness exercise for the West Coast storm we experienced in Western Australia two weeks later.
Once again FESA was recognised as a leading emergency services organisation. We received an Australian Safer Communities award for the Winter Burning Program and were acknowledged by the Department of Treasury and Finance for our innovative procurement practices.
The development of a strategic research strategy this year is an important step
O verview forward for understanding future challenges and addressing them. This strategy will Allan Skinner PSM assist in ensuring that emergencies are managed in the safest and most effective way. Board Chair S ection 1
8 FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S REPORT
The 2009/10 financial year is one that we will look back on with a sense of Supporting our community stakeholders is a key priority. The introduction of enhanced accomplishment. The enactment of amendments to the Bush Fires Act 1954 and communications systems, including StateAlert, upgrades to online information during supporting regulations, improved public communication to support emergency significant emergencies and timely provision of information on Total Fire Bans and management and a focus on ensuring our capacity and capability to manage bushfire weather alerts have supported community members to improve their preparedness to risk across Western Australia were all key achievements that were delivered this year. deal with the risk they face during bushfires or other significant events.
Operational personnel faced a number of significant challenges from natural hazards, Improved support for the more vulnerable members of our community has also been with major incidents including Tropical Cyclone Laurence, the Toodyay bushfires, the progressed with the finalisation of the FESA Indigenous Emergency Management West Coast storm and the Kalgoorlie-Boulder earthquake. Our incident management Strategy. Additional funding for the implementation of this strategy in the 2010/11 teams and staff and volunteers who responded to these incidents demonstrated a budget will enable us to start addressing the gaps in the provision of emergency level of skill and expertise that deserves recognition. management services to Indigenous communities in Western Australia.
The year will be remembered for the losses sustained, with 38 properties lost during The delivery of these services would not be possible without the team of dedicated the Toodyay bushfires, the significant damage caused by the hail and wild weather staff and volunteers who are the essence of our organisation. My sincere thanks go experienced during the West Coast storm, and the Kalgoorlie-Boulder earthquake. to them for their continued support and commitment to the achievement of a safer However, it is very important to remember that there was no loss of life or serious injury. Western Australian community.
This year we focused on assessing bushfire risks across Western Australia, to ensure that wherever possible these risks are mitigated through prevention and the capacity to respond quickly and efficiently. Long-established programs such as the Kimberley Fire Management Program were continued, while new initiatives such as enhanced management of Unallocated Crown Lands and Unmanaged Reserves have been implemented. The receipt of additional funding for the ongoing provision of a second Type 1 helicopter to support bushfire response in the South West was also a key achievement. Enhanced support to local governments in managing their specific local risks was also delivered through the extension of the Community Fire Manager and Jo Harrison-Ward Community Emergency Services Manager program. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Section 1 OVERVIEW 9 10 Section 1 Overview Financial Overview EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AUTHORITYOFWESTERNAUSTRALIA FIRE ANDEMERGENCYSERVICES Highlights –Prevention andMitigationServices FESA achievesitsoutcomesthrough thedeliveryoftwoservices–Prevention andMitigationServicesEmergency Services. Performance Highlights Continued toimprove strategies formanagingbushfire threat. (Casestudy) • Opened astateoftheartEducation andHeritageCentre. (Casestudy) • Participatedinsignificantnationalemergency managementprojects. • Developedastrategicresearch strategy. • Receiveda2009AustralianSaferCommunities Award forour • Interest revenue, Commonwealth Winter BurningProgram. Winter contributions, Gain ondisposalof Other revenue, non-current assets, grants and 10,251,000 2,508,000 4,570,000 Total sources offundingforFESAservices2009/10–$248,486,000 191,000 appropriation and contributions, 45,909,000 Service Resources received free ofcharge, 1,008,000
User Charges 184,049,000 and fees, Improved support tolocalgovernmentCommunityFire ManagersandCommunity • EstablishedtheInteragencyBushfire Committee. • Presented theinauguralFESA Volunteer Employer RecognitionAwards. • Undertook anexternalreview ofourSafetyManagement System. • FinalisedtheFESAIndigenousEmergency ManagementStrategy. • amortisation expense, Emergency ServicesManagers. Depreciation and 9,589,000 Finance costs, 118,000 Supplies and 71,176,000 services, Total costofFESAservices2009/10– $258,334,000 131,558,000 Employee benefits, Other expenses 2,865,000 Grants and 36,230,000 subsidies, Loss ondisposalof non-current assets, 73,000 Accommodation, 6,725,000
FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Highlights – Emergency Services • Progressed and implemented critical amendments to bushfire legislation. • Delivered interagency training. • Reviewed, updated and tested State Emergency Management Plans – Westplans. • Developed enhanced technology to support operations. • Improved public communication to support emergency management. (Case study) • Improved operational resourcing. • Developed an improved procurement process for rescue equipment. • Reformed the firefighter recruitment process. • Reviewed and implemented improved strategic resource planning procedures. • Celebrated 50 years of SES operations in Western Australia. • Major incident response: - Toodyay bushfire. (Case study) - West Coast storm. (Case study) - Victorian storms. - Other significant incidents.
Quick Statistics Our People Volunteers Number of Volunteer Numbers as at 30 June 2010 At 30 June 2010, FESA employed 1,319 full time staff, and 45 part time and casual Brigades, staff. Our average full time equivalent during 2009/10 was 1,287. Groups or Units Operational Support Total We also support more than 32,000 volunteers across Western Australia who provide an invaluable contribution to achieving our outcomes by delivering Emergency Services Volunteer Bush Fire 593 25,593 599 26,192 and Prevention and Mitigation Services. Our volunteers undertake a variety of roles in Service the delivery of operational services and in administrative and functional support. Volunteer Fire and Rescue 88 2,056 194 2,250 Service In 2009/10 our overall volunteer turnover rate was six per cent. State Emergency Service 65 1,898 16 1,914
Volunteer Marine 33 1,336 24 1,360 Cadets and Juniors as at 30 June 2010 Rescue Services
Emergency Services Cadets 1,380 Volunteer Emergency 16 541 1 542 Service Juniors registered with brigades, groups and units 538 Volunteer Fire Service 9 353 6 359 Total cadets and juniors 1,918 FESA Education and 1 0 18 18 Emergency Services Cadet (ESC) Units 43 Heritage Centre
Junior Cadet Programs 79 Total 31,795 840 32,635
Section 1 OVERVIEW 11 12 Section 1 Overview by 22per cent. suppression and29percentforaerialintelligence, however, aerialrescue decreased Aviation services activitylevelsincreased in2009/10;by73percent foraerial FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITYOFWESTERNAUSTRALIA FIRE ANDEMERGENCYSERVICES Emergency RESPONSE natural hazards. 28,212 in2008/09.There wasamarkedincrease of87percentinsupportresponse to The numberofresponses provided byfire servicesthisyearwasaslightdecrease on 1 Includes onefire attendedbythePannawonicaPrivateBrigade. FESA Helitac–AerialSuppression (Type 1) FESA Helitac–AerialSuppression (Type 3) (Aviation Services) Incident Response and flyinghourswhere afeeforservicewascharged) Aerial rescue –RACRescueHelicopter(includesincidents FESA aerialintelligencehelicopter Total responses provided byfire services malicious falsealarms storms, tempestandothernaturaldisasters,goodintent Other emergency responses –includingsupportto flood, False alarms(systeminitiated) (includes petrol orflammablespillsandgasleaks) Hazardous materials(HAZMAT) Non fire rescue calls Road crashrescues Other property fires Landscape fires, vegetationfires Fires inastructure (career andvolunteerfire services) Incident Response
Number ofIncidents Number ofIncidents in 2009/10 in 2009/10 27,404 3,536 8,972 1,577 3,909 6,596 110 1,550 337 66 75 857 407 1
data qualityandanalysis. currently beingreviewed forreplacement andweanticipatethiswillimprove future over lastyear(685compared to675in2008/09).SESdatacollectionsystemsare SES response thisyearshowsaslightincrease inthenumberofincidentsattended compared with lastyear’s totalof843incidents. Volunteer MarineRescueServices responses decreased thisyearby13percent Total responses provided byStateEmergency Service Miscellaneous support Tsunami Temporary buildingrepairs Storm Land andairsearch Road crashrescue Flood Firefighter support(includesallfire incidents) Earthquake Cyclone Cliff rescue (State Emergency Service) Incident Response Total responses provided byVolunteer MarineRescueServices Standby events Marine search andrescue –Policeauthorised Marine search andrescue –Group authorised (Volunteer MarineRescueServices) Incident Response Number ofincidents Number ofincidents in 2009/10 in 2009/10 685 166 166 123 112 730 100 542 11 36 12 54 88 0 1 4
FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Prevention And Mitigation
Arson and Fire Investigation 2009/10 Built Environment Safety 2009/10
Formal investigations 114 Commercial building plan assessments 1,798 - Structural fire 104 - Bushfire 10 Firefighting equipment tests 370
Persons charged with fire offences 253 High-risk accommodation inspections 54
Fire related deaths in Western Australia 10 Emergency Management Training
Three-year rolling average fire death rate Western Australia 4.0 Organisations accessing commercial training 179 (2005 - 2007)1 Building safety inspections decreased this year (2,222 compared to 2,529). However, Three-year rolling average fire death rate Australia 5.3 organisations accessing training increased to 179 from 147. (2005 - 2007)1
1 Report on Government Services (RoGS), 2010
We undertook fewer formal investigations this year (114 compared to 160). The number of persons charged with fire offences increased by 10 and there were five more fire related deaths compared to last year.
Section 1 OVERVIEW 13 14 Section 1 Overview Our V Western Australiato: In partnershipwiththepeopleof Our Mission A safercommunity. Our Vision The HonRobJohnsonMLA,MinisterforPolice;Emergency Services;RoadSafety. Responsible Minister approximately 4,280patrolling lifeguards whoprovide arangeofessentialservicestothebeachgoingcommunity. FESA alsohasresponsibility foradministeringtheservicelevelagreement forSurfLifeSavingWestern Australia’s volunteerrescue operations.SurfLifeSavingWestern Australiahas participation ofyoungvolunteersthrough theEmergency ServicesCadetsandjuniorprograms withinourvolunteerservices. Marine RescueServices(VMRS).Inrecent years,Volunteer Emergency Services(VES)andVolunteer Fire Service(VFS) unitshavealsobeenestablishedandwesupportthe FESA comprisesthecareer Fire andRescueService(CFRS),Volunteer Fire andRescueService(VFRS), theBushFire Service(BFS),theStateEmergency Service(SES)andVolunteer improve thecoordination andplanningofemergency servicesinWestern Australia. The Fire andEmergency ServicesAuthorityofWestern Australia(FESA)was established in1999undertheFire andEmergency ServicesAuthorityofWestern AustraliaAct1998,to Enabling Legislation AUTHORITYOFWESTERNAUSTRALIA FIRE ANDEMERGENCYSERVICES OPERATIONAL STRUCTURE Strive tokeepourselvesand • Haveopenandhonesttwoway • Actwithintegrityandhonesty. • Continuouslyimprove ourservices. • Respectandvalueeachother. • Work togetherasacommittedteam. • Putthecommunityfirst. • Provide timely, qualityandeffective • Improve communitysafety • others safe. communications. emergency services. practices. alues
agency inWestern Australiafor: FESA isthehazard management recover from emergencies. prevent, prepare for, respond toand community andotheragenciesto working inpartnershipwiththe approach toemergency management, We haveadoptedanallhazards Our Rolesandesponsibilities • Collapse –landformor structures. • Tsunami. • Earthquake. • Storm. • Cyclone. • Flood. • Hazardous materialsincidents. • Fire –onlandingazetted • Fire –ruralandurbanfires in and Conservation. Department ofEnvironment fire districtsmanagedbythe gazetted fire districts.
management capacitybuilding through: We facilitatestateemergency services, including: We alsoprovide combatandsupport • Development ofmitigation • ManagementoftheWestern • Developmentofstatepolicyand plans. • Communications. • Animaldiseaseoutbreaks. • Railtransportemergencies. • Roadtransportemergencies. • Cliff, caveandconfinedspacerescue. • Urbansearch andrescue. • Airsearch andrescue (including • Landsearch. • Marinesearch andrescue. initiatives. Recovery Arrangements . Australia NaturalDisasterRelief and emergency casualtytransport).
national levels,including: key stakeholdersatthelocal,stateand on emergency management issuesto We alsoprovide adviceandsupport • Provision ofemergency • Participationinstateandnational • SupporttotheStateEmergency • Maintenanceofstateemergency strategic workinggroups. Emergency ManagementInstitute. conjunction withtheAustralian management trainingin Group. State Emergency Coordination Management Committeeandthe management legislation.
FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Organisational Chart As At 30 JUNE 2010 Chief Executive Officer Jo Harrison-Ward
Strategic Policy and Community Development Corporate Services Operations Executive Services David Caporn Frank Pasquale Craig Hynes John Butcher
Director Assistant Chief Director Director Research Operations Officer Business Services Strategic Services and Liaison Metropolitan Fire
Director Director Assistant Chief Emergency Information and Risk, Planning Operations Officer Management WA Communications and Evaluation Country Technology
Director Media and Director Director Assistant Chief Public Affairs People and Community Operations Officer Organisational Engagement Metropolitan SES Development Director Professional Standards and Executive Services Assistant Chief Operations Officer Operational Coordination Director Corporate Governance and Strategic Projects
Section 1 OVERVIEW 15 FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
The FESA Board Senior Officers Section 6 of the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia Act 1998 FESA’s corporate structure comprises four portfolios that coordinate and deliver key established the FESA Board of Management and states: prevention and emergency services.
The Board is the governing body of the Authority and, in the name of the Authority, is Portfolio Key Responsibilities to perform the functions of the Authority under the Emergency Services Acts. Community • Research and liaison to minimise the impact of emergencies Development on the community and the environment, and the provision of The FESA Board continues to be accountable to the Minister for Emergency Services built environment services. and is responsible for: • Risk planning and evaluation, including strategic service • Determining strategic direction and overall performance. delivery planning, knowledge management, corporate • Ensuring compliance with key legislation. planning and reporting, and operational resourcing review. • Endorsing management initiatives. • Development and delivery of community education and awareness programs.
Responsibilities are delegated to the Chief Executive Officer under the provisions Corporate Services • Business services, including development and maintenance of the FESA Act, with all approved delegations held on a delegations register. of property and fleet, and financial management. Through this governance process, the FESA Board is able to devolve necessary • Development and maintenance of information technology authority and responsibility to staff and volunteers while preserving the controls and telecommunications systems. necessary for accountability. • People and organisational development, including workplace management, human resources consultancy, personnel Members of the Board are appointed based on their experience in areas relevant and payroll, health safety and welfare, training delivery, and to FESA activities. The profiles of current FESA Board members are provided in the volunteer and youth support. Disclosure and Legal Compliance section of this report. Operations • Management and delivery of operational services through the career Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS), volunteer Bush Fire Service (BFS), Volunteer Emergency Service (VES), Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service (VFRS), Volunteer Fire
O verview Service (VFS), Volunteer Marine Rescue Services (VMRS) and volunteer State Emergency Service (SES), including: - Emergency response and incident control. - Capability development. - State hazard planning. - Special risk planning.
Strategic Policy and • Development of strategic policy and planning. Executive Services • Development of strategic emergency management policy and procedures. • Media and public affairs. • Monitoring professional standards. S ection 1 • Stakeholder liaison and support. • Development of governance policy and process, and monitoring of strategic projects. - 16 FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
The FESA Corporate Leadership Team is comprised of the Chief Executive Officer and Mr Frank Pasquale, BCom the portfolio executive directors. (Executive Director Corporate Services) Mr Pasquale has 21 years’ experience in the public sector. Ms Jo Harrison-Ward, MLM (Chief Executive Officer) Mr Craig Hynes, BCom Ms Harrison-Ward has 17 years’ experience in the public sector and has held a number (Chief Operations Officer) of senior roles related to the delivery of emergency services. She received a Churchill Mr Hynes has 25 years’ experience in the fire and emergency services industry and has Fellowship in 2004 to study engaging the community in emergency management. held a range of key roles and responsibilities.
Mr David Caporn, APM Mr John Butcher (Executive Director Community Development) (Executive Director Strategic Policy and Executive Services) Mr Caporn has more than 33 years’ experience in the public sector. Mr Butcher has more than 31 years’ experience in the public sector.
Administered Legislation • Contaminated Sites Act 2003. • Government Financial Responsibility • Pay-roll Tax Assessment Act 2002. FESA administers the following Acts along • Corruption and Crime Commission Act 2000. • Perth Parking Management Act 1999. with associated subsidiary legislation: Act 2003. • Heritage of Western Australia • Public and Bank Holidays Act 1972. • Fire and Emergency Services Authority • Country Areas Water Supply Act 1947. Act 1990. • Public Interest Disclosure Act 2003. of Western Australia Act 1998. • The Criminal Code. • Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 • Public Sector Management Act 1994. • Fire Brigades Act 1942. • Criminal Procedure Act 2004. (Commonwealth). • Road Traffic Act 1974. • Bush Fires Act 1954. • Dangerous Goods Safety Act 2004. • Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 • Salaries and Allowances Act 1975. (Commonwealth). • Emergency Management Act 2005. • Disability Discrimination Act 1992 • Stamp Act 1921. (Commonwealth). • Industrial Relations Act 1979. • State Administrative Tribunal Act 2004. Other Key Legislation • Disability Services Act 1993. • Land Tax Assessment Act 2002. • State Records Act 2000. • Legal Profession Act 2008. Impacting On Fesa • Duties Act 2008. • State Superannuation Act 2000. • Electoral Act 1907. • Library Board of Western Australia Act Activities • State Supply Commission Act 1991. • Electronic Transactions Act 2003. 1951. • Taxation Administration Act 1953 In performing its functions, FESA complies • Environmental Protection Act 1986. • Local Government Act 1995. (Commonwealth). with the following legislation: • Equal Opportunity Act 1984. • Local Government (Miscellaneous • Vocational Education and Training • A New Tax System (Australian Business • Evidence Act 1906. Provisions) Act 1960. Act 1996. Number) Act 1999 (Commonwealth). • Financial Management Act 2006. • Metropolitan Water Supply, Sewerage • Water Boards Act 1904. • A New Tax System (Goods • Fire and Emergency Services and Drainage Act 1909. • Working with Children (Criminal and Services Tax) Act 1999 Superannuation Act 1985. • Metropolitan Water Authority Act 1982. Record Checking) Act 2004. (Commonwealth). • Freedom of Information Act 1992. • Minimum Conditions of Employment • Workers’ Compensation and Injury • Auditor General Act 2006. • Fringe Benefits Tax Assessment Act Act 1993. Management Act 1981. • Australian Crime Commission 1986 (Commonwealth). • National Greenhouse and Energy • Workplace Relations and Other (Western Australia) Act 2004. • Government Employees’ Housing Reporting Act 2007. Legislative Amendments Act 1996 • Conservation and Land Management Act 1964. • Occupational Safety and Health (Commonwealth). Act 1984. Act 1984.
Section 1 OVERVIEW 17 18 Section 1 Overview focus ontheregions” and “Social andenvironmental responsibility”. approach alsosupportsthe achievementofotherGovernmentgoals:“Astronger resources andwiththesupportoflocalvolunteers.Ourcommunityengagement Australians.” We deliverourservicesthrough anetworkofregionally-based FESA achieving results inkeyservice deliveryareas forthebenefitofallWestern FESA servicessupporttheachievementofGovernmentGoal3:“Greater focuson outcomes, whichare achieved through thedeliveryofservicesasshownbelow. Broad, high-levelGovernment goalsare supportedatanagencylevelbyspecific – LinkToGovernmentoals Outcome BasedManagementFramework PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENTFRAMEWORK AUTHORITYOFWESTERNAUSTRALIA FIRE ANDEMERGENCYSERVICES emergency response. The impactofemergencies isminimisedthrough thedeliveryofappropriate Outcome 2 Emergency Services. Service 2 Prevention andMitigation Services. Service 1 from emergencies. Western Australiancommunitiesabletoprevent, prepare forandrecover Outcome 1 completed in2008/09.Thereview hadtwoobjectives: A comprehensive review ofourOutcomeBasedManagementFrameworkwas Changes ToOutcomeBasedManagementFramework Further detailonchangesisprovided intheKPIsectionofthisreport. growth ofWestern Australia’s population onservicedemand. Our efficiency indicatorswere alsoamendedtobetterreflect theimpactof rapid effectiveness offire serviceresponse atboththeorganisational andcommunitylevels. been expandedtoallowusmonitorpreparedness todealwithemergencies and Our newstructure became effective on1July2009.Ourperformanceindicatorshave
2. 1. Cost ofEmergency Servicespercapita.(Western Australia). Key Efficiency Indicator incident management Percentage ofrequired operationalpersonnel trainedinlevel2and3 timeframes –Hazard ManagementAgencyroles only. Percentage ofVolunteer Firewithin target andRescueServiceturnouts within target timeframes. Percentage ofmetropolitan responses bycareer Fire andRescueServices Percentage of000callsanswered withinthetarget timeframe. Key Effectiveness Indicators Cost ofPrevention andMitigation Servicespercapita.(WesternAustralia). Key EfficiencyIndicator specified timeframes. Percentage ofspecialriskplansforhazardous material sitesreviewed within Proportion ofstructuralfires confinedtoobjector room oforigin. Number ofaccidentalresidential fires per100,000 households. Key Effectiveness Indicators understanding FESAcore services,outcomesandperformance. To improve theclarityofpublishedinformationinorder toassiststakeholdersin making andresource allocation. To improve therelevance ofperformance datacollectedtoassistindecision FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Shared Responsibilities With Other Agencies • Provide a forum for the development of community information systems to improve communication during emergencies. State Emergency Management • Develop and coordinate risk management strategies to assess community FESA is responsible for the provision of whole of government emergency vulnerability to emergencies. management (EM) services through its Emergency Management WA (EMWA). The strategic direction of EMWA is to develop and improve Western Australia’s EM • Arrange for the preparation of state emergency management policies and plans. arrangements through capacity-building, advisory and support services. • Prepare an annual report on its activities. • Monitor and review the Emergency Management Act 2005 and its regulations. EMWA’s core functions include: • Administering the Emergency Management Act 2005, including the development Preparedness, Mitigation and Recovery Support and maintenance of related regulations, policies, plans and procedures. Other emergency management responsibilities that we administer on behalf of • Providing executive and administrative support to the State Emergency Western Australian stakeholders include coordination of: Management Committee (SEMC), the State Emergency Coordination Group, the • National emergency management training and exercises. State Disaster Council, the State Mitigation Committee and District Emergency • Mitigation funding provided through the National Disaster Resilience Program. Management Committees. • Emergency relief and recovery funding provided through the Western Australia • Providing whole of government representation on all six SEMC sub-committees Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements. and related working groups. • Building local EM capacity by assisting local governments and Local Emergency Weather Warnings – Bureau of Meteorology Management Committees with the emergency risk management process. FESA has a key role, in partnership with the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM), in ensuring • Administering the Australian Government’s Natural Disaster Resilience Program. that Western Australian communities are informed and supported in preparing for • Administering the Western Australia Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery emergencies. The importance of this shared responsibility cannot be overstated. Arrangements. • Providing Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) services to assist in the safe development Through a close working relationship, shared technology, and formally documented of Western Australia’s land resources. policies and procedures, BoM and FESA provide early weather warnings so that community members can assess their risks and make appropriate decisions. A recent State Emergency Management Committee shared responsibility was the implementation of the new National Fire Danger Rating The SEMC is the peak emergency management body in Western Australia and we System and bushfire warning system. BoM and FESA worked together to implement provide executive and secretariat support for the committee. Membership includes the systems and carefully crafted key messages and warnings prior to a very busy representatives appointed by the Minister for Emergency Services from those fire season. organisations that are essential to the State’s emergency management arrangements. Positive feedback from a number of stakeholders indicates that the relationship is very The SEMC’s role is to: effective in promoting safety in Western Australian communities. • Advise the Minister on emergency management and the preparedness of the State to combat emergencies. • Provide direction, advice and support to public authorities, industry, commerce and the community in order to plan and prepare for an efficient emergency management capability in Western Australia. • Provide a forum for whole of community coordination to ensure the minimisation of the effects of emergencies.
Section 1 OVERVIEW 19 20 Section 2 AGENCY PERFORMANCE Resource Agreement PERFORMANCE AGAINSTTARGETS AUTHORITYOFWESTERNAUSTRALIA FIRE ANDEMERGENCYSERVICES Performance ismonitored againstfinancialtargets andthrough ourkeyperformance indicators.Performanceresults for2009/10are shownbelow. Financial T Emergency Services–theimpactofemergencies isminimisedthrough thedeliveryofappropriate emergency response. Prevention andMitigation Services–Western Australiancommunities abletoprevent, prepare forandrecover from emergencies. Resources are provided forthedeliveryoftwoservices,whichare linkedtotwoagencyleveloutcomes: Services AuthorityofWestern AustraliaandtheTreasurer underPart3,Division5oftheFinancialManagementAct2006. The followingperformanceinformation(financialandnon-financial)isthesubjectofaresource agreement signedbytheMinisterforEmergency Services,theFire andEmergency (Treasurer’s Instruction808) (details from IncomeStatements) Total costofservices(expenselimit) (details from IncomeStatements) Net costofservices (details from BalanceSheet) Net increase/(decrease) incashheld Equivalent (FTE) staff level Approved averageFulltime argets Summary (Further Detail IsProvidednTheFinancialStatements)
$238,001,000 $38,612,000 ($5,555,000) (Budget) 2009/10 Target 1,287 $258,334,000 ($23,195,000) $56,765,000 2009/10 Actual 1,296 ($17,640,000) $20,333,000 $18,153,000 Variation 9 Reason forSignificant Variation between Target andActual to meetunbudgetedcostsincurred duringtheyear. funding process. In2009/10, $20.7millionwasappropriated toFESAthrough thisprocess are subsequentlyrecouped onanactualbasisatyear-end through thesupplementary Finance, FESAusesitsowncashresources tomeettheseunbudgetedcostsandthey In accordance withalong-standing arrangementwiththeDepartmentofTreasury and unpredictable emergency response andrecovery activitiesinrelation to: The varianceismainlyduetothecostsnotincludedinFESAbudgetassociatedwith outlined above. This varianceismainlyduetothe impactofunbudgetedemergency servicescostsas The variancereflects thetimingofFESAaccessingitsapproved borrowings. StateEmergency Service response andrecovery. • Bushfire suppression. • TheWestern AustraliaNatural DisasterReliefandRecoveryArrangements • (WANDRRA) administered ontheGovernment’s behalf.
FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Key Performance Indicators Summary (Further Detail Is Provided In Disclosures And Legal Compliance) Our key effectiveness indicators measure the extent to which delivery of services contributes to the achievement of our desired outcomes. Our key efficiency indicators monitor the relationship between the service delivered and the resources used to deliver the service.
2009/10 2009/10 Variance Reason for Significant Variation Target Actual between Target and Actual
Outcome: Western Australian communities able to prevent, prepare for and recover from emergencies.
Service 1: Prevention and Mitigation Services
Key Effectiveness Indicators
Number of accidental residential fires per 100,000 households. 70 70.52 0.52 Note: a lower result indicates a better performance.
Proportion of structural fires confined to object or room of origin. 68% 76.42% 8.42% This result is impacted by amended business rules for calculating total confinement rates.
Percentage of special risk plans for hazardous material sites reviewed within 90% 89% (1)% specified timeframes.
KEY EFFICIENCY INDICATORS
Cost of Prevention and Mitigation Services per capita. (Western Australia) $10.99 $11.91 0.92
Outcome: The impact of emergencies is minimised through the delivery of appropriate emergency services.
Service 2: Emergency Services
KEY EFFECTIVENESS INDICATORS
Percentage of 000 calls answered within the target timeframe. 97% 97.64% 0.64%
Percentage of metropolitan responses by career Fire and Rescue Services within 90% 88.94% (1.06)% target timeframes.
Percentage of Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service turnouts within target timeframes – 90% 87.12% 2.88% Hazard Management Agency roles only.
Percentage of required operational personnel trained in level 2 incident management. 90% 92% 2% In 2009/10 the focus was on determining capacity to Percentage of required operational personnel trained in level 3 incident management. 90% 150% 60% manage bushfire across the state.
KEY EFFICIENCY INDICATORS
Cost of emergency services per capita. (Western Australia) $88.91 $101.88 12.97
Section 2 AGENCY PERFORMANCE 21 22 Section 2 AGENCY PERFORMANCE long termstrategicdirections toguideouractivitiesoverthenext15years: the developmentofservices,anddeliveryservices.Theplancomprisesfour deliver improvements infour keyfocusareas: thecommunity, our staff andvolunteers, The objectiveofourlongtermstrategicplanFESA2023–ShapingOurFuture isto AUTHORITYOFWESTERNAUSTRALIA FIRE ANDEMERGENCYSERVICES term objectives. establishing theframeworks,systemsandprocesses required toachieveourlonger with eachstagetakingfiveyearstocomplete.Stageone(2009-13) focuseson Our longtermstrategicoutcomeswillbeachievedthrough athree stageprocess OUR AGENCYOBJECTIVES VALUED ANDCAPABLE PEOPLE AN INTEGRATED ORGANISATION A FUTUREFOCUSEDORGANISATION ORGANISATION A LEADINGEMERGENCYSERVICES develops itsstaff andvolunteers. An organisation thatvaluesand and alignment. collaboration, cooperation foundation ofstrong governance, Achieving ourgoalsthrough a the communityandenvironment. responding tothechangingneedsof Capable ofanticipatingand enabling asafercommunity. leadership, direction andinnovationin of Western Australialooktousfor The Governmentandcommunity
SERVICE 1:PREVENTIONANDMITIGATION SERVICES Major achievementsthisyearinclude: of emergencies. community educationprograms, trainingandcross-agency supportinthemanagement deal withtheimpactofemergency events.We achieveourobjectivesthrough targeted empowering communitymembersandlocalgovernmentstobuildgreater resilience to mitigate theimpactofnaturalhazards. We focusonraisingawareness oflocal risksand Australian communitytoreduce preventable emergencies andtoprepare forand Our Prevention andMitigation Servicesaimtoimprove thecapacityofWestern KEY ACHIEVEMENTS ORGANISATION AN INTEGRATED ORGANISATION A FUTUREFOCUSED ORGANISATION EMERGENCY SERVICES A LEADING PEOPLE VALUED ANDCAPABLE Continuedtoimprove strategiesformanagingbushfire • Participatedinsignificantnationalemergency • Developedastrategicresearch strategy. • OpenedastateoftheartEducationandHeritageCentre. • Receiveda2009AustralianSaferCommunitiesAward for • Improved supporttolocal governmentthrough • EstablishedtheInteragencyBushfire Management • Presented theinauguralVolunteer Employer • Undertookanexternalreview ofourSafety • FinalisedIndigenousEmergency ManagementStrategy. • management projects. BurningProgram. our Winter Committee. threat. Recognition Awards. Management System. bushfire riskareas. Community Emergency Services Managersinhigh the appointmentofCommunityFire Managersand
FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Winter Burning Program • Promoting sustainability a Natural Disaster Mitigation Program National Data Dictionary and – Australian Safer and environmental protection grant. FESA provided a further $80,000 Impact of Natural Disaster Project in all facets of emergency and the total of $125,000 funded an Communities Award FESA continues to provide input to the service delivery. officer for 12 months to develop and development of comparable datasets The FESA Winter Burning Program was implement the project. collected and reported through the named state winner in the Government national Report on Government National Emergency Initially, demographic mapping category of the 2009 Australian Safer Services and for information sharing Management Projects was undertaken to identify new Communities Awards. through the Australasian Fire and and emerging CALD communities. Cultural and Linguistic Emergency Authorities Council. The program gives landholders living Two pilots were then established to Diversity Project on less than five hectares in rural or determine the most effective means The development of a new national The Jurisdictional Community forest interface zones the knowledge of communicating and consulting with Data Dictionary will improve the Partnership Project (JCP) was to conduct a prescribed burn to reduce the leaders of these communities. collection of information to inform established by the Australian bushfire fuel on their properties. It was One pilot used a community based preparedness, prevention and Government Attorney-General’s initially developed for the Perth hills approach and involved the Sudanese mitigation planning. The development Department with the aim of improving and has now been implemented in a and Vietnamese communities in the of a new national coding model will emergency management outcomes number of South West locations. City of Wanneroo. The other took a support the collection of data on for members of Australia’s culturally geographical approach and involved a range of emergency hazards, as and linguistically diverse (CALD) Burmese communities across opposed to the current system that is Strategic Research communities. Each jurisdiction (state Western Australia. only fire related. Strategy and territory) was provided with seed funding of $5,000 to establish a multi- Key achievements of the CALD A research strategy outlining FESA’s A framework for assessing community agency project to help achieve this aim. project during 2009/10 include the research requirements for the next five impacts from natural disasters will delivery of three workshops with target enable emergency services to more years has been developed. It identifies FESA chairs the Western Australian communities. Their outcomes include: effectively target mitigation strategies five key research themes: project working group, comprising • The translation of storm season and to measure the outcomes of • The potential impacts of climate representatives from Government community education materials. preparedness activities. change on emergency service agencies and not for profit groups • The development during 2010/11 delivery in Western Australia. that deliver emergency management The first phases of the National Data of a DVD to supplement written • The changing demographics of services. The group established Dictionary Project and Impact of materials for home fire safety. Western Australian communities an ambitious project to improve Natural Disaster Project are anticipated The DVD will be translated into and how this challenge affects understanding within Western to be completed by December 2010. 12 languages for new and emerging emergency management. Australian CALD communities of prevention, preparedness, CALD communities. • Enhancing community resilience to response and recovery activities in manage future risks. The project has also resulted in emergency management. • Identification of innovative delivery of two diversity training technology and systems to enhance The importance of the project was sessions on the impacts of torture the safety and effectiveness of acknowledged by the approval of and trauma for 150 members of the emergency management practices. $40,000 in additional funding through emergency services sector.
Section 2 AGENCY PERFORMANCE 23 FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Objective • Phase 2: Exhibition Installation Our Prevention and Mitigation Services Stage 1 aim to increase safe behaviour and Grant funding enabled the completion the capacity to mitigate the impact of of two-thirds of the planned exhibitions emergencies by improving community and visitor experience zones: understanding of hazards. The - New reception area – provides objective of the redevelopment project improved access for all visitors, text was to create an interface between and graphics panels introducing FESA and the community, and establish FESA and acknowledging the a strong link with schools through traditional owners. a state of the art education venue that offered a comprehensive FESA community safety experience. u ' ---1' --N12;-,-._, Results '' 5,- .1_ .g.' i.;._. The project commenced in 2007 with ' 4::- l'',7c4:1-7=7-1-7 S 16.46 .3 -31 1 0 tg funding from FESA and grants from the '.1- -,1 L .--"-",m,r.--,,P,..:t!,,,,,',.4, - Australian Tsunami Warning System Project 14 . ' rJit and Natural Disaster Mitigation Program. It _.37 -., al_ 4 V .--1..' was carried out in three phases: 7.,7 ;-- ' 412 IP'-'41Lei:.4...., . - 1 Case Study – framework. The resulting Discover • Phase 1: Physical renovations: "Pr r lm, Fire And Emergency FESA Strategic Plan proposed an - Wall penetrations created larger invigorated and comprehensive Services Education gallery and public amenities areas. community education program and - The old elevator and toilets were And Heritage Centre refurbishment of the education centre. - Interpretation trail – covers removed and a service pod with the whole building, describing
AGENCY PERFORMANCE Redevelopment Project The plan described Australia’s first public ablutions, elevator and stairs the use of each room during its Background all hazards education concept. It was installed. 79 operational years as a fire station In 1985, the Western Australian Fire would include exhibits highlighting - Offices, archive and education and fire service headquarters. Brigades Board established a Fire FESA’s role in response to hazards program areas were refurbished. - Fire and Rescue Service heritage Safety Education Centre and Museum and emergencies as well as a series These renovations created a gallery and appliance room – this in the old Perth Fire Station, which of programs linked to the Western magnificently restored heritage gallery displays many historical is listed on the Heritage Council of Australian and national curriculums building. Its bold and exciting ‘retro’ objects and three vintage Western Australia’s Permanent Register for schools. To recognise the Perth design and fittings, and much improved appliances from the FESA Vintage of Heritage Places. Fire Station’s status as a heritage visitor access and circulation resulted in Fleet collection. icon the plan included a full historical the project receiving a commendation - Interactive exhibition gallery – In 2003, following the establishment interpretation of the building and a Fire in the Western Australian Architecture two of the planned four all hazards S ection 2 of FESA, community safety education and Rescue Service heritage gallery. Awards in July 2009. education gallery exhibition spaces was reviewed against the broader FESA
24 FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
were completed, Water (tsunami, and Me, introducing all combat services storm surge, flooding) and Fire of FESA as well as safety information (structure fire, effects of smoke, and (pre-primary to year 2), Home Fire bushfires). Safety Program 1 (years 2-4) and Home Aga - FESA information space – internet Fire Safety Program 2 (years 5-8). kiosk, community safety resources and interactive natural hazards • Phase 3: Exhibition Installation touch screen program. Stage 2 On completion of Installation Additional grant funding in 2010 Stage 1, the Centre was officially enabled the construction of the final opened on 27 August 2009 by the two exhibition spaces: Minister for Emergency Services. - Earth (earthquake, land slide, It opened to the public for three days cliff collapse, cliff rescue and land a week from 2 September 2009. searches). - Wind (tropical cyclone, cool season Three curriculum linked programs tornado, severe storm). are offered to schools each term – Emergency Helpers in the Community Since opening part time in September The Future 2009, the Centre has received excellent Over the next year, two new schools community support and feedback. It has programs will be offered – Western had more than 8,000 visitors, including Australia’s Natural Hazards (including school groups, families, tourists, bushfire disasters) and Turn Around culturally and linguistically diverse Don’t Drown (including safety groups, seniors, TAFE language groups information for children about storm and special needs education providers. drains, fishing off rocks and flash The Centre has also hosted numerous SMOKE KILLS flooding). The Centre will also continue events and meetings including an SES to provide: community education training day and • Heritage tours and events. Museums Australia and Perth Education Providers meetings, and took part in • Programs for primary and Perth Heritage Day, which 800 people secondary schools. attended. • Support for community special needs groups. The Centre is supported by a • FESA operational training and dedicated group of volunteers who meeting facilities. look after visitors, attend the reception area and assist in education delivery.
Section 2 AGENCY PERFORMANCE 25 FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Results Key achievements for this program Bush Fire Threat Analysis During 2009/10, we progressed over the past year were: three key programs to support • The development of an UCL/UMR bushfire mitigation: management manual to assist '45 Bushfire Threat Analysis local government, Community Emergency Services Managers and Bushfire Threat Analysis (BFTA) is FESA staff to assess risks, develop a risk assessment program used to works programs and record data. determine bushfire threat levels in areas across Western Australia. The • Hazard reduction on all UCL/UMR program was developed in partnership where fuel loads posed a threat to *AA 'yr with the Department of Environment adjacent communities. ^!/.] and Conservation and Western Power, and was part funded by the Natural • Conducting fuel load assessments Disaster Mitigation Program. BFTA and prescribed burning programs results guide bushfire preparedness to improve fire risk management planning in a number of areas of high in rural-urban fringe areas. This risk areas, particularly the South West. work was completed in the Shire of Mundaring and a program for the Unallocated Crown Land and Shire of Kalamunda is continuing. Unmanaged Reserves Objective Case Study – Managing Across Western Australia there are • Significant hazard reduction burns Bushfire Threat Prevention and mitigation of hazards is significant areas of Unallocated Crown were completed in high fire risk essential in minimising the community local government areas across the Background Land (UCL) and Unmanaged Reserves impact of emergencies. Identifying (UMR) that have no specific owner or state, including Augusta Margaret FESA has responsibility for the bushfire risks and implementing responsible authority. The Department River, Broome, Dandaragan,
AGENCY PERFORMANCE prevention and mitigation of bushfires strategies to mitigate those risks are of Regional Development and Lands Denmark, Esperance and in Western Australia under the Bush critical to reducing the impact of (RDL) administers and manages Mundaring. Fires Act 1954. We also provide bushfires on community safety, physical this land on behalf of the Western bushfire response in designated areas Kimberley Fire Management assets and the environment. Our goal Australian Government. as specified in the Westplan – Bushfire. is to assist stakeholders in identifying Significant work has been undertaken and managing local bushfire risks Through a Memorandum of over recent years to build partnerships The management of bushfire across by providing a range of tools and Understanding with RDL, FESA has in the Kimberley to better protect a state as vast as Western Australia resources, and to develop projects that developed a program for mitigating community assets from bushfires is complex. The great diversity of the improve bushfire management at the bushfire risk on UCL and UMRs. The through strategic fire management natural environment requires a range state level. program assesses local risks, develops planning. In partnership with the of strategies to address specific local and prioritises mitigation works and Pastoralist and Graziers Association risks and enhance local partnerships S ection 2 manages works using local contractors of Western Australia (PGA), individual with stakeholders and other emergency and volunteer fire services. pastoralists and local communities, we services organisations.
26 FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
have developed prescribed creating a mosaic of burnt and burning and firebreak guidelines unburnt areas. for pastoral stations and remote Indigenous communities. In addition to these major programs, FESA has developed a range of tools Prescribed burning on Kimberley road to assist in the management reserves was identified as necessary of bushfire: to mitigate late dry season fires in the Western Australian Environmental Planning for Bush Fire Protection Protection Authority’s review of Fire Edition 2 Management in the Kimberley and This joint publication with the Western other Rangeland Regions of Western Australian Planning Commission is the Australia (December 2006). We have foundation document for bush fire risk developed a road verge burning planning. It has recently been updated program that is funded by the Natural with new national bush fire construction Disaster Mitigation Program and standards and will be extensively implemented in partnership with Main reviewed after the release of the final Roads Western Australia, the PGA and findings of the Victorian Bushfires Royal pastoralists. The program minimises Commission. scorching of scrub and trees by
Visual Aid Fuel Guides The updated guidelines include Determining fuel loads is an essential additional plantation forestry species part of bushfire planning and these and plantation locations. guides allow community members and Lap The Bush Fire Cooperative Research fire managers to do so quickly. Specific NI Centre which ran from 2003 to June guides have been produced for the 2010 also provided a range of products Goldfields, Pilbara, Esperance area to enhance bushfire management. .1 and Denmark. Future Plantation Fire Management Guidelines The Australian Government announced a three-year research program into Fire management guidelines for issues arising from the 2009 Victorian plantations for timber production or Bushfires Royal Commission. FESA use as carbon sinks for greenhouse gas will play an active role in a number mitigation have been revised following of national research initiatives under consultation with the plantation forestry this program. industry and local government. -
_0: . 2 -
Section 2 AGENCY PERFORMANCE 27 FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Interagency Bushfire A primary purpose of the Committee Committee will be to develop appropriate policy to enable seamless coordination, control The Interagency Bushfire Management and command procedures in dealing Committee (IBMC) was established with the management of major fires. at the direction of the Minister for Emergency Services and held its The Committee is chaired by FESA and inaugural meeting on 3 February 2010. includes representatives from FESA, The Committee is an Executive the Department of Environment and Group overseeing and working with Conservation, Western Australia Local a number of sub-committees to Government Association and the Bush improve information sharing, Fire Service Consultative Committee. coordination and collaboration The matters arising from the Victorian Bushfires among Government agencies. Currently the following sub-committees have been established to support the The functions of the Committee are to: work of the IBMC: Royal Commission and key state legislative • Provide a mechanism to ensure • Bushfire Research Sub-Committee. amendments, including the transfer of control of that all fire agencies operate • Fire Operations Sub-Committee. under consistent policies, plans • Fuel Load Management and procedures. Sub-Committee. a bushfire between agencies and the ability for • Examine opportunities and • Training Sub-Committee. initiatives to improve interagency FESA to assume control of major fires, created the
cooperation and interaction in • Aerial Suppression Sub-Committee.
areas including resourcing, training The formation of further sub- requirement for clear guidelines and coordinated and technology. committees is under consideration. • Examine opportunities for LL AGENCY PERFORMANCE arrangements between agencies. whole of government It is the intention to review the efficiencies and collaboration activities, membership and functions in bushfire management. of the Committee one year after its establishment and every three The matters arising from the Victorian years thereafter. Bushfires Royal Commission and key state legislative amendments, including the transfer of control of a bushfire between agencies and the ability for FESA to assume control of major fires, created the requirement
S ection 2 for clear guidelines and coordinated arrangements between agencies.
28 FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Improved Support To Local Government To assist more local governments * -11C in high risk areas protect against (p. community impacts of natural hazards such as bushfire and floods, FESA has expanded its successful program that allocates highly sought after Community Fire Managers (CFMs) and Community Emergency Service Managers (CESMs).
A total of 17 CFMs and CESMs operate in local governments throughout the state, providing fire and emergency services support and advice to enhance City of Wanneroo CFM, Mayor and CEO with the level of community safety. CFMs the helicopter used to inspect firebreaks. and CESMs are jointly-funded through partnership agreements between FESA and the respective local government.
The roles and responsibilities of CFMs and CESMs are tailored to meet local needs and generally include responsibility for developing and 1k7 maintaining partnerships with the community, local government and volunteers to reduce the impact of natural hazards. In addition, they assist local government in developing and implementing local preparedness, prevention, response and recovery initiatives.
Section 2 AGENCY PERFORMANCE 29 30 Section 2 AGENCY PERFORMANCE FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITYOFWESTERNAUSTRALIA FIRE ANDEMERGENCYSERVICES able to participate in deciding its able toparticipate indecidingits management capacityandwas then Country trainingtobuildemergency Each communityreceived Safer partnering arrangements. communities through relationships and the needtobuildcapacityinremote Action Plan,whichbothhighlight communities andFESA’s Reconciliation training initiativeforIndigenous to thereview oftheSaferCountry Ardyaloon (OneArmPoint).Itislinked Bay, Djardinjin, Lombadinaand communities –Bidyadanga,Beagle and apilotstudywithfiveBroome It followedextensiveconsultation Indigenous communities. management servicesfor in June2010toimprove emergency Management Strategywasformalised The FESAIndigenousEmergency and riskmanagementservices. have limitedaccesstoemergency Generally, Indigenous communities and populationdemographics. structures, infrastructure, services to naturalhazards, governance with theirlevelsofisolation,exposure from emergencies variessignificantly prepare for, respond toandrecover Australia astheircapacitytoprevent, than othercommunitiesinWestern face agreater riskfrom emergencies Remote Indigenouscommunities Management Strategy Indigenous Emergency
been developed. Indigenous communitieshavealso resources forthespecificneedsof understanding. Riskmanagement by buildinggreater respect and 100 FESAstaff toaidcommunication have beendelivered toapproximately Cross culturalawareness workshops emergencies were identified. and theirspecificroles inmanaging providers oflocalemergency services Government andnon-government service deliverymodel.The preferred emergency management metropolitan community groups. program wasdevelopedwith helpfrom Fire SafetyintheHomeawareness rangers, andalocallyappropriate in cooperationwiththeBardi Jawi were delivered intheKimberley wet weatherawareness programs and Ngaanyatjarralands.Fire and rescue trainingintheKimberley education program androad crash the GoodFire, BadFire schools Improved servicesincludedelivering of thisreport. Health andInjuryManagement section outlined intheOccupationalSafety, Details ofprioritiesfor2010/11 are the StateGovernment. which wasrecently approved by for increased resource funding The report helpedprovide abasis welfare policies,structures andsystems. and enhancementofsafety, healthand plan toprovide aplatformforreform implementation ofamanagement have enableddevelopmentand Recommendations intheauditreport released inJune2010. Management Systemwiththefindings independent auditofourSafety We commissionedanextensive Management System Review OfTheSafety continue during2010/11. management frameworks,whichwill development oftheiremergency the Gaptrials.Thishasdelayed Australian Governments’Closing also participatingintheCouncilof and Ardyaloon communities are The BeagleBay, Djardinjin, Lombadina continue during2010/11. developed anditsimplementationwill Management Frameworkhasbeen The BidyadangaEmergency
FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA . '" _ hr-- 6= "r"q--
On 29 July 2009, around 200 people E Inaugural Volunteer hir,i4eg't attended the inaugural Volunteer
Employer Recognition '2:0 Employer Recognition Awards at Awards iet' Government House. This program is COte44:11,._: Employers of emergency services the first of its kind in Australia, and the volunteers, and volunteers who are awards presentation ceremony was a rr, self employed, play a critical role in the highly visible opportunity to put the LI,: protection of the Western Australian spotlight on employers of emergency community against natural and man service volunteers and thank them for ,,.. made disasters. FESA’s Volunteer the tremendous support and assistance ...., t,_ Employer Recognition Program they provide to their local communities. (VERP) is an important initiative that acknowledges the contributions of both At the ceremony the Minister for ,..11 cA the employers of emergency services Emergency Services presented ...... !--.7. - %-.1.1
17 Gold, 29 Silver and 25 Bronze -.. volunteers and the many self employed . - - volunteers that FESA supports. awards to representatives of 71 employers. All voluntary emergency The VERP has three key objectives: services were represented, as were • To provide a formal recognition regions right across Western Australia. program for employers who Award winning employers came from support staff who volunteer as far north as Kununurra, as far south as Albany and as far east their services. The Catholic Agricultural College Bindoon was a Gold Award winner in the as Queensland. • To provide public recognition inaugural FESA Volunteer Employer Recognition Program in 2009. as an incentive for employers. Awards are valid for three years from • To encourage employers to the date of announcement and entitle This co-educational college for year 7-12 day and residential students is situated promote volunteering within the recipient to display the FESA 10 kilometres north of Bindoon township. Principal Damian Wallis confirmed the their workplaces. recognition status on their stationery college’s ongoing commitment to supporting emergency services volunteering and promotional materials. by hosting local emergency services cadets, providing vital support through the use of their facilities and equipment, and giving staff time off during working hours to undertake cadet activities and attend training requirements. He also
commented that winning the award had brought the college an increased level
of exposure and awareness in the community, which has led to tangible benefits LL LL through improved student enrolment rates. LL
Section 2 AGENCY PERFORMANCE 31 32 Section 2 AGENCY PERFORMANCE Major achievementsthisyearinclude: reducing lifeandproperty lossasaconsequenceofemergency events. appropriately trainedtoundertake theirroles inprotecting communitysafety and that theorganisation has adequate resources andthatitsstaff andvolunteersare timely andappropriate response whenemergencies occur. Thisincludesensuring The focusofourEmergency Servicesistoprovide allareas ofWestern Australiawith SERVICE 2:EMERGENCYSERVICES AUTHORITYOFWESTERNAUSTRALIA FIRE ANDEMERGENCYSERVICES ORGANISATION EMERGENCY SERVICES A LEADING PEOPLE VALUED ANDCAPABLE ORGANISATION AN INTEGRATED ORGANISATION A FUTUREFOCUSED Celebrated50yearsofSESoperationsinWestern • Reformedthefirefighter recruitment process. • Progressed andimplementedcriticalamendments to • Developedanimproved procurement process for • Improved publiccommunicationtosupport • Reviewed,updatedandtestedStateEmergency • Improved operational resourcing. • Developedenhancedtechnologytosupport • Delivered interagency training. • Majorincidentresponse: • Reviewedandimplementedimproved strategic • Australia. emergency management. Management Plans–Westplans. bushfire legislation. operations. - Othersignificantincidents. storms. - Victorian - West Coaststorm. - Toodyay bushfire. resource planningprocedures. rescue equipment.
set ofprocedures foremergency services. piece oflegislationcombiningcurrent Actswillensure amore modernandrelevant continued. ThiswasakeyelementoftheCDJSCrecommendations, andasingle Work onthedevelopmentandprogression ofasingleEmergency ServicesActhas crucial role inensuringthesafetyofWestern Australiancommunity. The introduction ofthesecriticalamendmentswillassistFESAinundertakingits The Emergency ServicesLegislation. Justice StandingCommittee(CDJSC)ReportfollowingitsInquiryintoFire and of somethecriticalrecommendations from theCommunityDevelopmentand 1954 were enactedon1December 2009.Theamendmentsincludedimplementation Following Cabinetapproval in2008,anumberofamendmentstotheBushFires Act Critical AmendmentsToBushfireLegislation ThenewnationalBureau ofMeteorology dailyfire dangerratings. • Arevised definitionof‘property’ whichnowincludes‘Crown land’,‘bush’and‘fauna’. • Theabilitytotransfercontrol ofafire betweenanofficer ormemberofabushfire • AdditionalpowersforthepersonauthorisedbyFESAtotakecontrol ofamajor • TheabilityforFESAtoauthoriseanappropriate persontotakecontrol ofamajor • Theabilitytodeclare aTotal Fire Banondayswhentheprevailing conditions • brigade andanauthorisedCALMActofficer. in andaround theaffected area. fire, tolimitmovement,direct evacuationandcloseroads andotheraccessroutes warrants thataction. Land ManagementAct1954CEO,orifthenature and extentofthebushfire fire eitherattherequest oflocalgovernment,theauthorisedConservationand otherwise necessary. are, orare expectedtobe,conducivetheoutbreak orspread offire, oritis Bush Fires Act1954nowincludes:
FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
State Emergency Management Plans – Westplans Interagency operational exercises are used to test Westplans and their frequency is determined by the State Emergency Management Committee. The formal operational State Emergency Management Plans in Western Australia are known as Westplans and activation of a Westplan may be considered as an exercise for this purpose. The provide strategic, state-level arrangements for managing the particular hazards to which exercises provide the opportunity to clarify legislative responsibilities, test systems they apply. The period to review Westplans has been extended by the State Emergency and procedures, identify training gaps and improve interagency cooperation. Management Committee from two years to five years, or as required, as a result of a number of factors including the extensive consultation that is required to ensure the The current status of Westplans is as follows: plans are current and meet community and emergency service agency needs.
WESTPLAN STATUS 2009/10 EXERCISES
WESTPLAN – BUSHFIRE Current. 27 October 2009 (Mandurah) – major bushfire exercise involving FESA, Department of Environment and Conservation and local government.
WESTPLAN – CBRN (CHEMICAL, Current. 8 December 2009 – (Phosphine) – exercise simulating a truck collision involving stolen BIOLOGICAL RADIOLOGICAL AND chemicals intended for release in Perth Airport. NUCLEAR) 28 April 2010 – (Beenyup) – exercise for release of chlorine at water treatment plant.
20 May 2010 – (Canister) – exercise of response triggers for CBRN incidents.
WESTPLAN – COLLAPSE Current. 28-29 October 2009 (Forrestfield) – exercise of assessment, triage and heavy rescue operations.
WESTPLAN – TROPICAL CYCLONE Current. 16 December 2009 – Tropical Cyclone Laurence.
WESTPLAN – FLOOD Draft completed - to be presented 16 December 2009 – Tropical Cyclone Laurence (de Grey catchment). to State Emergency Management WESTPLAN – TSUNAMI Committee (SEMC) for approval. 14 October 2009 (Indian Ocean Wave) – tsunami exercise.
WESTPLAN – HAZMAT Under review in line with the SEMC 8 December 2009 – (Phosphine) – as per CBRN. specifications and the Emergency Management Act 2005. WESTPLAN – TELECOMMUNICATIONS** 29 December 2009 – Toodyay bushfire.
WESTPLAN – URBAN FIRE* 8 November 2009 – Central Park high rise structure fire exercise.
22 November 2009 – Whitfords Train – rail transport fire exercise.
WESTPLAN – EARTHQUAKE Review required 2010/11. 25 July 2009 – (Carine TAFE) – earthquake exercise.
20 April 2010 – Kalgoorlie-Boulder earthquake.
WESTPLAN – FREIGHT SUBSIDY** 29 January 2009 – Fitzroy Valley floods.
WESTPLAN – SEVERE STORM 21-22 March 2010 West Coast storm.
* Previously ‘Structure Fire’ ** Additional Westplans Section 2 AGENCY PERFORMANCE 33 34 Section 2 AGENCY PERFORMANCE FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITYOFWESTERNAUSTRALIA FIRE ANDEMERGENCYSERVICES of providing timelyandaccurate also highlightedtheimportance bushfiresThe devastatingVictorian of improved informationtechnology. along withincreasing accesstoanduse after emergency incidentshasgrown quality informationpriorto,duringand will beprovided withdetailed,high The community’s expectationthatit Background Management Support Emergency Communication To Improved Public Case Study– emergency management. public informationandsupport information initiativestoenhance and implementedasuiteofpublic During 2009/10FESArecognised this emergency serviceorganisations. pose significantchallengesfor needs andinformationtechnology These changesinbothcommunity emergencies occur. people inmakingdecisionswhen as wellspecificwarningstosupport community informationandeducation, information. There isalsoeasyaccess and hazard prevention andmitigation Ratings, Total Fire Bans,mediareleases community warnings,Fire Danger range ofinformation,including and easyaccesstoacomprehensive was alsoredesigned toprovide clear contemporary platform.Thefront page old andunreliable technologywitha redeveloped in2009/10toreplace The FESAwebsitewaspartially during emergencies. and relevant publicinformation Western Australiatoprovide timely protocols havebeenimplemented in Nationally agreed messaging and Results degrees oftechnological expertise. day ornightbypeoplewithvarying can beaccessedatanytimeofthe channels ensures thatkey information Providing anumberofcommunication as emergency incidentsunfold. occur andprovide updated information current emergency incidentsasthey for emergency risks,alert people to prevention andmitigation strategies to informthecommunityabout a rangeofcommunicationtools for bushfires. Ouraimwas toprovide one stoppublicinformationsystem for FESAtoestablishandmanagea to theBushFires Act1954 provided The December2009amendments Objective
and tsunami. and tsunami. including fires, cyclones,chemicalspills type oflifethreatening emergency needs. StateAlertmaybeusedforany home orhavearelative withspecial than oneproperty, workawayfrom valuable forpeopleiftheyownmore addresses. Thisopt-infunctionalityis feed andtheirmobilesforuptothree to receive warningsviaemail,RSS StateAlerts. Peoplecanalsoregister automatically registered toreceive silent numbers,andmobilesare and allhomephones,including immediate danger. Itisafree service alerting peopleinspecificlocationsto other publicinformationtoolsby in danger. StateAlert complements emergency warningswhen livesare automatically deliversvoiceandtext built telephone-basedsystemthat Australia Police.Itisapurpose- developed byFESAandWestern system wasjointlyfundedand The StateAlert suite includesthefollowingtools: The current FESApublicinformation and recovery assistance. assistance, theFESAinformationline to contactnumbersforemergency StateAlert emergency warning FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Community Warnings Following the Victorian bushfires, I community awareness has placed a PREPARE. ACT. SU greater demand on FESA to provide ..__. ...aka. a StateAlert 'f--'772].,I - ':Fri---,a public information during emergencies. -all%WO, EMERGENCY WARNING The FESA website now posts alerts STATE and warnings for all fires, including SYSTEM ALERT those that FESA is not responsible for I i;OUit GUIDE TO PREPARING FOR an:tit2, SURVIVING THESUSHFIRE,SEASON.. WESTERN AUSTRALIA managing. As a result, the number of - .,A -14 A,r.!,., 1141,, . Warning Communities bushfire alerts and warnings issued . - E d'+Ekr during the 2009/10 bushfire season 4 'in . .5: StateAlert delivers emergency warnings direct to you when lives more than quadrupled from 177 74.4, may be in danger in your neighbourhood. It's run by the State over the previous year to 744. Alerts i " rir7lii,i. i ;dr Government and registration is FREE. and warnings related to fires which I.3 t. r r17:.1.1 /V: other agencies were responsible for ;,, Iv. t..,E - 11 1111 I I I IN - F , 7,,,,,c,c4 T T managing increased from 19 to 77. T-1 I I I 111 I III I ( ;, lrit 1 , otiag = / a ? t/90,4 OTI FESA Information Line
------The FESA information line provides n VSt*, .4;3 1 regularly updated recorded information Future on current emergency incidents. Register at www.statealert.wa.gov.au Further upgrades to our website will During major events, the message also be undertaken in 2010/11 to ensure provides a telephone number to use it has the capacity to meet ever if the caller needs to talk to someone increasing demand. These will include and a team of trained FESA staff establishing off site hosting for critical provide 24 hour coverage as required. applications and 24 hour, seven day a week oncall support and monitoring The system was initially trialled The system’s first activation was on In addition FESA provides alerts and which will enhance the business successfully in March 2007, however, 16 December 2009, when Tropical warnings through ABC emergency continuity and redundancy capacity of its implementation was delayed until Cyclone Laurence threatened Derby broadcasts, news bulletins, a FESA call the website. Commonwealth legislation and 5,455 SMS messages were sent to centre and TV crawler messages. was amended to allow all state and local community members. StateAlert During 2010/11, StateAlert will be territory emergency services access has now been used on eight further enhanced with hardware upgrades to specific telephone information. occasions with more than 20,000 and the capability to send emergency A second successful trial was messages sent in total. warnings to mobile telephones based conducted in Bedfordale in August on their location. 2009 and StateAlert became operational in December 2009.
Section 2 AGENCY PERFORMANCE 35 FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Improved Procurement Improved Strategic =ft...... -- Process For Rescue .... -- '''... Resource Planning --,,, Equipment ---.: Procedures By developing a single panel contract Changes in the operating for the supply of rescue equipment we environment including demographic have realised significant cost savings shifts and climate change impacts through competition between the require a flexible approach to panel suppliers. long term strategic planning and
°P'' resourcing strategies.
The contract establishes a convenient 1 one stop shop for all rescue equipment -77 Our capital resource planning
= 1
purchases while also providing the r procedures, which identify priorities flexibility in procurement to keep for new and replacement operational abreast of technological change facilities, were reviewed during 7 and ensure equipment is as up to 2009/10. In line with the FESA 2023 11)1 date as possible. – Shaping Our Future strategic plan, Atmospheric gas monitors will increase detection more robust, evidence based planning The Department of Treasury and
ru c processes are now being implemented. ciC capability to enable immediate confined space Finance featured our improved entry by responding front line crews. procurement practices for rescue These best practice processes co equipment as an innovative practical include the development, with input example in their January 2010 Better from a wide range of community
Practice in Procurement – Case Studies. II , stakeholders and service providers, of comprehensive and detailed 0 lip I Strategic Service Demand Reports -"" 3rf4.7 r.1 V i
AGENCY PERFORMANCE for each region. r, h r r; . L . L.: . 1 L Zr'_-P L S ection 2 11.
36 FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Key resource planning factors are: Strategic Resource Reviews 3:-L • Demographics. To enhance the capability and -
• Residential, industrial and efficiency of emergency response FEs-A commercial development plans. resources, we have completed strategic reviews of: • Planned major resource projects. • Firefighting bulk water tankers. • Local hazards and incident "'MB response levels. • Hand hydraulic rescue equipment. • Assessment as to whether the • Flood boats. allocation of resources to risks is • All terrain vehicles. appropriate, and whether facilities • Lighting trailers. and equipment are fit for their • Buses. intended purposes. Vr" '-7.....;-4';r10644 • Emerging technologies. The outcomes of these reviews have " .'Li., = r,: • Climate and environmental enabled us to determine levels of changes. allocation and locations of these
resources to appropriately match the 1 I ' re • Development hotspots, private risk to the community. developers plans and strategic 1 44 4.,f planning projects. ; • Input from internal stakeholders regarding funding allocations, \ FIRE- changes to operational protocols and developments in appliance and ' equipment design.
, ,, ....._.._. The Strategic Service Demand Reports will become the primary -4,------44174M reference and decision making ,m7C'171 -"z-e.."2114- tools for future emergency service P' "IL rII" f'.!i'll.iii 1 ' ;:f' a-ill )i /41311t-''' -` planning and delivery. EA ....._-....-,_ -..., --"T-=.
i
""1"khglihdli\ TvCI i' ii1.':9 ,--=77,- op"- -!..!_i --1g----r..(i'I ----- , - - ', _.,1. --. a El1;1.0_,$ .. - tz--&---- ' -.I
' 47: = I 6.4-P
Section 2 AGENCY PERFORMANCE 37 FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
MAJOR INCIDENT RESPONSE
The protection of lives and property Objective Toodyay - Fire Area (30/12/2009) was the highest priority as the Shire The size and complexity of this of Toodyay, which was initially Legend rapidly moving fire created significant responsible for the fire, mobilised 2 C;essgrap,s. Names operational challenges apart from additional firefighting resources. ) Towne, managing and extinguishing it. The Rotha FESA personnel worked with local FESA Incident Controller and Incident T000yay Fin) Shape fire crews until control of the fire was ILI (2589ha) Management Team had to consider handed to FESA to enable statewide and coordinate air operations, road coordination of resources. closures, assistance for trapped YAMS residents, the establishment of In the early stages of the fire, FESA relocation points and safety routes, and issued a number of emergency warnings the release of public information. and StateAlert was activated, for the first time during a bushfire, to warn hundreds of residents about the threat.
.1060
+ 01 1 .3IIf
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Case Study – Toodyay On Tuesday 29 December 2009, Bushfire – December 2009 we received a large number of calls
AGENCY PERFORMANCE about a bushfire near River Road. The Background temperature was around 44°C with winds
The Shire of Toodyay in the Avon Valley of more than 40 kilometres per hour - north east of Perth is part of Western as local bush fire brigades and FESA Australia’s wheatbelt region, with a managers were mobilised to the area. large proportion of the land used for agriculture. The area offers significant When fire crews arrived the fire was out heritage values and is home to a of control. Steep hills, high fuel loads sizeable population seeking a semi-rural and the extreme weather conditions lifestyle close to the metropolitan area. made the fire difficult to predict as it spread towards Toodyay with burning embers starting spot fires up to four S ection 2 kilometres ahead of the fire front.
38 FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Results The Future The Toodyay bushfire was a major After significant incidents, FESA emergency that tested response conducts a Major Incident Review (MIR) across a number of Government to determine whether the incident was and non-government agencies. effectively managed and to identify It also tested the new bushfire issues to be addressed in future. Noetic management strategies introduced by Solutions commenced a MIR into the - - .071- FESA in late 2009 in response to the Toodyay bushfire in March 2010 and ,.) 71Ilf Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission this is anticipated to be completed in Interim Recommendations and the the second half of 2010. amendments to bushfire legislation ! pr 1,.. -.,,172 enacted in December 2009. FESA is also conducting an extensive research project with the University _- i lat,,,A - 6f: 6=1 - Interagency cooperation was timely and of Western Australia (UWA) into the 6.76, E_ effective, as was FESA’s pre-planning in Toodyay bushfire, due to be finalised in
:,..;,..7...... F6It"---- light of the forecast extreme weather late 2010. The project will: - '...Wk '- ' 4-4'4' ..,-;,--,-:--- -...- ,__. r....,(1-..,, ..-..ol. . .. conditions. The aerial fleet played • Assess the impact of the fire on a major role in protecting life and _ -."--4=,zlf-----'-'------:-.=-: homes and investigate why some - - property under very difficult conditions. homes were destroyed while others - -,--,.,- --,7-- were not. The Toodyay bushfire was declared • Research bushfire behaviour FESA staff, more than 200 personnel fire under control and several days to an eligible disaster under the Western characteristics and the actions from the career and volunteer Fire and totally extinguish remaining fire spots. Australia Natural Disaster Relief and of residents before, during and Rescue Service, Bush Fire Service, State Recovery Arrangements (WANDRRA). following the fire. Emergency Service and the Department Refuge and recovery areas for those No lives were lost, however one of Environment and Conservation, who left their homes were set up at the • Investigate the social impact of resident and three firefighters and local people operating private Toodyay Town Hall, Toodyay sports oval the fire on affected and nearby sustained injuries. The fire destroyed firefighting units worked through the and the Northam Recreation Centre. communities. 38 homes, three holiday cottages night to contain the fire. FESA issued a total of 15 alerts during and 20 sheds. Around 2,900 hectares FESA is also partnering with Landgate Ground crews were supported by the the incident, including emergency were burnt and 100 sheep killed. The and UWA in the development of FESA aerial intelligence helicopter, two warnings with the use of the Standard estimated total cost of damage was bushfire prediction technology. Type 1 helicopters, two helitacs, two Emergency Warning Signal and $100 million. This will provide maps predicting fixed wing water bombers and one StateAlert was activated twice. communities that could be impacted air attack platform. It took fire fighters by a bushfire and will interface with The incident was handed back to the more than eight hours to bring the an alert system to communicate the Shire of Toodyay on 31 December 2009. potential threat to them.
Section 2 AGENCY PERFORMANCE 39 Lightning strikes disrupted powerLightning storm at the peak of the supplies and households and than 150,000 more Roadside affected. were businesses traffic flooding and 182 inoperative transport disruptionlights caused major A landslip area. the metropolitan across the evacuation of at Kings Park required as mud inundatedan apartment tower its the lower level and threatened than 100 people were More stability. to the Perth Convention relocated as FESA and other emergency Centre all residents services checked that accounted for and subsequently were safe. worked to make the area -Al 1. , -'::'-'-"" ,Eir:"-,___ A. -1 . - ...... - k i ..,±4411.11 , ' r aq,:. R ,, LI N. .- i' ...0,,- 1 ./ ._.iii , _ six centimetres in diameter. The storms in diameter. six centimetres their path southwards, continued rain to the Southbringing heavy i"wi on Southern regions and Great West 23 March. Tuesday hail of the heavy rain, As a result 'r than more and wind FESA received ff--4114711 both to assist people 3,200 requests who hadnorth and south of Perth damage,experienced structural : and shattered ceiling collapse, cracked and skylights, windows and roof blocked gutteringflooding caused by and drainage systems. 4, i L. i...... ! ,1.... L ;:... - ; -7=-;----_-_....R9c - o 7=1 7-ar I, - ii -1 ....' =.--r:, ..,es - -'-' tcIII l):9 1, 1, Y_ ) r , zge. 1%.1: 71 A IIJ A P P .7_.=;:.,-1jiit ' ... , . L ii,1 13_ 1...., ? ''-' .,_ '-' . I '''!' ilsi=miL ".., I n .k I ,,, onoff ti- ii,,,AP J - .sid,,i-,11',... IL - ...A 'r.; * E " ,r-443 4 Er rj FESA commenced a watching brief issued a monitoring the weather radar, for community warning and prepared potential impacts. intensity The leading storm gathered the moving down from over the day, Gascoyne and reaching Mid West suburbs at northern metropolitan 3.00pm and the Perth approximately central business district and western heavy suburbs by 4.00pm. It produced hail and wind gusts up rainfall, large Over a two per hour. to 120 kilometres hour period rainfall of 62.8 millimetres at some locations, and was recorded golf ball sized reported some areas hailstones measured hail – the largest PirVej;)-- Z3 tdr?1 .4T1- " . 411-",'"' ' -u_d_il-. .5_ r ij 7:-.4-"Ok!, -- -..---iir, A., 1 "ut, 2 L. I ' . . El i FP . 1 I.. V - L -- , ,,,, l'..----....44. ,.. -inL ii, . ,__.,....,-;:, , -,,'.!---_____4e.,;.' -].±,ti 7.,,, -. --7.--..--,_.--1.... te_-_.....,,, ., -. ,-1: i- - 11 ---.,,, , 4 OE -X j,L ' ' 3.11:u- ,. IfigkAlrgo;._...... - ..---.. ED .: ...,i_ .- -.' 3 . l''' .:r/It ill * *.iik 1 '7, 'Ilr - , ! lr rrr1 !Ea" ..42,-..111.:,: I I k `,4 I i 1, a ire 9 TI r Pr , r LL)0, - ' 1,...i''' Aid7te .1rt.'idti ii: ,i ilj j i 1 I 1 ir rov6Sa ''.'"' 1;-: 4 . --or 4, r rr . I id% 4 ' 3 LILO 41,1 0. _-.1.- Vvr Case Study – West Coast Storm – March 2010 Background On Sunday 21 and Monday 22 March thunderstorms moved 2010, severe Australia causing Western through damage and destruction. widespread to hit This was the worst storm front Australia in 16 years and the Western insurance value of claims is aggregate now in excess of $1 billion. the Initial storms passed through on 21 March Midwest Gascoyne region issued of Meteorology and the Bureau thunderstorm warning the first severe at 9.45am on Monday 22 March. FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AND EMERGENCY FIRE AUSTRALIA WESTERN OF AUTHORITY 4 q,,,,,
.f.,' ir,. " 14I '1 ip A ' 11 .1r
2 ection S AGENCY PERFORMANCE AGENCY 40 FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Objective SES volunteers from regional areas 11' - across the state including Broome, A4 , ,,,,
Ensuring the safety of the community C....' Port Hedland, Karratha, Kalbarri, 4 .21., and assisting people to cope with g ,I.Ni -
Geraldton, Mandurah, Narrogin, ,t_VP--.V.I''s ' 11.
this severe weather event required "..,74;.,, .. ,..,...v.114-. 4'l4,4Lft! -0-L0 4tteticLO!
Bunbury, Collie, Donnybrook, 0
significant effort and cooperation ,i1,%, -,:.--,4(ify o,,,
Gnowangerup, Manjimup, Mt Barker ',.fr1
across the organisation, with FESA SES 4 . .,,,, , :,,,,-...7;.),.."--77rrI volunteers, career and volunteer Fire and Albany travelled to Perth to ili'll'Ojr.V/ Pl4ii''-fr ' 4,Pfe,,r,'.4 support metropolitan based crews with ,--=''
and Rescue Service personnel, Bush .1, .,1 . " '"=...4::` the response and 94 SES volunteers , Fire Brigade volunteers and FESA staff -1$""r4 '-, i. 4 -1.- 1-- supporting the response. also travelled from New South Wales, l' - ':. ...#f"r1 =-- Victoria and South Australia to lend 1.:..,,, Emergency response crews and
their assistance and help relieve crews ''.1 ,i-74...,...r., ,... r,qi .41'11 ,...... 4 . 17!%Z:', j ' ATAt c.----. '..` ...1.: support staff worked around the clock k:o .,,..
assisting the community. t ' ' :*)1 s to help repair damage to homes, ' 4 ,,,,, t i4 ''4'..1'
FESA also worked closely with local I.
businesses, the University of Western . I Ii$ ; governments, the Western Australian 1,,t/:, L .
Australia, 15 schools and several , ;'.. ! -1 I metropolitan hospitals including Departments of Child Protection, '.I Royal Perth Shenton Park Campus, Education and Health, Main Roads, the Hollywood and the QEII Medical Public Transport Authority, the Water Western Power, the Department of significant events, the response effort Centre. Corporation, Western Australia Police, Defence and Telstra and to minimise was regarded as a major success the impact on the community. with no fatalities or serious injuries to community members or responders. Results The West Coast storm is the most Specifically, the outcome is evidence costly natural disaster on record of FESA’s ability to coordinate an in Western Australia and has been integrated whole of FESA and interagency response. Government - deemed an eligible disaster under the Western Australia Natural Disaster and non-government organisations Relief and Recovery Arrangements. operated effectively in a cooperative This allows all local governments and coordinated manner in accordance affected by the storms to apply for with agreed roles and responsibilities. funding to assist with the cost of The success of the response effort rebuilding their community assets. was significantly supported by The response phase lasted 150 hours. the large number of volunteers Although the storm highlighted whose dedication and commitment a number of challenges and contributed to ensuring the safety of opportunities for improvement the community. in relation to the management of
Section 2 AGENCY PERFORMANCE 41 42 Section 2 AGENCY PERFORMANCE Victorian SEScrewsVictorian forfivedays. The deploymentworkedalongside Australia, andtwoFESASESstaff. area and10from regional Western volunteers, 30from themetropolitan storm andwateroperationstrained The taskforce consistedof40 taskforce wasdeployedtoassist. to supporttheirefforts aFESASES clock tomeetcommunityneedsand operations were workingaround the requests forassistance.Response (SES) received more than7,600 StateEmergencyThe Victorian Service Melbourne centralbusinessdistrict. across alarge partofthestateand as large hailstonesandhigh winds rainfall causingflashfloodingaswell thunderstorm, anddelivered heavy meteorological termsasa supercell The eventwasdescribedin Festival. Races), andtheannualMoomba pre-season gamesandthe Flemington and sportingevents(includingAFL disruption totransportationnetworks There were poweroutagesand residential andcommercial properties. 2010 causedwidespread damage to Day longweekendof6and7March regions overtheLabour ofVictoria through thewesternand central Severe stormactivitythat passed Victorian Storms Ses PersonnelTo Deployment OfFesa AUTHORITYOFWESTERNAUSTRALIA FIRE ANDEMERGENCYSERVICES
personnel involved. experience andtraininggainedbyall capability through theoperational interjurisdictional networksandbuild strengthencommunity ofVictoria, volunteers tosupporttheSESand opportunity forFESASESstaff and This deploymentwasanexcellent through approximately 350hectares Conservation. Althoughthefire burnt the DepartmentofEnvironment and River andBusselton,crews from in theShires ofAugusta-Margaret Augusta, volunteerbushfire brigades volunteers from Margaret Riverand included Fire andRescueService were involvedinthefire effort. They 200 emergency servicespersonnel and protect property. Atotalof were usedtosupportfirefighters aircraft andairintelligenceplanes to bringundercontrol. Fire suppression The fire tookapproximately ninehours the LeeuwinNaturalisteNationalPark. attacking thefire before ithadentered prevented firefighters from directly Margaret River. Inaccessibleterrain of GnarabupandPrevelly, westof endangering thecoastalcommunities private burnoff gotoutof control This incidentwascausedwhena – 24October2009 Gnarabup/Prevelly BUSHFIRE Incidents Other Significant
was significant with losses of livestock, was significantwithlossesoflivestock, The impactonthelocalcommunity potential flare upsoccurring. throughout thenighttoprevent any in theeveningwithpatrols continuing fire wasdeclared ascontainedearly fire underverydifficult conditions.The worked closelytogethertocontainthe units, DECresources andFESAstaff bushfire brigadevolunteers, localfarm handed toFESA.Localgovernment Local Governmentbefore control was incident wasinitiallymanagedby a severe fire dangerratedday. The by 80kilometre perhourwinds on This multi-agencyfire was driven – 28December2009 Dandaragan/Badgingarra 300 homes. prevented damagetoapproximately of bushlandtheefforts offire crews
in accessingthefire becauseofthe by heavysmokeaswelldifficulties challenged bypoorvisibilitycaused Conservation crews. Crews were Department ofEnvironment and Service andBushFire Brigades, and volunteers from localFire andRescue service personnelresponded, including hectares. Atotalof70emergency and burntoutofcontrol through 35 high roared through thetree canopy fuel loads,flamesreaching 30metres consequence ofhotweatherandhigh approximately 5.15pmin wetlands. Asa This multi-agencyincidentstartedat Busselton –22February2010 farm response unit. infrastructure, twofarmsheds andone fencing aswelldamagetocritical approximately fivekilometres of Products Commissionplantation, several hundred hectares ofForrest FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
swampy terrain. With the support of controlled at 11pm. No lives or homes .....174:41,C.',.',,;;. UV .11,,... r..#3, 4 . ,,. -7 Ii ....__...."4-' X A. , the Type 1 helicopter, crews saved 40 were lost, however, total of 700 .-...1-7-7:16., --- ...el ...7., , 1.-. .X7'... ri., =4 '- ,t,,,, I Mr - ' homes and countless businesses and hectares of bushland was estimated to li L r I- - _Alr ir, 74 ''''''' '.. :
' only minor damage to property was have been burnt. ' r 1,
,,.... . sustained. Approximately 50 people -4" _,T,' . _. ,k,._ 3..p.1/41c-,:.., Arrowsmith r k.- - were relocated and fortunately no one 'Pt . Ttf :""it. – 26 February to 2 March 2010 was injured, although six people were :44%k l'i %::;tt, 7 g t A.'. 4. treated for smoke inhalation. There This incident occurred over a public - o was also disruption to power when holiday long weekend and resulted 6-1; car power poles were lost. The fire cause is in the closure of a major highway for r- [ ,R'..h classified as suspicious. four days. More than 200 personnel - , responded, supported by fixed and " Albany – 14 March 2010 rotary wing aircraft. Losses included , More than 80 personnel worked 31,500 hectares of pasture, Unallocated tirelessly to protect the Albany Crown Land and nature reserves, three subdivisions of Robinson and fishermen’s shacks, a grader and 40 Little Grove during a bushfire that kilometres of fencing. A nearby rail line started after a motorcycle crash was also damaged. The total financial CYCLONE and rescue (USAR) trained personnel ignited bushland. The fire started at impact of the incident was estimated at and FESA SES volunteers was approximately 10am and was fanned $1 million. Tropical Cyclone Laurence deployed from Perth to support by gusting north westerly winds. – 16 December 2009 local staff and volunteers. The first It spread quickly, burning through Broome – 11 to 12 October 2009 Fierce winds and torrential rain from ever StateAlert warning was issued Torndirrup National Park. By 3pm the This multi-agency incident started near Tropical Cyclone Laurence caused to inform people in Derby of the fire was 90 per cent contained when Malcolm Douglas Wildlife Park, located destruction in the state’s North West potential impact. a change of wind direction created north of Cable Beach on Broome’s after it crossed the coast twice as a flames up to 30 metres high, moving rural-urban interface. The fire took category 5 system. This was the most Cyclone Laurence moved south west towards homes. Career and volunteer ten days to control and required the intense cyclone to impact Western over land, past Derby and weakened Fire and Rescue Service firefighters mobilisation of a strike team and task Australia since Tropical Cyclone to below cyclone intensity. However, from Albany, together with Bush Fire force from Perth to assist with incident George in 2007. The system formed off it quickly regained strength after Brigade volunteers and Department of management. Approximately 50 rural the Darwin coast in the Timor Sea on reaching open waters north of Broome. Environment and Conservation crews properties were saved thanks to the 8 December 2009, skirting the coast It steadily intensified reaching category focused on protecting homes and efforts of emergency service personnel and reaching category 5 just north east 5 once again as it tracked towards establishing new containment lines. from local Bush Fire Brigades, of Derby on 16 December. In response the east Pilbara coast. A second Two fixed wing water bombers and the supported by the Fire and Rescue to a predicted impact at Derby, FESA MET consisting of FESA staff and Type 1 helicopter were used to protect Service. An area of approximately established an Incident Management volunteers was flown into the Pilbara crews and homes, and extinguish 69,000 hectares was burnt with an Team at the Kimberley Regional Regional Operations Centre in Port hot spots. A change in the weather estimated financial impact of $500,000. Operations Centre in Broome. A Major Hedland, and this team then assumed brought rain and the fire was eventually The cause of the fire is unknown. Emergency Management Team (MET) operational control of the incident. comprising managers, urban search
Section 2 AGENCY PERFORMANCE 43 FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
The cyclone passed over the coast HAZMAT #111 for the second time at Eighty Mile 1-311-' z Darling Downs – 12 March 2010 Beach late on the afternoon of 21 A fire in a landfill waste disposal December 2009. The Eighty Mile facility created significant challenges Beach Caravan Park, Wallal Station for the career and volunteer Fire and and Mandora Station bore the brunt Rescue Service crews that attended. of the onslaught as the eye of the Smoke impacted local residents and cyclone passed directly over them. traffic flow on the Tonkin Highway. Winds reached 285 kilometres per The financial impact was estimated hour, demolishing buildings, damaging at $500,000 with the facility having telecommunications and killing i to close for three days following the hundreds of cattle. ileftriazi1111:7 incident. The cause of the fire was A strike team comprising USAR, SES undetermined. volunteers, police and paramedics ---,,,A LAND SEARCH was deployed by helicopter to assist II those affected and inspect the Ashurst Search – 28 September 2009 damage. A further 30 SES volunteers SES volunteers were mobilised when from Port Hedland, Newman and an elderly man suffering dementia went Broome assisted local communities 1101111%i missing in the Midland area. More than with the clean up effort. Assistance was ! 120 volunteers using search dogs, quad also provided by the Department of bikes, flood boats and horses from the EARTHQUAKE the clock to minimise injury and Defence Norforce Broome. mounted section searched for the man Kalgoorlie-Boulder – 20 April 2010 damage. Impacts on the community over a prolonged period. The incident included the evacuations of Kalgoorlie Fortunately no one was injured, This earthquake is the largest recorded received a high level of community and Hospital, approximately 80 children however, the damage bill was in the region and caused extensive media interest. Unfortunately, the SES from Boulder Primary School and AGENCY PERFORMANCE estimated to be approximately $10 damage to historic buildings, schools, was unable to find the missing person. mine workers from nearby mining million as a result of structure and homes and hotels. It was recorded operations. The Department of Child Karijini National Park – Various infrastructure losses. Tropical Cyclone as 5.0 magnitude by Geoscience Protection arranged temporary housing Laurence was declared a natural Australia, and lasted between five SES volunteers rescued five people for 30 people relocated from nearby disaster under the Western Australia and ten seconds. The epicentre was from the park’s gorges during the hostels. The Boulder Primary School Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery located approximately five kilometres winter tourist season. The unit at Tom was closed for two days, the access arrangements. The cyclone went on to south west of the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Price provides the main response road into Boulder for three days and six affect the north western half of New city centre. FESA and Western Australia to incidents in Karijini, frequently of the nine local hotels are expected South Wales. A natural disaster was Police worked closely together to supported by volunteers from Newman to remain closed for several months. also declared there after heavy rains ensure response and recovery was and Port Hedland. Successful rescues The Government has pledged an initial associated with the ex-cyclone isolated effectively managed. Emergency included the retrieval of two employees approximately 300 properties and $5 million to restore heritage listed S ection 2 service crews from the Fire and Rescue who work at the resort within the buildings in the area. forced around 400 people to relocate. Service and SES worked around park from Hancock Gorge in separate
44 FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
incidents on 23 March 2010, a search STORM Baldivis Old Spud Shed for a man lost whilst undertaking West Coast Storm – 21 to 22 March – 17 September 2009 exploratory drilling, the retrieval of 2010 – Refer Case Study The absence of a reticulated water a 23 year old French tourist who supply created challenges for the became trapped in Red Gorge and multi-agency team attempting to STRUCTURE COLLAPSE rescue of a 51 year old woman who extinguish this fire and bulk water suffered leg injuries after an accident Ballajura Balcony Collapse tankers supplied by the Water in Hancock Gorge. – 31 October 2009 Corporation had to be used to assist A balcony at the rear of a residential in controlling it. Although firefighters MARINE RESCUE property partially collapsed and saved an external cool room, they The African Fishing Vessel squalls to save the yacht that was Fire and Rescue Service crews were unable to save the main – 30 April 2010 drifting towards the Naturaliste Reef were called on to stabilise the structure which had to be demolished Volunteer Marine Rescue Services off Bunbury. It was towed 60 kilometres remaining structure, preventing to extinguish the fire. Losses were saved three lives as a result of this back to shore, taking 12 hours. further damage. As a result of the estimated at $3 million and impacts extended duration rescue. Crews incident, 19 injured people aged from on the community included the loss ROAD CRASH RESCUE made a round trip of approximately 55 to 77 years were taken to hospital of jobs and trade revenue for the 300 nautical miles in severe weather Karnup Road – 20 October 2009 in multiple ambulances. The financial owners of the premises. conditions to collect the 18 metre A truck collided with a stationary impact of the incident is estimated Fire investigators later determined commercial fishing vessel, which was vehicle and trailer, requiring a at $50,000 for structural damage to the fire was accidental, caused by a stranded off the coast of Esperance, multi-agency response by career the property and approximately refrigerator fan overheating. and tow it into safe waters. The and volunteer Fire and Rescue $1 million in medical costs. operation lasted 31 hours and Service crews. They faced a difficult East Perth Mont Clare Apartments volunteers spent a further 24 hours task in extracting two people who STRUCTURE FIRE – 2 November 2009 dealing with post-incident debriefs and unfortunately died and crews were Fitzroy Crossing Tarunda Shopping This fire in a multi storey residential reporting. Unfortunately, one volunteer held at the scene for an extended Centre – 8 July 2009 building started in a ground level required overnight hospitalisation due period as a result of major crash This fire had a major impact on the apartment. Firefighters managed to severe dehydration. The estimated investigations undertaken by the community as Tarunda is the only to confine the fire damage to the cost of the rescue was $3,000 in fuel Western Australia Police. shopping centre in Fitzroy Crossing. area of origin, however, the building and other costs. The local Volunteer Emergency Service subsequently became smoke Thomas Road – 12 November 2009 attended. There were no injuries as a logged, requiring a full evacuation Dawn Glory Yacht – 14 April 2010 This incident resulted in one fatality result of the fire, however, an area of of all occupants. Damage was Four lives were saved during this rescue and two persons injured. It occurred approximately 1,000 square metres was estimated at $2 million and residents operation. The 12 metre catamaran when a car and two trucks, one a burnt, causing damage estimated at $3 were unable to return to their homes Dawn Glory was sailing from Durban 40 tonne grain truck, collided. million. Fire investigators deemed the for several days. The cause of this to Mindarie when it lost power and The Western Australia Police major cause of the fire accidental, possibly fire was undetermined. steerage off the south coast of Western crash investigation team were in caused by an exhaust fan failure in the Australia. Marine Rescue Service attendance and the incident resulted vicinity of cooking appliances. volunteers responded in four metre in major road closures. seas, gale force winds and severe
Section 2 AGENCY PERFORMANCE 45 FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Hamilton Hill – 13 May 2010 Interagency Training The Government of Victoria recognised Enhanced Technology the significant commitment made by Spontaneous combustion in the Major Incident Management To Support Operations sorting area of a commercial laundry FESA through the development of the for Incident Controllers Course A range of technological improvements was the cause of a structure fire which MIMIC course in ensuring appropriate in Victoria are being progressed to enhance involved hazardous materials and training for senior staff responding FESA delivers the Major Incident interagency information sharing and required a multi-agency response. to emergencies. In November and Management for Incident Controllers improve multi-agency responses. Difficulty in accessing affected areas December 2009, FESA delivered (MIMIC) course in Perth. The course and heavy rain created a challenging two Major Incident Management for was developed and produced by Spatial Services environment for emergency services Incident Controllers/Control Multi- FESA, with the cooperation of Western FESA has enhanced its spatial services personnel, who were supported by Agency Emergency Situations courses Australia Police, for senior operational capabilities for bushfire, tropical representatives from the Department for the Department of Human Services emergency responders involved cyclone, urban storms and HAZMAT of Environment and Conservation in Melbourne. in major emergency management operations, and is assisting the (DEC), Western Australia Police, local requiring a multi-agency response. The courses were attended by a total Departments of Health and Transport government, Western Power and the of 44 participants including senior with their hazard management Water Corporation. Nearby residents The MIMIC program focuses on the managers of the Department of Human responsibilities. Further work will were relocated as a result the impact of role of the commander in charge, Services, Victoria Police, Metropolitan be undertaken to broaden support the heavy smoke plumes created including the systems and control and Country Fire Services, SES, for State emergency management by the fire, which were monitored by activities that are vital to managing ambulance and a number of medical requirements. the Environmental Pollution Response a major event or emergency. The practitioners including the Chief Unit from DEC. Property saved program uses common terminology, Medical Officer for Victoria. Extinguish Arson Intelligence included the factory administration defined functional areas, roles and Database block and chemicals stored within structures. These enable operational The MIMIC course provides a It is estimated that more than 50 per the factory and total damage was and support organisations to work statement of attainment that is cent of all fires attended by Western estimated at $15 million. effectively together, accommodating recognised within the Australian Australian firefighters are either a response team that includes Quality Training Framework and deliberately lit or are of a suspicious
AGENCY PERFORMANCE emergency and non-emergency its completion partially fulfils the nature. FESA analyses fire occurrence agencies which may have diverse requirements of the Advanced data to identify arson hot spot jurisdictional powers and priorities. Diploma of Public Safety (Emergency locations and develop strategies to Management). reduce the number of suspicious fires.
We have achieved considerable success in reducing deliberate fire lighting
since the introduction of the Arson
MIMIC Training enables operational and support Information Network (AIN) in 2000
and the development of a targeted LL LL organisations to work effectively together LL arson reduction approach. The AIN is a multi-agency information and S ection 2 intelligence sharing network developed by FESA, the Western Australia Police Arson Squad and the Department of 46 FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Environment and Conservation (DEC). • Providing a map of all fires reported workshop on bushfire arson convened After testing at the Belmont Fire Its goal is to reduce the number of as deliberately lit or suspicious. by the Australian Attorney-General. Station, the EMU system is now in use suspicious and deliberate fires in • Allowing FESA, DEC and the at the new Perth Fire Station and it is Within Western Australia, the EAID conjunction with local stakeholders. The Western Australia Police Arson planned to roll it out to other CFRS application has also come to the development of a single application to Squad to amalgamate data to stations during 2010/11. attention of Microsoft representatives collate the significant amount of data provide a holistic picture. collected by the three agencies was for its use of leading edge Future opportunities for the EMU • Measuring and analysing the identified as a valuable tool to allow technologies. Discussions about the system include providing increased effectiveness of arson strategies the information to be quickly and easily possibility of advertising its value to a information at turnout and using it to and the overall achievement analysed and interrogated. wider audience are continuing. display current weather and weather of objectives. forecasts outside of incidents. The Extinguish Arson Intelligence Emergency Messaging Units This will have the following benefits for Database (EAID), which was funded The Emergency Messaging Units (EMU) Operational Improvement Database fire management in Western Australia: through the Natural Disaster Mitigation project provides enhanced information As part of our ongoing commitment Program at a cost of $70,000, provides • Reduce the demands on for metropolitan Career Fire and to enhancing FESA services, our a common interactive platform for FESA resources in analysis Rescue Service (CFRS) firefighters. Operational Improvement Database information sharing. Development of and suppression. (OID) has been upgraded. The OID the EAID is being managed by FESA • Minimise arson risk to firefighters The EMUs are linked to the FESA is a management tool that assists in and the application is currently at a and the community. Computer Aided Dispatch system. the implementation of changes to On turnout, they display a map working pilot stage. It was extensively • Provide comprehensive FESA functions or structures that detailing the location of the incident trialled over the 2009/10 bushfire information to the FESA are approved after a major incident and adjacent hydrants. Once the season, including its successful use in Corporate Leadership Team or review. crews have dispatched, the view the field at a number of fires including and Board, and the Minister for automatically changes to show The OID manages significant reports the December 2009 Toodyay bushfire. Emergency Services to better shape commentary on the current incident. with recommendations that impact on bushfire prevention strategies. When development of the EAID On return to the station, the screen FESA such as Major Incident Reviews, application is finalised, a restricted • Assist in enabling regional staff to displays incident time information to Coronial Inquest findings and Auditor- viewing version will be made available develop arson reduction strategies. allow simple recording in fire station General’s Reviews. To date, ten reports to selected fire stations. • Assist in developing strategies that occurrence books. This information is have been entered into the database, target places, times and days based also emailed to the stations to assist in which measures trends, categorises EAID will enable emergency services to on local hot spot mapping. the completion of incident reports. The incidents and produces realistic quantify the nature and extent of arson • Provide automatic identification EMU system is designed to minimise measures for internal and external within Western Australia by: of previous hoax callers. impacts on other information and performance reporting to support • Identifying emerging trends through communications systems, and has a continuous improvement strategies. real time analysis of arson, including This innovative analysis application is custom made control box that makes bushfire, structural and vehicle fire, currently being reviewed by a number its operation as simple, robust and A Post Incident Analysis Database and the location of hot spots. of other fire and emergency service reliable as possible. has also been established to assist in the monitoring and recording of • Immediately eliminating accidental agencies and the Australasian Fire and recommendations presented in post fires and irrelevant incidents from Emergency Services Authorities Council. incident analyses. data sets. The benefits of the EAID application were also highlighted at a national Section 2 AGENCY PERFORMANCE 47 FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Improved Operational The capacity of the Type 1 helicopters Resourcing to deliver large quantities of water with short turnaround times and to Additional Type 1 Helicopter rapidly transport firefighting crews and FESA manages a range of aerial equipment proved highly effective resources to support our operations during the 2009/10 bushfire season. and ensure that we can provide timely and appropriate emergency responses During the 2009/10 fire season, the in all areas of Western Australia. additional Type 1 helicopter was activated 66 times, flew more than 93 In late 2009, we received extra funding hours at 17 incidents and delivered for an additional Type 1 Sikorsky S61 934,028 litres of water. ..(1'a.,_ helicopter for the 2009/10 bushfire season. With one Type 1 helicopter It is intended that Type 1 helicopters 7 _ 1M4111-- 11 - will be permanently located in both i ''.- ' ta based in the Perth metropolitan y, ' 4:747...... ,-,i (:-t'l area, the second aircraft was based the Perth metropolitan area and the at Busselton in the south of the state South West region, and an allocation of $5.7 million has been made 11 1' ( I.° i ."-- 'La to increase our aerial firefighting r Ali 'ii le 11 i:6 4." I 1 II ill capability in the South West region in the 2010/11 budget to fund their operation. and allow it to deliver support to the New Incident Command Vehicle The ICV features state of the art metropolitan area if required. A new purpose built career Fire and information and communications Rescue Service incident command technology, including Western vehicle (ICV) was commissioned in Australian Emergency Radio Network December 2009 and this specialised dual band radios. Its sophisticated appliance is now deployed in support systems promote effective information of ground crews. The ICV can operate flow between the communications AGENCY PERFORMANCE in conjunction with other emergency and operational planning sections response organisations and provides within the vehicle, helping to increase , the capability and effectiveness of ritre enhanced command and control management teams in the field. cgotitil capability for complex incidents. 01 W". Ail 1 E aFa L- Planning for the locally manufactured Personal Protective Clothing vehicle incorporated specific incident Additional funding of $6.72 million management design features while for personal protective clothing - -- -- ^-r-'-''' r _---... =. . , ._..- ...-_-_. ..,..---__.__- -'..7: 4- taking into account end user needs, was approved in 2009/10 and the 3 ,.--- _ . potential hazards, occupational replacement of superseded clothing =,,,_ _._--ra...... , NIA..7...--, ...., 1--.- -- - . - safety and health legislation, with new garments that meet - 7 -- -r-,...-r- -'-`-' ; S ection 2 industry standards and manual Australian Standards and provide egEz- '--'.-:--7.1.7...... -7,.:- -... , . _,-,__ handling considerations. increased protection will continue through to 2012-13.
48 FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
A new uniform for firefighters was could meet future emergency service formally approved under the FESA Act released for summer 2009/10. It response requirements. and have more than 1,300 registered uses durable, fire retardant fabric volunteer members. and comprises a navy blue shirt and An operational review also determined trousers, belt, t-shirt, cap, wet weather that locating the fire station separately During 2009/10 the Western Australian jacket and station wear jacket. It will from FESA’s emergency services Government allocated additional enhance the health and safety of administration and coordination funding of $6.5 million over four years, firefighters through compliance with functions, including the 000 call centre including $1.9 million in 2009/10, which Australian health and safety standards and the State Operations Centre, was enabled the VMRS to: and includes reflective stripes to aid imperative to improve service delivery • Deliver three new rescue visibility at night. and mitigate security risks. vessels for the Windy Harbour, Kalbarri and The new Perth Fire Station is located The new uniform is comfortable and Lancelin Sea Rescue on the northern side of Wellington practical, and replaces the previous Groups. All VMRS Street, between Lord Street and light blue shirt and navy trousers groups in Western Hill Street. This location provides to create a distinctive image for Australia now have fit for greater access to major arterial roads firefighters that clearly differentiates purpose rescue vessels. them from police officers. After and freeway ramps, the Graham • Establish a long term extensive consultation and operational Farmer Freeway and to the north hull replacement and refit trials in all weather conditions and south of the city railway line. program to ensure rescue changeover to the new uniform The new station, which was built for a vessels remain fit-for-purpose occurred on 4 November 2009. total cost of more than $11.6 million, to help keep Western We are currently undertaking heat is a contemporary, environmentally- Australians safe on the water. stress testing with the University of sound facility. Its design makes it more • Increase operating grants for Western Australia of clothing worn by functional than the previous station the 33 regional marine our firefighters at structure fires. This with enhanced on-site training facilities, rescue groups. improved security, modern ablutions, will be completed in early 2010/11 and Design and construction standards for recreation areas and a gymnasium. Marine VHF Repeater Network will inform the future development of the network have been developed in protective garments. Project Volunteer Marine Rescue Services conjunction with VMRS volunteers to Much of Western Australia’s coastline ensure fit for purpose communications New Perth Fire Station Rescue Vessels is used for recreational and commercial across the state. Career firefighters moved into the new There are 36 Volunteer Marine boating activities. The Marine VHF Perth Fire Station on, 12 May 2010. Rescue Services (VMRS) groups along Repeater Network project is designed Since the project commenced, Western Australia’s 13,000 kilometre to provide reliable radio coverage 22 marine VHF repeaters have been The previous station, located in coastline, from Rockingham in the for the VMRS groups that protect installed around Western Australia and the FESA Hay Street headquarters west to Esperance in the south and locals and visitors by undertaking the ongoing rollout of the network will complex, required significant Kununurra-Wyndham in the north, search and rescue missions along continue with installations at a further investment to ensure compliance with they all work towards protecting life this vast coastline. ten sites planned for 2010/11. current building codes and that it at sea. Of these groups, 33 have been
Section 2 AGENCY PERFORMANCE 49 FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
SES General Rescue and Storm Truck This prototype will provide a standard Although FESA SES units currently design for all future vehicles to be built use a variety of vehicles to respond under the FESA replacement program. to the needs of their communities, Features of the new General Rescue Emergency Services Levy funding has and Storm Truck include: enabled increased standardisation of the SES vehicle fleet. • A stem light to provide scene lighting. In recognition of the varied roles and • Quick stow ladder rack. tasks undertaken by SES volunteers, a • Storage compartments custom new generation General Rescue and designed to suit specific equipment Storm Truck has been designed and and occupational safety and purpose built to facilitate the tasks they health requirements. most commonly undertake. • Standby vehicle charging ability. The new vehicle was designed • Increased emergency lighting. Firefighter Recruitment and the use of online psychological with input from senior volunteers • Improved passenger comfort profiling, which allowed candidates and FESA staff, and a number of Process Reform and safety, including lap and to undertake the psychological special features not previously sash seat belts. More than 900 people applied for testing in their own time and incorporated were included during selection as firefighters in 2009/10. minimised any impact on their • Water storage and hand its development phase. Innovative strategies have been current work commitments. washing capacity. adopted to streamline firefighter In August 2009, the Stirling SES unit • Compressor and air line facility. recruitment processes and assist in The outcomes of these initiatives took delivery of the first prototype truck • External fuel and oil stowage. the selection of the most suitable were that the selection process and it is now part of the unit’s response applicants for this psychologically was completed within demanding activities in the field. and physically demanding role. timeframes, with faster communication
AGENCY PERFORMANCE Wherever possible, technology was and decision making and no breaches utilised to efficiently deliver timely and of the Public Sector Standards in t 'a rjr appropriate outcomes for both FESA Human Resource Management. 4 ° and candidates. Importantly, positive feedback was _ received from candidates involved in Process improvements include the the selection process. adoption of a project management a I methodology to plan and meet strict operational deadlines, online ''' applications for candidates, the use of email as the principle means of
S ection 2 communication with candidates
=t41-. 50 FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Celebrated 50 Years In 1974, the organisation was Of Ses Operations In renamed the Western Australian State Emergency Service. Headquartered at Western Australia Belmont, SES units were also located In 2009, the Western Australian State at Westrail and the Swan Brewery. Emergency Service (SES) celebrated Although SES units were officially fifty years of dedicated service. called Local Volunteer Emergency Tributes acknowledged the time, Services units by the end of the training and personal sacrifice that 1970s, they were referred to as State all past and present SES volunteers Emergency Service units. devote, and recognised their commitment to making Western At various times the SES has come Australia a safer place during and after under the auspices of Western natural disasters and emergencies. Australia Police and other Government departments, however, since 1999 the The SES was established in 1959 to SES has been an integral part of FESA. deal with civil disasters including fires, floods, cyclones, railway accidents, Events and activities to celebrate the SES and its achievements were held r. crashed aircraft, explosions and the sr._ search for lost people. during National SES Week from 8 to 14 November and culminated in the State In 1961, following the Report of the Emergency Service Awards ceremony Royal Commission into the Western held at the Burswood Grand Ballroom Australian bushfires of December on 14 November 2009. 1960 and January, February and 4."- March 1961 and a Government review into ways to combat cyclones and flood, the SES was amalgamated with the Civil Defence Organisation and became known as the Civil Defence and Emergency Service of Western Australia.
Section 2 AGENCY PERFORMANCE 51 52 Section 3 SIGNIFICANT ISSUES IMPACTING ON FESA FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITYOFWESTERNAUSTRALIA FIRE ANDEMERGENCYSERVICES Services inWestern Australia: The transformationofEmergency ISSUES ANDTRENDS CURRENT ANDEMERGING Continuingdemandtodevelop • Implementingthe • Advancinginformationand • Strengthening thedeliveryof • EnhancingbothFESAand • Thedevelopmentofasingle • CriticalamendmentstotheBush • remote communities. emergency servicesinvulnerable Commission finalreport. BushfiresVictorian Royal recommendations ofthe hazards approach. support awholeofGovernmentall communications technologyto capability andcapacity. emergency servicesbyincreasing management capacity. multi-agency majorincident Services Act. contemporary Emergency Fires Act1954.
our services: and continuousimprovement of Increased demandforinformation TRENDS ECONOMIC ANDSOCIAL Australia: emergency management in Western Consolidating andcoordinating Ensuringpoliciesand • Ensuringcontinuityofcritical • Meetingtheincreased demandfor • Providing timelyandrelevant public • Preparing thecommunityfor • Continuingtoworkinpartnership • Preparing forthe2011 • Five-yearreview oftheEmergency • Implementingthe • knowledge and bestpractice. learned, current industry procedures reflect lessons emergencies. services andsystemsduring online services. information duringemergencies. existing andemerging hazards. and capacity. emergency management capability communities toenhance with localgovernmentand Government MeetinginPerth. Commonwealth Headsof Management Act2005. emergency management. of theAuditor-General’s review of recommendations from theOffice
otherwise necessary. to theoutbreak orspread offire oritis are, orare expectedtobe,conducive on dayswhentheprevailing conditions The abilitytodeclare aTotal Fire Ban This Actintroduced: Emergency ServicesLegislation. following itsInquiryintoFire and Justice StandingCommittee’s report the some oftherecommendations from The amendmentsinthisActaddress came intoforce on1December 2009. The Bush Fires AmendmentAct 2009 CHANGES TOWRITTENLAW Theabilitytotransfercontrol ofa • Additionalpowersfortheperson • TheabilityforFESAtoauthorise • authorised CALMActofficer. of aBushFire Brigadeandan fire betweenanofficer ormember in andaround theaffected area. and otheraccessroutes requested direct evacuationandcloseroads of amajorfire tolimitmovement, authorised byFESAtotakecontrol the bushfire warrantsthataction. CEO, orifthenature andextentof Management Act(CALM)1954 the request ofalocalgovernment, control ofamajorfire eitheratthe an appropriate personto take Community Development and Community Developmentand Bush Fires AmendmentAct 2009 Conservation and Land Conservation andLand
the endof2010. are expectedtobegazettedby Other supportingregulations regulations: Changes includedinthenew to theBushFires Act1954 . 1954 togiveeffect totheamendments amended theBushFire Regulations force on1December2009 and Regulations 2009alsocameinto The Regulations 2009 Bush Fires Amendment Extendedthemeaningof • Prescribed activitiesthatare • Provided forthenewBureau of • ThenewnationalBureau • Arevised definitionof‘property’ • fire suppression responsibility. CALM ActOfficers haveprimary Body andforwhichauthorised Management (CALM)Executive the ConservationandLand land underthecontrol of ‘conservation land’toclarify the openairduringaTotal Fire Ban. deemed anoffence ifcarriedoutin fire season. the beginningof2009/10 that were usednationally from ratings ofsevere andcatastrophic Meteorology dailyfire danger fire dangerratings. of Meteorology daily ‘bush’ and‘fauna’. which nowincludes‘Crown land’, Bush Fires Amendment
FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Emergency Management In addition, Section 444 was amended Amendment Regulations to increase the penalty for criminal (No. 2) 2009 damage by fire from 14 years The Emergency Management imprisonment to life imprisonment. Amendment Regulations (No. 2) Building Amendment 2009 came into effect on 19 February Regulations 2009 2010. They provide for the exchange of information between a hazard The Building Amendment Regulations management officer or authorised 2009 came into effect on 1 October person, and other persons or entities 2009. The amendments require hard performing functions under the wired smoke alarms to be installed in Emergency Management Act 2005, dwellings when they are sold or subject during an emergency situation or state to a residential tenancy agreement. of emergency.
Arson Legislation Amendment LIKELY DEVELOPMENTS Act 2009 AND FORECAST RESULTS OF The Arson Legislation Amendment Act OPERATIONS 2009 came into effect on 19 December During 2010/11, FESA will focus on 2009 and amended the Bush Fires Act consolidating the establishment of 1954 as well as The Criminal Code in systems and processes which provide relation to arson offences. the foundation for future success. The final recommendations from the Arson now carries a penalty under Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission the Bush Fires Act 1954 of 20 years’ will be reviewed to identify impacts imprisonment. for Western Australia and future In The Criminal Code Sections 444A service delivery. and 445A were inserted. Section 444A In particular, the progressive places a duty on people in charge implementation of enhanced of a source of ignition or a fire that is technology will improve integration already lit, to take reasonable care to within the organisation and with key avoid lighting a fire or letting a fire stakeholders by facilitating better already lit destroy or damage property. information and infrastructure sharing. Section 445A provides for a penalty of imprisonment of 15 years for people who breach the duty imposed by section 444A.
Section 3 SIGNIFICANT ISSUES IMPACTING ON FESA 53 FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Certification of Financial Statements The accompanying financial statements of the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia have been prepared in compliance with the provisions of the Financial Management Act 2006 from proper accounts and records to present fairly the financial transactions for the financial year ended 30 June 2010 and the financial position as at 30 June 2010.
At the date of signing we are not aware of any circumstances which would render the particulars included in the financial statements misleading or inaccurate.
G. Thompson J. Harrison-Ward Chief Finance Officer Member of Accountable Authority
23 August 2010 23 August 2010 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE
,d,Ai4_,q,.__J A. Skinner Chairman of Accountable Authority
23 August 2010 S ection 4
54 FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Statement of Comprehensive Income For the year ended 30 June 2010
2010 2009 Note $000 $000
COST OF SERVICES Expenses Employee benefits expense 4 131,558 119,710 Supplies and services 5 71,176 55,542 Depreciation and amortisation expense 6 9,589 8,823 Finance costs 7 118 2,980 Accommodation expenses 8 6,725 5,984 Grants and subsidies 9 36,230 28,550 Loss on disposal of non-current assets 10 73 36 Other expenses 11 2,865 2,779 Total cost of services 258,334 224,405 Income Revenue User charges and fees 12 184,049 172,617 Commonwealth grants and contributions 13 10,251 5,207 Interest revenue 14 2,508 4,556 Other revenue 15 4,570 4,689 Total Revenue 201,378 187,069 Gains Gain on disposal of non-current assets 10 191 162 Total Gains 191 162 Total income other than income from State Government 201,569 187,231 NET COST OF SERVICES 56,765 37,174
INCOME FROM STATE GOVERNMENT 16 Service appropriation 45,909 43,942 Resources received free of charge 1,008 567 Total income from State Government 46,917 44,509 (DEFICIT) / SURPLUS FOR THE PERIOD (9,848) 7,335 OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME Changes in asset revaluation surplus 29 (5,745) (403) Total other comprehensive income (5,745) (403) TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE PERIOD (15,593) 6,932 Refer also to note 42 ‘Schedule of income and expenses by service’. Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE 55 The Statement of Comprehensive Income should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes. 56 Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE Statement ofFinancialPosition The StatementofFinancial Positionshouldberead inconjunctionwiththeaccompanyingnotes. AUTHORITYOFWESTERNAUSTRALIA FIRE ANDEMERGENCYSERVICES Contributed equity EQUITY Current Liabilities LIABILITIES Current Assets ASSETS Reserves Payables Cash andcashequivalents Borrowings Accumulated surplus Restricted cashandequivalents Provisions TOTAL EQUITY Inventories Total Current Liabilities Receivables Provisions Non-Current Liabilities Total Current Assets Total Non-Current Liabilities Amounts receivable forservices Non-Current Assets TOTAL LIABILITIES Property, plantandequipment NET ASSETS Intangible assets Other financialassets Total Non-Current Assets TOTAL ASSETS As at30June2010 Note 29 26 17 27 18 28 19 20 28 21 22 23 24
101,228 120,784 293,018 248,376 293,018 259,402 330,504 56,381 13,997 10,336 13,153 71,006 27,150 10,336 71,102 37,486 8,539 9,985 5,858 324 $000 2010 2009 541 500 -
111,076 111,076 280,690 280,690 280,690 280,690 239,229 239,229 341,797 341,797 245,971 92,863 92,863 79,817 79,817 76,751 76,751 10,832 10,832 27,729 27,729 12,644 12,644 95,826 95,826 61,107 61,107 51,205 51,205 8,702 8,702 7,224 7,224 9,902 9,902 9,902 9,902 6,170 6,170 500 500 83 83 72 72
FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Statement of Changes in Equity For the year ended 30 June 2010
Contributed Accumulated Total equity Reserves surplus equity Note $000 $000 $000 $000
Balance at 1 July 2008 29 59,319 77,154 103,741 240,214
Total comprehensive income for the year - (403) 7,335 6,932 Transactions with owners in their capacity as owners: Capital appropriations 32,910 - - 32,910 Other contributions by owners 851 - - 851 Distribution to owners (217) - - (217) Total 33,544 - - 33,544 Balance at 30 June 2009 92,863 76,751 111,076 280,690
Balance at 1 July 2009 92,863 76,751 111,076 280,690
Total comprehensive income for the year - (5,745) (9,848) (15,593) Transactions with owners in their capacity as owners: Capital appropriations 27,761 - - 27,761 Other contributions by owners 160 - - 160 Distributions to owners - - - - Total 27,921 - - 27,921 Balance at 30 June 2010 120,784 71,006 101,228 293,018
The Statement of Changes in Equity should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes. Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE 57 58 Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE Statement ofCashFlows The Statement ofCashFlowsshould beread inconjunction withtheaccompanying notes. AUTHORITYOFWESTERNAUSTRALIA FIRE ANDEMERGENCYSERVICES Cash andcash equivalents at theendof period Proceeds from borrowings CASH FLOWSFROMFINANCING ACTIVITIES Proceeds from saleofnon-current physicalassets CASH FLOWSFROMINVESTINGACTIVITIES Employee benefits Payments CASH FLOWSFROMOPERATING ACTIVITIES Service appropriation CASH FLOWSFROMSTATE GOVERNMENT Repayment ofborrowings Purchase ofnon-current physicalassets Supplies andservices Capital appropriation Net cashusedinfinancingactivities Net cashusedininvestingactivities Finance costs Net cashprovided byState Government Net (decrease) /increase incashandequivalents Accommodation Utilised asfollows: Cash andcash equivalents atthebeginning of theperiod Grants andsubsidies GST paymentsonpurchases Other payments User charges andfees Receipts Commonwealth grantsandcontributions Interest received GST receipts onsales GST receipts from taxationauthority Other receipts Net cashusedinoperatingactivities For theyearended30June2010 30 Note 30
(129,851) (27,729) 185,414 (24,783) (67,847) (24,508) (23,195) (36,230) (40,813) 56,705 (27,729) (11,739) 42,094 27,761 69,855 79,900 (6,725) 10,251 10,555 (2,785) 2,508 1,184 4,570 (118) $000 2010 2009 275 -
(115,378) (10,651) (34,051) (22,396) (22,133) 174,886 174,886 (28,551) (10,120) (19,948) (54,499) 79,900 79,900 40,127 40,127 73,037 73,037 (2,200) (2,750) 23,400 23,400 32,910 32,910 20,305 20,305 59,595 59,595 (5,984) 5,207 5,207 4,632 4,632 9,206 9,206 4,689 4,689 914 914 263 263
FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 30 June 2010
1 Australian Accounting Standards (b) Basis of preparation The financial statements have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting using General the historical cost convention, modified by the revaluation of land and buildings which The Authority’s financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2010 have have been measured at fair value. been prepared in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards. The term ‘Australian Accounting Standards’ refers to Standards and Interpretations issued The accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the financial statements have by the Australian Accounting Standard Board (AASB). been consistently applied throughout all periods presented unless otherwise stated. The Authority has adopted any applicable, new and revised Australian The financial statements are presented in Australian dollars and all values are rounded Accounting Standards from their operative dates. to the nearest thousand dollars ($’000).
Early adoption of standards (c) Reporting entity The Authority cannot early adopt an Australian Accounting Standard unless The reporting entity comprises the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western specifically permitted by Treasurer’s instruction 1101 Application of Australian Australia. Accounting Standards and Other Pronouncements. No Australian Accounting Standards that have been issued or amended but not operative have been early (d) Contributed equity adopted by the Authority for the annual reporting period ended 30 June 2010. AASB Interpretation 1038 Contributions by Owners Made to Wholly-Owned Public Sector Entities requires transfers in the nature of equity contributions, other than 2 Summary of significant accounting policies as a result of a restructure of administrative arrangements, to be designated by the Government (the owner) as contributions by owners (at the time of, or prior to (a) General statement transfer) before such transfers can be recognised as equity contributions. Capital The financial statements constitute general purpose financial statements that appropriations have been designated as contributions by owners by Treasurer’s have been prepared in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards, Instruction 955 Contributions by Owners made to Wholly Owned Public Sector the Framework, Statements of Accounting Concepts and other authoritative Entities and have been credited directly to Contributed equity. pronouncements of the AASB as applied by the Treasurer’s instructions. Several of these are modified by the Treasurer’s instructions to vary application, The transfer of net assets to/from other agencies, other than as a result of a restructure disclosure, format and wording. of administrative arrangements, are designated as contributions by owners where the transfers are non-discretionary and non-reciprocal. See note 29 ‘Equity’. The Financial Management Act 2006 and the Treasurer’s instructions are legislative provisions governing the preparation of financial statements and take precedence over Australian Accounting Standards, the Framework, Statements
of Accounting Concepts and other authoritative pronouncements of the AASB. Where modification is required and has had a material or significant financial effect upon the reported results, details of that modification and the resulting financial effect are disclosed in the notes to the financial statements.
Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE 59 60 Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE Notes totheFinancialStatements 2 AUTHORITYOFWESTERNAUSTRALIA FIRE ANDEMERGENCYSERVICES Revenue isrecognised astheinterest accrues. Interest be measured reliably. the significantrisksandrewards ofownershiptransfertothepurchaser andcan Revenue isrecognised from thesaleofgoodsanddisposalotherassetswhen Sale ofgoods Revenue isrecognised upontheissueofaninvoicetoLGAs. Assessment Profile Return(FormA)within14daysofissueratesnotice. All LGAssubmitaDeclarationofAnnualEmergency ServicesLevyBilling further simplifytheESLadministrativearrangements. taken upbylocalgovernmentsthatraiseonlyasmallamount ofESLandwishto 30% and10%)oroneannualinstalment.Thepayment optionisgenerally by theMinisterandpayESLtheyassesstoFESAinfour quarterly(30%,30%, (Option A),orenterintoamemorandumofunderstanding (Option B)authorised LGAs eitherremit ESLtotheAuthorityonamonthlybasisastheycollectit Local Governmentsinthesecondquarter. instrumentalities (corporations)forlarge corporationsinthethird quarterand the StateGovernment(GeneralSector)infirstquarter, StateGovernment Authority raisesassessmentnoticesfortheESLdirectly forproperties ownedby properties, withafixedrate charge perproperty inruralandremote areas. The notices. TheESLiscalculatedontheGross RentalValue ofmosturban (GRV) agencies (LGA)onbehalfoftheAuthoritybyincludingittheircouncilrates services. ThemajorityoftheESLisraisedandcollectedbylocalgovernment The Emergency ServicesLevy (ESL)fundsWestern Australia’s fire andemergency Emergency ServicesLevy the stageofcompletiontransaction. Revenue isrecognised on deliveryoftheservicetoclientorbyreference to Provision ofservices Revenue isrecognised for themajorbusinessactivitiesasfollows: Revenue ismeasured atthe fairvalueofconsiderationreceived orreceivable. Revenue recognition (e) Income Summary ofsignificantaccountingpolicies(continued) For theyearended30June2010
cost, thecostisfairvalueat thedateofacquisition. For itemsofproperty, plantandequipmentacquired atnocostorfornominal All itemsofproperty, plantandequipmentare initiallyrecognised atcost. Initial recognition andmeasurement than where theyformpartofagroup ofsimilaritemswhichare significantintotal). immediately expenseddirect totheStatementofComprehensive Income(other useful lives.Itemsofproperty, plantandequipmentcostinglessthan$5,000are as assetsandthecostofutilisingisexpensed(depreciated) overtheir Items ofproperty, plantandequipmentcosting$5,000ormore are recognised Capitalisation /expensingofassets (g) Property, plantandequipment Borrowing costsare expensedwhenincurred. (f) Borrowing costs revaluations ofnon-current assets. These includegainsarisingonthedisposalofnon-current assetsandsome Gains mayberealised orunrealised andare usuallyrecognised onanetbasis. Gains not donated. a fairvaluecanbereliably determinedandtheserviceswouldbepurchased if recognised attheirfairvalue. Contributionsofservicesare onlyrecognised when Other non-reciprocal contributionsthatare notcontributionsbyownersare assets comprisingthecontributions,usuallywhencashisreceived. Revenue isrecognised at fair valuewhentheAuthorityobtainscontrol overthe Grants, donations,giftsandothernon-reciprocal contributions at Treasury. Seenote16‘Incomefrom StateGovernment’. account orcredited tothe ‘Amounts receivable forservices’(holdingaccount)held control ofappropriated fundsatthetimethoseare depositedtothebank in whichtheAuthoritygainscontrol oftheappropriated funds.TheAuthoritygains Service Appropriations are recognised asrevenues atnominalvalueintheperiod Service Appropriations
FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 30 June 2010
2 Summary of significant accounting policies (continued) Derecognition (g) Property, plant and equipment (continued) Upon disposal or derecognition of an item of property, plant and equipment, any Subsequent measurement revaluation surplus relating to that asset is retained in the asset revaluation surplus. Subsequent to initial recognition as an asset, the revaluation model is used Asset revaluation surplus for the measurement of land and buildings and the cost model for all other The asset revaluation surplus is used to record increments and decrements on property, plant and equipment. Land and buildings are carried at fair value less the revaluation of non-current assets as described in note 22 ‘Property, plant and accumulated depreciation on buildings and accumulated impairment losses. All equipment’ and note 29 ‘Equity’. other items of property, plant and equipment are stated at historical cost less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses. Depreciation All non-current assets having a limited useful life are systematically depreciated over Where market-based evidence is available, the fair value of land and buildings their estimated useful lives in a manner that reflects the consumption of their future is determined on the basis of current market buying values determined by economic benefits. reference to recent market transactions. When buildings are revalued by reference to recent market transactions, the accumulated depreciation is Land and artwork are not depreciated. Depreciation on other assets is calculated eliminated against the gross carrying amount of the asset and the net amount using the straightline method, using rates which are reviewed annually. Estimated restated to the revalued amount. useful lives for each class of depreciable asset are: Where market-based evidence is not available, the fair value of land and Building 20 - 40 years buildings is determined on the basis of existing use. This normally applies Vehicles 2 - 20 years where buildings are specialised or where land use is restricted. Fair value for Plant and equipment 5 - 10 years existing use assets is determined by reference to the cost of replacing the Works of art controlled by the Authority are classified as property, plant and remaining future economic benefits embodied in the asset, ie. the depreciated equipment, which are anticipated to have indefinite useful lives. Their service potential replacement cost. Where the fair value of buildings is determined on the has not, in any material sense, been consumed during the reporting period and so no depreciated replacement cost basis, the gross carrying amount and the depreciation has been recognised. accumulated depreciation are restated proportionately. (h) Intangible assets Independent valuations of land and buildings are provided annually by Capitalisation / Expensing of assets the Western Australian Land Information Authority (Valuation Services) and Acquisitions of intangible assets costing $5,000 or more and internally generated recognised annually to ensure that the carrying amount does not differ intangible assets costing $50,000 or more are capitalised. The cost of utilising the materially from the asset’s fair value at the end of the reporting period. assets is expensed (amortised) over their useful life. Costs incurred below these The most significant assumptions in estimating fair value are made in assessing thresholds are immediately expensed directly to the Statement of Comprehensive whether to apply the existing use basis to assets and in determining estimated Income. useful life. Professional judgement by the valuer is required where the evidence All acquired and internally developed intangible assets are initially recognised at cost. does not provide a clear distinction between market type assets and existing For assets acquired at no cost or for nominal cost, the cost is their fair value at the use assets. See note 22 ‘Property, plant and equipment’ for further information. date of acquisition.
Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE 61 62 Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE Notes totheFinancialStatements (a)Software thatisnotintegraltotheoperationofanyrelated hardware. 2 AUTHORITYOFWESTERNAUSTRALIA FIRE ANDEMERGENCYSERVICES
Software fair value lesscoststo sell anddepreciated replacement cost. identified asasurplus asset, therecoverable amount isthehigher ofanasset’s is recognised. AstheAuthorityisanot-for-profit entity, unlessanasset hasbeen impaired and iswrittendowntotherecoverable amountandanimpairment loss recoverable amountislessthanthecarryingamount, assetisconsidered an indicationofimpairment,the recoverable amountis estimated.Where the indication ofimpairmentatthe endofeachreporting period. Where there is Property, plantandequipment,intangibleassetsare testedforany ofassets (i) Impairment reliably measured, are capitalised. the extentthattheyrepresent probable future economicbenefitsthatcanbe phase are expensed.Costsincurred inbuildingorenhancingawebsite,to phase ofawebsite,andongoingcostsmaintenanceduring theoperating amortised. Generally, costsinrelation tofeasibilitystudiesduringtheplanning to theacquisitionordevelopmentofanassetwhentheymay becapitalisedand Website costsare charged asexpenseswhentheyare incurred unless theyrelate Website costs expensed intheyearofacquisition. hardware istreated asanintangibleasset.Software costinglessthan$5,000is plant andequipment.Software thatisnotanintegralpartoftherelated Software thatisanintegral partoftherelated hardware istreated asproperty, Computer software Capitalisation /Expensingofassets(continued) (h) Intangibleassets(continued) Summary ofsignificantaccountingpolicies(continued) impairment losses. to becarriedatcostlessanyaccumulatedamortisationand The costmodelisappliedforsubsequentmeasurement requiring theasset Licences The expectedusefullivesforeachclassofintangibleassetare: Authority haveafiniteusefullifeandzero residual value. using rateswhichare reviewed annually. Allintangibleassetscontrolled bythe period oftheexpectedbenefit(estimatedusefullife)onstraightlinebasis Amortisation forintangibleassetswithfiniteusefullivesiscalculatedthe (a)
3 to5years up to10years
For theyearended30June2010
Statement ofComprehensive Income. these are separatelydisclosedunderIncomefrom StateGovernmentinthe Where assetsorservicesare received from anotherStateGovernmentagency, at fairvalue.Seenote16‘Income from StateGovernment’. measured are recognised asincomeandassetsorexpensesappropriate, Resources received free ofcharge orfornominal costthatcanbereliably (k) Resources received free ofcharge or for nominalcost ‘Commitments’. the leaseditemsandservices.Seenote5‘Suppliesservices’ andnote31 basis overtheleasetermasthisrepresents thepatternofbenefitsderivedfrom equipment andmotorvehicles.Leasepaymentsare expensedonastraightline The Authorityholdsoperatingleasesforbuildings,office equipment,aerial (j) Leases assets’ fortheoutcomeofimpairmentreviews andtesting. impairment attheendofeachreporting period.Seenote25‘Impairmentof amount ismeasured. Surplus assetsatcostare testedforindicationsof replacement cost,surplus assetsare atriskofimpairmentandtherecoverable based evidence.Where fair valueisdeterminedbyreference todepreciated of materialimpairmentwhere fairvalueisdeterminedbyreference tomarket- to bederivedfrom theasset. Surplusassetscarriedatfairvaluehavenorisk fair valuelesscoststosellandthepresent valueoffuture cashflowsexpected The recoverable amountof assetsidentifiedassurplusisthehigherof irrespective ofwhetherthere isanyindicationofimpairment. available foruseare tested forimpairmentattheendofeachreporting period Intangible assetswithanindefiniteusefullifeandintangiblenotyet benefits andtoevaluateanyimpairmentriskfrom fallingreplacement costs. reflects thelevelofconsumption orexpirationofasset’s future economic is reviewed annuallytoverify thattheaccumulateddepreciation/amortisation where there isasignificantchangeinusefullife.Eachrelevant classofassets depreciation ismaterially understated, where thereplacement costisfalling or The riskofimpairmentisgenerallylimitedtocircumstances where anasset’s
FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 30 June 2010
2 Summary of significant accounting policies (continued) (o) Receivables Receivables are recognised and carried at original invoice amount less an (l) Financial instruments allowance for any uncollectible amounts (i.e. impairment). The collectability In addition to cash, the Authority has two categories of financial instrument: of receivables is reviewed on an ongoing basis and any receivables identified • Loans and receivables; and as uncollectible are written-off against the allowance account. The allowance • Financial liabilities measured at amortised cost. for uncollectible amounts (doubtful debts) is raised when there is objective Financial instruments have been disaggregated into the following classes: evidence that the Authority will not be able to collect the debts. The carrying Financial Assets amount is equivalent to fair value as it is due for settlement within 30 days. See • Cash and cash equivalents note 2(l) ‘Financial instruments’ and note 20 ‘Receivables’. • Restricted cash and cash equivalents (p) Amounts receivable for services (Holding account) • Receivables The Authority receives funding on an accrual basis that recognises the full • Amounts receivable for services annual cash and non-cash cost of services. The appropriations are paid partly • Other financial assets in cash and partly as an asset (holding account receivable) that is accessible on Financial Liabilities the emergence of the cash funding requirement to cover leave entitlements and • Payables asset replacement. • WATC borrowings See note 16 ‘Income from State Government’ and note 21 ’Amounts receivable Initial recognition and measurement of financial instruments is at fair value for services’. which normally equates to the transaction cost or the face value. Subsequent measurement is at amortised cost using the effective interest method. (q) Inventories Inventories are measured at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Costs are The fair value of short term receivables and payables is the transaction cost assigned by the method most appropriate to each particular class of inventory, or the face value because there is no interest rate applicable and subsequent with the majority being valued on a weighted average cost basis. measurement is not required as the effect of discounting is not material. Inventories not held for resale are valued at cost unless they are no longer See note 2(r) for ‘Other financial assets’, note 35 ‘Financial instruments’ and note required, in which case they are valued at net realisable value. See note 19 27 ‘Borrowings’. ‘Inventories’.
(m) Cash and cash equivalents (r) Other financial assets For the purpose of the Statement of Cash Flows, cash and cash equivalent (and The Authority has classified its investment as a held-to-maturity investment. restricted cash and cash equivalent) assets comprise cash on hand and short term deposits with original maturities of three months or less that are readily The classification depends on the purpose for which the investments were convertible to a known amount of cash and which are subject to insignificant risk acquired. Management determines the classification of its investments at initial of changes in value. See note 17 ‘Cash and cash equivalents’. recognition and re-evaluates this designation at the end of each reporting period. Investments not at fair value are initially recognised at cost being the fair (n) Accrued salaries value of consideration given, including directly attributable transaction costs. Accrued salaries (see note 26 ‘Payables’) represent the amount due to staff but The Authority assesses at the end of each reporting period whether there unpaid at the end of the financial year, as the pay date for the last pay period for is objective evidence that a financial asset is impaired. See note 24 ‘Other the financial year does not coincide with the end of the financial year. Accrued financial assets’. salaries are settled within a week of the financial year end. The Authority considers the carrying amount of accrued salaries to be equivalent to its net fair value. Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE 63 64 Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE Notes totheFinancialStatements 2 AUTHORITYOFWESTERNAUSTRALIA FIRE ANDEMERGENCYSERVICES match, asclosely aspossible,theestimatedfuture cashoutflows. the reporting periodonnationalgovernmentbondswith termstomaturitythat The expectedfuture paymentsare discountedusingmarketyieldsattheendof considers theexperienceofemployee departures andperiods ofservice. superannuation contributions. Inaddition,thelongserviceleaveliabilityalso future wageandsalarylevelsincludingnon-salarycomponents suchasemployer When assessingexpectedfuture paymentsconsiderationisgiventoexpected provided byemployeesuptotheendofreporting period. be paidwhentheliabilitiesare settled.Leaveliabilitiesare inrespect ofservices the reporting periodismeasured atthepresent valueofamountsexpectedto Annual andlongserviceleaveexpectedtobesettledmore than12monthsafter undiscounted amountsexpectedtobepaidwhentheliabilities are settled. 12 monthsafterthereporting periodisrecognised andmeasured atthe The liabilityforannualandlongserviceleaveexpectedtobe settledwithin Annual leaveandlongservice Provisions -Employeebenefits are reviewed attheendofeachreporting period.Seenote28‘Provisions’. and areliable estimatecan bemadeoftheamountobligation.Provisions and whentheoutflowofresources embodyingeconomicbenefitsisprobable where there isapresent legalorconstructiveobligationasaresult ofapastevent Provisions are liabilitiesofuncertaintimingandamountare recognised (u) Provisions ‘Borrowings’. effective interest ratemethod.Seenote2(l)‘Financialinstruments’and27 proceeds received. Subsequentmeasurement isatamortisedcostusingthe All loanspayableare initially recognised atcost,beingthefairvalueofnet (t) Borrowings within 30days.Seenote2(l)‘Financialinstruments’and26‘Payables’. The carryingamountisequivalenttofairvalue,astheyare generallysettled obliged tomakefuture payments asaresult ofapurchase ofassetsorservices. Payables are recognised attheamountspayablewhenAuthoritybecomes (s) Payables Summary ofsignificantaccountingpolicies(continued)
For theyearended30June2010
or death. to provide benefitsforemployeesandtheirdependantsonretirement, disability Fund (FESSF)andtotheGovernmentEmployeesSuperannuation Board (GESB) Contributions are madetotheFire andEmergency ServicesSuperannuation Superannuation the fifthyear. basis asannualleave.Deferred leaveisreported asanon-current provision until for employeestobeusedinthefifthyear. Thisliabilityismeasured onthesame fifth yearoftheagreement. Theprovision recognises thevalueofsalarysetaside entered intoanagreement toself-fundanadditionaltwelvemonthsleaveinthe The provision fordeferred leaverelates toPublicServiceemployeeswhohave Deferred Leave are settled.Thisliabilityis measured onthesamebasisasannualleave. and ismeasured atthenominal amountsexpectedtobepaidwhentheliabilities calendar year. Theprovision recognises thevalueofsalarysetaside foremployees entered intoanagreement toself-fundupanadditionaltenweeksleaveper The provision forpurchased leaverelates toPublicServiceemployeeswhohave Purchased Leave settlement oftheliabilityforatleast12monthsafterreporting period. current liabilitiesastheAuthority doesnothaveanunconditionalrighttodefer All annualleaveandunconditionallongserviceprovisions are classifiedas charges isextinguishedbypaymentsofemployercontributions totheFESSF. (Superannuation Fund)Regulations 1986.Theliabilityforsuperannuation Services SuperannuationAct1985 andtheFire andEmergency Services managed inaccordance withitsgoverninglegislation;Fire andEmergency the fundinbestinterest ofallmembersandforensuringthatthefundis (FESSB). TheFESSBisatrusteeofthefundandresponsible formanaging Association (Inc),andtheFire andEmergency ServicesSuperannuationBoard Union ofWestern Australia,Western AustralianVolunteer Fire Brigades Australia. Membershipisalsoavailableforemployeesofthe UnitedFirefighters available toemployeesoftheFire andEmergency ServicesAuthorityofWestern The Fire andEmergency ServicesSuperannuationFundisasuperannuationfund
FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 30 June 2010
2 Summary of significant accounting policies (continued) Provisions - Other Employment on-costs (u) Provisions (continued) Employment on-costs, including workers’ compensation insurance, are not Provisions - Employee benefits (continued) employee benefits and are recognised separately as liabilities and expenses Superannuation (continued) when the employment to which they relate has occurred. Employment on-costs Members can make additional voluntary contributions to an accumulation are included as part of ‘Other expenses’ and are not included as part of the account and are payable in addition to any defined benefit entitlement. Authority’s ‘Employee benefits expense’. The related liability is included in Contributing members who have reached the age of 55 or completed 30 years ‘Employment on-costs provision’. See note 11 ‘Other expenses’ and note 28 of contributing membership can also elect to transfer their defined benefit into ‘Provisions’. their accumulation account. (v) Superannuation expense The Government Employees Superannuation Board (GESB) in accordance with The superannuation expense in the Statement of Comprehensive Income legislative requirements administers public sector superannuation arrangements comprises employer contributions paid to the GSS (concurrent contributions), in Western Australia. the West State Superannuation (WSS), and the GESB Super (GESBS). Employees may contribute to the Pension Scheme, a defined benefit pension The GSS is a defined benefit scheme for the purposes of employees and whole- scheme now closed to new members or the Gold State Superannuation Scheme of-government reporting. However, it is a defined contribution plan for agency (GSS), a defined benefit lump sum scheme also closed to new members. purposes because the concurrent contributions (defined contributions) made The Authority has no liabilities under the Pension or the GSS. The liabilities for by the Authority to GESB extinguishes the Authority’s obligations to the related the unfunded Pension Scheme and the unfunded GSS transfer benefits due superannuation liability. to members who transferred from the Pension Scheme, are assumed by the The Authority also paid employer contributions to the FESSF during the year. Treasurer. All other GSS obligations are funded by concurrent contributions The FESSF is a defined benefit scheme for the purpose of employees and is made by the Authority to the GESB. The concurrently funded part of the GSS is a defined contribution plan for the Authority. The concurrent contributions a defined contribution scheme as these contributions extinguish all liabilities in (defined contributions) made by the Authority to the FESSF extinguishes the respect of the concurrently funded GSS obligations. Authority’s obligations to the related superannuation liability. Employees commencing employment prior to 16 April 2007 who were not members of either the Pension or the GSS became non-contributory members of the West State Superannuation Scheme (WSS). Employees commencing employment on or after 16 April 2007 became members of the GESB Super Scheme (GESBS). Both of these schemes are accumulation schemes. The Authority makes concurrent contributions to GESB on behalf of employees in compliance with the Commonwealth Government’s Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992. These contributions extinguish the liability for superannuation charges in respect of the WSS and GESBS. The GESB makes all benefit payments in respect of the Pension Scheme and GSS, and is recouped by the Treasurer for the employer’s share. See note 2(v) ‘Superannuation expense’.
Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE 65 66 Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE Notes totheFinancialStatements 2 AUTHORITYOFWESTERNAUSTRALIA FIRE ANDEMERGENCYSERVICES the figures presented inthecurrent financialyear. Comparative figures are, where appropriate, reclassified tobecomparable with (x) Comparativefigures with thissupportare recouped from theCommonwealthGovernment. operating onChristmasIslandandCocos(Keeling)Islands. The costassociated Emergency ServiceBrigadesandVolunteer MarineRescueServiceGroups Authority provides capitalandoperatingsupportfortheVolunteer Fire and In accordance withtheIndianOceanTerritories LawReformOrdinance, the (vi) IndianOceanTerritories Services of theFire andEmergency ServicesAuthorityofWestern AustraliaAct1998. Volunteer MarineRescueServiceGroups are formedinaccordance withPart3B (v) Volunteer MarineRescueServiceGroups Fire andEmergency ServicesAuthorityofWestern AustraliaAct1998. Volunteer Fire ServiceBrigadesare formedinaccordance withPart3Cofthe (iv) Volunteer Fire ServiceBrigades Fire BrigadesAct1942. Volunteer Fire andRescueServiceBrigades are formedinaccordance withthe (iii) Volunteer Fire andRescueServiceBrigades of theFire andEmergency ServicesAuthorityofWestern AustraliaAct1998. Volunteer StateEmergency ServiceUnitsare formedinaccordance withPart3A (ii) Volunteer StateEmergency ServiceUnits Fire andEmergency ServicesAuthorityofWestern AustraliaAct1998. Volunteer Emergency ServiceUnitsare formedinaccordance withPart3Cofthe (i) Volunteer Emergency ServiceUnits (w) Establishmentofvolunteerentities Summary ofsignificantaccountingpolicies(continued) For theyearended30June2010
3
AASB 101 beginning onorafter1July2009thatimpactedtheAuthority: Australian AccountingInterpretations effective forannualreporting periods The AuthorityhasappliedthefollowingAustralianAccountingStandards and Initial applicationofanAustralianAccountingStandard Disclosure ofchangesin accountingpolicyandestimates AASB 2007-10 AASB 2009-2 revised Standard. no financialimpactresulting from theapplicationofthis separately from non-owner changesinequity. There is requirement thatownerchangesinequitybepresented the StatementofComprehensive Income.Itisnowa the structure oftheStatement ofChangesinEquityand number ofterminologychangesaswellto This Standard hasbeenrevised andintroduces a Presentation ofFinancialStatements (September2007). resulting from theapplicationofthisStandard. align withIFRSterminology. There isnofinancialimpact Accounting Standards andtheFrameworktobetter financial statements’,where appropriate inAustralian ‘general purposefinancialreport’ to‘generalpurpose arising from AASB101.ThisStandard changesthe term Further AmendmentstoAustralianAccountingStandards resulting from theapplication ofthisStandard. to financialinstruments.There isnofinancialimpact fair valuemeasurements andliquidityriskwithrespect Disclosures andwillrequire enhanceddisclosures about Standard amendsAASB7FinancialInstruments: [AASB 4,AASB7,1023&1038].This Improving Disclosures aboutFinancialInstruments Amendments toAustralianAccountingStandards –
FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 30 June 2010
3 Disclosure of changes in accounting policy and estimates (continued) AASB 2009-1 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards - Initial application of an Australian Accounting Standard (continued) Borrowing Costs of Not-for-Profit Public Sector Entities [AASB 1, AASB 111 & AASB 123] AASB 123 Borrowing Costs - This Standard has been revised to mandate the capitalisation of all borrowing costs AASB 2009-4 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards arising attributable to the acquisition, construction or production from the Annual Improvements Project [AASB 2 and of qualifying assets. However, AASB 2009-1 Amendments AASB 138 and Interpretations 9 & 16] to Australian Accounting Standards – Borrowing Costs AASB 2009-6 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards of Not-for-Profit Public Sector Entities [AASB 1, AASB 111 & AASB 123] issued in April 2009 and applicable to AASB 2009-7 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January [AASBs 5, 7, 107, 112, 136 & 139 and Interpretation 17] 2009, amends revised AASB 123, which will allow not- Interpretation 17 Distributions of Non-cash Assets to Owners for-profit public sector entities to continue to choose whether to expense or capitalise borrowing costs relating to qualifying assets. The Authority already expenses borrowing costs directly attributable to buildings and motor vehicles under construction, therefore this will not impact on the financial statements when these standards are first applied. AASB 2007-6 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards arising from AASB 123 [AASB 1, AASB 101, AASB 107, AASB 111, AASB 116 & AASB 138 and Interpretations 1 & 12] AASB 2007-8 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards arising from AASB 101 AASB 2008-3 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards arising from AASB 3 and AASB 127 [AASBs 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 101, 107, 112, 114, 116, 121, 128, 131, 132, 133, 134, 136, 137, 138, 139 and Interpretations 9 & 107] AASB 2008-5 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards arising from the Annual Improvements Project [AASBs 5, 7, 101, 102, 107, 108, 110, 116, 118, 119, 120, 123, 127, 128, 129, 131, 132, 134, 136, 138, 139, 140, 141, 1023 & 1038] AASB 2008-6 Further Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards arising from the Annual Improvements Project [AASB 1 & AASB 5]
Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE 67 68 Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE Notes totheFinancialStatements 3 AUTHORITYOFWESTERNAUSTRALIA FIRE ANDEMERGENCYSERVICES
There were nochangesinaccountingestimatesthatwillhaveaneffect onthecurrent reporting period. AASB2009-11 Title issued thatmayimpacttheAuthority. Where applicable,theAuthorityplanstoapplytheseAustralianAccountingStandards from theirapplicationdate. Accounting Standards and OtherPronouncements. Consequently, theAuthorityhasnotappliedearlyanyoffollowingAustralianAccountingStandards thathavebeen The AuthoritycannotearlyadoptanAustralianAccountingStandard orAustralianAccountingInterpretation unlessspecificallypermittedbyTI1101ApplicationofAustralian Future impactofAustralian AccountingStandards notyetoperative Disclosure ofchangesin accountingpolicyandestimates(continued) Changes inAccountingEstimates AASB 9 and Interpretations 10&12 FinancialInstruments:Disclosures.] [AASBs 1,3,4,5,7,101,102,108,112,118,121,127,128,131,132,136,139,1023&1038 Amendments toAustralianAccountingStandards arisingfrom AASB9 of categoriesfinancialassetsinthenoteswillchange. The AuthoritydoesnotexpectanyfinancialimpactwhentheStandard isfirstapplied.Thedisclosure TheamendmenttoAASB7requires modificationtothedisclosure ofcategories offinancialassets. FinancialInstruments For theyearended30June2010
Operative forreporting periods beginningon/after
1 January 2013 1January2013 1 January2013
FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 30 June 2010
2010 2009 $000 $000
4 Employee benefits expense Wages and salaries (a) 98,985 88,788 Protective clothing and uniforms 3,729 2,725 Superannuation - defined contribution plans: (b) Fire and Emergency Services Superannuation Board 11,192 10,221 Government Employees Superannuation Board 1,221 985 Long service leave (c) 2,671 4,679 Annual leave (c) 13,285 11,803 Other related expenses 475 509 131,558 119,710
(a) Includes the value of the fringe benefit to the employee plus the fringe benefits tax component. (b) Defined contribution plans include West State, Gold State, GESB Super Scheme (contributions paid) and FESSB Fund (contributions paid). (c) Includes a superannuation contribution component. Employment on-costs such as workers’ compensation insurance are included at note 11 ‘Other expenses’. The employment on-costs liability is included at note 28 ‘Provisions’
Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE 69 70 Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE Notes totheFinancialStatements 5 AUTHORITYOFWESTERNAUSTRALIA FIRE ANDEMERGENCYSERVICES Administration
Leases
6 Buildings Vehicles
7
8
Supplies andservices Advertising andpromotion expense Communications Consultants andcontractors Electricity andwaterexpense Insurance premiums andclaims Maintenance Travel Depreciation andamortisation expense Depreciation Plant andequipment Total depreciation Amortisation Intangible assets Total amortisation Total depreciation andamortisation Finance costs Interest paid Lease rentals Accommodation expenses Repairs andmaintenance For theyearended30June2010
9,589 9,407 1,726 182 20,161 17,417 16,633 71,176 4,999 3,814 3,065 1,476 4,836 3,150 3,275 5,235 6,725 897 118 $000 2010 2009 624 182 118
5,984 5,984 12,839 12,839 14,046 14,046 55,542 14,809 14,809 3,507 3,507 8,823 8,823 8,751 1,111 1,111 3,119 3,119 2,840 2,840 3,243 3,243 4,658 4,658 2,980 2,980 1,567 1,567 4,417 4,417 2,773 2,773 2,980 850 850 498 498 72 72 72
FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 30 June 2010
2010 2009 $000 $000
9 Grants and subsidies Recurrent Local Governments 7,316 7,216 Private Fire Brigades 81 124 Natural Disaster grants are paid in accordance with the Western Australian Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements; Natural Disaster Resilience Program; and All West Australians Reducing Emergencies grant (AWARE). 14,049 6,861 Grants and subsidies paid to volunteer entities and external bodies in line with approved schemes, agreements and statutes. - Various Volunteer entities (a) 628 565 - Volunteer Marine Rescue Service Group 982 975 - Affiliated bodies (b) 959 942 - Local Government - Community Emergency Services Manager 349 174 - Other grants and subsidies 183 204 Capital Local Governments 10,330 10,756 Volunteer Marine Rescue Service Groups 1,353 733 36,230 28,550 (a) See note 2(w) ‘Establishment of volunteer entities’. (b) See note 39 ‘Affiliated bodies’. 10 Net gain / (loss) on disposal of non-current assets Costs of disposal of non-current assets Vehicles 157 137 Proceeds from disposal of non-current assets Vehicles 275 263 Loss on disposal of non-current assets (73) (36) Gain on disposal of non-current assets 191 162 Net gain on disposal of non-current assets 118 126
Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE 71 72 Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE Notes totheFinancialStatements 11 Otherexpenses AUTHORITYOFWESTERNAUSTRALIA FIRE ANDEMERGENCYSERVICES
12 (b)Auditfees,seealsonote37‘Remunerationofauditor’.
Other
Seenote2(e)‘Income’. Doubtful debtsexpense Ex-gratia payments User charges andfees benefits andare notincluded inemploymenton-costs.(Seealsonote4‘Employeebenefitsexpense’) ‘Provisions’. Superannuation contributionsaccruedaspartoftheprovision forleaveare employment associated withtherecognition ofannualandlongserviceleaveliabilityisincludedatnote28 (a) Includesworkers’compensationinsuranceandotheremploymenton-costs.Theon-costsliability Employment on-costs Bad debtwrite-off User charges Emergency serviceslevy (b)
(a)
For theyearended30June2010
180,138
184,049 2,713 3,911 2,865 23 $000 2010 2009 117 12 -
168,878 168,878 172,617 172,617 3,739 3,739 2,633 2,633 2,779 112 112 22 12 12 -
FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 30 June 2010
2010 2009 $000 $000
13 Commonwealth grants and contributions Recurrent 10,208 4,906 Other 43 301 10,251 5,207 Commonwealth grants are received for various purposes including non repayable grants that contribute towards FESA operations such as the State Support Package, Aerial Firefighting and the Indian Ocean Territories. Contributions are also received for specific purpose grants such as the Natural Disaster Resilience Program (NDRP) and research/employment projects. In 2009/10 the Australian Government introduced the NDRP which replaced the existing disaster mitigation funding programs; Natural Disaster Mitigation Program (NDMP), Bushfire Mitigation Program (BMP) and from 2010/11 the National Emergency Volunteer Support Fund (NEVSF). The NDRP is governed by a National Partnership Agreement (NPA) on Natural Disaster Resilience which is a fixed term agreement between the States and the Commonwealth for four years. The Authority in conjunction with the Commonwealth developed and jointly agreed an annual implementation plan. The NDRP is part of an ongoing single funding program to achieve safer sustainable communities better able to withstand the effects of natural disasters and reduce the risk, damage and losses caused by such events. Amounts totalling $5,304,165 were received during the financial year for the NDRP and NDMP. The 2009/10 NDRP was not released due to the transition of the existing disaster mitigation funding programs to the new Australian Government NDRP. The funding from the 2009/10 program will be rolled over into 2010/11 allowing for more strategically aligned projects to address the program’s focus on building community resilience. Amounts unspent/carryover total $4,863,777.
14 Interest revenue Short term deposits 2,437 4,434 Emergency Services Levy 71 122 2,508 4,556
Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE 73 74 Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE Notes totheFinancialStatements 15 AUTHORITYOFWESTERNAUSTRALIA FIRE ANDEMERGENCYSERVICES
Western AustralianLandInformationAuthority(Landgate)
Grants
General
16
Employee costrecovery Other revenue Resources received free ofcharge Determined onthebasisoffollowingestimatesprovided byagencies: Sponsorship anddonations Non reciprocal contributedassets (b) (a) Appropriation received duringtheyear: Income from StateGovernment Service appropriation during theyear. account) comprisesthedepreciation expensefortheyearandanyagreed increase inleaveliability appropriation revenue comprisesacashcomponentandreceivable (asset).Thereceivable (holding Service appropriations are accrualamountsreflecting thenetcostofservicesdelivered. The equity. or servicesare inthenature ofcontributionsbyowners,theAuthoritymakesanadjustmentdirect to fair valuesshallberecognised asassetsorexpenses,applicable.Where thecontributionofassets can bereliably measured andwhichwouldhavebeenpurchased ifthere were notdonated,andthose recognises revenue equivalenttothefairvalueofassetsand/orthoseservicesthat Where assetsorserviceshavebeenreceived free ofcharge orfornominalcost,theAuthority Department ofTransport (a)
(b)
For theyearended30June2010
46,917 578 45,909 854 2,409 1,000 4,570
68 $000 2010 2009 661 8
4,689 44,509 43,942 1,391 1,807 517 559 559 770 204 8
FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 30 June 2010
2010 2009 $000 $000
17 Cash and cash equivalents Current Cash at bank 2,838 19,747 Short term deposits 53,500 60,000 Cash on hand and advances 43 70 56,381 79,817 See note 2(m) ‘Cash and cash equivalents’
18 Restricted cash and cash equivalents Current Gift fund (a) 48 45 Rental property bonds (b) 34 38 Restricted deposits - held in trust (c) 242 - 324 83 (a) Employees make a gold coin donation for a dress down day. The Gift fund makes an annual donation to a nominated charity. (b) Bonds held as part of residential tenancy agreements. (c) Monies held in trust by the Authority on behalf of the beneficiary, Coolgardie Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service Brigade. The Fund is made available to facilitate and enhance the fire services and activities of the brigade.
19 Inventories Current Inventories held for consumption (a) 1,883 1,540 Inventories held for distribution (b) 6,656 7,162 8,539 8,702
(a) Inventories held for consumption are measured at cost using the average cost method. (b) Inventories held for distribution represent fire appliances under construction as part of the Emergency Services Levy capital grants process. These inventories are measured at cost. See note 2(q) ‘Inventories’.
Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE 75 76 Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE 20 Receivables AUTHORITYOFWESTERNAUSTRALIA FIRE ANDEMERGENCYSERVICES Notes totheFinancialStatements
21 Seenote2(o)‘Receivables’and35‘Financialinstruments’.
Receivables Current Allowance forimpairmentofreceivables Prepayments Accrued revenue Interest receivable GST receivable Total Current Reconciliation ofchangesintheallowanceforimpairmentreceivables: Balance atstartofyear Doubtful debtsexpenserecognised inthestatementofcomprehensive income Amounts writtenoff during theyear Balance atendofyear Total amountsreceivable forservices Non-current Amounts receivable forservices The Authoritydoesnotholdanycollateralassecurityorother credit enhancementsrelating toreceivables. (holding account)’. used forassetreplacement orpaymentofleaveliability. Seenote2(p)‘Amountsreceivable forservices Represents thenon-cashcomponentofserviceappropriations. Itisrestricted inthatitcanonlybe For theyearended30June2010
50 605 3,860 83 1,332 9,985 5,858 36 $000 2010 2009 (50) (12) 28 26
1,257 6,170 6,170 5,224 5,224 7,224 (26) 612 157 26 22 22 4 - -
FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 30 June 2010
2010 2009 $000 $000
22 Property, plant and equipment Land At fair value (a) 70,930 70,019 Buildings At fair value (a) (b) 94,448 87,071 Buildings under construction Construction costs 13,790 18,110 Vehicles At cost 76,480 71,640 Accumulated depreciation (36,487) (33,576) 39,993 38,064 Vehicles under construction Construction costs 8,821 10,197 Plant and equipment At cost 11,916 10,649 Accumulated depreciation (6,643) (5,749) 5,273 4,900 Plant and equipment under construction Construction costs 14,963 10,710 Works of Art At cost 158 158 Total 248,376 239,229 (a) Land and buildings were revalued as at 1 July 2009 by the Western Australian Land Information Authority (Valuation Services). The valuations were performed during the year ended 30 June 2010 and recognised at 30 June 2010. In undertaking the revaluation, fair value was determined by reference to market values for land: $9,268,900 and buildings: $3,117,600. Where there is no market based evidence of fair value because of the specialised nature of the asset (fire stations), fair value of land: $60,853,150 and buildings: $91,330,313 was determined on the basis of current use and depreciated replacement cost. (b) Accumulated depreciation is credited to the asset account prior to revaluation and restate the net amount to the revaluation amount. See note 2(g) ‘Property, plant and equipment’.
Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE 77 78 Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE Notes totheFinancialStatements
Depreciation Revaluationincrements/decrements Disposals Transfers
2009
Depreciation Revaluationincrements/decrements
Disposals Transfers
2010
22 AUTHORITYOFWESTERNAUSTRALIA FIRE ANDEMERGENCYSERVICES Carrying amountatendofyear Additions Carrying amountatstartofyear Carrying amountatendofyear Write down Additions Carrying amountatstartofyear Reconciliations ofthecarryingamountsproperty, plant,equipmentandvehiclesatthebeginningendofreporting periodare setoutinthetablebelow. Property, plantandequipment(continued) 70,930 70,019 70,019 For theyearended30June2010 67,204 2,202 (217) $000 Land 814 658 174 16 79 - - - -
under under
Buildings construction 87,071 (3,243) (2,604) 87,186 94,448 (3,276) (6,106) 16,627 87,071 4,357 1,375 132 - - - Buildings (16,678) 18,110 14,019 13,790 (4,754) 12,358 18,110 8,845 ------Vehicles construction 38,064 (4,658) 33,723 39,993 (5,235) 38,064 9,255 7,465 (635) (363) 379 62 - - - Vehicles 10,197 10,827 (9,255) 10,197 (7,440) 8,625 8,821 6,064 ------equipment construction Plant and under 4,900 5,049 5,273 1,407 4,900 (850) (897) 384 317 (45) (92) - - - - equipment Plant and 10,710 14,963 10,710 (1,139) 3,389 7,324 5,392 (3) ------Works of Art 158 158 158 158 ------239,229 239,229 248,376 248,376 225,490 239,229 (8,751) 23,744 (9,408) (6,027) 25,589 $000 (402)
(408) (599) Total (852)
- -
FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 30 June 2010
2010 2009 $000 $000
23 Intangible assets Computer software At cost 2,173 1,522 Accumulated amortisation (1,632) (1,450) 541 72 Reconciliations: Computer software Carrying amount at start of year 72 143 Additions 651 - Amortisation expense (182) (71) Carrying amount at end of year 541 72
24 Other financial assets Non-current Held-to-maturity investments (see note 2(r) ‘Other financial assets’) 500 500 25 Impairment of assets There were no indications of impairment to property, plant and equipment and intangible assets at 30 June 2010. See note 2(i) ‘Impairment of assets’.
26 Payables Current Trade payables 10,470 7,694 Accrued interest - 1,390 Accrued salaries 2,188 1,659 Client account - trust 241 - GST payable 254 89 13,153 10,832
See note 2(s) ‘Payables’, note 2(n) ‘Accrued salaries’ and note 35 ‘Financial instruments’. 27 Borrowings Current Western Australian Treasury Corporation Loans - 27,729
Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE 79 80 Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE Notes totheFinancialStatements 28 Provisions AUTHORITYOFWESTERNAUSTRALIA FIRE ANDEMERGENCYSERVICES
Deferred salaryscheme(Note2(u)‘Provisions-Employee benefits’)
Deferred salaryscheme(Note 2(u)‘Provisions-Employee benefits’) Long serviceleave Employee benefitsprovision Current Within 12monthsoftheend ofthereporting period Within (a) Other provisions Annual leave Non -current More than12monthsafterthereporting period Employment on-costs Other provisions Long serviceleave Employee benefitsprovision Employment on-costs Within 12monthsoftheendreporting period Within (b) More than12monthsafterthereporting period settlement oftheliabilitieswilloccurasfollows: settlement foratleast12monthsafterthereporting period.Assessmentsindicatethat actual Annual leaveliabilitieshavebeenclassifiedascurrent asthere isnounconditionalrighttodefer settlement oftheliabilitieswill occurasfollows: defer settlementforatleast12monthsafterthereporting period.Assessmentsindicate thatactual Long serviceleaveliabilitieshavebeenclassifiedascurrent where there isnounconditionalrightto (a)
(b) (b)
(c) (c)
For theyearended30June2010
1,557 12,936 5,673 10,336 6,538
1,741 12,256 14,961 4,981 45 13,997 6,538 2,025 9,288 $000 2010 2009 972 76
13,671 13,671 10,988 10,988 11,529 11,529 6,165 6,165 12,644 12,644 6,165 6,165 4,814 4,814 1,656 1,656 1,623 1,623 2,142 2,142 8,857 9,902 9,902 4,542 4,542 977 977 68 68 9
FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 30 June 2010
2010 2009 $000 $000
28 Provisions (continued) Non - current (continued)
(c) The settlement of annual and long service leave liabilities gives rise to the payment of employment on-costs including workers’ compensation insurance. The provision is the present value of expected future payments. The associated expense, apart from the unwinding of the discount (finance cost), is disclosed in note 11 ‘Other expenses’. Movements in other provisions Movements in each class of provisions during the financial year, other than employee benefits, are set out below. Employment on-cost provision Carrying amount at start of year 2,633 1,904 Additional provisions recognised 79 729 Carrying amount at end of year 2,712 2,633
See note 2(u) ‘Provisions-Employee benefits’.
Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE 81 82 Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE Notes totheFinancialStatements
29 Equity AUTHORITYOFWESTERNAUSTRALIA FIRE ANDEMERGENCYSERVICES
Reserves
Netrevaluation increments/(decrements):
Transfer ofnet assetstootheragencies Distributions toowners Total contributionsbyowners Balance atthestartofperiod Contributed equity portion ofequityresulting from therevaluation ofnon-current assets. equity interest intheAuthority onbehalfofthecommunity. Theassetrevaluation surplusrepresents that Equity represents theresidual interest inthenetassetsofAuthority. TheGovernmentholdsthe
Balance atendofperiod Transfer ofnet assetsfrom otheragencies Capital appropriation Contributions byowners Balance atstartofyear Asset revaluation surplus Balance atendofyear Balance atstartofyear Accumulated surplus Balance atendofyear Result fortheperiod Lot 550SutherlandSt,Derbytransferred totheAuthorityunderManagementOrder Land Buildings
For theyearended30June2010
120,784 (5,824) 27,761 101,228 27,921 (9,848) 71,006 76,751 111,076 92,863 $000 2010 2009 160 79 -
103,741 103,741 76,751 111,076 92,863 32,910 32,910 77,154 77,154 33,761 59,319 59,319 (2,605) 2,202 2,202 7,335 7,335 (217) 851 851
FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 30 June 2010
2010 2009 $000 $000
30 Notes to the Statement of Cash Flows Reconciliation of cash Cash at the end of the financial year as shown in the Statement of Cash Flows is reconciled to the related items in the Statement of Financial Position as follows: Cash and cash equivalents [refer to note 17 ‘Cash and cash equivalents’] 56,381 79,817 Restricted cash and cash equivalents [refer to note 18 ‘Restricted cash and cash equivalents’] 324 83 56,705 79,900
Reconciliation of net cost of services to net cash flows used in operating activities Net cost of services (56,765) (37,174) Non-cash items: Depreciation and amortisation expense (note 6) 9,589 8,823 Net gain on sale of property, plant and equipment (note 10) (118) (126) Resources received free of charge (note 16) 1,008 567 Doubtful debt expense (note 11) 35 22 Write-down on property, plant and equipment (282) - (Increase) in assets: Current receivables (b) 1,366 2,409 Current inventories 163 (16) Increase in liabilities: Current payables 2,322 1,453 Current provisions 1,353 1,869 Non-current provisions 434 2,278 Net GST receipts/(payments) - - Change in GST in receivables/payables (a) 82 (52) Net cash (used in) operating activities (40,813) (19,947)
(a) This reverses out the GST in receivables and payables. (b) Note that the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) receivable/payable in respect of GST and the receivable/payable in respect of the sale/purchase of non-current assets are not included in these items as they do not form part of the reconciling items.
Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE 83 84 Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE Notes totheFinancialStatements 31 Commitments AUTHORITYOFWESTERNAUSTRALIA FIRE ANDEMERGENCYSERVICES
Buildings
Seenote2(j)‘Leases’. Within 1year Within reported inthefinancialstatements, are payableasfollows: Capital expenditure commitments, beingcontractedcapitalexpenditure additionaltotheamounts Capital expenditure commitments Later than1yearandnotlater5years The capitalcommitmentsincludeamountsfor: Plant andequipment Within 1year Within but notrecognised inthe financial statementsare payableasfollows: Commitments inrelation to non-cancellableoperatingleasescontractedforattheendofreporting period Lease commitments Later than5years Later than1yearandnotlater5years These commitmentsare allinclusiveofGST. since exercised thefirstoptiontoextendcontractOctober2010. option existsattheendoffiveyeartermforanadditional twoplusyearsextensionoptionandafurtheroneyearfinalextension.TheAuthorityhas Aircraft- Theprovision RescueandMedicalTransport ofRotaryWing Servicesisanon-cancellable leasewithafiveyearterm,rent payablemonthly. An The Authorityhasvariousoperatingleases,themostsignificant being: For theyearended30June2010
11,581 6,873
9,990 429 6,216 48,040 59,621 52,748 59,621
16,635 $000 2010 2009
42,509 42,509 16,149 16,149 58,658 58,658 54,485 54,485 58,658 58,658 19,933 19,933 13,099 13,099 4,173 4,173 6,823 6,823 11 11
FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 30 June 2010
32 Contingent liabilities and contingent assets
Contingent liabilities In addition to the liabilities included in the financial statements, there is the following contingent liability: Contaminated sites Under the Contaminated Sites Act 2003, the Authority is required to report known and suspected contaminated sites to the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC). In accordance with the Act, DEC classifies these sites on the basis of the risk to human health, the environment and environmental values. Where sites are classified as contaminated - remediation required or possibly contaminated - investigation required, the Authority may have a liability in respect of investigation or remediation expenses. In 2006/07 the Authority reported one contaminated site to DEC. The site is a former drum storage area at the FESA Training Centre located at Dundas Road, Forrestfield. The Authority is unable to assess the likely outcome of the classification process. It is not practicable to estimate the potential financial effect or to identify the uncertainties relating to the amount or timing of any outflows. The Authority has applied and received funding from the Contaminated Sites Management Account to undertake further investigative work. In August 2008, a contract was awarded to a qualified consultant to undertake a Detailed Site Investigation (DSI) including soil and gas vapor surveys. In October 2008, an accredited contaminated sites auditor was also appointed to provide a mandatory audit report as part of the DSI. The DSI was completed late 2009 and the Authority is currently waiting the auditor’s report. It is envisaged that additional groundwater investigative works will be needed.
33 Events occurring after the end of reporting period There were no events occurring after the end of the reporting period.
Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE 85 86 Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE Notes totheFinancialStatements
34 AUTHORITYOFWESTERNAUSTRALIA FIRE ANDEMERGENCYSERVICES maintenance costs,asbestosmanagement andrenovations. The variancelargely reflects higherthananticipatedproperty repair and Accommodation expenses State Governmentsdebtreduction strategy. The decrease reflects theearlyretirement of theAuthority’s borrowings aspartofthe Finance costs works program. The varianceismostlyduetothetimingofcompletion of theapproved capital Depreciation andamortisationexpense region andtherecent West Coaststorm. Recoupable costsassociatedwiththeToodyay bushfire, floodsin theKimberley communications andpublicawareness andthetwoType 1helicopters. preparedness andresponse capabilityintheSouthWest region, improved The varianceismainlyduetoapproved fundingincreases forbushfire Supplies andservices Significant variancesbetweenestimatedandactualresult forthefinancialyear Significant variationsbetweenestimatesandactualresults forincomeandexpenseare shownbelow. Significantvariationsare considered tobethosegreater than10%or$5million. Explanatory statement
Supplies andservices Depreciation andamortisation expense Finance costs Accommodation expenses Grants andsubsidies Commonwealth grantsandcontributions Service appropriation Resources received free ofcharge For theyearended30June2010
The varianceismainlyduetolower thananticipatedservicesfrom Landgate. Resources received free ofcharge Kimberley region, andtheToodyay bushfire. ReferGrantsand subsidiesabove. costs associatedwiththetropical cycloneDominic,floodsintheeasternPilbaraand State Government.Supplementaryfundingisprovided toFESAforunbudgeted The varianceismainlyduetotheagreed supplementaryfundingarrangementwith Service appropriation for theNationalDisasterResilienceProgram andthetwoType 1helicopters. The varianceismainlyduetoadditionalCommonwealthfunding received primarily Commonwealth grantsandcontributions State Governmentatyear’s end. NDRRA are subsequentlyrecouped bywayofsupplementaryfundingfrom the and RecoveryArrangement(NDRRA),onbehalfoftheState byFESA.Outlayson The varianceprimarilyrelates topaymentsmade,undertheNaturalDisasterRelief Grants andsubsidies 24,349 25,172 60,528 11,911 Estimate 1,432 6,307 4,438 2,745 $000 2010
10,251 45,909 71,176 36,230 6,725 9,589 1,008 Actual 2010 $000 118
Variation 10,648 10,648 11,881 11,881 20,737 20,737 (1,314) (1,737) (2,322) 3,944 3,944 2,287 $000
FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 30 June 2010
34 Explanatory statement (continued)
Significant variances between actual and prior year actual 2010 2009 Variation $000 $000 $000
Employee benefits expense 131,558 119,710 11,848 Supplies and services 71,176 55,542 15,634 Finance costs 118 2,980 (2,862) Grants and subsidies 36,230 28,550 7,680 Loss on disposal of non-current assets 73 36 37 Commonwealth grants and contributions 10,251 5,207 5,045 Interest revenue 2,508 4,556 (2,047) Gain on disposal of non-current assets 191 162 29 Resources received free of charge 1,008 567 441
Employee benefits expenses Loss on disposal of non-current assets The increase in employee expenses is mainly due to the overtime costs associated The variance is mainly due to the disposal of low value items. with the Toodyay bushfire, floods in the Kimberley region and the recent West Commonwealth grants and contributions Coast storm, increases under the current Government Officers Salaries and United The increase in commonwealth grants and contributions is mainly due to Fire Fighters Union Enterprise Bargain Agreement’s, recruitment of additional additional contributions received from the National Aerial Firefighting Centre firefighters for the Ellenbrook Career Fire and Rescue Service station. towards the operating costs of aerial services and additional commonwealth Supplies and services contributions towards the National Disaster Mitigation Program and the National The variance is primarily due to a general across the sector increase in 2009/10 Disaster Resilience Program. insurance premiums, an increase of the fixed and rotary wing aircraft hire charges, Interest revenue heavy machinery associated with the high fire season and costs associated with the The decrease in interest revenue mainly reflects the use of cash reserves to fund Direct Brigade Alarm project (which will be recouped over the life of the project). the approved capital works program. Finance costs Gain on disposal of non-current assets The decrease reflects the early retirement of the Authority’s borrowings as part of the The variance is due to a higher number of disposals. State Governments debt reduction strategy. Resources received free of charge Grants and subsidies The variance in resources received free of charge is mainly due to an increase in The increase in grants and subsidies is mainly due to payments made for the NDRRA services provided by Landgate. for damage caused by tropical cyclone Dominic, floods in the eastern Pilbara and Kimberley region and the Toodyay bushfire. The increase also reflects funding increases approved by Government for the Volunteer Marine and Rescue Service to enable a long term Hull replacement program and an increase in operating grants. Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE 87 88 Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE 35 Notes totheFinancialStatements
FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITYOFWESTERNAUSTRALIA FIRE ANDEMERGENCYSERVICES Liquidity riskariseswhentheAuthorityisunabletomeetitsfinancialobligationsastheyfalldue. Liquidity risk CGGS ceasedon1April2010howeverthestillappliestomoniesheldwithCommonwealthBankofAustralia andislimitedtothebalanceheldasat31March 2010. During 2008/09,theAuthorityhaselectedtoadoptCommonwealthGovernmentGuaranteeScheme(CGGS)forall termdepositstominimiseitsexposure tocredit risk. The the endofreporting period there were nosignificantconcentrationsofcredit risk. with anappropriate credit history. Inaddition,receivable balancesare monitored onanongoingbasiswiththeresult thattheAuthority’s exposure tobaddebtsisminimal.At than government,theAuthoritytradesonlywithrecognised, creditworthy third parties.TheAuthorityhaspoliciesinplacetoensure thatsalesofservicesare madetocustomers Credit riskassociatedwith theAuthority’s financialassetsisminimalbecausethemainreceivable istheamountsreceivable forservices(holdingaccount).Forreceivables other any provisions forimpairment asshowninthetableatnote35(c)‘Financialinstrumentsdisclosures’ andnote20‘Receivables’. The maximumexposure to credit riskatendofreporting periodinrelation toeachclassofrecognised financialassetsisthegross carryingamountofthoseassetsinclusive Credit riskariseswhenthere isthepossibilityofAuthority’s receivables defaultingontheircontractualobligationsresulting infinanciallosstotheAuthority. Credit risk receivables andpayables. TheAuthorityhaslimitedexposure tofinancialrisks.TheAuthority’s overallriskmanagementprogram focusesonmanagingtherisksidentifiedbelow. Financial instrumentsheldbytheAuthorityincludecashandequivalents,shorttermdeposits,borrowings from theWestern AustralianTreasury Corporation(WATC), (a) Financialriskmanagementobjectivesandpolicies Financial instruments 35(c), theAuthorityisnotexposedtointerest rateriskotherthanWATC borrowings andshortterminvestments. its marketrisk.Theriskismanagedthrough product diversificationandvariationinmaturitydates.Otherthan asdetailedintheinterest ratesensitivityanalysistableatnote currently holdsshorttermhighlyliquidinvestmentsheldinvariousApproved DepositInstitutions(ADI).TheAuthority monitorsthecredit ratingsofADI’s regularly tominimise Corporation (WATC) andare atfixedrateswithvaryingmaturities.Theriskismanagedby WATC through portfoliodiversification andvariationinmaturitydates.TheAuthority rates relate primarilytothelongtermdebtobligationsandshortinvestments. The Authority’s borrowings are all obtainedthrough the Western AustralianTreasury instruments. TheAuthoritydoesnottradeinforeign currency andisnotmateriallyexposedtootherpricerisks. TheAuthority’s exposure tomarketriskforchangesininterest Market riskisthethatchangesinmarketpricessuchas foreign exchangeratesand interest rateswillaffect theAuthority’s incomeorthevalueofitsholdingsfinancial Market risk available tomeetitscommitments. The Authorityhasappropriate procedures tomanagecashflowsincludingdrawdownsofappropriations bymonitoringforecast cashflowstoensure thatsufficient fundsare The Authorityisexposedtoliquidityriskthrough itstradinginthenormalcourseofbusiness. For theyearended30June2010
FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 30 June 2010
2010 2009 $000 $000
35 Financial instruments (continued) (b) Categories of financial instruments In addition to cash, the carrying amounts of each of the following categories of financial assets and financial liabilities at the end of the reporting period are as follows: Financial Assets Cash and cash equivalents 56,381 79,817 Restricted cash and cash equivalents 324 83 Held to maturity investments 500 500 Loans and receivables (a) 3,810 5,197 Financial Liabilities Financial liabilities measured at amortised cost (b) 12,899 38,472
(a) The amount of receivables excludes GST payable to the ATO (statutory receivable). (b) The amount of payables excludes GST recoverable from the ATO (statutory payable).
Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE 89 90 Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE Receivables Receivables 2010
35 AUTHORITYOFWESTERNAUSTRALIA FIRE ANDEMERGENCYSERVICES Notes totheFinancialStatements
Restricted cashandequivalents Cash andcashequivalents Financial Assets
Restricted cashandequivalents 2009 Other financialassets Cash andcashequivalents Amounts receivable forservices Other financialassets Amounts receivable forservices (a) The Authoritydoesnotholdanyfinancialassetsthathadtohavetheirtermsrenegotiated thatwouldhaveotherwiseresulted inthembeingpastdueorimpaired. The Authoritydoesnotholdanycollateralassecurityorothercredit enhancementsrelating tothefinancialassetsitholds. impaired andimpaired financialassets.Thetableisbasedoninformationprovided toseniormanagementoftheAuthority. to credit riskattheendof thereporting periodisthecarryingamountoffinancialassetsasshownbelow. Thetabledisclosestheageingoffinancialassetsthatare pastduebutnot The followingtabledisclosestheAuthority’s maximumexposure tocredit risk,interest rateexposures andtheageinganalysisoffinancialassets.TheAuthority’s maximumexposure Credit riskandinterest rateexposures (c) Financial instruments(continued) Financial Instrument Disclosures eevbe. The amountofreceivables excludesGSTpayable totheATO (statutoryreceivable). (a) (a)
Average Effective
Interest Rate 4.86 3.31 Weighted For theyearended30June2010 3.98 4.86 3.31 % - - - - -
Carrying Amount 92,536 56,381 79,817 71,716 6,170 5,966 9,985 4,526
$000 324 500 500 83
Interest rateexposure
Variable interest 20,400 19,817 2,881 3,705 $000 324 500 500 rate 83 Interest rateexposures andageinganalysisoffinancialassets - - - -
interest 60,000 53,500 60,000 53,500 Fixed $000 rate
------Non-Interest
bearing 12,136 14,511 6,170 5,966 9,985 4,526 $000 ------
months Pastduebutnotimpaired Up to3 $000 824 501 824 501
------months 1,162 1,058 1,162 1,058 3 -12 $000
------Years $000 184 184 1-2 14 14
------Years (a) 2-5 91 32 91 32
------than 5 More Years
19 19 3 3 ------Impaired financial
assets $000 ------
FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 30 June 2010
35 Financial instruments (continued) (c) Financial Instrument Disclosures (continued)
Liquidity Risk The following table details the contractual maturity analysis for financial liabilities. The contractual maturity amounts are representative of the undiscounted amounts at the end of the reporting period. The table includes interest and principal cash flows. An adjustment has been made where material.
Interest rate exposure and maturity analysis of financial liabilities
Interest rate exposure Maturity Date: Weighted Carrying VariableNon-Interest Adjustment Total Up to 3 3-12 1-2 2-5 More Average Effective Amount interest bearing for Nominal months months Years Years than 5 Interest Rate rate discounting Amount Years % $000 $000 $000 $000 $000 $000 $000 $000 $000
Financial liabilities 2010 Payables - 12,899 - 12,899 ------WATC loans ------12,899 - 12,899 ------2009 Payables - 10,743 - 10,743 ------WATC loans 5.96 27,729 - - 27,729 - - - - - 27,729 38,472 - 10,743 27,729 - - - - - 27,729
The amounts disclosed are the contractual undiscounted cash flows of each class of financial liabilities.
Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE 91 92 Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE
Total Increase (Decrease) WATC loans
Restrictedcashandequivalents Cashandcashequivalents
Total Increase (Decrease)
Restrictedcashandequivalents Cashandcashequivalents 35 Notes totheFinancialStatements
FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITYOFWESTERNAUSTRALIA FIRE ANDEMERGENCYSERVICES represent areasonable approximation offairvalue unlessotherwise statedinthe applicablenotes. All financialassets andliabilitiesrecognised intheStatementofFinancial Position,whethertheyare carriedatcostorfairvalue, are recognised at amountsthat Fair Values Financial Liabilities Financial Assets 2009 WATC loans Financial Liabilities Financial Assets 2010 Financial instruments(continued) surplus fortheperiodandequitya1%changeininterest rates.Itisassumedthatthechangeininterest ratesisheldconstantthroughout thereporting period. The followingtablerepresents asummaryoftheinterest ratesensitivityofthe Authority’s financialassetsandliabilitiesattheendofreporting periodonthe Interest ratesensitivityanalysis (c) FinancialInstrumentDisclosures (continued)
For theyearended30June2010 79,817 56,381
Carrying Carrying amount amount 27,729 $000 $000 324 83 -
Surplus Surplus (567.0) (521.7) (798.2) (563.8) 277.3 $000 $000 (0.8) (3.2) -100 basispoints -100 basispoints -
(521.7) (798.2) (567.0) (563.8) Equity Equity 277.3 $000 $000 (0.8) (3.2) -
Surplus Surplus (277.3) 521.7 798.2 563.8 $000 567.0 $000 +100basispoints +100 basispoints 0.8 3.2 -
(277.3) Equity Equity 521.7 567.0 798.2 563.8 $000 $000 0.8 3.2
- -
FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 30 June 2010
2010 2009 $000 $000
36 Remuneration of members of the accountable authority and senior officers Remuneration of members of the accountable authority The number of members of the accountable authority, whose total of fees, salaries, superannuation, non-monetary benefits and other benefits for the financial year, fall within the following bands are: 2010 2009 $ No. No. 0 - 10,000 7 7 10,001 - 20,000 4 4 30,001 - 40,000 - 1 40,001 - 50,000 1 - 260,001 - 270,000 - 1 300,001 - 310,000 1 - The total remuneration of members of the accountable authority 468 378 The total remuneration includes the superannuation expense incurred by the Authority in respect of members of the Accountable Authority. Remuneration of senior officers The number of senior officers, other than senior officers reported as members of the accountable authority, whose total fees, salaries, superannuation, non-monetary benefits and other benefits for the financial year, fall within the following bands are: 2010 2009 $ No. No. 30,001 - 40,000 - 1 40,001 - 50,000 1 1 50,001 - 60,000 - 3 60,001 - 70,000 - - 90,001 - 100,000 1 1 130,001 - 140,000 1 3 140,001 - 150,000 2 3 150,001 - 160,000 3 1 160,001 - 170,000 1 1 170,001 - 180,000 1 1 180,001 - 190,000 2 - 210,001 - 220,000 - 1 230,001 - 240,000 1 - The total remuneration of senior officers 1,981 1,890 The total remuneration includes the superannuation expense incurred by the Authority in respect of senior officers other than senior officers reported as members of the accountable authority.
Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE 93 94 Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE 37 Notes totheFinancialStatements 39 38
40
41 FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITYOFWESTERNAUSTRALIA FIRE ANDEMERGENCYSERVICES The expenseisincludedatnote11‘Otherexpenses’. auditing theaccounts,financialstatementsandperformanceindicators Remuneration payabletotheAuditorGeneralinrespect totheauditforcurrent financialyearfor Remuneration ofauditor Western AustralianVolunteer Fire BrigadesAssociationInc Volunteer MarineRescueWestern AustraliaInc Surf LifeSavingWestern AustraliaInc State Emergency Services Volunteers Association ofWestern AustraliaInc Emergency ServicesVolunteer AssociationInc Association ofVolunteer BushFire Brigades WA Inc accommodation andminoradministrativesupport. in theformofadministrativesupportincludinguseamotorvehicleandrunningcosts,office Direct financialassistance isgivenintheformofagrant.Indirect financialassistanceisalsogiven financial assistance. The followingare classified asnon-governmentaffiliated bodiesandreceive indirect and/ordirect Affiliated bodies The Authorityhasnorelated bodiesduringthereporting period. Related bodies Supplementary financialinformation Bad debtswritten-off bytheaccountableauthorityduringfinancialyear Write-Offs Losses ofpublicmoneysand,andotherproperty through theftordefault Losses through theft,defaultsandothercauses Amounts recovered Total Expenditure Closing Balance Total Receipts Opening Balance entered intobetweentheStateandCommonwealth. provision ofservicestotheIndianOceanTerritories asspecifiedintheServiceDeliveryArrangements The fundsprovided bytheDepartmentofTransport andRegionalServices havebeenspentonthe Indian OceanTerritories
For theyearended30June2010
$000 2010 2009 (300) (58) 105 273 579 974 47 117 374 564 110 25 12 25 47 25
112 25 25 38 38 - (480) 559 559 289 964 (20) 110 425 165 65 18 18 26 26 -
FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 30 June 2010
42 Schedule of income and expenses by service As at 30 June 2010 As at 30 June 2009 Prevention Emergency Prevention Emergency Services Services Total Services Services Total $000 $000 $000 $000 $000 $000
COST OF SERVICES Expenses Employee benefits expense 16,337 115,221 131,558 14,901 104,809 119,710 Supplies and services 7,665 63,511 71,176 5,999 49,550 55,549 Depreciation and amortisation expense 1,081 8,508 9,589 995 7,828 8,823 Finance costs 14 104 118 336 2,644 2,980 Accommodation expenses 756 5,969 6,725 565 5,419 5,984 Grants and subsidies 817 35,413 36,230 1,209 27,342 28,551 Loss on disposal of non-current assets 8 65 73 4 32 36 Other expense 366 2,499 2,865 440 2,332 2,772 Total cost of services 27,044 231,290 258,334 24,449 199,956 224,405
Income User charges and fees 20,577 163,472 184,049 19,299 153,318 172,617 Commonwealth grants & contributions 1,146 9,105 10,251 582 4,625 5,207 Interest revenue 280 2,228 2,508 509 4,047 4,556 Gain on disposal of non-current assets 21 170 191 18 144 162 Other revenue 511 4,059 4,570 524 4,165 4,689 Total Income other than income from State Government 22,535 179,034 201,569 20,932 166,299 187,231 NET COST OF SERVICES 4,509 52,256 56,765 3,517 33,657 37,174
INCOME FROM STATE GOVERNMENT Service appropriation 5,133 40,776 45,909 4,913 39,029 43,942 Resources received free of charge 113 895 1,008 63 504 567 Total Income from State Government 5,246 41,671 46,917 4,976 39,533 44,509 (Deficit) Surplus for the year 737 (10,585) (9,848) 1,459 5,876 7,335
The Schedule of Income and Expenses by Service should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.
Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE 95 FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
Certification of Key Performance Indicators We hereby certify that the performance indicators are based on proper records, are relevant and appropriate for assisting users to assess the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia’s performance, and fairly represent the performance of the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia for the financial year ended 30 June 2010.
,d,Ai4_,q,.__J A Skinner J Harrison-Ward Chairman of Accountable Authority Member of Accountable Authority
23 August 2010 23 August 2010 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE S ection 4
96 FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Detail On Key In line with our core responsibilities we These programs tend to be seasonally Service 2: Emergency Services Performance Indicators We have adopted two outcomes: focused and include: The focus of our Emergency Services is 1. To improve the relevance of • Storm season campaign. to minimise the impact of emergencies Link To Government Goals performance data collected to • Wet season 2008 to 2013 (cyclone, by delivering appropriate emergency FESA’s core business is to support assist in decision making and flood). response. To achieve this outcome we Government Goal 3 – Outcome Based resource allocation. ensure that our operational personnel, Service Delivery: Greater focus • Fire Safety in the Home campaign. 2. To improve the clarity of published including volunteers, are appropriately on achieving results in key service • Smoke Alarm campaign. information to assist stakeholders in trained, resourced and prepared delivery areas for the benefit of all understanding FESA core services, • Bushfire campaign 2008 to 2013. to deliver efficient, effective and Western Australians. outcomes and performance. • Dry season (Pilbara and Kimberley appropriate responses to emergency Our community engagement approach incidents. We achieve these outcomes through regions) 2009 to 2014. also supports the achievements of the provision of two services: other Government goals including: Our Juvenile and Family Fire By delivering emergency services Service 1: Prevention and Mitigation across Western Australia, we support A stronger focus on the regions Awareness (JAFFA) program and Fire Services the community to minimise the Our services are delivered through Inside Out schools education program economic, environmental and social a network of regionally based Our Prevention and Mitigation Services run throughout the year. impact of emergencies. employees and volunteers. Through aim to increase community awareness of the hazards people face within their The majority of our programs are the management of the Emergency delivered with the support of locally Services Levy and our volunteer communities and to encourage safer CHANGES TO OUTCOME behaviour through the prevention and based operational staff and volunteers. support programs we assist local We also provide specialist advice BASED MANAGEMENT governments in maintaining volunteer mitigation of risk. Higher awareness supports improved safety by reducing and training, including support for FRAMEWORK FOR 2010/11 services appropriate to the level of risk local government in emergency preventable emergencies and A comprehensive review of our in their community. management and risk planning increasing preparedness for natural Outcome Based Management Social and environmental through the Community Emergency emergencies when they occur. Framework was completed in 2008/09. responsibility Management Officer program, the The review had two objectives: We support the achievement of this We take a targeted approach to the All Western Australians Reducing goal through our commitment to delivery of community awareness and Emergencies (AWARE) program, and 1. To improve the relevance of developing sustainable emergency education programs that support courses in evacuation planning and performance data to decision making management strategies and programs community stakeholders in reducing the safe use of fire extinguishers which and resource allocation. that are targeted to meet the needs of preventable emergencies, for example are delivered through our Commercial 2. To improve the clarity of published local communities. accidental fire, and in mitigating the Training Unit. information to assist stakeholders in risks of natural hazards specific to their understanding FESA’s core services, location. outcomes and performance. The Outcome Structure Review Group endorsed the revised structure on 7 April 2009 and new indicators came into effect from 1 July 2009.
Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE 97 98 Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE improved codingofincidents. of incompleteincidentreports and This initiativehasreduced thenumber Service personnelandotherkeyusers. career andvolunteerFire andRescue use ofoperationaldatasystemsfor us todeliverscheduledtraininginthe permanent trainingofficer hasenabled and quality. The establishmentofa to improve datacompleteness During 2009/10wehavecontinued reflect retrospective dataentry. data from pastyearsisadjusted to accurate dataextraction.Eachyear, correct codingofincidents toenable the completionofincidentreports and effectiveness indicatorsdepend on Performance results forour Data Improvement RESULTS FOR2009/10 AUTHORITYOFWESTERNAUSTRALIA FIRE ANDEMERGENCYSERVICES quality. to improve datacompletenessand results havebeenaffected bythiseffort In someinstancesourperformance to improve dataquality. Theseinclude: We havealsoaddressed systemissues Geocodingmetropolitan career • Removingduplicatevolunteer • Correcting errors inresponse time • Removingthedefaultcodefor • overall response times. incidents hadpreviously increased gazetted response area. These crews responded outsideoftheir – toidentifyincidentswhere Fire andRescueServiceincidents reported volunteernumbers. records –increasing theaccuracyof response timedata. terminals –providing more accurate transmission from mobile data emergency conditions. responses were provided under accurately recording where response timedatabymore emergency responses –improving
community ofWestern Australia: of humanandnaturalhazards onthe performance inminimisingtheimpact effectiveness indicatorsto measure our During 2009/10,weusedseven Effectiveness Indicators Thepercentage ofrequired • Thepercentage ofVolunteer Fire • Thepercentage ofcareer Fire • Thepercentage of000calls • Thepercentage ofspecialrisk • Theproportion ofstructure fires • Thenumberofaccidental • management. in level2and3incident operational personneltrained Management Agencyroles only). within target timeframes(Hazard and RescueServiceturnouttimes (Metropolitan Region). times withintarget timeframes and RescueServiceresponse answered within20seconds. reviewed within24months. plans forhazardous material sites origin. confined totheroom orobject of households. residential fires per100,000
for eachofourservices: We havetwoefficiency indicators,one EFFICIENCY INDICATORS ThecostofEmergency Servicesper • ThecostofPrevention and • capita (Western Australia). (Western Australia). Mitigation Servicespercapita
FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
NUMBER OF ACCIDENTAL RESIDENTIAL FIRES PER 100,000 HOUSEHOLDS Figure 1.1 – Number of Accidental Residential Fires per 100,000 Households
Structure fires1, especially accidental residential fires, can have a devastating effect 100.00 on the community. During 2009/10, ten fatalities and property damage estimated at 90.00 $21,063,751 resulted from accidental residential fires. 80.00 This indicator measures the effectiveness of fire safety and prevention strategies in 70.00 reducing accidental residential fires in Western Australia. Programs that impact on 60.00 our results for the indicator include our Fire Safety in the Home program, Juvenile 50.00 and Family Fire Awareness (JAFFA) and our Smoke Alarm campaign. Our partnerships 40.00 with industry bodies also assist in identifying and alerting the community to unsafe products and practices that have the potential to cause fire. 30.00 20.00 Annual results are affected by a range of complex variables outside our control. For 10.00 example, unsafe behaviour tends to increase during severe winters as people tend to spend longer periods indoors and there is a greater need for heating. It is therefore 0.00 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 appropriate to consider long term trends rather than the results for any one year as an Fires per 100k H/H 68.53 75.19 75.59 77.73 70.52 indication of the effectiveness of community awareness programs. 3 Year Rolling Average 71.40 73.27 73.10 76.17 74.61 Our target is a maximum of 70 fires per 100,000 households. Our 2009/10 result of Target 50 70 90 70 70 70.52 was an improvement compared to the previous year, although it is marginally above our target.
This indicator has remained fairly stable, with the three-year rolling average at the end Our data is dynamic and changes as officers complete their reports. Household of 2009/10 being 74.61 incidents per 100,000 households. data is based on projected ABS figures which will also affect results annually. Data for The number of structure fires has also remained stable over the past two years at previous years has been restated to reflect completed reports as at 30 June 2010 and 1,544 in 2008/09 and 1,550 in 2009/10. In 2009/10 there was an increase in roof space current household data. fires as a result of inappropriately installed insulation. To date, 40 such fires have been National Benchmarking reported. In 12 of these insulation was installed under the Australian Government Home Insulation Rebate program. Above average temperatures for the summer In the 2010 Report on Government Services (RoGS), Western Australia recorded the season also contributed to an increase in air conditioning fires caused by overheating fourth lowest rate of accidental residential fires behind Queensland, South Australia and lack of maintenance. and the Northern Territory.
The accuracy of this indicator depends on the ability of fire officers to determine the However, caution should be taken when comparing figures across jurisdictions as cause of fires and provision of complete and correctly coded data. In 2009/10 the data reporting is not always based on common criteria and different jurisdictional proportion of structure fires where the cause was ‘undetermined’ was 9.35 per cent, conditions will affect results in any given year. compared to 7.71 per cent in 2008/09. The proportion of incidents that were not The current national average for this indicator is 103.9 fires per 100,000 households2. coded was 11.9 per cent in 2009/10 compared to 3.3 per cent in 2008/09.
1 Structure fires are those fires in housing and other buildings (Source: Report on Government Services, 2010) 2 Source: Report on Government Services 2010, Accidental Residential Fires per 100,000 households.
Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE 99 100 Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITYOFWESTERNAUSTRALIA FIRE ANDEMERGENCYSERVICES 76 percent. per centissimilartolastyear. Thefive-year rolling averagetotheend of2009/10was a higherpercentage indicatingbetterperformance.Our 2009/10overallresult of76.42 Our target istoconfineatleast68percentoffires totheroom orobjectoforigin,with purposes, results from pastyearshavebeenrecalculated asat30June2010. Retrospective dataentrywillalsoaffect theresults forthisindicator. Forcomparative containers, whichmore accuratelyreflects totalconfinement. includes smallerstructure fires thatstartinandare confinedtonon-combustible or thestructure. Basedonnationaldiscussions,thecalculationforthisindicatornow 2009/10, ofatotal1,550reported structure fires, 1,319causeddamagetoanobject coding, andisbasedonthenumberofstructure fires where damagewasreported. In Data forthisindicatordependsonthecompletionofincident reports andcorrect legislation andproduct standards. also informsmore effective communityeducationandawareness campaigns, building awareness ofthe000emergency assistancenumber. Fire investigationandanalysis include ourFire SafetyintheHome andSmokeAlarmcampaigns,asdoesraising Prevention andmitigation initiativesthatcontributetotheresults forthisindicator likely toincrease thepercentage offires confined. detection, earlynotificationandappropriate andeffective firefighting techniques are and anychemicalsstored on sitewillallaffect therateatwhichafire spreads. Prompt control. Weather conditions,buildingconstruction,typeofhouseholdfurnishings The abilitytoconfinestructure fires isaffected byanumberoffactorsoutside our reduce thevalueoflosses andthetraumaassociatedwithstructure fires. effectiveness ofouremergency response. Higherlevelsofconfinementare likelyto reducing accidentalfires byencouragingsaferbehaviourand,toalesserextent,the This indicatormeasures the effectiveness ofourPrevention andMitigationServices in of thestructure andreduces theimpactoffire onthecommunity. Confining astructure fire totheroom orobjectoforiginminimisesdamageto therest OR OBJECTOFORIGIN PROPORTION OFSTRUCTURE FIRESCONFINEDTOTHEROOM currently reviewing consistent nationaldatacriteriaforthisindicator. and includesfires where nodamageoccurred. Jurisdictional representatives are Currently, theRoGScalculationexcludesfires confinedtonon-combustiblecontainers differ from thoseinthis annualreport. however, becauseofdifferences in datareporting criteriapublished RoGSresults will Confinement dataisalsopublishedintheReportonGovernmentServices (RoGS), National Benchmarking notification, resulting inamore timelyresponse. by occupantscanreduce theirspread andemergency servicesgenerallyreceive earlier (82 percentcompared to60percent).Whenaccidentalfires occur, appropriate action results foraccidentalfires tendtobehigherthanfordeliberateorsuspiciousfires The dataincludesalltypesofignition,bothaccidentaland deliberate. Confinement Combustible Container Confined toRoom Total Confinement Confined toNon Figure 2.1–Proportion ofStructure Fires ConfinedtoRoomorObjectofOrigin Not Confined Target 100.00 110.00 10.00 20.00 30.00 40.00 50.00 60.00 70.00 80.00 90.00 0.00 2005/06 65.00% 75.56% 28.82% 46.74% 24.44% 2006/07 65.00% 75.21% 30.75% 44.46% 24.79% 2007/08 80.70% 75.41% 28.88% 46.53% 24.59% 2008/09 68.00% 77.00% 28.81% 48.19% 23.00% 2009/10 68.00% 76.42% 30.10% 46.32% 23.58%
FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
PERCENTAGE OF SPECIAL RISK PLANS FOR HAZARDOUS MATERIAL SITES REVIEWED WITHIN SPECIFIED TIMEFRAMES Figure 3.1 – Percentage of Special Risk Plans for Hazardous FESA has a legislated role to manage preparedness and response for hazardous Material Sites Reviewed Within Specified Timeframe materials emergencies. This includes raising industry awareness of the risks 100.00 250 associated with hazardous materials and supporting the development of emergency 90.00 management plans for identified special risk sites. 80.00 200 Special risk sites are identified collaboratively by FESA and the Departments of 70.00 Environment and Conservation and Minerals and Energy. Requirements for special 60.00 150 risk plans are determined by the Dangerous Goods Safety Act 2004 and supporting 50.00 Dangerous Goods Safety Regulations 2007. 40.00 100 Percentage Special risk plans focus on preparation for response and recovery for foreseeable 30.00 emergencies. They include mitigation and treatment options for reducing adverse 20.00 50 impacts of emergencies on the general community and the environment. Number of Special Risk Plans 10.00 This new indicator is a first step in the development of indicators to measure levels 0.00 0 of operational and community preparedness to minimise the impact of emergencies. 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 24 Months % 71% 73% 69% 68% 89% The number of special risk plans developed over the past five years has increased Target 90% 90% 90% 90% 90% by 61 per cent as a result of increased risk awareness, compliance monitoring and # of SRP 138 175 192 211 222 industry growth.
Compared to 2008/09, the number of special risk plans reviewed within 24 months increased by more than 38 per cent in 2009/10. Note: Indicator introduced from 2009/10. Targets for previous years inserted for presentation purposes only. Our target is to review 90 per cent of plans within two years to ensure they remain current. In 2009/10, 89 per cent of plans were reviewed, within the target timeframe.
Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE 101 102 Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE redundancy strategiesto ensure businesscontinuityforcalltakinginacrisissituation. During the2010/11financialyear, FESAwilldevelopCommunicationsCentre result of97.64percentis slightly betterthantarget. Our target istoanswer97 percentof000callswithin20seconds.The2009/10year mobile telephones. significance orseriousness.Multiplereporting hasincreased dramaticallyasaresult of to thetimeofdaythatincidentoccursanditsvisibility, ratherthantheincident’s mobilisation ofemergency crews. Thelevelofmultiplereporting isgenerally linked the sameincident.Thisduplicationaffects callcentre capacityandtheefficient The FESACommunicationsCentre sometimesreceives numerous 000callsreporting response timemeasurement commencesoncethecallisanswered. first segmentofoverallresponse time.However, foremergency servicesinAustralia For a000call,thetimefrom connectiontooperatorpickupcouldbeconsidered the the FESACommunicationsCentre. crews. Monitoringthetime takentoanswer000callsinformsresourcing strategies for handlingof000callsensures fastandefficientTimely mobilisationofemergency TIMEFRAME PERCENTAGE OF000CALLSANSWEREDWITHINTHETARGET AUTHORITYOFWESTERNAUSTRALIA FIRE ANDEMERGENCYSERVICES Note: Dataonlyavailableforpastthree years. 10 sec% 15 sec% 20 sec% 5 sec% Total % Target Figure 4.1–Percentage of000CallsAnswered Within20Seconds 100.00 10.00 20.00 30.00 40.00 50.00 60.00 70.00 80.00 90.00 0.00 2007/08 97.00% 98.33% 55.97% 33.18% 6.97% 2.21% 2008/09 97.00% 97.82% 56.27% 31.72% 7.12% 2.71% 2009/10 97.00% 97.64% 48.05% 38.81% 7.97% 2.81% FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
PERCENTAGE OF METROPOLITAN RESPONSES BY CAREER FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICES WITHIN TARGET TIMEFRAMES Figure 5.1a – Percentage of Metropolitan Career FRS Responses in 8 Minutes or Less Metropolitan career firefighters currently respond to 79 per cent of total fire emergencies in Western Australia and their timely response is critical in minimising the impact of fire on Structure the community. Rapid response and appropriate combat strategies reduce loss of life and damage to property and other community assets. Rescue Factors that can affect total response time include adverse weather or traffic conditions, Life Critical shorter or longer travel times if crews are not on station when notified of an incident, or Hazmat crews being mobilised to incidents outside of their gazetted response area. Target 50% Response time results are provided for five major classes of emergencies: structure fires, GSRB rescues, hazardous materials incidents (HAZMAT), other property fires and grass, scrub, rubbish and bush fires. Other (Property) Total response times are measured from the time the request for attendance is received to the time that the first emergency crew arrives at the scene. Where there is a high All Other potential threat to life (structure fires and road crash rescues), first response crews aim to Types be on scene within eight minutes or less 50 per cent of the time (50th percentile target) and within 12 minutes or less 90 per cent of the time (90th percentile target). These target Total timeframes are also used as a benchmark for responses to other types of incidents. 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% Data is based on incidents where career Fire and Rescue Service crews responded within their own area. Total Structure Rescue HAZMAT GSRB Other All Other (Property) Types
Results for this indicator rely on the accurate recording of ‘in attendance’ times and 2009/10 52.55% 53.63% 59.14% 44.59% 44.67% 39.17% 56.05% career Fire and Rescue Service appliances are equipped with mobile data terminals 2008/09 50.08% 50.57% 59.33% 41.73% 44.97% 43.79% 52.71% to accurately record time data. However, activation of the mobile data terminals is a manual process that sometimes fails. Major anomalies in the data have been reviewed 2007/08 49.54% 47.87% 59.85% 42.22% 42.17% 41.30% 53.35% and cleansed where appropriate. Incidents where an ‘in attendance’ time has not been 2006/07 49.36% 52.34% 57.48% 45.07% 42.52% 38.02% 53.01% recorded are excluded from the calculation. 2005/06 50.32% 52.91% 62.47% 49.83% 42.22% 39.53% 54.41% Retrospective data entry will affect the results and data for past years has been updated to reflect the results as at 30 June 2010. 1. Structure fires are those fires in housing and other buildings (Source: Report on Government Services, 2010). 2. Rescue includes all non-fire rescues including road crash rescue. Our overall response times for 2009/10 (Figures 5.1a and 5.1b) were better than target on 3. HAZMAT includes petrol or flammable spills and gas leaks. 4. GSRB fires include grass, scrub, rubbish and bush fires. the 50th percentile and just below target on the 90th percentile. For life critical incidents 5. Other (Property) refers to fires in special structures including but not limited to piers, bridges, tunnels, outside storage (structure and rescue) our performance was better than target. facilities and mobile property, for example buses, aircraft and rail.
Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE 103 104 Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE clear improvement intheresults compared tolastfinancialyear. While response timesfor some categoriesare higherthanthetarget times,there isa first onscene. the primaryresponse only anddonotallowforinstanceswhere supportcrews are the response timesare overstated.Resultsare currently calculatedforcrews designatedas Limitations inthecapabilitiesofcurrent reporting systemsmeanthat,insomeinstances, special equipmentorskillswhichcanextendmobilisingtime. fires orbushfires, delayingconfirmationonarrivaltimes.Hazmat incidents are longer. Crews maytakeadditionaltimetolocatethe specificsiteofscrub Historically, response timestograss,scrub,rubbishandbushfires andtoHazmat FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITYOFWESTERNAUSTRALIA FIRE ANDEMERGENCYSERVICES incidents mayrequire
2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 Life Critical (Property) AllOther Structure Hazmat Rescue Other Types Total GSRB 78% 88.44% 87.51% 87.15% 87.15% 88.94% Total Figure 5.1b–Percentage ofMetropolitan Career 80% Structure 92.98% 90.65% 91.68% 92.45% 91.84% FRS Responsesin12MinutesorLess 82% Rescue 93.97% 91.99% 91.54% 91.56% 93.87% 84% 86% HAZMAT 86.95% 86.97% 84.30% 83.31% 88.08% 88% 87.20% 86.20% 85.87% 86.58% 88.26% GSRB 90% Target 90% (Property) 92% 86.05% 83.64% 87.53% 87.57% 83.61% Other 94% All Other 88.70% 87.71% 87.14% 86.68% 88.64% Typ es 96% FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Figures 5.2 to 5.6 provide response time information for specific incident types. Figure 5.2 – Response Times 50th and 90th Percentile - Structure Fire Incidents Structure 14 Structure fires are categorised as life critical incidents and receive the highest priority for response. 12
Our median response time improved by 0.22 minutes and our 90th percentile 10 response time improved by 0.35 minutes. 8 We met both our 50th and 90th percentile targets in 2009/10. 6
Major anomalies in the data have been reviewed and cleansed where appropriate. 4 Incidents where an ‘in attendance’ time has not been recorded are excluded from the Minutes (Decimal) calculation. 2
Retrospective data entry will affect the results and data for past years has been 0 updated to reflect the results as at 30 June 2010. 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 Median Response Time (50th Percentile) 7.83 7.88 8.16 7.97 7.75 Response times for structure fire incidents are also reported through the Report on Response Time 11.37 11.83 11.57 11.58 11.23 Government Services (RoGS). (90th Percentile) Target 50th Percentile (Minutes) 8.00 8.00 8.00 8.00 8.00 Data in the RoGS includes responses by all services, which in Western Australia Target 90th 12.00 12.00 12.00 12.00 12.00 includes volunteers3, and is not comparable with data published in this annual report. Percentile (Minutes)
Times in this table Median Response Number of Total Minimum Maximum are expressed in Response Time (90th Incidents Structure Total Total minutes Time (50th Percentile) Above Fire Response Response Percentile) 12 Minutes Incidents Times Times
2009/10 7.75 11.23 72 882 0.17 35.00
2008/09 7.97 11.58 79 1,046 0.001 88.50
2007/08 8.16 11.57 86 1,034 0.00 70.23
2006/07 7.88 11.83 92 984 0.45 27.75
2005/06 7.83 11.37 58 826 0.05 31.67
5 Year Average 7.92 11.52 77 954
3 All services data includes responses by career Fire and Rescue Service, volunteer Bush Fire Brigades, Volunteer Emergency 1. Minimum response times of 0.00 minutes occur when fire crews notice and respond to an emergency before it has been Services, Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service and Volunteer Fire Services. reported to the Communications Centre by a 000 call.
Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE 105 106 Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE updated toreflect theresults asat30June2010. Retrospective dataentrywill affect theresults anddataforpastyearshasbeen calculation. Incidents where an‘inattendance’ timehasnotbeenrecorded are excludedfrom the Major anomaliesinthedatahavebeenreviewed andcleansedwhere appropriate. We achievedourtarget forbothour50thand90thpercentile response times. percentile response timeimproved by0.43minutes. In 2009/10ourmedianresponse timeimproved by0.13minutesandour90th Road crashrescues currently comprisesixpercentofourtotalincidents. and receive thehighestresponse priority. Rescues potentiallyposeahighthreat tolife.Theyare definedaslifecriticalincidents Rescue AUTHORITYOFWESTERNAUSTRALIA FIRE ANDEMERGENCYSERVICES minutes are expressed in inthistable Times 2009/10 2008/09 2007/08 2006/07 2005/06 5 Year Average Median Response Time Median ResponseTime Percentile (Minutes) Percentile (Minutes) (90th Percentile) (50th Percentile) Response Time Response Time Figure 5.3–ResponseTimes50thand90thPercentile -RescueIncidents Target 90th Target 50th
Minutes (Decimal) (50th Time Percentile) Response Response Median Median 10 12 14 0 2 4 6 8 7.50 7.63 7.53 7.43 7.30 7.48 2005/06 12.00 11.00
8.00 7.30 (90th Time Percentile) Response Response 11.28 11.71 11.69 11.40 11.00 11.42 2006/07 12.00 11.40
8.00 7.43 12 Minutes Number of Number of Incidents Incidents Above Above 57 80 79 68 22 61 2007/08
12.00 11.69 8.00 7.53 Incidents Resue Resue Total 930 948 934 849 365 805 2008/09
12.00 11.71 8.00 7.63 Response Response Minimum Minimum Times Total 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.03 0.00
2009/10 12.00 11.28 8.00 7.50 Maximum Maximum Response Response Times 23.52 31.15 28.48 34.95 24.78 Total
FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
HAZMAT Hazardous materials incidents (HAZMAT) involve an unexpected or unplanned Figure 5.4 – Response Times 50th and 90th Percentile - HAZMAT Incidents accidental or deliberate release of a hazardous material. These incidents have the 16 potential to endanger, damage or destroy the health and safety of people, property or 14 the environment. 12 HAZMAT incidents can occur during the manufacture, use, handling, transport or 10 storage of the hazardous material. 8 Minor fuel spills and leaks resulting from road crash rescues are not included in this data. 6
Minutes (Decimal) 4 HAZMAT incident response times are usually greater than for other incident types as additional time is taken at the mobilisation stage to determine the hazardous 2 materials that are involved, the appropriate response strategy and whether specialised 0 resources such as special protective clothing are required to safely deal with the 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 incident. Median Response Time (50th Percentile) 8.02 8.38 8.68 8.52 8.55 Response Time Our median response time for HAZMAT incidents in 2009/10 improved by 0.03 (90th Percentile) 12.87 12.64 13.25 13.63 12.38 minutes compared to 2008/09. The 90th percentile response time decreased by 1.25 Target 50th Percentile (Minutes) 8.00 8.00 8.00 8.00 8.00 minutes. Target 90th 12.00 12.00 12.00 12.00 12.00 Percentile (Minutes) Response times for 2009/10 for both the 50th and 90th percentiles exceeded the target times. Times in this table Median Response Number of Total Minimum Maximum Major anomalies in the data have been reviewed and cleansed where appropriate. are expressed in Response Time (90th Incidents HAZMAT Total Total Incidents where an ‘in attendance’ time has not been recorded are excluded from the minutes Time (50th Percentile) Above Incidents Response Response Percentile) 12 Minutes Times Times calculation.
Retrospective data entry will affect the results and data for past years has been 2009/10 8.55 12.38 54 453 0.00 20.30 updated to reflect the results as at 30 June 2010. 2008/09 8.52 13.63 108 647 0.00 32.83
2007/08 8.68 13.25 116 739 0.00 27.13
2006/07 8.38 12.64 74 568 0.05 35.25
2005/06 8.02 12.87 115 881 0.00 37.72
5 Year Average 8.43 12.95 93 658
Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE 107 108 Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE updated toreflect theresults asat30June2010. Retrospective dataentrywill affect theresults anddataforpastyearshasbeen calculation. Incidents where an‘inattendance’ timehasnotbeenrecorded are excludedfrom the Major anomaliesinthedatahavebeenreviewed andcleansedwhere appropriate. for boththe50thand90thpercentiles. The five-yearaverageforthistypeofincidentiscurrently more thanthetarget times compared to2008/09. was similartolastyear’s result. Our90thpercentile response timeincreased slightly The medianresponse time forotherproperty incidentswas8.80minutes,which transport. tunnels, outsidestoragefacilitiesandmobileproperty suchasbuses,aircraft andrail Other property incidents include fires inspecialstructures suchaspiers,bridges or Other (Property) Fires AUTHORITYOFWESTERNAUSTRALIA FIRE ANDEMERGENCYSERVICES minutes are expressed in inthistable Times 2009/10 2008/09 2007/08 2006/07 2005/06 5 Year Average Figure 5.5–ResponseTimes50thand90thPercentile -Other(Property) Fire Incidents Median Response Time Median ResponseTime Percentile (Minutes) Percentile (Minutes) (90th Percentile) (50th Percentile) Response Time Response Time Target 90th Target 50th (50th Time Percentile) Response Response Minutes (Decimal) Median Median 10 12 14 16 8.80 8.43 8.63 8.88 8.58 8.66 0 2 4 6 8 2005/06
12.00 12.52 8.00 8.58 (90th Time Percentile) Response Response 13.17 12.57 12.58 13.53 12.52 12.87 2006/07
12.00 13.53 8.00 8.88 12 Minutes Number of Number of Incidents Incidents Above Above 59 44 48 71 48 54
2007/08 12.00 12.58 8.00 8.63 (Property) Other Total Fires 360 354 385 434 334 375
2008/09 12.00 12.57 8.00 8.43 Response Response Minimum Minimum Times Total 0.03 2.00 0.00 0.07 0.00 2009/10 12.00 13.17 8.00 8.80 Maximum Maximum Response Response Times 57.07 63.35 27.75 36.10 79.40 Total FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Grass, Scrub, Rubbish and Bushfires Figure 5.6 – Response Times 50th and 90th Percentile This incident category includes landscape and bushfires and outside rubbish fires, - Grass, Scrub, Rubbish and Bushfire Incidents including those in landfill or construction sites. 14
With landscape and bushfires, extra time is often required for crews to reach the exact 12 location of the fire, especially if they are required to move off road, and to determine the severity or potential impact of the incident. This can result in delays in notification 10 that the crew has arrived on scene which will overstate travel times. 8
Our median response time in 2009/10 was 8.35 minutes. This is a slight improvement 6 compared to the previous year. 4 Minutes (Decimal) In 2009/10, 88 per cent of grass, scrub, rubbish and bushfire incidents received a response within 12 minutes. 2
Major anomalies in the data have been reviewed and cleansed where appropriate. 0 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 Incidents where an ‘in attendance’ time has not been recorded are excluded from the Median Response Time calculation. (50th Percentile) 8.55 8.52 8.57 8.38 8.35 Response Time (90th Percentile) 12.61 12.75 12.97 12.92 12.43 Retrospective data entry will affect the results and data for past years has been Target 50th updated to reflect the results as at 30 June 2010. Percentile (Minutes) 8.00 8.00 8.00 8.00 8.00 Target 90th 12.00 12.00 12.00 12.00 12.00 Percentile (Minutes)
Times in this table Median Response Number of Total Minimum Maximum are expressed in Response Time (90th Incidents GSRB Total Total minutes Time (50th Percentile) Above Fire Response Response Percentile) 12 Minutes Incidents Times Times
2009/10 8.35 12.43 412 3,510 0.00 32.72
2008/09 8.38 12.92 645 4,808 0.00 123.83
2007/08 8.57 12.97 713 5,046 0.00 58.68
2006/07 8.52 12.75 711 5,153 0.00 37.33
2005/06 8.55 12.61 580 4,531 0.00 94.33
5 Year Average 8.47 12.74 612 4,610
Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE 109 110 Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE strategies toimprove volunteeravailability. reasons forthis.Itwillalsoaidinthedevelopmentofrecruitment andretention volunteer crews are unable tomeetthetarget timeframe andassistindetermining Further analysisofdataforthis indicatorwillhelpidentifyareas orlocationswhere decision making. possible. Thiswillimprove thereliability andintegrityofturnouttimedatafor times byproviding trainingsupportandresolving communicationissueswherever Our focusfor2010/11istoreduce thenumberofincidentreports with‘null’mobilising affected bypoorcommunicationsinfrastructure whichcanalsoreduce dataquality. systems andthisaffects datareliability. Incountryregions turnouttimesare also reports. Volunteer crews are notcurrently equippedwithautomatic timerecording The results forthisindicatordependonaccuratetimesbeingrecorded inincident The indicatortrend showsthatVFRSturnouttimeshaveremained fairlystable. than the90percenttarget. The 2009/10proportion of turnoutswithin14minutesof87.12percentisslightlylower for managingresponse. incidents where localgovernment orWestern AustraliaPoliceistheHMAresponsible Rescue Serviceare excluded asthesevolunteergroups mostoftenrespond to Service, Volunteer Emergency Services,Volunteer Fire ServicesandVolunteer Marine Incidents attendedbyothervolunteerservices–BushFire Service,StateEmergency Agency (HMA). (VFRS) onlyandexcludesincidentswhere FESAisnottheHazard Management This newindicatorprovides turnouttimesfortheVolunteer Fire andRescueService is enroute totheincident. incident bytheFESACommunicationsCentre andwhenitisconfirmedthatthecrew delivery. Turnout timeisdefinedasthebetweenbrigadebeingnotifiedof For volunteerservices,turnouttimeisthemostusefulindicatorformeasuringservice and extendedtraveltoincidentsites. In regional areas, totalresponse timescanbeaffected bytheavailabilityofvolunteers TURNOUTS WITHINTARGET TIMEFRAMES–HMAROLESONLY PERCENTAGE OFVOLUNTEERFIREANDRESCUESERVICE FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITYOFWESTERNAUSTRALIA FIRE ANDEMERGENCYSERVICES
2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 Figure 6.1–Percentage ofVolunteer Fire andRescueServiceTurnouts % 0% 2005/06 89.58% Within SpecifiedTimeframes-HMARolesOnly 10% 20% 2006/07 87.04% 30% 40% 2007/08 87.30% 50% 60% 2008/09 86.36% 70% 80% 2009/10 87.12% 90% Target 90% 100% FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
PERCENTAGE OF REQUIRED OPERATIONAL PERSONNEL TRAINED IN LEVEL 2 AND LEVEL 3 INCIDENT MANAGEMENT Figure 7.1 – Percentage of Required Operational Personnel Trained in Level 2 and Level 3 Incident Management (Bushfire) Climate change is anticipated to increase the frequency and intensity of natural emergencies such as bushfires, storms and cyclones. 160.00% 140.00% Appropriate levels of trained personnel are critical in maintaining the capacity to manage concurrent large scale incidents. 120.00% 100.00% During 2009/10, we responded to several incidents that were significant in terms of their scale, intensity and timing. The bushfire season started early and involved a 80.00% number of large scale incidents. The cyclone season also arrived early when category 60.00% 5 Tropical Cyclone Laurence crossed the coastline twice, causing significant flooding across the country. The West Coast storm in March 2010 was described as a ‘one 40.00% in 50’ year event. The timing of such an intense storm was also unusual, with most 20.00% significant storm activity historically occurring between May and October. The intense 0.00% operational activity continued through April 2010 when a 5.0 magnitude earthquake Level 2 Incident Managers Level 2 Incident Managers occurred in the Goldfields. % of Trained Personnel 92% 150% This indicator was introduced in 2009/10 and will inform training and succession Target 90% 90% planning for operational personnel. Number of Personnel Required 48 12 Level 2 incidents are those that, as a result of their size or complexity, require Number of Personnel 44 18 Deemed Competent additional resourcing from outside the incident area. Level 2 managers require specific competencies for different incident types – bushfire, or other natural hazard incidents Note: Past data for this indicator is not available. such as storms and cyclones.
Level 3 incidents require significant state or national resources. Level 3 managers have incident specific competencies and are also able to fill strategic roles for the coordination of major incidents. Qualification is determined on the basis of operational experience, generally supported by formal training to attain nationally recognised competencies.
Minimum numbers at each level were determined to allow for statewide coverage. Significant work was then undertaken to audit operational personnel competencies and ensure the availability of suitable personnel to manage larger scale incidents.
Our focus in 2009/10 was to determine the capacity to manage bush fire risk across Western Australia. Our results indicate that current levels meet the target. Capacity to manage other types of incidents will be reviewed in 2010/11.
The audit identified some system and process issues in the recording of officers’ competencies, which are now being addressed as a matter of priority. Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE 111 112 Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE Royal Commission. to bushfire preparedness strategiesresulting from Bushfires theVictorian resources andmaterialsforcommunityeducationprograms tosupportchanges During 2009/10,Prevention andMitigationServiceshavefocusedonaligning response. manage theirlocalrisks,through locallevelconsultationandthecoordination of Manager program supportslocalgovernmentsinidentifiedhighriskareas andto In addition,ourCommunityFire ManagerandCommunityEmergency Services the developmentofemergency managementplanning. governments tounderstandtheirresponsibilities undercurrent legislationandassistin Community Emergency Management Officer program. Theseofficers helplocal Specialist adviceandtrainingincludessupportforlocalgovernmentsthrough the locally basedoperationalstaff andvolunteers. The majorityofourcommunityeducationprograms are delivered withthesupport of run onanongoingbasisandothersare managedonaproject basis. outcomes atalocallevel.Someofourcampaignsare seasonallyfocused,someare We takeatargeted approach tothedeliveryofourprograms toimprove community natural hazards specificto theirlocation. preventable emergencies, forexampleaccidentalfires, andinmitigatingthe risksof Our awareness andeducation programs supportcommunitystakeholdersinreducing emergencies. for emergency servicesas wellasreducing theconsequencesoffires andnatural More effective Prevention andMitigationServicesshouldreduce thedemand emergencies. Australian communitiesare abletoprevent, prepare forandrecover from The objectiveofourPrevention andMitigationServicesistoensure thatWestern (WESTERN AUSTRALIA) COST OFPREVENTIONANDMITIGATION SERVICESPERCAPITA AUTHORITYOFWESTERNAUSTRALIA FIRE ANDEMERGENCYSERVICES
years are provided forpresentation purposesonly. Note: Thisisanewindicatorthatwasintroduced from 2009/10.Targets forprevious Prevention andMitigationServicesinclude: Significant achievementsthathavecontributedtoincreased expenditure for There-opening oftheFESAEducationandHeritageCentre. • Upgradingourwebsitetoimprove communityaccesstoinformation. • Theimplementationofnewcommunityfire dangerratingsinpartnershipwiththe • TheestablishmentoftheStateAlertemergency warningsystem. • Bureau ofMeteorology. Per CapitaCost 5 Year Rolling Target Cost Per Capita Average Figure 8.1–CostofPrevention ofMitigationServicesPerCapita(WA) $10.00 $15.00 $0.00 $5.00 2005/06 $10.46 $8.06 $8.39 2006/07 $8.57 $8.81 $9.54 2007/08 $10.92 $9.14 $9.87 2008/09 $10.21 $10.89 $9.79 $10.99 $10.54 2009/10 $11.91
FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
COST OF EMERGENCY SERVICES PER CAPITA (WESTERN AUSTRALIA) Figure 9.1 – Cost of Emergency Services Per Capita (WA) The focus of our Emergency Services is to minimise the impact of emergencies $120.00 through the delivery of appropriate emergency response. $100.00 To achieve this outcome we must ensure that our emergency personnel, including volunteers, are appropriately trained, resourced and prepared to deliver efficient, $80.00 effective and appropriate responses to emergency incidents.
$60.00 The total cost of our Emergency Services includes all fixed and variable expenditure involved in maintaining Emergency Services. $40.00 Total costs are affected by unbudgeted expenditure incurred in the management of significant emergencies caused by natural hazards. During 2009/10 these costs $20.00 amounted to $20,737,000. $0.00 Other major impacts on this year’s results include: 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10
• Additional approved funding for the improvement of bushfire preparedness and Per Capita Cost $76.60 $94.57 $90.30 $89.06 $101.88 response capability in the South West region. Target Cost Per Capita $78.08 $79.32 $79.96 $82.51 $88.91 • Higher than anticipated property maintenance costs, including asbestos 5 Year Rolling $65.03 $73.07 $80.76 $85.48 $90.48 management and renovations. Average • Payments administered for the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery
Arrangements. Note: This indicator was introduced from 2009/10. Targets for previous years are inserted for presentation purposes only. • Increased Commonwealth funding associated with the National Disaster Resilience Program. • Funding for two Type 1 helicopters.
Further information on the variations between end of year actual and budgeted expenditure can be found in the notes to the financial statements.
Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE 113 114 Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE AND KEYPERFORMANCEINDICATORS FORTHEYEARENDED30JUNE2010 FIRE ANDEMERGENCYSERVICESAUTHORITYOFWESTERNAUSTRALIAFINANCIALSTATEMENTS To theParliamentofWesternAustralia AUTHORITYOFWESTERNAUSTRALIA FIRE ANDEMERGENCYSERVICES In myopinion, Audit Opinion Fire andEmergency Indicatorsfortheyearended30June2010 ServicesAuthorityofWesternAustraliaFinancialStatementsandKeyPerformance users ofthefinancialstatementsandkeyperformanceindicators. an auditdoesnotexamineallevidenceandeverytransaction.However, myauditprocedures shouldidentifyerrors oromissionssignificantenoughtoadverselyaffect thedecisionsof An auditdoesnotguaranteethateveryamountanddisclosure inthefinancialstatementsandkeyperformanceindicatorsiserror free. Theterm“reasonable assurance”recognises that information onmyauditapproach isprovided inmyauditpracticestatement.ThisdocumentisavailableontheOAGwebsiteunder“HowWe Audit”. done bytestingselectedsamplesoftheauditevidence.Ibelievethatevidencehaveobtainedissufficient andappropriate toprovide abasisformyauditopinion.Further As required bytheAuditorGeneralAct2006,myresponsibility istoexpress anopiniononthefinancialstatements,controls andkeyperformanceindicatorsbasedonmyaudit.Thiswas Summary ofmyRole making accountingestimatesthatare reasonable inthecircumstances; andcomplyingwiththeFinancialManagementAct2006otherrelevant writtenlaw. the financialstatementsandkeyperformanceindicatorsthatare free from materialmisstatement,whetherduetofraudorerror; selectingandapplyingappropriate accountingpolicies; Treasurer’s Instructions,and the keyperformanceindicators.Thisresponsibility includesestablishingandmaintaininginternalcontrols relevant tothepreparation andfairpresentation of The Board isresponsible forkeepingproper accounts,andthepreparation andfairpresentation ofthefinancialstatementsinaccordance withAustralianAccountingStandards andthe Board’s Indicators ResponsibilityfortheFinancialStatementsandKeyPerformance The keyperformanceindicatorsconsistofeffectiveness andefficiency. Statement ofChangesinEquityandCashFlowsfortheyearthenended,asummarysignificantaccountingpoliciesotherexplanatoryNotes. The financialstatementscomprisetheStatementofFinancialPositionasat30June2010,andComprehensive Income, Authority ofWestern Australia. I haveauditedtheaccounts,financialstatements,controls andkeyperformanceindicatorsoftheFire andEmergency Services INDEPENDENT AUDITOPINION 8 September2010 AUDITOR GENERAL COLIN MURPHY (iii) (ii) (i) and itsfinancialperformancecashflowsfortheyearendedon thatdate.Theyare inaccordance withAustralianAccounting Standards and theTreasurer’s Instructions; the financialstatementsare basedonproper accountsandpresent fairlythefinancialpositionofFire andEmergency ServicesAuthorityofWestern Australiaat30June2010 incurring ofliabilitieshavebeeninaccordance withlegislativeprovisions; and the controls exercised bytheAuthorityprovide reasonable assurancethatthereceipt, expenditure andinvestmentofmoney, theacquisitionanddisposalofproperty, andthe the year ended 30 June 2010. the yearended30June2010. the keyperformanceindicatorsofAuthorityare relevant andappropriate tohelpusersassesstheAuthority’s performanceandfairlyrepresent theindicatedperformancefor
Western AustraliaTel: 0892227500Fax:9322 5664 4th FloorDumasHouse2HavelockStreet West Perth6005 Auditor General
FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
MINISTERIAL DIRECTIVES AND COMMUNICATION OTHER FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES
Ministerial Directives [TI 903(12)] Pricing Policies Of Services Provided There were no ministerial directives during 2009/10. 4th Floor Dumas House 2 Havelock Street West Perth 6005 User charges and fees are reviewed annually. Increases in user charges and fees Western Australia Tel: 08 9222 7500 Fax: 08 9322 5664 Ministerial Communication are generally limited to increases in the consumer price index as advised by the Department of Treasury and Finance. In accordance with Section 74 of the Public Sector Management Act 1994, we have a communications agreement with the Minister for Emergency Services that outlines The Emergency Services Levy (ESL) was introduced in 2003/04 and provides the communication procedures between the Minister’s office and our employees. This majority of our funding to enable effective service delivery for bushfires and structure agreement ensures that the Minister receives accurate and timely information fires, cyclones, earthquakes, floods, incidents involving hazardous materials, severe and advice. In 2009/10, 93 per cent of correspondence was attended to within the storms, tsunamis, road crash rescues and a range of search and rescue call-outs. specified timeframes. The ESL is a Western Australian Government charge that is in the main, invoiced 2009/10 2008/09 and collected by local government, with the funds remitted to FESA. ESL rates and charging parameters are determined annually by the Minister for Emergency Services Ministerial items 854 722 to raise an approved amount each year. The 2009/10 ESL budget, rates and charging Parliamentary Questions 64 37 parameters were published in the Government Gazette on 25 May 2009.
Functions attended by the Minister 22 34
Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE 115 116 Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE emergency facility. Street andBelmontFire Stations,andinregional areas theDerbycollocated In themetropolitan area completedmajorbuildingworksincludedtheWellington Dalwallinu, andVolunteer Fire andRescueServiceStationsinCarnarvon Merredin. facilities includingtheGeraldton RegionalOffice, avolunteer collocationfacilityat 2009/10 hadasignificantregional focus,withnewbuildingsandupgradestoexisting Other majorlandandbuildingcapitalworksforwhichallocations were madein decentralisation ofoffice accommodationfrom thePerthcentralbusinessdistrict. retail amenitiesforstaff andsupportstheGovernment’s strategicdirection forthe The sitealsooffers readily availablepublictransportoptions,iswellsupportedby It isexpectedthatthesebenefitswillimprove andincrease operationalcapacity. response functionsassociatedwiththeCommunicationsandOperationsCentres. benefits includingimproved accessandsecurityforemergency management between PerthandMandurah,theCockburnsiteoffers anumberofsignificant Located inWestern Australia’s fastgrowing andheavilypopulatedsouthwestcorridor meet strictenvironmental standards. workplace design,combiningbothopenplanandoffice accommodation,andwill expected inearly2012.TheEmergency ServicesComplexwillfeature thelatestin the complexwillbecompletedinOctober2011withrelocation tothenewfacility staff from existingfacilitiesinHayStreet, PerthandBelmont.Itisanticipated that Operations Centres andaccommodate administrativeandemergency support May. Thecomplex willhouseWestern Australia’s Emergency Communicationsand facility wascompletedinFebruary2010andtheconstructiontenderawarded in Cockburn ismovingintoanexcitingphase.Thedesignstageofthispurposebuilt After extensiveconsultationwithstaff, theFESAEmergency ServicesComplexin recognises demographic changes andchangingcommunitysafetyissues. communities andoperationalpersonnelthroughout Western Australia.Thisprocess risk assessmentwhichdeterminestheemergency serviceinfrastructure needsof The CapitalWorks Investment Planisdevelopedonthebasisofaresource to and Finance,therevised program for2009/10was$24.6million. carry-overs from 2008/09and revisions agreed withtheDepartmentofTreasury $9.8 millionandworkinprogress of$45.1million.Afteradjustingforapproved The 2009/10CapitalWorks Program of$54.9millioncomprisednewworks Capital Works AUTHORITYOFWESTERNAUSTRALIA FIRE ANDEMERGENCYSERVICES
Wellington Street Fire Station FESA Volunteer Collocation–Derby Capital Project Capital Projects –Completed Appliance ReplacementProgram FESA Emergency ServicesComplex–Cockburn CFRS Ellenbrook Fire Station CFRS Bassendean/KiaraFire Station FESA Emergency ServiceCentre –Kununurra Capital Project Capital Projects –Work inprogress Estimated forCompletion (Month of2009/10) (Financial Year) Various dates Completion April 2010 April 2010 2010/11 2010/11 2010/11 2010/11 FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Natural Disaster Resilience Program Western Australia Natural Disaster Relief And In 2009/10, the Australian Government introduced the Natural Disaster Resilience Recovery Arrangements Program (NDRP), which replaced the following disaster mitigation funding programs: FESA manages the Western Australia Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (WANDRRA) which provide financial assistance to communities whose Bush Fire Mitigation Program social, financial and economic wellbeing have been significantly affected by an eligible This program was managed in Western Australia by the Department of natural disaster event. WANDRRA payments can extend over several financial years. Environment and Conservation, which will continue to monitor the completion of outstanding projects. During 2009/10, three events were proclaimed eligible natural disasters under the WANDRRA provisions: Natural Disaster Mitigation Program • Tropical Cyclone Laurence and associated flooding (16 December 2009). There are currently 26 outstanding projects totalling $2.2 million under the • Bushfires at Toodyay, Dandaragan and Coorow (29 December 2009). 2008/09 Natural Disaster Mitigation Program which FESA will continue to administer until their completion. • West Coast storm (21-23 March 2010).
National Emergency Volunteer Support Fund WANDRRA provisions were not activated for the Kalgoorlie-Boulder earthquake in April 2010 as the estimated state expenditure on eligible assistance measures had not This was an Australian Government program that provided funding to volunteer reached the small disaster criteria. organisations to assist them in developing strategies to boost the recruitment, retention and training of volunteers in frontline emergency management response Details of the above activations, and of the WANDRRA, are available on the and recovery agencies. FESA website.
In the final 2009/10 funding round, 27 Western Australian applicants were successful. Total WANDRRA expenditure for 2009/10 was $12,530,299, with expenditure by hazard This program ceased at 30 June 2010. category as follows:
The NDRP is part of an ongoing, single funding program that aims to develop Hazard Total safer, more sustainable communities that are better able to withstand the effects of natural disasters, reduce the risks of such events, and reduce the damage and Bushfire $1,015,387 losses they cause. Cyclone including associated flooding $6,227,070
Total NDRP funding of $2,592,000 was allocated to Western Australia in 2009/10. Due Flood $4,781,944 to the late transition from the previous programs this 2009/10 funding was rolled over into 2010/11. In line with the National Partnership Agreement, $150,000 has been Storm $505,898 allocated for Western Australian Natural Disaster Risk Assessment. Remaining funds Total $12,530,299 will be allocated once agreement on administrative processes is reached. $8,876,347.76 of the above amount was expended on the repair and restoration of road infrastructure.
Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE 117 118 Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE 2 state levelsagainstnationally endorsed qualityindicatorsfor: The AustralianQualityTraining Framework requires toreport RTOs atnationaland FESA wassubsequentlyre-registered inJuly2009. asaRTO standards andconditionsoftheAustralianQualityTraining Framework. released againstall ofthe inJuly2009indicatedthatFESAwascompliantasaRTO The auditwasundertakenbytheTraining Accreditation Council(WA) andtheresults Training Organisation (RTO). In lateJune2009,FESAunderwentare-registration auditforitsstatusasaRegistered Registered Training Organisation Status Staff Development Staff Profile EMPLOYMENT ANDINDUSTRIALRELATIONS AUTHORITYOFWESTERNAUSTRALIA FIRE ANDEMERGENCYSERVICES Onsecondment(atFESA)employeeshavebeenexcludedfrom totalheadcount. Employersatisfaction. • Learner engagement. • Competency completions. • Total (headcount) Casual On secondment(tootheragencies) On secondment(atFESA) Part timecontract Part timepermanent Full timeapprentice Full timetrainees Full timecontract Full timepermanent 2 June 2010 2009/10 2009/10 As at 30 As at30 1,364 1,277 10 31 38 4 2 5 1 1
June 2009 2008/09 As at 30 As at30 1,341 1,260 11 30 33 2 3 8 0 2
In addition: During 2009/10,trainingforFESAoperationalpersonnelincluded: Operational Training –Career andVolunteer to determineappropriate continuous improvement actions. quantitative dataandthequalitativecommentsreceived through thesurveysinorder comparison. During2010/11,wewillalsoundertakeassessmentsofboththe The results from thesesurveyswillformbaselinedataandabasisforfuture trainer qualitywasratedat72percent. In theemployersatisfactionsurvey, FESAratedabove55percentinmostcriteria,and which includedratingsfortrainerquality, effective supportandtrainingrelevance. FESA consistentlyrated65percentandaboveinthelearnerengagementcriteria, employer surveyswere returned. employer satisfactionlevels.Almost20percentoflearnersurveysand30 Surveys were distributedduring 2009/10tomeasure learnerengagementand Certificate IIinPublicSafety(Firefighting andEmergency Operations). Over theperiodunderreview, FESAissued52qualifications,including25inthe 148recognition ofpriorlearningapplicationswere registered forprocessing –28 • We delivered sixtrainercourses,assessorcoursesandonecombinedtrainer/ • Career andvolunteerpersonnelattendedarangeofleadershipmanagement • Deliveryoftheannualvolunteertrainingcalendar, whichprovides trainingto • MajorIncidentTraining. • OneIncidentCommandCourseforprospective StationOfficers. • Two traineeFirefighter Schools,onegraduatedinAugust2009withtheother • applications havebeensuccessfully completed,120are stillpending. assessor developmentcourse. programs. the StateEmergency Service. volunteers from allservices,includinglocalgovernmentBushFire Brigadesand commencing inMay2010,graduatingAugust2010.
FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Professional Development – Cultivating Organisational Leadership Equity And Diversity FESA embarked on the Cultivating Organisational Leadership (COL) program in July A number of Equity and Diversity Plan initiatives were progressed during 2009/10: 2007 to facilitate the professional and leadership skills of current and future leaders in • The delivery of training to deal with bullying and harassment to all employees, FESA. COL sought to fulfill the following objectives: including those in regional areas. • Improve individuals’ leadership capabilities as identified in their individual • The FESA Equity and Diversity Group was established and its first meeting held. development plans. • Reviews of the Grievance and Equal Opportunity policies were completed and a • Facilitate their own personal development. new Bullying and Harassment policy was developed. • Improve the capability of the FESA leadership team as a whole. • The electronic collection of employee equity and diversity information was • Lead cultural shifts underpinning organisational changes. approved with the aim of improving the response rate for the survey. • Improve the organisational culture targeted towards community engagement. Through the development of its Equity and Diversity Group and Reconciliation Action • Effectively manage change in the organisation. Plan (RAP), FESA is exploring strategic and holistic opportunities to address barriers to • Improve delivery and evaluation of current projects. Indigenous employment and the inclusion of Indigenous people in building safer and • Improve project and people management skills so as to continuously improve more resilient communities. serviced delivery. The RAP has established timeframes to identify and review barriers to Indigenous A total of 45 employees have participated in the COL in three intakes. Leadership employment and foster opportunities for Indigenous people to benefit from the development activities included: valuable training that becoming involved in volunteering provides. • Formal education. We will focus on a number of key outcomes including fostering an inclusive culture, a • Vocational skills training. harassment free workplace and ensuring employment practices are free of bias and • Management development programs. do not discriminate unlawfully against employees or potential employees. The Equity • Leadership coaching. and Diversity Group will also ensure that employment programs and practices include • On the job training. strategies for improving workforce diversity.
FESA will evaluate the effectiveness of the program in 2010. Traditionally, firefighter recruitment programs attract a high number of competitive applicants. Recently, 906 applications were received for 48 positions, with only seven applicants identifying themselves as being Indigenous. We also attract a low number of Indigenous applicants for generic recruitment. During the first half of 2010, of 1,016 applicants for generic FESA positions, only 11 identified themselves as Indigenous.
Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE 119 120 Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE practice. new ones,toensure weadhere tocompliance requirements andreflect current best We are continuingtoreview and updateourpeoplemanagement policies,andcreate There wasnoindustrialactionin2009/10thatresulted intimelostduetoabsences. Services agreement whichwillcovertechniciansatthe O’Connor workshops. Agreement coveringGovernmentofficers, andareplacement FleetandEquipment In July2009,wecommencednegotiations forareplacement AgencySpecific agreement willbenegotiatedduring2010/11. enhanced wagesandconditionswhichbenefitbothemployees andFESA.Anew officers, fire safetyofficers andadvisors,appliedtrainingassistants,provides Bargaining Agreement 2008whichcoversfirefighters, communicationssystems terms andconditionsofemployment.TheWestern AustralianFire ServiceEnterprise FESA employeesare covered byanumberofawards andagreements providing Workplace Management 906 applicationsfor48positions. resulted inmultiplepeople appointed.Firefighter recruitment in2009/10resulted in applications for68advertisedvacanciesthatincludedfourpools,whichinsomecases monitoring current trends, andadaptingourprocesses. In2009/10,wereceived 1,016 to attractqualityapplicantsbyevaluatingpastandpresent recruitment processes, We aimtoachievecontinual improvement inallrecruitment processes. We are able Recruitment include (where appropriate): Our strategiesforincreasing ourrecruitment andretention ofIndigenousAustralians AUTHORITYOFWESTERNAUSTRALIA FIRE ANDEMERGENCYSERVICES Thetargeting ofappropriate educationalorganisations, suchastheClontarf • Ensuringsupportsystemsprovide Indigenous staff withculturallysensitive • Providing andpromoting flexibleemploymentpracticestoenableIndigenous • Circulating vacancyadvertisementstoIndigenous mediaandWestern Australian • have alsobeenidentifiedaskeystrategiestoimprove diversityinourorganisation. community groups tostay informedofrelevant issuesaffecting Indigenousgroups, mentoring programs and, where appropriate, utilisingconsultativelinkswith Aboriginal College,promoting FESAasanemployerofchoice,developing processes toraiseandaddress concernsabouttheirworksituation. Australians tomeettheirculturalandtraditionalobligations. Government andemploymentagenciesspecialisinginIndigenousrecruitment.
Contracts WithSeniorOfficers GOVERNANCE DISCLOSURES contracts withFESA. senior officers havesubstantial interests hadanyinterests inexistingorproposed other seniorofficers, orfirms ofwhichseniorofficers are members,orentities inwhich At thedateofreporting, other thannormalcontractsofemploymentservice,no cooperative aerialfirefighting arrangements. agencies, includingFESA,tosupportthecombatingofbushfires through national not forprofit agencywhich distributesAustralianGovernmentfundingtostatefire Treasurer oftheNationalAerialFirefighting Centre (NAFC)Ltdin2009.NAFCisa FESA ChiefOperationsOfficer, MrCraigHynes,wasappointedtothepositionof FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Fesa Board Members As Bush Fire Services Consultative Ms Harrison-Ward holds a Graduate FESA Employee Representative At 30 June 2010 Committee Chairman Certificate in Management and a Mr Iain Agnew Master of Leadership and Management Mr Bruce Brennan APM Mr Agnew has been an employee Chairman and was awarded a Churchill Mr Brennan had a long and of FESA since 1979. He is a senior Fellowship in 2004 to study Engaging Mr Allan Skinner PSM distinguished career with the Western firefighter in the Fire and Rescue the Community in Emergency A retired career state public servant, Mr Australia Police, rising to the rank Service and is currently on secondment Management. In 2008, she received Skinner was a former Chief Executive of Deputy Commissioner before to the staff deployment branch. In 2000 the List Inspire Winning Ambassador Officer of the Department of Land his retirement in 2003. Mr Brennan he was appointed a member of the CEO’s Award. Ms Harrison-Ward is the Administration and Chair of the Bush represented the Western Australia Fire and Rescue Service Consultative Deputy Chair of the State Emergency Fires Board. Since his retirement in 2001, Police on many committees, including Committee and has also been a Management Committee, Chair of the he has undertaken several consulting the State Emergency Management committee member of the United State Mitigation Committee, Executive assignments for Government. He is a Committee. In 1998, he was awarded Firefighters Union of Western Australia Council Member of the Australasian National Fellow of the Institute of Public the Australian Police Medal. since 1998. Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Administration Australia (FIPAA) and First Appointed: 6 February 2006 Council and Chair of the Shared First appointed: 25 November 2003 a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Deputy Chairman: 28 April 2008 Services Client Management Council. Term extended Management (FAIM). Mr Skinner was – 22 February 2010 awarded the Public Service Medal in Bush Fire Brigade Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services Term expires: 27 April 2012 2001 and the Centenary Medal in 2003. Representative Consultative Committee Chairwoman First appointed: 31 December 2002 Chief Executive Officer Mr Eddie van Rijnswoud Mrs Penelope Valentine Appointed as Chairman: 28 April 2008 (Ex-Officio Member) Mr van Rijnswoud has 17 years Mrs Valentine was a FESA staff member Term expires: 27 April 2012 Ms Jo Harrison-Ward experience as a bush fire brigade for seven years before leaving in Ms Harrison-Ward was appointed as volunteer and was the Secretary of July 2005 to pursue private business Deputy Chairman FESA Chief Executive Officer in August the Association of Volunteer bush fire interests. Her professional career spans State Emergency Service Volunteer 2006. She had previously occupied the brigades Western Australia Inc. for six more than 40 years, commencing Representative position of Executive Director of the years. For many years Mr van Rijnswoud in journalism and more recently in Mr John Capes, OAM Western Australia Police from January has been involved in a variety of other management positions in media and voluntary community organisations public affairs, strategic planning and Mr Capes has been involved in the 2005. Ms Harrison-Ward joined the and committees and also has 37 years’ corporate governance with FESA. She State Emergency Service Volunteer public service in 1993 as senior advisor experience in the public sector. currently serves in a voluntary capacity Association in many capacities for on emergency services to the Minister on several local government and the past 20 years. After leaving the for Emergency Services for five years. First appointed: 7 December 2001 community committees. Australian Government, he established From 1998 to 2005 she held a number Term expired: 2 February 2012 his own business, Capes Consultancy of senior management positions at First appointed: 6 February 2006 Services, which supplies expertise FESA including Executive Director, Term Expires: 27 April 2012 on security and the facilitation of Emergency Management. emergency management exercises. First appointed: 2 November 1999 Appointed Deputy Chairman: 22 February 2010 Term expires: 2 February 2012 Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE 121 122 Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE Term expires: 27April2012 First appointed:6February2006 out intheeventofacyclone. for takingcharge ofprocedures carried the On-SceneCommander, responsible Horizon Power. Thisrole includesbeing Business Manager, West Pilbarafor the challengeofbecomingDistrict Teede movedtoKarrathatakeup Community LaGrangeInc,Ms Officer oftheBidyadangaAboriginal After sixyearsasChiefExecutive Kimberley region ofWestern Australia. Australia andinparticularthe Indigenous communitiesthroughout Ms Teede hasworkedextensivelywith Ms GlendaTeede Independent Member Term expires: 15February2012 First appointed:6February2006 Association. WA Volunteer Fire andRescueServices Goldfields Zonerepresentative forthe of Secretary. MrJonesiscurrently the in 2005where heholdsthe position Kalgoorlie VFRSsinceitsinauguration five-year termasCaptain,andthe brigade since1977,includinga been amemberoftheSouthKalgoorlie in regional Western Australia.Hehas the Volunteer Fire andRescueService Mr Joneshasalongassociationwith Mr Trevor Jones Representative Volunteer Fire andRescueServices AUTHORITYOFWESTERNAUSTRALIA FIRE ANDEMERGENCYSERVICES Term expires: 27April2012 First appointed:28April2008 lay memberoftwoethicscommittees. currently aJusticeofthePeaceand compensation disputeresolution. Heis director responsible forworkers’ WorkCover Western Australiaasthe Mr Mongeralsospent10yearswith Magistrates CourtsWestern Australia. 2007, hewasappointedDirector of administration. Onhisretirement in of 43years,mostlyinstatecourt Mr Mongerwasapublicservant Mr RossMonger Consultative CommitteeChairman Volunteer MarineRescueServices Term expires: 27April2012 First Appointed:19March 2002 2007-08. was DeputyChairofthisboard for Councillor fortheCityofSwan.Sandra and managementisacurrent experience inproperty development groups since1966.Shehas 32years in anumberofothercommunity 14 yearsandhasbeeninvolved bush fire brigademember forover Ms Gregorini hasbeenavolunteer Ms SandraGregorini Consultative CommitteeChairwoman State Emergency Service Emergency ManagementCommittee. is asub-committeeoftheState Recovery ServicesCommittee which Management Committeeand the the PeelRegionDistrictEmergency represents localgovernment on Management Committee.Shealso Shire ofMurrayLocalEmergency Shire ofMurrayandtheChair Cr ThompsonisaCouncilorofthe Councillor ChristineThompson Representative Association Government Western AustralianLocal Term expires: 22December2011 First appointed:28April2003 the SouthWest. Association ZoneExecutiveOfficer for Western AustralianLocal Government active interest inruralcommunities as local governmentCEO,heretains an Association ofAustralia.Formerlya over 20yearsasaleaderintheScout the CitizenMilitaryForces andspent Navy Cadets.Hehasalsoservedin National CommanderoftheAustralian Brigade. Hecurrently serves asthe Marine RescueandtheYork BushFire Service units,BunburyVolunteer the BunburyandYork StateEmergency years’ experienceasavolunteerwith Bunbury SeaRescueandhashadmany Mr FisheristheformerCommander Mr EliotFisher, ESM Volunteer Representative Volunteer MarineRescueServices Jo Harrison-Ward Sandra Gregorini Eliot FisherESM John Capes,OAM Bruce Brennan, APM Iain Agnew is asfollows: The record ofattendancemembers during theyear. There were 11Board meetingsheld in 2009/10 Number ofmeetingsattended Term expires: 15January2011 First appointed:30May2000 committees andboards. has servedonanumberofadvisory is acurrent volunteerfirefighter and experience inemergency services, Cr Thompsonhasawealthof 1 Executive OfficerinplaceofMsHarrison-Ward. Ross Monger Christine Thompson Eddie vanRijnswoud Penny Valentine Glenda Teede Allan Skinner, PSM Trevor Jones JohnButcherattendedonemeetingasactingChief 1
10 10 8 11 9 9 9 10 11 11 8 10 9 FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Finance And Audit The following internal audits were • Records Management: Ensure • FCAD: Post implementation Committee conducted in 2009/10: the records management service review of the FESA Computer • Financial Audits: Determine is efficient, addresses the needs Aided Dispatch (FCAD) 000 During 2009/10, the committee held whether the following processes of management and is in dispatch system, which replaced four meetings. Attendance was as are efficient, effective and comply compliance with relevant the Brigade Operations follows: with the Financial Management legislation, including the State Management System (BOMS). Glenda Teede – Chair 3 Act 2006 and relevant Treasurer’s Records Act 2000, Freedom of • Volunteer Employee Recognition John Capes 2 Instructions. Information Act 1992 and the Program (VERP): Review VERP Financial Management Eliot Fisher 3 - Fixed Assets. to satisfy ISO90001:2000 Act 2006. certification requirements. Eddie van Rijnswoud 3 - Revenue. • Contracts: Ensure that contracts • Workers Compensation and • Emergency Services Levy (ESL): Meetings were also attended by: are tendered in accordance with Injury Management: Ensure that Assess the effectiveness and State Supply Commission (SSC) claims are handled appropriately • Chief Executive Officer. efficiency of controls and processes policy, deliver value for money to and in accordance with the • Executive Director Corporate in place to ensure the ESL is the organisation and are managed Workers Compensation and Injury Services. calculated and administered appropriately. Management Act 1981. in accordance with the policy • Director Business Services • Fire Investigation Evidence: Ensure specified by Government and • Air Helicopter Service: Review the (Chief Finance Officer). appropriate procedures are in place practices comply with FESA policies Air Helicopter Service contract • Manager Financial Services. for secure collection, storage and and procedures. and ensure adequate contract • Sutherland Rose (Internal Auditor). retrieval of evidence as a result of and performance management • Local government’s acquittal of fire investigation. procedures are in place. • Office of the Auditor-General and/ ESL payments: Ensure local • OMS: An application controls or its representative, Deloitte. government agencies spend the • Legislative Compliance: Review review of the Operational ESL payments in accordance with procedures in place to ensure FESA’s Internal Audit is conducted by Management System (OMS) and the funding agreement. compliance with relevant legislation an outsourced provider, Sutherland associated processes to ensure and ascertain whether these • VMRS: Review governance Rose, in accordance with the Financial integrity of data. are effective. Management Act 2006 and the Institute arrangements with VMRS and • SSC Compliance: An audit of of Internal Auditors (IIA) International ensure grant monies are being supply policies, procedures and Standards for the Professional Practice spent in accordance with the work practices to determine of Internal Auditing. The Internal Audit grant provisions. whether audit reporting provides independent, objective requirements are satisfied. assurance and consulting that is designed to add value and improve our organisation’s operations.
Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE 123 124 Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE grants processes. and welfare, changestolegislation,prescribed burningandEmergency ServicesLevy learned from them,updatesonmajorincidents,training, equipment,volunteersafety Some keyissuescovered bushfires duringtheyearincludedVictorian andlessons Volunteer BushFire Serviceacross Western Australia. FESA Board onabroad rangeofissuesaffecting thevariousoperationalareas ofthe The BFSCCmetthree timesin2009/10andprovided commentandadvicetothe Bootsma (AssociationofVolunteer BushFire Brigades)astheirreplacements. The committeewelcomednewmembersMrColinJames(WALGA) andMrRob appreciated. extended tothemfortheirvaluablecontributionsandadvice, whichwere verymuch and MrPaulMaddern(AssociationofVolunteer BushFire Brigades).Thankswere During 2009/10,twomembersofthecommitteeresigned, MrTony Ietto(WALGA) Committee (DOAC)members. Brigades are represented, asare allregions byDistrictOfficers Advisory Local GovernmentAssociationandtheofVolunteer BushFire FESA, theDepartmentofEnvironment andConservation,theWestern Australia APM, comprises15memberswithadiverserangeofbushfire experience. The BushFire ServiceConsultative Committee(BFSCC),chaired byMrBruceBrennan, Bush FireServiceConsultative Committee FESA Board. through thecommitteeChairs, betweenstaff andvolunteersinthefield within theFESAOperationsportfolio.Theyalsomaintainacommunicationchannel, They provide inputonstrategic issuesandadviceinrelation topolicyandplanning the operationalservices. The FESAConsultativeCommitteesrepresent staff andvolunteerstakeholders from ( CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEES AUTHORITYOFWESTERNAUSTRALIA FIRE ANDEMERGENCYSERVICES Fire andEmergency ServicesAuthorityofWesternAustraliaAct1998,S36)
valuable andmuchappreciated. Hisreplacement isMrPaulduBoulay. In June2010,PaulSouthamresigned from thecommittee.Hiscontributionwasmost agents atbushfires. confined spacerescue training forvolunteersandtheuseoffoamwetting critical incidentstress prevention managementforvolunteers,trainingrecords, Members provided comment andadviceonabroad rangeofissuesincluding legislative changes. and coronial inquests,community safetyinitiatives,volunteersupportservicesand facilities, appliancesandequipment,firefighter safetyandtraining,majorincidents The FRSCCmetfourtimesin2009/10andreceived informationandupdatesonnew volunteer Fire andRescue Servicefirefighters andprovide alinktolocalgovernment. Ms PenelopeValentine, andcompriseseightmemberswhorepresent career and The Fire andRescueService ConsultativeCommittee(FRSCC)ischaired by Fire andRescueServicesConsultative Committee regional structure changes; majorincidentsandvolunteersupportservices. operational issues,includingvolunteerbuildings,appliances andequipment;training; presentations onvarioustopicsandprovided commentandinputonabroad rangeof representing andpromoting SESvolunteersatastrategiclevel.Membersreceived The SESCCmetfourtimesin2009/10andcontinuedtowork towards itsgoalof the SESVolunteers AssociationandMrRayMahoneyrepresenting Metro North. appreciated. ThecommitteewelcomednewmembersMrDavidPricerepresenting the committee.Theirdedicatedefforts andinputwere acknowledgedandgreatly In 2009/10,MrPhilPetersen,MsAndraeMoore andMrDougSimpsonretired from Members from across thestaterepresent volunteers inSESresponse districts. Ms SandraGregorini and has 14members,includingthree FESArepresentatives. The StateEmergency Service ConsultativeCommittee(SESCC)ischaired by State EmergencyServiceConsultative Committee
FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Volunteer Marine Rescue Services INDEMNITY INSURANCE Consultative Committee An insurance policy is taken out to indemnify members of the FESA Board, directors The Volunteer Marine Rescue Services Consultative Committee (VMRSCC) is chaired and officers against any liability incurred under sections 13 or 14 of the Statutory by Mr Ross Monger and comprises 12 members, including four FESA representatives. Corporations (Liability of Directors) Act 1996. It represents Marine Rescue Service volunteers from across the state, with membership closely linked to the executive and regional representatives of Volunteer Marine The amount of the insurance premium paid for 2009/10 was $19,175. Rescue Western Australia (VMRWA).
During 2009/10 the membership changed substantially. Mr John Reilly (metropolitan VMRWA representative) sadly passed away in May 2010, and Mr Keith Shadbolt (Vice President VMRWA) and Mr Gary Mackwell (Pilbara/Kimberley VMRWA representative) retired as a result of work commitments. The valuable contribution and input of these three members are acknowledged.
The committee welcomed three new members, Mr Barry Walton (metropolitan VMRWA representative), Mr Bradley Dean (Pilbara/Kimberley VMRWA representative) and Ms Louise Pickett (Vice President VMRWA and south coastal representative).
The VMRSCC met four times during 2009/10, and members provided comment on a range of issues including endorsement of capital grant funding for VMRS groups, training resource kits, the VHF marine repeater network, cadet programs, volunteer data management, use of the volunteer extranet and the Volunteer Employer Recognition Program.
Section 4 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE 125 126 Section 5 OTHER LEGAL REQUIREMENTS FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITYOFWESTERNAUSTRALIA FIRE ANDEMERGENCYSERVICES Expenditure wasincurred inthefollowingareas: Total expenditure for2009/10was$165,384. advertising. following expenditure inadvertising, marketresearch, polling,direct mailandmedia In accordance withsection 175ZEoftheElectoralAct1907,FESAincurred the (Electoral Act1907) ADVERTISING organisations Media advertising Direct mailorganisations Polling organisations organisations Market research Advertising Agencies $128,696 Nil Nil $5,630 $31,058 Yellow Pages West Coast RadioPtyLtd WA News The SundayTimes Job Directory The AustralianLocalGovernment Southwest Printing Pindan Publishing Pilbara Echo Media MonitorsAustraliaPtyLtd Media DecisionsWA Mandurah Mail Macquarie SouthernCross Key2design PtyLtd Kalgoorlie Miner Google Dubsat PtyLtd Community Newspaper Bunbury Mail Albany Advertiser Adcorp Australia Patterson Market Research Patterson MarketResearch Tudor House Fontfactory Optimum MediaDecision Media DecisionsWA Marsh AgenciesPtyLtd Marketforce Advertising Key2design PtyLtd Colourbox Digital Britel Enterprises Bitstream, Inc
$10,032 $16,699 $60,706 $26,921 $1,200 $3,129 $4,400 $2,120 $3,544 $5,004 $7,895 $7,455 $2,774 $5,630 $355 $475 $995 $650 $576 $674 $455 $382 $120 $644 $793 $104 $180 $742 $656 $38 $39 Nil Nil Achievements overthepasttwelvemonthsinclude: some timetoimplement. implementation planwithtimeframes,asmanyoftheplannedinitiativeswillrequire During 2009/10,thecommitteehasfocusedonreviewing theDAIPandfinalising newspaper andourwebsite. initiatives. InFebruary2010,wesoughtcommunityinputthrough TheWest Australian development ofourDisabilityAccessandInclusionPlan(DAIP)improvement We haveestablishedaDisability AccessCommitteetoguideandmonitorthe members ofthecommunity. providing themwiththesame opportunities,rightsandresponsibilities asother open, availableandaccessibletoeveryone,includingpeoplewithdisabilities, Our objectiveistoensure thatFESAfunctions,facilitiesandservicesare equally (Disability ServicesAct1993,S29) DISABILITY ACCESSANDINCLUSIONPLANOUTCOMES Priorities for2010/11willinclude: • Auditingallbuildingstoidentifyanyaccessbarriersandincludingthisaspartof • Promoting andincreasing greater useofAuslan interpreters aspartof stakeholder • Improving communityawareness thatFESAinformationcanbemadeavailableina • EnsuringthattheFESAandStateAlertwebsitesworktowards meeting • PublicisingtheDAIPandcallingforcommunitycomment and participation. • EnsuringthattheFESAeventspolicymeetsneedsof people withdisabilities. • EnsuringthatFESAcontractdocumentationincludesanexplicit requirement • Ensuringthatourcapitalworksprogram addresses accesstobuildingsandfacilities • Reviewingexistingstrategies withintheDAIPandextendingittoreflect allaspects • Launchinganew FESAwebsiteinSeptember 2010thatmeetsDAIPrequirements. range ofalternativeformats. contemporary goodpracticeforaccessibility. disabilities. for contractorstoseekandconsidercommentsonourservices bypeoplewith for peoplewithdisabilities. standard processes. consultation onFESA’s SmokeAlarmCampaign. of FESA’s business.
FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
COMPLIANCE WITH PUBLIC SECTOR STANDARDS AND ETHICAL CODES
(Public Sector Management Act 1994,S31(1)) In the administration of FESA during 2009/10, I have complied with the Public Sector Standards in Human Resource Management, the Western Australian Public Sector Code of Ethics and our Code of Conduct.
I have established procedures designed to ensure such compliance and conducted appropriate internal assessments to satisfy myself that the statement made in point one above is correct.
In accordance with the Public Sector Management Act, FESA produced its own Code of Conduct and policy, in line with the Office of the Public Sector Standards Commission (OPSSC) Conduct Guide and Code of Ethics. FESA’s new Code of Conduct was launched in August 2009 and an awareness session was conducted during FESA’s Senior Managers Forum.
During 2009/10, compulsory Accountable and Ethical Decision-Making training was introduced for all staff, which includes awareness sessions for the new Code of Conduct, the public sector Code of Ethics and FESA Values. To date, the training has been delivered to 362 staff members or approximately 28 per cent of FESA staff. The rollout of this training will continue during 2010/11.
FESA is meeting the requirements of its Equal Employment Opportunity Management Plan as required under the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 with the delivery of Equal Opportunity Awareness and Training sessions to 509 staff, approximately 40 per cent of total workforce, during 2009/10. These awareness sessions will be continued in 2010/11.
The applications made for breach of standards review and the corresponding outcomes for the reporting period are: Number lodged: Five Number of breaches found: Nil Number of multiple breaches: Nil Number still under review: Three
J Harrison-Ward
Chief Executive Officer
23 August 2010
Section 5 OTHER LEGAL REQUIREMENTS 127 128 Section 5 OTHER LEGAL REQUIREMENTS The Record KeepingPlanisdueforreview in2011. Committee inMay2010andapproved. Adisposalprogram isnowbeingdeveloped. Bush Fire Service1939-1998schedulewaspresented totheStateRecords Advisory Retention andDisposalSchedules are beingdevelopedforpre-1999 records. The induction program. management trainingisbeingdevelopedandwillbeincorporated intheFESA Information Act1992.Apolicyandprocess toensure thatallstaff undertakerecords reinforce goodrecords managementpractice andobligationsundertheFreedom of To enhancetraining,anonlinetraining packagewillbemadeavailabletoallstaff to address gapsintherecords managementtrainingprogram. management. Asaresult, atrainingneedsanalysiswillbeundertakentoidentifyand overall review waspositive,however, ithighlightedlimitationsintrainingandfile Information Resources Unitinproviding records managementservices.The The secondreview wasan internalauditfocusingontheperformanceofour finalised. These findingswillbeincorporatedintheEDMStrategywhichiscurrently being The review madeanumber ofrecommendations including: Document Management(EDM)system. recommended improvements inpreparation fortheimplementationofanElectronic the Total Records andInformationManagement(TRIM)systemtoidentifyany The firstreview wasundertaken byanexternalconsultantwhoassesseddatain Record KeepingPlan. During 2009/10,tworeviews were undertakentoevaluatetheefficiency ofFESA’s (State Records Act2000 andStateRecords Commission Standard 2,Principle6) RECORD KEEPINGPLANS AUTHORITYOFWESTERNAUSTRALIA FIRE ANDEMERGENCYSERVICES Developanewdatasetusingclassificationsystem. • Reviewthesaurus. • Reviewsecurityandcaveats. • UpgradeTRIMtraining. •
costs involved. application formtogetherwith informationonhowtolodgeanapplicationandthe FESA websiteinJune2009.The websitehasbeenupgradedtoincludeanelectronic Information aboutAgenciesoftheFOIAct,wasupdatedandrepublished onthe FESA’s InformationStatement,whichisrequired underPart5–Publicationof permitted undertheAct. constant from 2008/09.Thisisstillwellwithinthemaximumperiodof45days The averageprocessing timeforeachapplicationwas25daysandthisremained One internalreview wasreceived andtheoriginaldecisionwasconfirmed. (2010/11). yet completed).Sevenapplicationswere heldoverintothenextreporting period the informationwasunavailable,andtwowere deferred (investigationreports not applied to65,fourwere withdrawn bytheapplicant,fourwere eitherdeniedor 2008/09, andofthoseapplicationsfivewere grantedfullaccess,editedaccesswas During theyear, 80applicationswere deliberated,fivehadbeencarriedoverfrom Six requests were received from MembersofParliamentandthree from themedia. information regarding majorincidentssuchasbushfires atToodyay andBadgingarra. domestic andcommercial structuralfires. There were alsoanumberofrequests for Services, includingFire Incident ReportsandFire InvestigationReports,inrelation to Most applicationssoughtaccesstonon-personalinformationfrom Operational these applicationswere quite complex,requiring additionaltimeanddeliberation. in thethird quarter, anincrease of60percentovertheprevious twoquarters.Someof second andfourthquartersremained steady, however, 30applicationswere received 13 applicationsfrom theprevious year. Thenumberofapplications forthefirst, A totalof82validapplicationswere received inthereporting period,anincrease of to theInformationCommissioneron14July2010. The Freedom ofInformation StatisticalReturnfortheperiod2009/10wassubmitted (Freedom Act1992(FOIAct)–Section111) ofInformation FREEDOM OFINFORMATION
FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Freedom of Information Applications 2009/10
Applications carried over from previous reporting period 11
New valid applications received within this reporting period 4
Total applications for 2009/10 1
Applications withdrawn or invalid 54
Applications transferred in full to another Government agency 12
Applications denied access or access deferred 36
Full access granted 112
Edited access granted 123
Total applications dealt with in 2009/10 166
Applications carried over to 2010/11 0
Freedom of Information Fees and Charges
Application fees collected $2,430.00
Actual charges collected $456.00
Charges waived (when processing costs are less than $10.00) $600.00
Section 5 OTHER LEGAL REQUIREMENTS 129 FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY, HEALTH AND INJURY Formal processes and mechanisms have been established to facilitate meaningful MANAGEMENT and effective consultation on occupational safety and health issues. These processes encourage staff and volunteers to contribute to the decisions that may affect their safety and health at work. These include: (Public Sector Commissioner’s Circular 2009-11: Code of Practice: Occupational • Establishment of our Fire and Rescue Service Occupational Safety and Health Safety and Health in the Western Australian Public Sector) Committee, which meets at least quarterly. FESA is committed to providing and maintaining a safe and healthy environment for • More than 30 fully-trained elected OSH representatives in the workplace. staff, volunteers, contractors and visitors, and the continuous improvement of injury prevention and injury management programs. • Standard procedures for consultation and communication on hazards and other work safety issues. The framework established in the Workers’ Compensation Code of Practice • Online access to a range of materials including safety circulars, guidelines, reports, (Injury Management) 2005 has been used to inform the development of our injury research and standard operating procedures. management system. Our staff and volunteers are provided with guidance and • Participation of OSH representatives in consultative groups. training in the field, and at the FESA purpose built training facility in safe work practices to not only ensure compliance with relevant state and national legislation We take a systematic approach to injury management that encourages: and Australian Standards, but also to manage the extremes experienced during the • Early intervention to injury management. management of emergency situations of all sizes and types. • Early and accurate medical assessment, together with ongoing management of Operational personnel and administrative staff are expected to comply with each case as required. occupational safety and health (OSH) policies, procedures and guidelines and • A return to work as soon as is practical, including identification of alternative duties to conduct business in a safe manner, not placing themselves or others at risk. where appropriate. Contractors working on FESA premises are also required to conduct their activities in a manner that ensures the health, safety and welfare of others. The initiatives undertaken to prevent injuries during 2009/10 included: • Strong Spines training. We are also committed to assisting our people who are injured to return to work as quickly as is clinically appropriate and in a safe, supportive environment that enables • Biomechanical checks for firefighters. them to achieve the best possible recovery. Our approach to injury management is set • Committing to a national three-year retrospective cancer study, known as GOVERNMENT POLICY REQUIREMENTS out in the Chief Executive Officer’s Statement of Commitment. FireWatch, involving career and volunteer firefighters. • Health monitoring programs. An external audit of our Safety Management System completed in June 2010 acknowledged our strong operational focus on safety issues and provides a platform for • Wellness initiatives, exercise programs including yoga, pilates and walking groups, reform and enhancement of safety, health and welfare policies, structures and systems for and promotion of healthier lifestyles through the Fruit at Work program and the future. Weight Watchers. • Mental Health Awareness program run on ’all shifts’ of all career fire stations. During 2010/11, priority will be given to addressing the following recommendations: • Refining occupational safety and health (OSH) policy which is aligned to, and Two uniformed firefighters have joined the Health Safety and Welfare Branch, one reflected in, strategic objectives. as a Health and Safety Officer and the other as a Welfare Officer. This has improved communication between uniformed and corporate areas. • Strengthening organisational mechanisms to improve the capture, analysis,
S ection 6 management and reporting of OSH issues. • Improving the integration of OSH across all FESA operations. • Enhancing communication, consultation and decision making processes. 130 • Increasing focus on OSH issues through targeted engagement strategies. FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
The number of reported hazards and injuries has increased significantly over the past FESA RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN year with hazard reports increasing by 39 per cent and injury reports increasing by 21 per cent. The increase in reporting is consistent with an increase in awareness of The FESA Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) covers the period 2008-13. It was safety and health as a result of the re-establishment of the FRS OSH Committee, the developed to support staff in embracing reconciliation as a means of securing a safety and health audit, uniformed officers joining the branch, and a more consistent better future for Indigenous people. It is a commitment by FESA to take action to approach taken in the reporting of minor injuries and capturing some injuries through assist Indigenous people to enjoy the same advantages and opportunities as all other the workers’ compensation system that had not been reported accurately in the past. Australians and be to able to participate fully in Australian society. The first FESA RAP During 2009/10, FESA employees covered under the Workers’ Compensation and evaluation report has been completed, indicating many of the focus area actions are Injury Management Act 1981 lodged 218 workers’ compensation claims. As at 30 June well on target, with others to be progressed during 2010/11. 2010, these claims amounted to $4,116,208. Significant achievements have been made during 2009/10. FESA volunteers are covered under personal injury insurance arrangements. During Focus Area – Relationships 2009/10, volunteers lodged 35 claims, with payments totaling $141,429 at 30 June 2010. • A new RAP committee has been established. Our indicator results for 2009/10 show an improvement on last year. • New partnerships with core Aboriginal groups in metropolitan and regional areas have been identified, developed and promoted across FESA. While the number of claims has increased (lost time injury/diseases (LTI/D) incidence rate), the cost of claims for 2009/10 has decreased by 22 per cent from 2008/09. The • The FESA RAP communication strategy, developed and launched in 2008, decrease in cost can be attributed to injuries of lesser severity and improved return to is ongoing. work outcomes. Focus Area – Respect As is expected, the average cost of claims is falling in line with the decrease in overall • New Aboriginal flags were purchased for FESA House and the FESA Training cost of claims. The average cost of workers compensation claims has decreased by 31 Centre. All FESA metropolitan and country facilities are encouraged to acquire per cent and is at the lowest level in four years. Aboriginal flags to fly during significant Indigenous events. • Three cultural awareness training sessions were delivered with approximately Result Indicator Target 2009/10 80 staff participating. 2009/10 2008/09 • FESA actively participates in NAIDOC week and other Indigenous celebrations. Number of fatalities Zero (0) Zero (0) Zero (0) Achieved • Protocols for ‘Welcome to Country’ ceremonies have been included in the FESA Lost time injury/diseases (LTI/D) Zero (0) or 10% reduction 9.54 7.52 Official Events Policy Statement 41. incidence rate on previous year Not Achieved: • The promotion of Indigenous knowledge and learning through culturally 21% Increase appropriate community safety resources and programs has been progressed Lost time injury severity rate Zero (0) or 10% 4.7619 6.6667 with the school education program Good Fire – Bad Fire in the Kimberley and improvement on Ngaanyatjarra Lands, road crash rescue training in the Ngaanyatjarra Lands previous year Achieved: and consultation with metropolitan community groups in the development of a 28.6% reduction targeted Fire Safety in the Home awareness program for Aboriginal groups. Percentage of injured workers Actual percentage result 99.12% 98.96% returned to work within 28 to be reported Achieved – improvement weeks on last year Percentage of managers Greater than or equal 30% 30% trained in occupational safety, to 50% health and injury management responsibilities Section 6 GOVERNMENT POLICY REQUIREMENTS 131