ISSUE ONE 2020
AUSTRALIA Google provides warnings during bushfire crisis Why is solvent-free foam essential? Inquiry database insights
Fire Protection Industry Awards recognise excellence Record submissions generate a hot contest Pertronic F220 Protects Sydney’s Transport Tunnel System
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Brisbane Sydney Melbourne Adelaide Perth 3/43-49 Sandgate Road 19/287 Victoria Road B2/2a Westall Road 65 Manton Street 3/71 Beringarra Avenue Albion QLD 4010 Rydalmere NSW 2116 Springvale VIC 3171 Hindmarsh SA 5007 Malaga WA 6090 Phone 07 3255 2222 Phone 02 9638 7655 Phone 03 9562 7577 Phone 08 8340 9533 Phone 08 6555 3008 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] F220 www.pertronic.com.au FIRE ALARM SYSTEM ISSUE ONE 2020 CONTENT FIRE PROTECTION TAKING A MORE VISIBLE ROLE AUSTRALIA The past year has been one of change, but SCOTT strong accomplishments. While the headlines WILLIAMS are now rightly focused on the recent IN THIS ISSUE Chief Executive tragic bushfires, much of the past year was Officer, Fire Protection 12 New suite of benefits for FPA Australia dominated by the expanding issues around Association Australia members poor building compliance and quality in 14 Global approach to meet safety Australia, which added energy to the reforms challenges in the future built set rolling with the Shergold-Weir report. environment In accordance with FPA Australia’s 16 A step towards zero: understanding commitment to advocate for continuous preventable residential fire fatalities improvement of policy, legislation, codes and 16 standards, the Association has dedicated 20 Online warnings when the threat is high significant resources to providing input 24 Fire Protection Industry Awards and responses to the many simultaneous reforms happening around recognise excellence the country in the building and construction space. 28 Database crucial for learning lessons While much of this effort is out of sight for our members, it is from the past critical work. Ensuring regulations that govern fire protection are fit 30 New developments with FPAS for purpose, practical and effective is fundamental both to the future 32 Fire risks pile up of the fire protection industry, but also to the safety of the community. 34 Showcasing PhD success The level of involvement FPA Australia now has in these reforms reflects its increasingly influential role. This expanded role, however, 37 Grenfell inquiry identifies failings in raises a new challenge. With invitations for participation coming from 30 London Fire Brigade response regulators at all levels, we need to make strategic decisions about 38 Why is solvent-free foam essential? where best to invest our limited resources. 40 Tasman fires: New Zealand’s Prioritising where those resources go over the next four years is new norm? the purpose of our Strategic Directions 2019–22. Accordingly, over 42 Conversations on Country about the past year the Association began building the groundwork for a cultural burning number of major new initiatives. 44 Cohesion when the heat is on Perhaps most important among these has been the significant investment to develop and launch the new Fire Safety Assessment REGULAR FEATURES class of FPAS accreditation, which has been officially recognised by 4 News the NSW Government and will be gazetted in early 2020. In addition, 46 Blast from the past the construction of the NSW Training Centre of the Fire Protection 42 48 Standards Australia update Training Academy heralds a new era for the Australian fire protection 49 Calendar of events industry, giving us training facilities on a par with the best in the world, when doors open later this year. 50 Movers and shakers As the fire protection industry is called upon to take a more visible OUR COVER and influential role, we must ensure we stay focused on our primary Qazi Samia Razzaque wins the Young Achiever of the Year Award at the Fire Protection purpose—a safer community where loss of life, injury and damage Industry Awards 2019. PHOTO: TOM BICKNELL, FPA AUSTRALIA to property and the environment from fire are eliminated through effective fire protection. ABOUT FIRE AUSTRALIA Fire Australia is a joint publication of Fire Protection Association Australia, AFAC and the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC. We aim to bring the latest news, developments and technical information to the fire protection ADVERTISING LISTING industry, emergency services and natural hazards research organisations. Fire Australia is produced quarterly and distributed throughout Australia and New Zealand. Editorial submissions are welcome and can be sent to: [email protected]. For more details on submitting a contribution, please contact the editors. 2 PERTRONIC 23 ROMTEK GRID JOINT EDITORS Fire Australia magazine is 5 FIRESENSE 27K UPTIC printed by a printer with ISO14001 Environmental 11 WMIB 31 ARCHER TESTING Tom Bicknell (FPA Australia) Management System 15 DINCEL 51 WORMALD TEL +61 3 8892 3118 [email protected] Accreditation using Nathan Maddock (Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC) vegetable-based inks onto 9 1 WARRINGTONFIRE 52 VIKING TEL +61 3 9412 9600 [email protected] FSC -certified paper. To advertise in Fire Australia, contact: Tom Bicknell, Leone Knight (AFAC) ISSN 1032-6529 (Print) FPA Australia, PO Box 1049, Box Hill VIC 3128, Australia 1300 731 922 [email protected] TEL +61 3 9418 5241 [email protected] ISSN 2200-9221 (Online)
DISCLAIMER The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of FPA Australia, AFAC or the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC. Articles and advertisements are published in good faith but Fire Australia magazine and its agents do not warrant the accuracy or currency of any information or data contained herein. Fire Australia magazine and its agents do not accept any responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to the material in this publication. It is not possible for FPA Australia to ensure that advertisements published in this magazine comply in all respects with the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 and the provisions which apply to advertising. Responsibility lies with the person, company or agency submitting the advertisement for publication. Material in Fire Australia magazine is subject to copyright. This publication may not be reproduced in printed or electronic form without permission. Contact 1300 731 922.
ISSUE ONE 2020 FIRE AUSTRALIA 3 NEWS ISSUE ONE 2020 AUSTRALIA’S VOICE AT GLOBAL WILDFIRE CONFERENCE he Seventh International Wildland Fire Conference (IWFC) was hosted in Campo Grande, TBrazil from 27 October to 1 November 2019, and addressed the theme ‘facing fire in a changing world: reducing vulnerability of people and landscapes by integrated fire management’. IWFC welcomed 1,100 delegates from 37 countries. While about 80% of those in attendance were from South and Central America, there was solid representation from all regions of PHOTO: AFAC the world, with real-time translations provided for all sessions. Conference discussions strongly reinforced that many of the key issues in wildland fire management are shared Mr Alder also presided as chair of the Dr Krusel and Mr Alder were involved The across the globe, including integrated International Fire Aviation Working Group. in crafting the IWFC conference International approaches to planning and mitigation, Dr Krusel presented a talk on the statement: Building Sustainable and Liaison diversity and inclusion, Indigenous fire theme ‘fixing the system, not fixing the Fire-Resilient Societies and Landscapes. Committee at the Seventh knowledge, smoke management and women’ as an invited speaker on the After an intensive drafting session, the International effective use of data. Women in Fire panel. Dr Krusel also statement was endorsed by conference Wildland Fire The local community was invited to took the opportunity to share significant participants, with a standing ovation at Conference in take part in the conference by registering national initiatives for Australia, including the final plenary session. The statement Brazil. and attending sessions. Likewise, children the Australian Fire Danger Rating is inclusive, integrated and recognises and schools were included in the program System and the Centre of Excellence for that the traditional fire management through fire awareness video and poster Prescribed Burning. paradigm cannot deal with the growing competitions. Mr Alder presented on the use of global incidence of wildfire and Australia was represented on the information technology to optimise subsequent impacts. conference’s International Liaison the application of aircraft in managing The IWFC is held every four years Committee by Dr Noreen Krusel, AFAC wildfires and the sophisticated approach and will return in 2023, hosted in Director Knowledge and Research to aerial firefighting that NAFC is Portugal. Utilisation, and Richard Alder, National leading. Mr Alder also presented the Aerial Firefighting Centre (NAFC) General statement from the International Fire View the conference statement here: Manager. Both presented as speakers at Aviation Working Group during the final www.afac.com.au/docs/default-source/ the conference and submitted posters. plenary session of the conference. communications/iwfc-7-statement.
UNDERSTANDING MODELS FOR SPONTANEOUS VOLUNTEERING he dominant image of of spontaneous societal responses to spontaneous volunteering disasters, which planners can use to in Australian emergency help them understand the links to the Tmanagement—of many disorganised affected communities and motivations outsiders converging on an affected for action. This can help them prepare community—is overly narrow and for diverse forms of spontaneous unhelpful for emergency planning. volunteering that may be more realistic The research in Hazard Note 64, for their hazard conditions, communities from the Bushfire and Natural Hazards and jurisdictions. This typology is CRC, provides evidence and a tool to included in Australia’s first national PHOTO: LISMORE HELPING HANDS better understand these volunteers and handbook on planning for spontaneous how they come together. It uses case volunteers, Communities responding studies of humanitarian aid organisation to disasters: planning for spontaneous Samaritan’s Purse after the 2015 Pinery volunteers, published in 2018 by bushfire in South Australia, and Lismore the Australian Institute for Disaster Helping Hands after the 2017 NSW Resilience. floods, to demonstrate the narrowness of the dominant image. Read Hazard Note 64 here: Spontaneous volunteers with Lismore Helping Hands assisted The research developed a typology www.bnhcrc.com.au/hazardnotes/64. in the clean up after the 2017 floods in northern NSW.
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FireSense’s head office and warehousing is located in North West Sydney and has regional sales offices and warehousing in Melbourne and Brisbane. NEWS ISSUE ONE 2020 NEW SOUTH AUSTRALIAN MINISTERIAL BUILDING STANDARDS ew Ministerial Building Standards have been implemented ◆ Ministerial Building Standard in outback areas of South Australia and will roll out across SA 006 and SA 007 – Modifications to the application of the the state by mid-2020, with some flow-on impacts for the fire Building Code. Nprotection industry. Under Phase One of the rollout plan, these Standards and the Act As Fire Protection Association Australia (FPA Australia) advised are now operational in outback areas referred to as ‘Land Not Within members earlier this year, the new Ministerial Building Standards a Council Area’. replace the earlier specifications. The change brings these Phase Two will introduce the new legislation in rural council areas documents in line with the terminology and updated requirements of in early 2020, and Phase Three will introduce it to urban and regional South Australia’s Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016, council areas in mid-2020. and also introduces some general improvements. There is also a draft Ministerial Building Standard SA 008 in relation Four of the new Ministerial Building Standards and the new Act to ‘Additional requirements in designated bushfire prone areas’, which have now been implemented in outback areas under a rollout plan, has just finished a public consultation period. which the South Australian Department of Planning Transport and FPA Australia provided feedback to DPTI on the draft version of Infrastructure (DPTI) plans to complete by July 2020. These four SA 002 Maintaining the performance of essential safety provision, Standards are: some of which has been adopted in the final version. ◆ Ministerial Building Standard The Association is also currently in discussion with DPTI SA 001 – Upgrading health and safety in existing buildings about improving its engagement with industry regarding the new ◆ Ministerial Building Standard regulations. SA 002 – Maintaining the performance of essential safety provision ◆ Ministerial Building Standard More detail about the DPTI’s rollout plans SA 003 – Fire safety in caravan parks and residential parks is available on its website: www.dpti.sa.gov.au.
Australian Journal of Emergency Management MONOGRAPHS Monograph FIVE NEW AND REVISED AFAC SHARE SCIENCE MONOGRAPH NO. 4 DECEMBER 2019 AFAC19 powered by INTERSCHUTZ Research proceedings from the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC Research Forum DOCTRINES (peer reviewed) knowledge.aidr.org.au he latest natural hazards PUBLISHED science from the Bushfire Following approval from AFAC National Council, and Natural Hazards CRC five new and revised doctrines have been made Australian Journal of Emergency Management TResearch Forum has been published available on the AFAC website. in two special editions of the Australian Monograph The guidance documents span the topics Journal of Emergency Management of community safety and resilience, as well Monograph series. as best-practice approaches to tools and
M ONO GRA PH The Research Forum was hosted in NO. technologies encountered by the fire and 5 AFAC19 poweredD byEC INTERSCHUTZ EMB Extended abstracts from the BushfireER 2 and 019 August 2019 as part of AFAC19 powered Natural Hazards CRC Research Forum emergency services, including remotely
(non-peer reviewed) by INTERSCHUTZ in Melbourne. The knowledge.aidr.org.au piloted aircraft and PV array systems. research shares outcomes that help Doctrine is AFAC’s most significant intellectual provide decision-makers with the property asset. It is developed through the AFAC evidence, information and tools to make Collaboration Model and aligns to the values of critical decisions. AFAC’s Strategic Directions. Monographs 4 and 5 include The latest additions to the suite of doctrines are: peer-reviewed research and ◆ Resilience through Community Risk Reduction non-peer reviewed extended ◆ AFAC Position on PV Array Systems abstracts covering topics including ◆ Management of Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) fire behaviour, predictive services and at or Near Fire and Emergencies and Prescribed modelling, capability and risk. Burning Operations The CRC’s Research Forum explored ◆ Flood and Severe Weather Community Safety how research outcomes can be further decision-making, in order to build a Position integrated into policy and practice to disaster resilient Australia,” Dr Bates said. ◆ Emergency Services Support Role to Deliberate contribute to disaster risk reduction and “The Australian Journal of Emergency High Threat Incidents. to make our communities more resilient Management Monographs are a Doctrine is evidence-based, constantly reviewed to disasters. contribution to the broader discussion and vested as the official view by the AFAC The CRC’s Research Director around our intensifying risk and what National Council and sector leaders. Dr John Bates encourages all people this means for emergency management who deal with natural hazards to read in the future.” Visit the AFAC website to explore doctrine: through both publications. www.afac.com.au/insight/doctrine. “It is more important than ever to Both Monographs are available for download incorporate the latest science into at www.knowledge.aidr.org.au.
6 FIRE AUSTRALIA ISSUE ONE 2020 ISSUE ONE 2020 NEWS Japanese delegates attending the INTERNATIONAL working group MEETING SETS meeting in STANDARDS FOR Melbourne. FIREFIGHTER PPE
he International Standards Committee for Firefighters’ Personal Protective Equipment T(PPE) met in Melbourne to discuss future standardisation to improve safety. The intention of PPE is to safeguard firefighters against all known possible hazards encountered through their
duties. To ensure the standardisation of AFAC PHOTO: PPE performance, international standard ISO/TC 94/SC14 Firefighters’ Personal SC14 Working Group 5 has gloves, headwear, footwear, face and Protective Equipment was established developed and published six standards eye protection and hearing protection, in 2000. for use during rescue activities, such which provide protection from physical, From 12 to 14 November, ISO/TC94/ as road crash and urban search and thermal and environmental hazards. SC14 working groups were hosted rescue, and at the Arnhem meeting the An ISO standard for personal by AFAC in Melbourne to continue group agreed to develop a new standard protective ensembles for use against discussions about firefighter safety and for water rescue. At the Melbourne chemical, biological, radiological and PPE, and progress the development of meeting, they appointed Arthur Tindall nuclear (CBRN) agents has recently ISO standards for firefighters. as project leader to develop this been approved as a new work item for Work has commenced with the standard. Mr Tindall is both chair of the the SC14/SC13 CBRN joint working endorsement of an ISO new work item AFAC PPE Technical Committee and group. Following the meeting in to develop a standard for the cleaning, secretary of SC14 Working Group 3 for Arnhem the first draft was released. The maintenance and repair of firefighters’ wildland PPE, and his appointment is a draft attracted 161 comments, which PPE. Over two meetings—in Arnhem, great outcome for Australia. were addressed at the November Netherlands in June 2019 and Melbourne The intention of the new international meeting in Melbourne. Agreement in November 2019—SC14 Working standard for water rescue is to has now been reached for the draft to Group 1 considered 480 comments specify test methods and minimum proceed to a formal committee draft, concerning PPE cleaning, maintenance performance requirements for PPE which will close in time to be discussed and repair, highlighting the interest used by firefighters engaged in rescue at the June 2020 meeting in Hanover, in this complex standard. A period of activities undertaken on the surface Germany. 48 months has been allocated to develop of a body of water or on unstable The next meeting of ISO/TC94/SC14 this standard and by all indications it will surfaces. PPE covered by this section will be held in Hanover, Germany during require the entire period to resolve. of the standard will comprise clothing, the week of 22 to 26 June 2020.
FPA AUSTRALIA LAUNCHES NEW DESIGN REGISTER FOR NSW REFORMS ire Protection Association fire safety practitioner’ (CFSP), in requirements for experience, insurance, Australia (FPA Australia) has particular the preparation of plans and professional conduct and commitment launched a new register of fire specifications for the installation or to future accreditation under FPAS. Fprotection practitioners to connect modification of fire sprinkler systems, fire This new Interim Register building industry professionals with hydrant systems, fire hose reel systems complements the existing Fire Systems FPA Australia corporate members, or fire detection and alarm systems. Design—Accredited Practitioner who currently prepare plans and Until the Fire Protection Accreditation Register, which lists individuals who hold specifications for the installation or Scheme (FPAS) is recognised by the FPAS Fire Systems Design (FSD) modification of fire safety systems the NSW Government during 2020, class of accreditation. in NSW. building certifiers are required to FPA Australia recommends The new Fire Systems Design—NSW satisfy themselves that practitioners that building certifiers in NSW use Interim Register is a response to the conducting this work are competent. accredited individuals listed on the NSW building reforms, which primarily You can read more about the reforms at National Register as a first option, cover fire safety and came into effect FPA Australia’s NSW reforms FAQ. but have made the new Fire Systems on 1 October 2017. The reforms require The Interim Register lists practitioners Design—NSW Interim Register available some types of fire protection work in that currently conduct this work, and whilst individuals undertake their journey NSW to be conducted by a ‘competent have met FPA Australia’s minimum to becoming accredited under FPAS.
ISSUE ONE 2020 FIRE AUSTRALIA 7 NEWS ISSUE ONE 2020
AUSTRALIAN FIRE DANGER RATING SYSTEM: PREPARING FOR CHANGE
he Australian Fire Danger Rating System (AFDRS) recently reached several milestones that
Twill see states and territories prepare PHOTO: AFAC for change. The program has just completed an extensive series of consultation workshops in all Australian jurisdictions. Australian Fire Danger Rating System workshops were held across every state and territory. Design elements emerging from social research were presented to jurisdictional manage the change process. their representatives on the Change representatives across many sectors The AFDRS Board approved the Management Coordination Group. An including land, fire, health, education Change Management Plan to support AFDRS Change Management Team will and industry, to ensure it meets their jurisdictions and organisations involved support the change process. requirements and to document change in the complex task of adapting The NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) management needs. to the new AFDRS. Over the next has initiated the development of Across each state and territory three years, jurisdictions will need to the operational build for the AFDRS, 181 people from 90 different agencies refine the design of the AFDRS and which will provide a Fire Behaviour and industry bodies participated. manage changes to legislation, policy, Index for use by agencies and industry The findings of the consultation procedures, information systems, professionals and will also underpin process—documented in the National web pages, training, engagement, the ratings. It will be developed Consultation Workshop Outcomes communications and signage. by a contractor and the Bureau report recently accepted by the AFDRS Various state and Commonwealth of Meteorology. NSW RFS is also Board—endorsed the social research- agencies are responsible for prototyping related indices including the informed design, noting additional work implementing the new AFDRS through Ignition Likelihood Index, Suppression required to refine design elements and their jurisdictional member and Index, and Fire Impact Index.
ocal government emergency Australia Local Government Association managers in Western Australia (WALGA), CRC researchers Associate LOCAL have been upskilled in their Professor Ben Brooks and Dr Steve Ldecision-making, thanks to Bushfire and Curnin from the University of Tasmania GOVERNMENTS Natural Hazards CRC research. facilitated two workshops in Perth LEARN FROM In partnership with the Western during October 2019, with more than
PHOTO: BUSHFIRE AND NATURAL HAZARDS CRC 30 participants from local governments RESEARCH across WA taking part. The Stretch Thinking for Crisis and Emergency Management workshops explored decision-making theory, with participants exploring the influence of psychological safety and cognitive bias and discussing examples of best practice. The workshops form part of the CRC project Improving Decision-making in Complex Multi-team Environments, which was awarded a Department of Fire and Emergency Services grant through the All West Australians Reducing Emergencies program to run the workshops in partnership with WALGA.
Local government representatives in a Stretch Thinking for Crisis and Emergency Management workshop with CRC researchers Dr Steve Curnin (left) and A/Prof Ben Brooks.
8 FIRE AUSTRALIA ISSUE ONE 2020 ISSUE ONE 2020 NEWS ABCB ANNOUNCES OUT-OF-CYCLE NCC AMENDMENT
he Australian Building Codes ◆ a defined term for ‘building ◆ clarification of existing concessions Board (ABCB) has announced complexity’ to be used to identify for low-rise Class 2 and 3 buildings it will undertake an out-of- buildings for which it is appropriate ◆ reference to a new technical Tcycle amendment for the National to have increased supervision specification for the permanent Construction Code (NCC) 2019, of design and construction labelling of aluminium composite enhancing fire safety measures and through subsequent initiatives panels adding clarifications. being developed in response to ◆ minor corrections. NCC 2019 Amendment 1 recommendations of the Building Fire Protection Association Australia will contribute to some of the Confidence report (FPA Australia) is supportive of these recommendations made by the ◆ provisions that set out the process to proposed amendments, which have Shergold-Weir Building Confidence be followed, including the creation been put forward by the ABCB following report into the problems with quality of a Performance Based Design the organisation’s engagement and compliance in Australia’s Brief, to improve the quality and with industry. construction sector. clarity of performance solutions The ABCB has released a The amendment will include: for both approval and auditing public comment draft of NCC 2019 ◆ enhanced fire safety measures for purposes. This is also in response Amendment 1 for public consultation, early childhood centres in high-rise to recommendations of the Building and FPA Australia has submitted buildings Confidence report feedback on behalf of the industry.
CRC SCIENCE MAKING NATIONAL IMPACT hile firefighters have battled ferocious blazes around the country during the 2019–20 fireW season, the impact of Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC research has been on show in the operations centres and media commentary. Dr Marta Yebra was on hand to ANTHONY CLARK, NSW RFS PHOTO: assist the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) in November 2019, working with fire managers to analyse data on vegetation conditions and the affect on bushfire spread. Alongside Dr Yebra at NSW RFS was another CRC researcher, Professor Jason Sharples, assessing the extra risks firefighters may face with spotfires and fire coalescence. Dr Mika Peace was in Queensland during the state’s high-risk days in November, spending three days working closely with fire behaviour analysts in Queensland Fire and Emergency Service’s Predictive Services division as the Bureau of Meteorology’s embedded meteorologist. In January 2020, Dr Peace undertook a similar role with the NSW RFS. CRC CEO Dr Richard Thornton and Research Director Dr John Bates provided expert comment on a variety The NSW Rural Fire Service headquarters is a hive of activity during bushfires. of topics throughout the season. They included why the bushfire season has prescribed burning, and how people print and online coverage of the fires been so challenging, the role of climate understand their bushfire risk and react through outlets such as the ABC, change in lengthening bushfire seasons, to warnings. Dr Thornton and Dr Bates The Age, The Australian, the Herald Sun, changing demographics, the role of were featured across television, radio, The Guardian and 3AW.
ISSUE ONE 2020 FIRE AUSTRALIA 9 NEWS ISSUE ONE 2020 homas Sewell is a planning volunteer within the VOLUNTEER SCHOLARSHIP Queanbeyan unit of the NSW TState Emergency Service. A recipient of HELPS PLAN A SAFER FUTURE the Emergency Management Volunteer Scholarship Program, he is completing PHOTO: NSW SES the Graduate Diploma in Planning and NSW State Emergency Service volunteer Management of Natural Hazards at the Thomas Sewell is completing a Graduate Diploma University of New England. in Planning and Management of Natural Hazards. Mr Sewell emphasised the benefit of this study and knowledge to his recent deployment to the fires across northern NSW. “I had a better understanding of how fires spread and behave, which was incredibly important to my role in planning … where I was responsible for mapping the spread of a number of large fires,” he said. In addition to the importance of study, Mr Sewell highlighted the value of scholarship support and financial assistance in being able to undertake the study. In completing units for the graduate diploma, Mr Sewell said he has become “a much more knowledgeable volunteer, with a better understanding of the processes that influence disaster risk”. Mr Sewell said this knowledge will benefit both the NSW State Emergency Service and his community of Queanbeyan.
The four elected nominees for the FPA Australia Board are Bill Lea, David NEW VICTORIAN ASSOCIATION Isaac, Elissa Fazio and Russell Porteous. They join sitting Directors Chris Orr and ROUTINE BOARD Rhondel Johannessen. SERVICE FORMS APPOINTMENTS The new Board of Directors had its first meeting on 8 November 2019 in INCORPORATE FOR 2019–20 Melbourne, following the Association’s INDUSTRY AGM, with the following appointments: FEEDBACK Fire Protection Association Australia ◆ President: Bill Lea (FPA Australia) is pleased to announce ◆ Vice President: Rhondel Johannessen the results of elections for positions ◆ Business and Governance The Victorian Government has on the Board of Directors for 2019, Committee: Rhondel Johannessen introduced an updated Annual which concluded on Thursday 17 (Chair), Elissa Fazio, Chris Orr, Bill Lea Essential Safety Measures Report and October 2019. Four Board positions and Scott Williams (ex-officio) Maintenance Schedule form for routine were available, with a record number ◆ Standards Australia Councillor: Hank service of fire protection systems. The of nominations triggering an election. Van Ravenstein. new forms were officially gazetted on Thursday 12 September 2019, FPA Australia and the Victorian Building Authority held its has now made them available on its AGM on 8 November website. Updates to the forms were 2019. made in response to feedback from Fire Protection Association Australia, with the assistance of its members. The changes are mainly improvements
to the forms’ usability, to better align PHOTO: FPA AUSTRALIA them with regulatory objectives and the operational requirements of the industry. The updated forms replace those introduced in Victoria in 2018 with the Building Regulations 2018.
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ISSUE ONE 20202020 FIRE AUSTRALIA 13 TOKYO SYMPOSIUM GLOBAL APPROACH TO MEET SAFETY CHALLENGES IN THE FUTURE
BUILTAn Underwriters ENVIRONMENT Laboratories symposium in Tokyo, Japan, sought an international response to the emerging safety challenges of future cities across the globe.
BY ALANA BEITZ AFAC
AFAC Director he move toward sustainable and Community energy-efficient development Safety is shifting the way that the built Amanda Leck environment is being designed and in Japan with T symposium constructed across the world. This co-panellists. includes new trends such as tall mass timber buildings, green buildings, battery energy storage systems and building façade systems. Recognising the need to understand
and meet the safety challenges of the PHOTO: UL future built environment, Underwriters Laboratories (UL) hosted a symposium on this topic in association with UL Firefighter Safety Research Institute and reduction efforts underway in Australia, conditions with an enclosure the Fireproofing Association of Urban including the National Risk Reduction or envelope approach. Various Disaster Prevention. Framework to deliver on the goals test methods can evaluate the Developers, fire safety practitioners, outlined in the Sendai Framework, and performance of the exterior testing and standards experts and the compulsory residential sprinkler protection system, as well as the representatives from the sustainability, requirements incorporated into the quality of the interior environment construction and energy industries National Construction Code in 2019. for occupants. from across continents met in Tokyo, The goal of the symposium was to ◆ Battery energy storage systems— Japan on 10 and 11 October to seek an discuss and identify knowledge gaps The growing desire to use high- international approach to address the and safety concerns while seeking density battery energy storage emerging safety challenges. potential collaborations to address systems in occupied buildings has AFAC Director Community Safety them. Key topics from the symposium raised a number of safety questions, Amanda Leck provided an Australian included: especially regarding fire. Discussions perspective to the program, presenting ◆ Tall mass timber buildings—More sought to identify knowledge gaps on a panel alongside Mr Mario buildings are being constructed to and concerns and covered the Goncalves (UL), Mr Dionisio Franca greater heights using engineered development of UL 9540A and (Green Building Japan) and Mr Koichi timber products and there are potential changes to safety standards. Hirata (Fireproofing Association of Urban multiple efforts worldwide to increase ◆ Building façade systems—Artificial Disaster Prevention). the use of cross-laminated timber in exterior systems designed for artistic The panel addressed the need for construction. Testing, performance or energy-conserving objectives the built environment to be able to and structural reviews are underway serve purposes other than structural cope, adapt and transform in relation to address both design flexibility and load bearing. As some of these to the risks associated with climate occupant and firefighter safety. designs have proved a fire risk, the change, highlighting the challenges ◆ Green building and sustainability development of a singular standard presented by extreme weather such issues—Some developers seek for manufacturers being sought to as heat, water egress, wind and fire. to protect their investments from deliver global consistency of design Ms Leck introduced the audience to risk the harmful effects of atmospheric and performance.
14 FIRE AUSTRALIA ISSUE ONE 2020 Tested and assessed by NATA registered laboratories Dincel Structural Walling has been engineered fire safe and compliant.
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A Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Services Board fire investigator examining a house after a fire.
PHOTO: MFB A STEP TOWARDS ZERO: UNDERSTANDING PREVENTABLE RESIDENTIAL FIRE FATALITIES More than one residential fire-related death occurs every week in Australia—and these deaths are preventable. New research shines a light on the people most at risk.
BY LUCINDA COATES, ANDREW GISSING n average, more than one stakeholders may have been able to AND DR KATHARINE HAYNES preventable fire-related death identify the risks related to a person occurs in a residential context and/or a physical environment and Risk Frontiers/Macquarie University and Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC Oevery week in Australia. That equates take actions or develop intervention GEOFF KAANDORP AND JULIE HARRIS to approximately the same number of strategies which, if applied, may deaths every three years as occurred have reduced the risk of a fire taking Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Services Board during the Black Saturday bushfires place. Deaths from residential fires JONATHAN VAN LEEUWEN, ASHLEY (173). At least 900 people have died have significant social, economic and AVCI, JACOB EVANS, STEVEN GEORGE from July 2003 to June 2017—deaths emotional impacts on individuals, AND ROBIN VAN DEN HONERT that, overwhelmingly, could have families and communities, and on the been avoided. firefighters and other emergency service Risk Frontiers/Macquarie University Preventable fires are fires where volunteers and employees who attend individuals, fire services or other these incidents.
16 FIRE AUSTRALIA ISSUE ONE 2020 PREVENTABLE FATALITIES
PHOTO: MFB Firefighters battling a The Bushfire and Natural Hazards ◆ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander The research shows blaze. CRC study, undertaken by Risk Frontiers, people—over-represented by a no declining trend the Metropolitan Fire and Emergency factor of 2.5 The research builds on a 2005 AFAC Services Board (MFB) and Macquarie ◆ people who smoke—65% were study, which found that the most at-risk University for AFAC, draws on 14 years smokers groups for residential fire fatalities in of data to provide an update on ◆ people with medications (34%) or Australia included males, those aged 65 the evidence around the extent of alcohol (33%) present in their blood or over, children under four and adults preventable residential fire fatalities in ◆ males—represented 64% of all who had consumed alcohol. One of the Australia and identify those people most fatalities, particularly those aged project aims was to update the AFAC at risk of dying in residential fires. over 45 study and to confirm, at a national level, Undertaken through the CRC’s ◆ people who lived alone—45% findings from Aufiero et al. (2011), which Tactical Research Fund, the Strategic ◆ people who lived in the most socially found that, in metropolitan Melbourne, analysis of preventable residential and financially disadvantaged older people and people with a disability fire fatalities project analysed records locations. were at higher risk and that many from the National Coronial Information residential fire victims were recipients of System (NCIS) database, supported by The results from this study highlight community-funded care programs. the analysis of publicly available coronial that reducing residential fire fatality risk Australian records from 1 July 2003 reports. Single variable, contingency is complex. The presence of a single to 30 June 2017 were accessed in the table and machine-learning analysis was risk factor on its own is unlikely to NCIS by a variety of searches. After used to determine those most at risk of significantly increase a person’s risk of refinement of the applicable dataset, dying in a preventable residential fire. dying in a residential fire. Rather, it is the relevant structured and non-structured The study revealed that those most at combination of a range of risk factors data from the NCIS (comprising the risk include: surrounding the person—their behaviours, summary page, police, autopsy and ◆ older people—people aged over their residential environment, any disability toxicology reports and coroner’s 65 represented 36% of total fatalities or disadvantage that they are experiencing findings) were coded for 41 fields and ◆ young children aged zero to four— and other external factors—that is likely to entered into a specially constructed 8% of all fatalities impact their overall level of risk of having a database. Once complete, the data was ◆ people with a disability—62% fire that results in their death. statistically analysed.
ISSUE ONE 2020 FIRE AUSTRALIA 17 PREVENTABLE FATALITIES
PHOTO: MFB This research will allow lifesaving Between 2003 and 2017 there was People with a disability The residence information no clear declining trend in fire fatalities. Within the data, 47% of decedents Freestanding houses/villas were to be better targeted to were identified as having at least one the housing type where the majority those most at The data shows those most at risk disability present (physical disabilities: (67%) of fatal fires occurred. However, risk from house 46%, mental health disorders: 28%, and these freestanding houses comprise fires. Older people neurological disorders: 10%). The data 78% of the housing stock in Australia, By age cohort, those aged over 65 are suggests that people with a disability so other housing types may be over- the group most at risk of dying in a often died between the hours of 8 am represented in the fatality data. Similarly, residential fire, a risk that increases with and 12 pm. This contrasts with the owner-occupiers were the most age. The data indicates that the other overall data, where fatal fires more often commonly identified property tenure factors that increase risk in older people occurred overnight during sleeping (53%), but owner-occupiers account include smoking, having a disability, the hours. This may indicate that for people for approximately 67% of all property presence of alcohol and/or medications with a disability, their disability rather tenures in Australia. This indicates that in their blood, living alone and requiring than being asleep may have contributed other tenure types, such as private and support to live at home. Where these to their inability to safely escape the fire. public rentals, may be over-represented factors are present in combination, an Similarly, people with a disability more in fire fatalities. older person’s risk increased significantly. often had a working smoke alarm. The location Young children Aboriginal and Torres Strait Most fatal residential fires occurred Children aged under four had the Islander people in major cities, but there was over- largest number of deaths of any five- More than 8% of decedents were representation of deaths in regional year age group. The cause of fire was identified as Aboriginal, Torres Strait and remote areas. The analysis of more often lighters or matches, which Islander, or both. Approximately 3% the fatality data in relation to areas of may indicate that a significant number of the Australian population identifies relative socio-economic advantage and of fires were lit by children during fire as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, disadvantage shows that most fatalities play. The link to social and financial meaning that this cohort is over- occurred where there is relatively disadvantage was particularly significant represented in the data by a factor of 2.5. greater socio-economic disadvantage. in this cohort, with almost half of deaths Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Fatal preventable residential fires start in the zero to four age bracket occurring people comprised 12% of fatalities under most commonly in the living room or in locations in the top 10% of greatest 65 years of age and 3% of people over bedroom. They are not necessarily large socio-economic disadvantage, and 87% 65 years, likely reflecting the younger or severe fires, with approximately half of fatalities occurring in the top 40% of age structure of the Aboriginal and of fatal fires burning one room or less of locations of greatest disadvantage. Torres Strait Islander population. the structure.
18 FIRE AUSTRALIA ISSUE ONE 2020 PREVENTABLE FATALITIES
Seasonality were smokers. By 2014–15 this had “Studies like this one provide vital Most fatal residential fires occur during decreased to 16%. The fatality data does intelligence to assist fire and rescue the winter months. They occur most not reflect any decline in the number of services better understand why these commonly between the hours of 8 pm smokers who died over the course of incidents are happening and who is to 8 am and, particularly, from midnight the study period. It is unclear why this is most at risk. This enables us to develop to 4 am. the case. evidence-based policies and practices Smoking materials are a major cause to hopefully reduce the number of fatal Smoke alarms of ignition of fatal residential fires. For fires. Even one person dying in a house In a large majority of cases (66%), those cases where the fire cause was fire is one too many,” Mr Bruce said. it is unknown if a smoke alarm was known, over a quarter were caused This research will inform future fire present, despite smoke alarms being by smoking materials, with just over safety campaigns nationally, with fire and a requirement by law in all residential a third of those relating to smoking in emergency services across Australia properties. The extent that the presence bed. There was a strong link between using the data to develop a national of a smoke alarm was noted by coroners smoking materials as the cause of fire residential fire strategy, to reduce is low considering their importance and the residence being in a relatively preventable residential fire fatalities and that the absence of a smoke alarm disadvantaged area, with 49% of toward zero. may have had an impact on the fatality fires caused by smoking materials The groups identified as most at risk outcome (e.g. by providing an earlier occurring in the top 25% of the most are also the groups that are the most warning to the fire victim). disadvantaged locations. difficult to reach in general fire safety campaigns. Lifesaving information can Smoking Working toward zero now be better targeted to the areas it is People who smoke are over-represented MFB’s Acting Chief Executive Officer/ needed most. to a large extent in residential fire Chief Officer David Bruce said the fatalities. Of cases where the smoking research provides valuable insights Find out more about this research status of the decedent was known, that agencies can use to inform at www.bnhcrc.com.au/research/ 65% of people were smokers. During the practice. preventableresidentialfirefatalities. study period, smoking rates in Australia “The majority of fatal house fires decreased significantly and reduced- are preventable, which is concerning. fire-risk cigarettes were mandated As firefighters, our job is not just to in Australia in 2010. In the 2004–05 extinguish fires but also to stop them financial year, 23% of Australians from occurring in the first place.
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T: (03) 9767 1000 E: [email protected] www.warringhtonfire.com SOCIAL MEDIA EMERGENCY ALERTS
ONLINE WARNINGS WHEN THE THREAT IS HIGH As Australia experiences earlier and more catastrophic starts to the bushfire season, communities are turning to online tools and social media to receive information and warnings about the immediate risks.
20 FIRE AUSTRALIA ISSUE ONE 2020 SOCIAL MEDIA EMERGENCY ALERTS
SOURCE: GOOGLE
especially when electricity and other Australian fire agencies working traditional forms of accessing warnings with Google information are disrupted. As conditions worsened in November The 2011 Queensland floods saw 2019, NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) emergency services, politicians, media engaged Google to provide real-time and community organisations begin to warning information. use platforms like Facebook and Twitter The NSW RFS alert feeds are to share real-time information and alert integrated into Google’s Public the public about the immediate risks. Alerts, which allows the information But Google and Facebook recently to be shared accurately and ensures used a more formalised approach “comprehensive coverage across during the 2019–20 bushfires, which Australia”, Ms Wahl said. saw catastrophic bushfire conditions “We were quickly able to surface the across multiple states. Public Alerts in Google Search, and used Both tech giants are using their SOS Alerts to provide users with more platforms and working with government information,” she said. agencies and other emergency services In response to the bushfires across partners to deliver real-time assistance NSW and Queensland in late 2019, and warnings to disaster prone Google launched the Safety Tips feature communities. across SOS Alert cards on their Search Kia Wahl is the Head of Crisis function. This development helped to Response Partnerships at Google who communicate key safety advice on a says people often search online for large scale and allowed communities to current warnings information during an understand the severity of the fires and emergency. take appropriate action. “As the fires worsened in November Google also worked with the South 2019 we saw more people searching for Australia Country Fire Service (CFS) updates,” Ms Wahl said. to deliver warnings for residents in Google currently provides SOS Alerts South Australia. Ms Wahl said Google is when people search for a specific area working with many other agencies for a or disaster, and interactive alerts through national approach. Google Maps, where users can pinpoint “We are continuing engagement with their location and proximity to the fire and emergency services across all nearest bushfire. iPhone and Android states to ensure we have national alerts The interactive users can also receive alerts through coverage,” she said. map means text notifications and the Google Other fire and emergency services at-risk smartphone application. can partner with Google to share their communities can see their “We want to give people and alerts. bushfire communities the most relevant Agencies should ensure their alerts threat and the information available at the time that follow the Common Alerting Protocol or action being they need it most,” Ms Wahl said. CAP standard—an international standard undertaken on the ground nearby. PHOTO: AFAC
BY COSTA HARITOS AFAC
n the last decade, the World Health Organisation says 2.6 billion people were affected by natural Idisasters, with those figures expected to rise in the future. Quick reactions, effective decision-making and sector collaboration are important when a disaster strikes. The severity and frequency of natural disasters is changing, and so is the way people are accessing public information and warnings when the threat is high. Communities are more readily turning to their mobile devices and social media for assistance during an emergency,
ISSUE ONE 2020 FIRE AUSTRALIA 21 SOCIAL MEDIA EMERGENCY ALERTS
PHOTO: AFAC Google Public Alerts provide an SOS notification system that provides residents with a timely indication of the current emergency situation and advice on what safety precautions to take.
At Google, crisis response also extends beyond natural hazards. Fundraising after a disaster, educational media kits, connectivity services for refugees and translations for doctors and aid workers are all part of Google’s strategy for disaster awareness and resilience.
for publishing and sharing alerts. This at the Emergency Media and Public strategy for disaster awareness and means Google can use a consistent Affairs Conference in June 2019 to resilience. approach to sharing information in an discuss how the company could Ms Wahl at Google Australia said accurate and secure manner. support emergency managers, disaster these initiatives take existing information The Public Alerts using the CAP response tools and crisis mapping data. and apply it. format are automatically pulled from Ms Garlick shared Facebook’s “Emergency services already provide NSW RFS and SA CFS, with any natural insights with the AFAC Warnings Group, a lot of great information in this space, or human-made hazard available for where she spoke about the critical role so by using data from the state-based mass circulation. of social media in emergencies and emergency services we want to make A worldwide collaboration of enhancing community resilience. sure that when people come to Google agencies is also providing information to Community and disaster-focused Search and Maps they can access this Google Public Alerts including Canada, Facebook groups are already a timely and useful bushfire information,” Germany, India and the Philippines. platform for posting eyewitness she said. information, questions, requests for The collaborative approach to Where to next? help and advice, establishing support warnings undertaken this bushfire The team at Google monitors real-time networks within the disaster-affected season will be discussed in more detail threats and natural hazards across the area and facilitating community at the AFAC Warnings Group 2020 globe, 24 hours a day and seven days engagement and involvement in meetings. a week. aid efforts. Ms Wahl said Australia-wide coverage Facebook is also using its platform to The ‘marked as safe’ feature also could be possible through cross-sector share and prepare communities before, allows friends to alert each other of collaboration. during and after a natural hazard. The their status if they are impacted by a “Our teams are always looking for social media platform shares tips for disaster. ways to better support this important response and relief organisations, first At Google, crisis response also area so that we can provide the most responders, government agencies and extends beyond natural hazards. helpful experience to those impacted,” individuals and communities. Fundraising after a disaster, educational Ms Wahl said. Mia Garlick from Facebook Australia media kits, connectivity services for met with communications teams and refugees and translations for doctors See Google Public Alerts in action at experts from the emergency services and aid workers are all part of Google’s google.org/publicalerts.
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A record number of submissions meant the Independently judged awards Fire Protection Industry Awards were hotly contested in 2019.
BY TOM BICKNELL FPA Australia
welve of the fire protection industry's best and brightest were recognised in November Tat the Fire Protection Industry Awards 2019 Gala Dinner, held at the Crown Aviary overlooking the Yarra River in Melbourne. It was the fourth year of the Awards, and it received a record number of submissions across nine independently judged award categories, with two further categories awarded by the FPA Barry Lee Technical Excellence Award: Australia Board. Stephen Caple “The large number of submissions is a fantastic reflection on the industry’s growing drive to champion excellence in the work it does,” said Scott Williams, CEO of Award hosts Fire Protection Association Australia (FPA Australia). “FPA Australia congratulates our deserving award winners, but also our finalists, who stood out in a competitive field. They set a benchmark for all of us in the industry to aim for.” Alongside the nine judged award categories, FPA Australia’s Board of Directors also presented awards to three people identified as having made major personal contributions to the fire protection industry. For the first time, the Board presented an award to one of the Association’s own staff, Chris Wyborn, PHOTOS: for achievements and contributions TOM BICKNELL, beyond the call of duty. Harry Marryatt Fire Protection Company of the Year FPA AUSTRALIA Award (1–49 Employees): Greene Fire
24 FIRE AUSTRALIA ISSUE ONE 2020 FPIA WINNERS REPORT FIRE PROTECTION Independently judged awards INDUSTRY AWARDS RECOGNISE EXCELLENCE
Young Achiever of the Year Award: Harry Marryatt Fire Protection Company of the Qazi Samia Razzaque Year Award (50+ Employees): Crown Melbourne
Fire Protection Project of the Year (over $1 million): Ron Coffey Award for Excellence in Bushfire Protection: Warren Smith & Partners Rod Rose
Fire Protection Project of the Year (under $1 million): Innovative Product and Technology Award: Azzo Project Services FLAIM Systems
ISSUE ONE 2020 FIRE AUSTRALIA 25 FPIA WINNERS REPORT
Independently judged awards “ The large number of submissions is a fantastic reflection on the industry’s growing drive to champion excellence in the work it does,” Scott Williams, CEO of Award hosts FPA Australia
Emerging Fire Protection Industry Leader: Firas Shawash Board-appointed awards
Meritorious Service Award: Mark Whybro AFSM Meritorious Service Award: Chris Wyborn
A V Viscogliosi Award: Glenn Talbot
26 FIRE AUSTRALIA ISSUE ONE 2020
DISASTER INQUIRIES DATABASE
DATABASE CRUCIAL FOR LEARNING
LESSONSAustralia’s emergency services canFROM now easily navigate throughTHE 130 years PAST of data from inquiries, reviews and coronial inquests into natural hazards in one place. The Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC’s Disaster Inquiries Database captures and categorises recommendations, ensuring lessons from the past are not forgotten.
BY GABRIEL ZITO and themes, as all recommendations develop the database. He believes that have been coded into specific it will ensure emergency managers Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC categories. continue to learn from the past. he outcomes of 130 years The functionality of the database “Inquiry recommendations get lost of inquiries and reviews into allows it to be used in a variety of or distorted over time, and so having emergency management and different ways: a place where practitioners can find Tnatural hazards have been captured in ◆ to compare equivalent and search the actual text of inquiry a new database. recommendations between inquiries, recommendations will help with The Disaster Inquiries Database is an themes and jurisdiction understanding the past in order to keep online platform that gives emergency ◆ to track inquiries across jurisdictions, learning for the future,” Dr Eburn said. services the upper hand in learning from years and types “Post-event inquiries are only the past to create a better future. ◆ to download and work with all inquiries helpful if their recommendations are Created by the Bushfire and Natural and listed recommendations as it suits available and not forgotten. Bringing Hazards CRC, the database contains the particular needs of an organisation. together the lessons from past events over 300 inquiries and reviews across all will help practitioners identify trends states and territories. Making data valuable and recurring themes and ensure the The database contains facts Since its release, the platform has lessons of the past are not forgotten.” on all reviews conducted between become a resource for government and Available now for public use, 1886 and 2017, in addition to full emergency management agencies to the database has garnered positive recommendations from 55 inquiries help them recognise past lessons and feedback from those within the carried out from 2009 to 2017. It allows identify effective practices both now and emergency management sector. users to custom search through over into the future. Adrian Birch, a private data analyst 1,300 of these recommendations. CRC researcher Dr Michael Eburn and developer, said that the assembly Users can search and compare from the Australian National University of a repository of inquiries in one place recommendations through keywords was part of the research team that helped greatly assists researchers.
28 FIRE AUSTRALIA ISSUE ONE 2020 DISASTER INQUIRIES DATABASE
Figure 1. Many different inquiry types are available to Figure 2. The most number of inquiries relate to bushfire, analyse in the database. followed by all hazards and technical accidents. SOURCE: BUSHFIRE AND NATURAL HAZARDS CRC
“The inquiries and reports following For example, a search for bushfire CRC Research Director Dr John major natural disasters are produced inquiries on the Disaster Inquiries Bates said that the database is an in the context of powerful community Database shows that between 2009 accessible resource for practitioners. sentiment and political considerations and 2017 there have been 55 inquiries, “The database’s multifunctionality such that, despite their best intentions, resulting in 811 recommendations. is really what makes it exciting for investigators often struggle to produce Most recommendations relate to researchers and agency personnel reports that are fully objective and ‘doctrine, standards and reform’, with 106 alike. Combining past learnings and complete. individual recommendations. ‘incident recommendations from major inquiries “The CRC’s new Disaster Inquiries management teams’ and ‘emergency into bushfires, flooding and cyclones Database enables researchers to management agency and authority’ have in the one place gives a holistic more effectively distil the accumulated also had many related recommendations, overview for emergency management wisdom from across a large and growing with 71 and 64 respectively. in Australia. body of inquiry reports,” Mr Birch said. Between 2009 to 2017, 15 flood- “We’re proud to be able to provide to Volunteer National Incident related inquiries have been conducted. emergency services a place where they Management Officer for Australian The database allows users to easily can get all the information from past Red Cross Stephen Sennett said that identify the recommendations events that will help to create a safer the system is “absolutely fantastic”. made by, and outcomes of, these future for Australian communities,” “Such a relatively simple system, inquiries. From these inquiries, Dr Bates said. but such an incredible amount of 328 total recommendations have knowledge contained within. It been made, with most relating to The Disaster Inquiries Database is an outcome really is such a potentially powerful ‘land use and building regulations’ of the CRC’s Tactical Research Fund project, tool, and brilliant that it enables (61 recommendations), ‘government Major post-event inquiries and reviews: review practitioners from across the sector responsibility’ (33 recommendations) of recommendations project, completed in to assess such a wide range of and ‘doctrine, standards and reform’ 2017 and commissioned by AFAC. knowledge,” Mr Sennett said. (30 recommendations). Explore it at bnhcrc.com.au/utilisation/ddr.
ISSUE ONE 2020 FIRE AUSTRALIA 29 ACCREDITATION UPDATE PHOTO: AND???? SULLIVAN, CSIRO
NEW DEVELOPMENTS WITH FPAS
Several significant new developments Extension for NSW Government under NSW legislation. with the Fire Protection Accreditation recognition of FPAS After this point, only CFSPs will be Scheme (FPAS) have happened over The NSW Government has extended the able to legally conduct the work covered deadline for formal recognition of FPAS, by these two classes of accreditation, the last six months. following a request from Fire Protection and individuals will only be able to Association Australia (FPA Australia), become a CFSP by holding FPAS FSA BY TOM BICKNELL which operates the accreditation or FSD accreditation, or accreditation scheme. under other future schemes recognised FPA Australia The original January 2020 gazettal by the NSW Government. riven in particular by legislative date has now been extended to 6 April “The extension is an opportunity for requirements in NSW, the 2020. The extension gives industry anyone doing fire safety assessment Fire Protection Accreditation practitioners extra time to gain FPAS or fire systems design work in NSW to DScheme (FPAS) has undergone several accreditation that identifies them as gain their FPAS accreditation before significant recent developments. ‘competent fire safety practitioners’ the new rules are implemented,” said (CFSPs), before such accreditation FPA Australia's Chris Wyborn, General becomes mandatory for certain types of Manager – Training, Accreditation and fire protection work in NSW. Bushfire Services. After 6 April 2020, individuals holding “We encourage anyone doing this FPAS Fire Safety Assessment (FSA) or work to gain the right accreditation Fire Systems Design (FSD) accreditation before 6 April 2020 to avoid any will be officially recognised as CFSPs disruption to their business.”
30 FIRE AUSTRALIA ISSUE ONE 2020 ACCREDITATION UPDATE
More than 900 individuals were to better reflect industry work practices FPA Australia applying or had applied for FSA and align with existing job roles. has launched a new Interim accreditation at the time of writing. Register for More than 70 individuals currently hold Fire Safety Assessment (FSA) fire system FSD accreditation, while more than 50 New Fire Safety Statement form: designers. additional individuals have committed The NSW Government has released a to gaining it by signing up to the FSD new Fire Safety Statement (FSS) form. Interim Register. The new form (Version 3) will apply to all fire safety statements from 1 February Fire Systems Design (FSD) 2020. Prior to that date the previous Fire Systems Design—NSW form (Version 2) applies. The new FSS Interim Register: FPA Australia has form incorporates significant feedback launched a new Interim Register for from FPA Australia to make it easier practitioners who currently conduct to use. design work of fire sprinkler systems, More EFSM assessments fire hydrant and hose reel systems, available: The final set of Essential Fire and fire detection and alarm systems. Safety Measure (EFSM) assessments Practitioners on the Interim Register was released in January. Applicants are must meet FPA Australia's minimum now able to undertake assessments requirements for experience, insurance for all 36 EFSMs under the FSA class of and professional conduct, and have accreditation through FPA Australia’s committed to future FSD accreditation online training platform. under FPAS. Guide for FSA assessments: This new Interim Register Don’t forget there is a guide available to complements the existing Fire Systems help FSA accreditation applicants with Design—Accredited Practitioner the assessment process. We encourage Register, which lists individuals who hold applicants to read this guide, and to take the FPAS Fire Systems Design (FSD) their time with their assessments. class of accreditation. Review of minimum experience FSD restricted levels: In requirements: FPA Australia is response to industry feedback, reviewing the minimum experience two new restricted levels of FSD requirements that individuals need accreditation have been introduced. to satisfy in order to apply for FSA Sitting underneath unrestricted Level 3 accreditation. The review will consider (Advanced) accreditation, the two new whether experience from other roles in levels are Level 2 (Intermediate) and the fire protection industry can be used Level 1 (Basic). in lieu of specific FSA experience. These restricted levels will soon be The review will also consider whether available for all three categories of FSD different experience requirements accreditation: fire sprinkler systems, should be considered based on fire hydrant and hose reel systems, and the complexity of a specific EFSM. fire detection and alarm systems. The Details of the review’s outcome will be restricted levels are being introduced released soon. WASTE MANAGEMENT FORUM PHOTO: METROPOLITAN FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES BOARD FIRE RISKS PILE UP
The AFAC Waste Management Forum hosted vital discussions and facilitated problem-solving across sectors to address the increasing fire safety risk in waste processing and storage facilities.
Firefighters BY ALANA BEITZ regulators, government, industry and associated risks: respond to private landholders, the need for an ◆ develop a greater multi-agency AFAC the Tottenham improved and cohesive approach to approach to better address risks warehouse y the time firefighters arrived at managing fire risks at waste facilities ◆ consider industry roadshows to educate fire in August 2018. the Tottenham warehouse fire on is required. owners, workers, first responders and 30 August 2018 in Melbourne’s In October 2019, waste management the community around risks and best Bwest, the 100 by 200 metre structure regulators and emergency response practice was fully alight. It took 14 hours to bring representatives attended the AFAC Waste ◆ lobby and influence the supply chain the blaze under control, as firefighting Management Forum in Melbourne to regarding the end-of-life disposal of tactics were hindered by walls of shipping improve understanding of the growing goods and packaging containers and 200-litre drums. community safety risk. The forum shared ◆ include industry representatives at Seven months later, on 5 April 2019, case studies from Victoria and NSW future waste management forums to another warehouse at Campbellfield to provide insights from fire services better understand the pressures they in Melbourne’s north caught alight and and regulators, and highlight the experience took several days to extinguish. The persisting issues. ◆ consider international approaches for a registered dangerous goods site had its With fire services, environmental broader perspective. licence suspended just one day earlier protection agencies and other relevant by Victoria’s Environmental Protection regulators represented at the forum, Victoria interim inquiry findings Authority (EPA) when 300,000 litres of attendees could identify key risks from In August 2019, Victoria’s Legislative chemicals—double its permitted limit— across sectors, including: Council Environment and Planning was found on the premises. ◆ a lack of harmonious legislation, Committee published the Inquiry into The illegal and unsafe stockpiling standards and regulations recycling and waste management interim of waste is creating an unstable work ◆ inconsistent definitions across report. Highlighting three significant waste environment for firefighters, tied to the jurisdictions fires in Melbourne (Campbellfield in 2019, complex issue of waste management in ◆ a need for better land-use planning for Tottenham in 2018 and Coolaroo in 2017), Australia. Australia’s National Waste Policy facilities to be further away from built- the interim report identified an urgent need estimates each Australian generates up and environmentally sensitive areas to deal with the risks of stockpiling materials 2.7 tonnes of waste each year and our ◆ a need for better intelligence collection and the threat they pose to community and growing population continues to drive an and sharing environmental health and safety. It provided upward trend of waste generation. ◆ a need for analysis to demonstrate six preliminary findings addressing: effectiveness of action. ◆ serious risk to emergency services Forum seeks clear path forward The forum also considered steps personnel from regulatory non- With responsibility distributed across forward that may support a more effective compliance by private companies and emergency management, environmental approach to waste management and individuals
32 FIRE AUSTRALIA ISSUE ONE 2020 WASTE MANAGEMENT FORUM
◆ adverse health impacts reported by some community members as a result of the fires ◆ strengthening public awareness about emergency communication channels in metropolitan areas ◆ inadequate communication from relevant agencies to the community about public health risks during and after the emergency ◆ inadequate investigatory, compliance and enforcement responses to reported pollution events, particularly in metropolitan waterways, in recent years
◆ regulatory overlap and a lack of a MFB PHOTOS: coordinated approach to fire safety regulation in the waste and resource recovery industry. Firefighters blind to risks Inquiry submissions from the Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Services Board (MFB) and the Victorian branch of the United Firefighters’ Union (UFU) addressed the issue of firefighters attending fires involving unknown quantities of unknown chemicals at illegal or unsafe storage facilities. The UFU likened these scenarios to an “ambush” that increases the risk of injury, illness or Multi-agency death to firefighters because of the lack of harmful smoke and forced the closure steps to reduce the likelihood and media of warning or placarding to alert them to of several schools and evacuation of severity of a fire, and explain how to assist briefing at the what they are confronting. residents from nearby streets. The interim firefighting intervention and the protection Campbellfield warehouse Following the Campbellfield fire, 68 report found the biggest impact to the of life, property and the environment. fire (above). MFB staff reported 72 incidents that community was the distress caused by AFAC will continue discussions resulted in harm, injury or damage. The multiple fires and uncertainty resulting through the Community Safety Group and Tottenham Tottenham fire led to 609 reports by from a lack of government agency Built Environment and Planning Technical warehouse 467 individuals, with the majority from communication. Group to develop a nationally-consistent fire in operational firefighters. Impacts reported guideline to inform decision-making and Melbourne (top and left). included sore eyes, sinus infections, Clean up needs coordination facilitate a coordinated approach to this severe headaches, fatigue, memory In its submission, the MFB noted that increasingly complex community and loss, flu-like symptoms, lung irritation, duties to ensure fire safety were spread workplace safety issue. recurring nosebleeds and skin rashes across agencies, creating uncertainty after attending the fires. about who should act in certain situations Parliament of Victoria Inquiry into recycling and with what authority. The MFB and waste management: interim report: Risks flow on from fire promoted an ‘all hazards, all agencies’ www.parliament.vic.gov.au/file_uploads/ The Tottenham fire burned for several days approach, frequently practiced by the EPC_Inquiry_into_recycling_and_waste_ before it was extinguished. It was classed emergency management sector, to unify management_HgDFzybL.pdf. by the MFB as an eighth alarm—the the efforts of stakeholder agencies. highest category given to an emergency In Victoria, the Resource Recovery Fire and Rescue NSW Fire safety in waste response. The risk was not restricted to Facilities Audit Taskforce was established facilities: www.fire.nsw.gov.au/gallery/files/ the fire site, with pollution flowing into following the Coolaroo fire in 2017 to pdf/guidelines/guidelines_fire_safety_in_ nearby waterways and blanketing the city inspect recycling facilities and tackle waste_facilities.pdf. in harmful smoke. An EPA analysis of Stony dangerous stockpiling practices. Chaired Creek near the site showed a range of by the EPA, the taskforce comprises of Resource Recovery Facilities Audit Taskforce: chemicals flowed into the creek as a result representatives from MFB, Country Fire https://apps.epa.vic.gov.au/our-work/ of the fire, including detergents, industrial Authority, Emergency Management programs/victorian-government-resource- solvents and per- and poly-fluoroalkyl Victoria, WorkSafe Victoria and the recovery-facilities-audit-taskforce. substances (PFAS), causing the death of Department of Environment, Land, Water fish and other aquatic life. and Planning. National Waste Policy 2018: Air quality monitoring showed a Fire and Rescue NSW released the www.environment.gov.au/system/files/ ‘very poor’ rating at times during the Fire safety in waste facilities guideline resources/d523f4e9-d958-466b-9fd1- Tottenham incident. Likewise, the in October 2019. The guideline aims to 3b7d6283f006/files/national-waste- Campbellfield fire emitted a large amount empower waste facilities with practical policy-2018.pdf.
ISSUE ONE 2020 FIRE AUSTRALIA 33 STUDENT SHOWCASE
PHOTO: CYCLONE TESTING STATION, JAMES COOK UNIVERSITY
Dr Korah Parackal (right) and Mitchell Humphreys at the James Cook University Cyclone testing Station.
the emergency management sector; its opportunities and challenges. So far, 65 of the 142 student researchers have completed their studies, with the remaining students expected to finish over the next three years. Here are short snapshots on five SHOWCASING recent PhD graduates. KEEPING A ROOF OVER OUR HEADS— DR KORAH PARACKAL Dr Korah Parackal is on the forefront of analysing and assessing the ways that As Australia experiences natural hazards of increasing frequency and cyclones and other strong winds impact PhD SUCCESS housing. In his PhD study, completed severity, emergency services need information and tools to support them in making critical decisions. The Bushfire and Natural Hazards at James Cook University (JCU) in Townsville, Dr Parackal examined the CRC’s postgraduate program is contributing new knowledge to dangers of losing fasteners on the roof the sector. of a home during a cyclone. “My PhD research studied the way roofing connections of houses fail in a BY GABRIEL ZITO The Bushfire and Natural Hazards progressive or cascading manner during CRC’s postgraduate research program severe winds. I was able to determine Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC is contributing to the new knowledge what parts of the roof are most ushfire and Natural Hazards emergency services require to make vulnerable and how damage spreads,” CRC PhD researchers are at critical decisions in natural hazards, which Dr Parackal explained. the forefront of science in the are becoming increasingly frequent and Using a wind tunnel to test the Bemergency services. They are valued more severe. connections of fasteners, Dr Parackal within emergency service agencies and The program, with both full combined the results with surveys governments for their skills as leaders who scholarship and associate students, of past cyclone damage across apply critical thinking to the problems we provides PhD and master’s students with Queensland to create a model face, and they are sought after within not- the opportunity to engage with industry that demonstrates progressive and for-profits, business and consultancies. leaders and gain an understanding of cascading failures within a simulation.
34 FIRE AUSTRALIA ISSUE ONE 2020 STUDENT SHOWCASE
PHOTO: DR EMMA SINGH The outcomes of Dr Parackal’s PhD have allowed for the design and construction of more resilient structural systems and techniques for strengthening existing structures. “This research can allow engineers to develop codes and guidelines for retrofitting older structures. “Additionally, it allows us to develop more accurate vulnerability models that are used to assess risk,” Dr Parackal said. Completing his PhD in December 2018, Dr Parackal has since joined the research team of the CRC project Improving the resilience of existing housing to severe wind events, led by Professor John Ginger and Dr David Henderson at JCU’s Cyclone Testing Station. Findings from this research were used to inform the Queensland Department of Housing and Public Work’s Household Resilience Program, which received the 2019 Get Ready Queensland Resilient Australia Government Award. In May 2018, Dr Parackal was a finalist in the Early Career Researcher competition conducted by the CRC Association, presenting his research and thesis in a short 30-second video that showcased his communication skills. FROM PhD TO AGENCY— DR ALEX HOLMES The NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) is fire and land management agencies caused by service failure. Dr Emma seeing the direct benefit of the CRC’s with a better understanding of the It wasn’t just Japan that Dr Singh Singh at postgraduate program, with Dr Alex mechanics behind soil moisture deficits drew her research experience from: Mount Holmes joining the NSW RFS upon and their influence on fire intensity. she regularly visited key volcanic sites Vesuvius in Italy. completing his PhD at Monash University overseas and spoke at international in 2018. LIFELINE LINKS INFRASTRUCTURE— conferences in New Zealand, Italy and As a Research Officer for the DR EMMA SINGH the United States. NSW RFS, Dr Holmes is responsible Specialising in volcanoes, Dr Emma Dr Singh’s research was recently for producing computer programs and Singh clocked up plenty of kilometres showcased in the CRC’s Hazard Note code to manipulate and create datasets, in the air for her PhD research. Her PhD 66: can graph theory help prepare for as well as analyse their physical combined natural hazard modelling lifeline failure during a disaster? Read properties. Part of his role also includes and analysis with graph theory tools to the Hazard Note at bnhcrc.com.au/ researching potential improvements in provide a better understanding of the hazardnotes/66. the models used by the Australian Fire impacts of lifeline failure during natural Danger Rating System. hazards, providing a foundation for UNDERSTANDING YOUTHS’ Dr Holmes’ research investigated emergency services to assess potential RELATIONSHIPS WITH FIRE— the effects of soil moisture, temperature exposure risk. DR KAMARAH POOLEY and precipitation extremes on fire risk Now working as a Catastrophe With experience in a fire service, and intensity. His findings have been and Climate Risk Consultant at Willis university and now the Australian Institute used in establishing the high-resolution Towers Watson in London, Dr Singh’s of Criminology, Dr Kamarah Pooley has soil moisture JULES-based Australian thesis focused on the exposure of road been making strides within her field. Soil Moisture Information System, networks to volcanic ash from a future Dr Pooley graduated in July 2017, with which provides greater accuracy than eruption at Mount Fuji in Japan. She her PhD taking an in-depth look at the previous models. worked closely with local governments complex and covert behaviour of those “The research showed that fire in Japan to better understand how who misuse fire—a topic that has caused intensity increases logarithmically with ash-induced road closures can impact much community concern. decreasing moisture. This means that evacuation plans and community The reduction of youth misuse of fire larger and more intense fires are likely recovery post-eruption. relies heavily on preventive initiatives to occur closer to population centres The methods that her research that are increasingly becoming the located around the coasts of Australia developed can be applied to any responsibility of fire and rescue services. as climate change exacerbates drought natural hazard or lifeline network to Her thesis examined how the youth conditions,” Dr Holmes explained. identify at-risk critical infrastructure justice system operated in respect to the Dr Holmes’ research has provided and determine the potential disruption memorandum and observed the way in
ISSUE ONE 2020 FIRE AUSTRALIA 35 STUDENT SHOWCASE PHOTO: AVIANTO AMRI
Avianto’s research is which firefighter participation impacted with earthquake relief operations, learn about disaster preparedness with helping to on the future prevention of youths working as the Deputy Emergency children in a fun and interactive way. empower misusing fire. Response Manager for Field “It’s not just the children learning— children through a The results from her work showed Implementation. Less than a year later, we’ve found that parents and teachers disaster- that, while there are some areas in need the 14 January 2016 terrorist attacks are challenged by the children as oriented of improvement within the system, youth took place only a few blocks away from their curiosity drives them to ask board game. justice conferencing with firefighter his home in Jakarta. more questions related to disaster involvement can provide a reduction in Mr Amri presented at a workshop preparedness,” Mr Amri said. the risk of general repeat offending. held by the Association of Southeast The board game, which is cheap Dr Pooley is now using her skills in Asian Nations as part of its Safe and scalable, is currently being used a Senior Research Analyst role with School Initiative in July this year, and by agencies and practitioners across the Australian Institute of Criminology. in December 2018, spoke at the Asian Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia and Previously she was a post-doctoral Disaster Reduction and Response Thailand, and forms part of a broader researcher at the Queensland University Network’s Regional Innovation Forum, toolkit that includes worksheets, of Technology, a senior firefighter, allowing him to pitch his research to a templates, tips and preparedness items and a Community Engagement and broad audience. for hazard types. Research Directorate Project Officer Mr Amri’s PhD has developed and At the time of printing, Mr Amri with Fire and Rescue NSW, where she applied a set of tools that enables had submitted his PhD through received the International Association parents to engage with their children in Macquarie University and was awaiting for Public Participation ‘Advocating for a meaningful discussion on household confirmation. Engagement’ Award for 2019. disaster preparedness planning. These highlights are just an example His new innovative education of the many ways the CRC postgraduate WINNING AT DISASTER research will empower children to research program is contributing to PREPAREDNESS—AVIANTO AMRI engage with parents and build disaster the broader body of research that is Avianto Amri has been involved in his fair resilient households in a meaningful way benefiting the emergency management share of crisis and disaster management through the creation of the interactive sector and researchers. situations. board game PREDIKT, Mr Amri explained. In 2015, Avianto was deployed to “PREDIKT provides the ammunition For more information visit Nepal with Plan International to assist for teachers and parents to play and bnhcrc.com.au/education.
36 FIRE AUSTRALIA ISSUE ONE 2020 GRENFELL REPORT GRENFELL INQUIRY IDENTIFIES FAILINGS IN LONDON FIRE BRIGADE RESPONSE
Early failure of fire compartmentation rendered an SHUTTERSTOCK PHOTO: established ‘stay put’ doctrine ineffective, according to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.
BY TOM BICKNELL FPA Australia
lack of coordination and training, poor information sharing andA a fixation on a ‘stay put’ strategy by the London Fire Brigade meant fatalities in London’s Grenfell Tower fire were higher than they could have been, according to findings from an inquiry into the 2017 fire. More lives could have been saved if the ‘stay put’ strategy was abandoned earlier, the report found. The findings were released in October in the Phase One Report of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, In its forensic analysis of the which explored the cause of the fire, the timeline of its spread through progression of the fire through the the building and the response of emergency services. building, the report highlighted While inquiry chair Sir Martin Moore-Bick, a retired judge, praised early loss of compartmentation as the “extraordinary courage” of individual firefighters in the report, a critical element. The spread of he identified a number of institutional failings in the response of the the fire up the sides of the building London Fire Brigade (LFB) to the fire. due to its combustible cladding In particular, he said there likely would have been fewer fatalities meant the fire rapidly entered if the LFB had acted more quickly to change its standard ‘stay put’ many apartments. strategy. “Once it was clear that the fire was out of control and that ◆ failure of key fire protection measures inside the tower, particularly compartmentation had failed, a decision should have been taken to fire doors which were left open or wouldn’t close properly. organise the evacuation of the tower while that remained possible,” Sir Moore-Bick said in the report. “The best part of an hour was lost In response to the inquiry’s findings, the report made 35 before AC Roe revoked the ‘stay put’ advice.” recommendations. These include changes to the availability of Under the ‘stay put’ strategy, residents calling emergency services information to emergency services about buildings and combustible were told to remain in their apartments and await rescue. The strategy cladding, communication within the LFB, evacuation of high-rise is based on the understanding that high-rise apartment buildings are buildings, provision of fire safety information to residents, and designed using compartmentation to ensure fire can’t spread from inspections of fire doors, sprinklers and other fire safety measures. one apartment to another. The Grenfell Tower Inquiry will now progress to Phase Two, which In its forensic analysis of the progression of the fire through the will explore the individual circumstances of each fatality in the fire, building, the report highlighted early loss of compartmentation the refurbishment of the building that led to the use of combustible as a critical element. The spread of the fire up the sides of the cladding, and the routine service of fire protection measures in the building due to its combustible cladding meant the fire rapidly building and their regulatory compliance, among other factors. entered many apartments. The report attributed the loss of effective While the inquiry’s second stage will unpack in detail the compartmentation to: circumstances surrounding the use of combustible cladding, ◆ failure of windows in the intense heat, allowing fire to penetrate Sir Moore-Bick stressed the findings of Phase One underlined the apartments need to progress remedial work on buildings fitted with combustible ◆ kitchen extractor fans which deformed and provided a point of entry cladding “as vigorously as possible”.
ISSUE ONE 2020 FIRE AUSTRALIA 37 FIREFIGHTING FOAM
PHOTOS: 3F LIMITED FIGURE 1. Solvent-free F3 foam at 5% at 12 weeks. FIGURE 2. Standard F3 foam at 3% at 12 weeks. WHY IS SOLVENT-FREE
FOAMGlycol solvents used ESSENTIAL?in many common fluorine-free firefighting foams come with the potential for significant environmental and performance cost.
BY GARY MCDOWALL solvent-free foams (SFs) is lesser known. chemical oxygen demand (COD). When What are solvent-free foams, and why released into water they can rapidly deplete 3F Limited are they important to fire protection? oxygen levels, potentially overloading water he fire protection industry Solvents have historically been used treatment plants or resulting in asphyxiation is familiar with changes in in foam as stabilising agents, antifreeze of wildlife in waterways. firefighting foam (FFF) policies, protection and solubilisers. The solvents ‘Solvent-free’ means the foam Twhich ban or restrict the use of foam used in firefighting foams do pose some concentrate does not contain solvents containing fluorinated compounds. The risks to health and the environment, normally used in firefighting formulations importance of fluorine-free foams (F3s) however. Solvents have a significant such as Butyl Di-Glycol (BDG), Mono is well understood; however, the role of organic load, which means they have a high Ethylene Glycol (MEG) and Mono
38 FIRE AUSTRALIA ISSUE ONE 2020 FIREFIGHTING FOAM
Propylene Glycol (MPG). These types of has a COD of only 185 g/l. Both foams fixed system manufacturers use higher glycols are generally low-cost additives are fluorine-free and have no long-term percentages in their systems and used in firefighting foams to stabilise the detrimental impact on the environment. portables from 5 to 25% by volume. foam bubble, lower the freezing point However, the short-term impact on The images accompanying this and solubilise the foam concentrate. oxygen demand of the solvent-free article show an example of a solvent-free Even a standard fluorine-free 3% foam foam is less than half that of the similar F3 foam at 5% (left) next to a standard concentrate can contain as much as fluorine-free foam. F3 foam at 3% (right) after 12 weeks in 15% glycols within its formulation. solution. The difference is obvious, with There are two main reasons why end Foam solution stability the concentrates noticeably dropping users should choose solvent-free foam The modern-day Class B F3 foams use out of solution in the standard F3 foam. concentrates—one is environmental, a type of xanthan gum in formulations Fixed systems and portable units and the other is the stability of the foam to overcome the removal of fluoro have set periods for functional discharge when it is in solution. surfactants from their formulations. This testing as defined in various standards is, in fact, the active matter required to and can range from one to five years, Environmental achieve extinction of Class B liquid fuels yet manufacturers of these systems are Solvents are the forgotten pollutants and is the reason most ‘F3’ foams are unaware that by that point the foam when end users are considering their pseudo plastic (gum-like). The latest of pre-mix they are using will have dropped future foam choices. While fluorinated this new generation of foams have very out of solution and is unlikely to reach foams rightly generate concern about high performance and easily achieve 1A the performance levels expected for long-term environmental damage ratings in EN1568, for example on both that system. We have tested six F3s of and health risks, the chemical oxygen Heptane and polar solvent fuels. various manufacturers at between 1 demand of glycol solvents also However, there is a serious issue and 10%, and have found all of them comes with a significant short-term with F3 foam concentrate when unstable in solution. The only way to environmental cost. it is used in fixed systems or hand overcome this instability in solution is to Removing glycols from firefighting portables (extinguishers) where the use solvent-free foam concentrates. foam formulations will reduce COD by foam concentrate is pre-mixed with more than 50%. As an example, a well- water. If the foam concentrate contains Disclaimer: the views and opinions known fluorine-free foam used at 3% solvents, the foam solution is completely expressed in this article are those of the will have a COD of 397 grams per litre, unstable, even at percentages as low as authors and do not necessarily reflect whereas a solvent-free and fluorine-free 1%, and this results in the gum dropping the official policy or position of the foam produced by 3F also used at 3% out of solution within 12 weeks. In fact, publishers.
Connecting communities. Creating resilience
ADELAIDE CONVENTION CENTRE 25 – 28 AUGUST 2020 Ambulance/Medical
afacconference.com.au #afac20
Principal Partners
ISSUE FOUR 2019 FIRE AUSTRALIA 39 BUSHFIRE REVIEW TASMAN FIRES: NEW ZEALAND’S NEW NORM? A review of the Tasman fires urges New Zealand to prepare, as bushfires may increasingly become part of the country’s hazard landscape.
BY ALANA BEITZ deliberate decision was taken to include proactively seeking external reviews two Fire & Emergency NZ personnel with of significant events. The review team AFAC rural and urban backgrounds in order to noted the request as a demonstration FAC’s independent operational provide local knowledge and expertise to of Fire & Emergency NZ’s wish to be a review of the Tasman fires the review, the conclusions of the review learning organisation and endeavoured near Nelson, New Zealand has were arrived at independently of Fire & that their review should support them. deliveredA 12 recommendations for Fire Emergency NZ. and Emergency New Zealand (Fire & The team carried out field work Challenges for containment Emergency NZ). in New Zealand between 5 and Recollections from first responders In early February 2019, a fire started 14 June 2019, meeting with Fire & on the day the fire broke out suggest in the Pigeon Valley and burned more Emergency NZ personnel and staff conditions were not that unusual or than 2,300 hectares, including significant from other agencies, government and severe. During 5 to 13 February, midday areas of mature pine plantation. In the representative bodies. They visited the temperatures sat between 16 and days and weeks that followed, other fireground, discussed the suppression 27 degrees Celsius, relative humidity fires broke out at Rabbit Island, Atawhai, strategies used and considered ranged from 30 to 81% and wind speeds Moutere Hill and Dovedale Hill. These documentation relevant to emergency ranged between 6.8 and 17.6 kilometres fires have collectively been termed the management risk reduction, readiness, per hour. However, extended drought ‘Tasman fires’. response and recovery. across New Zealand had primed the In the lead-up to ignition, the region The review was conducted at the landscape for fire, with only 3 and had experienced ten days of ‘Extreme’ request of Fire & Emergency NZ, 5 millimetres falling in January 2019 and Remotely forest fire danger and 16 days of ‘Very continuing a history of New Zealand fire the last significant rainfall recorded on piloted aircraft High’ danger. In response to the dry and emergency management agencies the 26th December 2018. system being spell, Fire & Emergency NZ declared a used to assess conditions on prohibited fire season (or total fire ban) the Pigeon Valley across the Nelson and Tasman regions fireground. on 27 January. Although fire is often not considered a major natural hazard in New Zealand, the review pointed to the emerging risk driven by increasing temperatures and decreasing rainfalls exacerbated by climate change. The review urged New Zealand’s emergency services and public to expect and prepare for increasing fire threats. The review process The review was conducted by a team with broad and varied experience of urban fire, rural fire, forestry, land management and aviation operations from both Australia and New Zealand. The team was led by ACT Parks and Conservation Service Fire Manager Neil Cooper, and included AFAC Director Capability and Assurance Paul Considine, Fire & Emergency NZ Regional Manager Bryan Cartelle and Fire Assistant Area Commander Darryl Papesch. While a
40 FIRE AUSTRALIA ISSUE ONE 2020 BUSHFIRE REVIEW
On 5 February 2019, a tractor multiple outbuildings, plastic water tanks The review stated that the climate working in a rocky paddock of almost and lines, fences, shelterbelts, native change implications for New Zealand completely cured grass ignited a fire in forest and pastures. Approximately in terms of the incidence of fire are the Pigeon Valley. The fire grew quickly 3,000 people and 700 livestock and pets “potentially profound”, adding that the under the dry conditions and advanced from the surrounding valleys evacuated possibility of multiple simultaneous toward adjacent forestry blocks where it during the fire. incidents associated with a warming continued to spread rapidly uphill. climate will make firefighting efforts Suppression efforts were impacted A new hazard landscape more difficult to resource if not by the fire’s location in a convergence There are precedents for this event addressed. zone, where the north-east and south- in recorded New Zealand history, but Other key conclusions of the review west winds were observed to meet not many. The review observed that focused on refining and updating existing and swirl over the fire site almost daily, community preparedness is negatively procedures around the risk reduction, until one eventually dominated. Slope, impacted by the perception that fire readiness, response and recovery phases combined with the wind and fuel type, is not a major natural hazard for the of emergency management. The review’s also contributed to faster spotting and country. Although the number of high findings were not that these procedures spreading of the fire, overriding the fire danger days is currently low in New were necessarily deficient at the time effects of downhill slopes and gullies Zealand, the trends of decreasing rain they had been introduced—overall, the that would typically slow a fire’s spread. and increasing temperatures associated procedures led to positive outcomes in Surrounding valleys also contributed to with climate change drives the likelihood the Tasman fires—but rather that they funnelling of the winds and therefore the of more severe events. had to be refreshed and adapted to cope fire spread direction. In January, Fire & Emergency NZ with the future fire regime that might be The fire’s extreme behaviour made advised the public of elevated fire expected for New Zealand. aerial attack and heavy machinery conditions, cancelled all fire permits and Without an extensive history of installing containment lines the closed public access of all forests and large vegetation fires, it is a credit to preferred suppression strategy. Heavy high-risk areas. Despite this, the general those involved that this significant fuel loadings, steep terrain and extreme impression was this was a ‘one-off’ event incident was managed without loss fire behaviour meant that it was judged and the review team commonly heard, of life, major injury or extensive loss too dangerous to undertake initial “it won’t happen again in my lifetime”— to the built environment. The review ground attack. indicating a reluctance by some to advised that the outcomes should give While no human life was lost as a incorporate fire protection into their day- the community in New Zealand a level result of this event, the physical and to-day business or home life. To rebut, of confidence that Fire & Emergency economic damage to property and the the review offered this comment: NZ is able to manage these significant environment in the region was extensive. “If there is one high-level message incidents, take appropriate actions and The fire destroyed significant amounts that this review communicates with the remain open to learning from events, of commercial forest, one home and New Zealand public, we hope it will be such as the Tasman fires, with the aim of that fires of this kind must be expected to achieving continuous improvement. occur more frequently in the future, and all stakeholders involved, down Access the full AFAC independent operation to the level of individual residents in review of the Tasman fires here: fire-prone areas, need to prepare for that.” www.fireandemergency.nz/research-and- reports/tasman-fires-operational-review.
A firefighting aircraft refills from a residential swimming pool during the Tasman fires. Crews work in forestry blocks on the Pigeon Valley fire.
PHOTOS: FIRE & EMERGENCY NZ
ISSUE FOUR 2019 FIRE AUSTRALIA 41 CULTURAL BURNING
PHOTO: AFAC
Uncle David Wandin CONVERSATIONS and Victor Steffensen at the AFAC19 Professional ON COUNTRY ABOUT Development CULTURAL BURNING Program. As part of the AFAC19 Professional Development Program, Traditional Owners and Indigenous and non-Indigenous fire practitioners and agency representatives walked together on Wurundjeri land (Healesville, Yarra Ranges) to discuss cultural burning for management outcomes.
BY ALANA BEITZ as part of the AFAC19 Professional The group, comprising of people Development Program. from across Australia, New Zealand and AFAC The field trip provided an opportunity Canada, was welcomed onto Country for Traditional Owners, Indigenous at the gates of Healesville Sanctuary by ecent fires across Australia have fire practitioners and fire and land Wurundjeri Elder Uncle David Wandin. turned public attention to hazard management agency representatives “Importantly, this day is not about reduction burning, with much of to walk on Country together while fire, it’s about culture. It’s about having Rthe media about mitigation focusing on discussing their responsibilities and conversations about Country, on the use of traditional burning methods connection to the land. The group of Country,” Uncle David said. for reducing fuel loads across Australia. 40 people travelled to Melbourne’s At the burn site, Lisa Stuart of The movement to reintroduce these Yarra Ranges and visited two sites: a Healesville Sanctuary introduced the burning practices onto the Australian location in Healesville where Forest area to the group, as well as some of the landscape has long been accompanied Management Victoria recently issues they were attempting to address by regulatory and cultural barriers. To conducted a planned burn for through the burn, such as depleted address these, in August 2019 a field trip Healesville Sanctuary, and Coranderrk biodiversity and weed infestations. to bring Indigenous and non-Indigenous Station, owned by the Wandoon Estate Uncle David and Indigenous fire fire practitioners together was hosted Aboriginal Corporation. practitioner Victor Steffensen provided
42 FIRE AUSTRALIA ISSUE ONE 2020 CULTURAL BURNING
an assessment of the burn area, pointing must be patient when developing these insight to the methodologies, lore and to burn marks on the trees and regrowth relationships and be willing to share holistic approaches of Indigenous underfoot to explain the fire’s short and authority. fire management, and to have a long-term impacts to the area and its “From an agency perspective you conversation ‘about Country, on Country’ occupants. need to establish trust, you can’t assume to help shift their thinking toward new “It’s not just about us; we need to it. Because why would there be trust? It’s ways of approaching fire management. think about what lives under the bark, going to take longer, but it’s crucial for Importantly, the field trip empowered in the ground, above in the trees. This these relationships,” he said. the participants to continue the is much more than just maintaining our The group moved to the second conversation when they returned safety and burning off bushfire risk, it’s site of the field trip, Coranderrk Station, home, while recognising that the ensuring that we, and everything else to continue the conversation. Uncle arrangements and partnerships to that inhabits this area, can come back David shared his vision of creating a support the reignition of cultural fire and live in it,” Uncle David said. demonstration site on the property to across Australia will be as diverse and Uncle David identified the common showcase how primary producers can unique as the communities involved in fear of fire as a major barrier to the work alongside fire and increase their their establishment. implementation of regular ‘cool burning’ productivity by returning pastoral land to manage landscapes in in Australia. to ecology. “We use the language of war when CFA State-wide Cultural Heritage we talk about fire. We’re ‘attacked’ by Advisor Michael Sherwen took the fire. We have fire ‘fighters’. We use big opportunity to reiterate the message that FIND OUT MORE ABOUT CULTURAL BURNING IN AUSTRALIA: trucks and ‘bomb’ fire from the sky with Indigenous fire management activities aeroplanes,” he said. need to be done with the community, by The Centre of Excellence for Prescribed Burning acknowledges “But if you’re cool burning you should the community and for the community. the First Nations peoples’ connection to Country and hosts a be able to stand next to the flame, it “It’s hard to start these conversations, wealth of resources addressing Indigenous fire management should be low enough that you can step so we really want to encourage the partnerships, knowledge and guidelines. over it. That’s not being a fire ‘fighter’, grassroots communities across Victoria www.knowledge.aidr.org.au/resources/traditional-owners-and- that’s working with fire.” to put their hand up and help us get cultural-burning. Mr Steffensen said another the right people on board. Let them Western mentality that hindered the be a part of it, let it be a part of their The Victorian Traditional Owner Cultural Fire Strategy supports reintroduction of Indigenous land Dreaming,” he said. reintroducing cultural fire to the landscape through Indigenous- management practices was the value Deakin University researcher led practices, enabling Traditional Owners to heal Country and attributed to science over Indigenous Dr Timothy Neale contributed his fulfil their rights and obligations to care for Country. knowledge. personal experiences of engaging with www.knowledge.aidr.org.au/media/6817/ “Agencies are chasing science, not Indigenous communities through his fireplusstrategyplusfinal.pdf. knowledge—but science is just young research projects. He offered his advice knowledge. We’ve done generations and to non-Indigenous people engaging with The Firestick Alliance is building capacity for Indigenous land generations of research to know what Traditional Owners. management by ensuring practitioners can ‘read Country’ we know. But it’s our knowledge, our “Don’t be prescriptive, don’t make through the development of accredited training that empowers intellectual property; we don’t want to promises you can’t keep and be aware participants to look at the whole system to apply the ‘right’ fire. see it published as a science paper with of cultural sensitivities and intellectual www.firesticks.org.au/alliance. someone else’s name on it,” he said. property. Let yourself be driven by a The recurring theme of the field trip sense of justice and accept that you The Jigija Indigenous Fire Training Program is an Indigenous- was the necessity of strong partnerships don’t know where it will lead, but be owned business that provides wildfire management and between Aboriginal communities and willing to share the journey,” he said. mitigation training on the traditional country of the Gangalidda agencies, grounded in trust, to navigate The field trip provided the People. They conduct controlled burns and demonstrate fire the sensitivities of cultural burning. participants with an opportunity to management planning for savanna landscapes. Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal break out of their daily routine, to gain www.jigija.com.au. Corporation Chair Trent Nelson and Forest Fire Management Victoria Trent Nelson assesses a tree Participants at the AFAC19 Professional Development Program Assistant Chief Officer Scott Falconer following a prescribed burn. chat and reflect at the workshop. presented The Victorian Traditional Owner Cultural Fire Strategy to the group and shared their journey of reintroducing cultural fire in Central Victoria. “We’re talking about fire here, but it’s really about social justice, getting Aboriginal people in employment— employment on Country—and resourcing and skilling up people to do prescribed and cultural burning in line with their family aspirations,” Mr Nelson said. Mr Falconer added that agencies shouldn’t think of Traditional Owners as stakeholders, but partners and leaders in fire management. He also said agencies
ISSUE ONE 2020 FIRE AUSTRALIA 43 NATIONAL CAPABILITY
Firefighters on the ground at the Pechey fire, Queensland. COHESION WHEN
Across our fire and emergency service agencies, a unity of THEpurpose and effortHEAT prevails as one of our most catastrophicIS ON fire seasons continues to play out. National support arrangements are in place to ensure all of our jurisdictions can request and receive the support they seek.
44 FIRE AUSTRALIA ISSUE ONE 2020 NATIONAL CAPABILITY
BY STUART ELLIS It effectively acts as a funnel, collecting resources from across the AFAC country and channelling these to the ustralians should be assured that requesting jurisdiction. In this way, the coordination of the country’s those states in need are only required fire and emergency services to focus on where they intend to deploy isA effective, efficient and ongoing. At the interstate resources, not where they the beginning of this fire season, I sat come from. Aerial resources that are in the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS)—a contracted through the National Aerial vast operations centre with a wall of Firefighting Centre are allocated on a screens and information—and observed similar basis. personnel from some 30 different With state and territory governments agencies work together to keep the last year expending $5.5 bn to support people of NSW safe. A similar scene was fire and emergency services across playing out in the Queensland Fire and Australia and New Zealand, together Emergency Services Headquarters in with over 290,000 personnel and Kedron, Brisbane. many thousands of specialist vehicles, No tension or friction was evident. Australia has a formidable capability. Across our agencies, this unity of These personnel are all trained, purpose and effort perseveres as one equipped and prepared to assist. of our most catastrophic fire seasons While many volunteers are not continues to play out. While this is available to travel far from their homes expected, there are national support or interstate due to local responsibilities, arrangements unfolding to ensure that employment or the need to manage all of our jurisdictions can request and drought-stricken stock that require receive the support they seek. daily feeding, other volunteers are The Interstate Liaison Unit (ILU) is prepared to deploy. In this way a capability that can be embedded thousands of firefighters can pass into state operation centres. The unit through firegrounds where they are hosts representatives across states required on a weekly basis. and territories so they can oversee This response capacity is supported their jurisdictions’ contribution to the by an increasingly sophisticated overall effort. The ILU is coordinated by information capability to inform and the National Resource Sharing Centre prepare the public for fire emergencies (NRSC) Deployment Manager. they may face. Warnings follow a The NRSC is a function of AFAC, nationally agreed structure and plans which coordinates the requesting of are in place to refine this further to a resources across the country. The NRSC multi-hazard and national approach. This ensures a nationally coordinated effort, information and advice is then spread PHOTO: QFES as it receives resourcing requests and through the public’s apps, websites and seeks to fill these requests from other news feeds. jurisdictions. Australia has never been better prepared to face natural disasters. This is achieved through integrated engagement with the Commonwealth and national protocols for managing our incident management responses and available fleet of over 160 contracted aircraft. Arrangements are in place to draw on personnel from New Zealand, Canada and the United States. Hundreds of international personnel have already assisted their Australian counterparts this season. None of this comes with guarantees; however, a great deal is in place and has been practised, providing Australia with a truly national capability drawn from state and territory agencies from across the Commonwealth.
Stuart Ellis is CEO of the National Council for Fire and Emergency Services—AFAC.
PHOTO: AFAC PHOTO: RFS state control room briefing. PHOTO: AFAC
ISSUE ONE 2020 FIRE AUSTRALIA 45 BLAST FROM THE PAST SOURCE: WISCONSIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY SOURCE: PESHTIGO FIRE MUSEUM
A painting by Mel Kishner of the 1871 Peshtigo fire. SOURCE: PESHTIGO FIRE MUSEUM
A mural of the fire on the wall of the Peshtigo Fire Museum. A map of the destruction caused by the fire.
THE DEADLY PESHTIGO FIRE—1871
BY BARRY LEE OAM so plentiful that it had been used as a five kilometres wide and travelling up to topping for some of the roads), and a 160 kilometres per hour. It was hotter n 8 October 1871, the most railroad to the town was, at the time, than a crematorium, turning sand to devastating forest fire in under construction. glass. People spontaneously combusted American history swept through In the neighbourhood of Peshtigo, and were cremated by heat that Onorth-east Wisconsin. Thought to have and in many other locations in northern reached 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. They begun in the town of Peshtigo, the fire Wisconsin and Michigan, fires had been succumbed instantly from breathing claimed between 1,200 and 2,400 lives, burning in the woods without anyone superheated air. They died of smoke burned through 490,000 hectares paying much attention. By 9.30 pm inhalation, were run over by panicked of land and caused an estimated on 8 October, most of the people in livestock or drowned in the frigid river US$169 M damage. Peshtigo had begun to go to bed, and to where they sought refuge. Others It is often referred to as the ‘forgotten the south, through the smoke, a dull red were crushed by collapsing buildings, fire of Peshtigo’ because it occurred glow could be seen near the horizon. impaled by flying debris or pulverised on the same day as the more famous A blaze sprang up in the south-west by all manner of falling objects. Some conflagration that destroyed much of and the air became very hot. There was chose to commit suicide rather than Chicago*. Both fires were made possible a low rumbling noise, which increased face death by fire. by extremely dry weather conditions to a roar and, around 10 pm, flames Peshtigo was gone in an hour. There during the summer of 1871. There was could be seen on the treetops near are no pictures of the Peshtigo fire, but no weather station in Peshtigo, but the town. A firestorm was developing; given that it was bigger than anything yet residents recalled no substantial rainfall burning brands began to drop down recorded, it must have been enormous. since early July. into the sawdust streets, onto the timber It was so intense that houses and other Peshtigo was a lumber town about plank sidewalks and the combustible buildings were completely destroyed 400 kilometres north of Chicago, near roofs. As the fire erupted, the only fire except for chimney bricks, foundation the western shores of Green Bay, and engine in Peshtigo—a hand-operated stones and bits of melted metal. Many was home to some 1,750 inhabitants pumper—was overwhelmed, and of the bodies were unrecognisable, on both sides of the Peshtigo River. The bucket brigade members soon fled the identifiable only as charred bones. The town contained a number of sawmills onrushing flames. town of Peshtigo was utterly incinerated. and factories, two churches, several The firestorm, whipped up by what stores, and establishments known as is today acknowledged to have been *The Great Chicago Fire is memorialised ‘boarding houses’ and ‘saloons’. It had a low-grade tornado, was described by Fire Prevention Week, observed timber sidewalks (and sawdust was as a wall of flame one kilometre high, annually in the US during October.
46 FIRE AUSTRALIA ISSUE ONE 2020 6-8 May – ICC Sydney All facets of the fi re protection industry come together under one roof when Fire Australia 2020 returns to Sydney.
www.fi reaustralia.com.au UPDATESTRAP STRAP STANDARDS AUSTRALIA
BY JESSICA TEMPLE Technical Administrator—Projects and Standards, FPA Australia
AND IAN FINDLAY Technical Officer—Projects and Standards, FPA Australia
STANDARDS CE-030 Maritime structures TS-001 Building commissioning The revision of AS 3962 Guidelines for Progress continues on a new technical design of marinas is being prepared for specification on building commissioning. committee ballot. TECHNICAL ADVISORY FP-002 Fire detection and alarm COMMITTEES systems The most recent round of TAC meetings TAC/11/22 Special hazards fire Public comment on AS 4428.3 (fire was held in November, with the next round protection systems brigade panel) closed late November. proposed to be held in March. The working group for the proposed Revisions of AS 1603.17 (warning revision of AS 3772 is currently reviewing equipment for people with hearing TAC/1 Maintenance of fire protection Section 9 (Maintenance) to align with the impairment) and AS 4428.16 (emergency systems and equipment current edition of AS 1851. warning CIE) are being progressed The TAC reviewed comments received for Lithium ion batteries and their fire risk towards release for public comment. Work inclusion in the draft project proposal for were discussed. on the revision of AS 1670.6 (smoke alarm the revision of AS 1851-2012. Work continues on revising IB-06 installation) continues. Selection and use of firefighting foams TAC/2 Fire detection and alarm to address ongoing developments in FP-004 Automatic fire sprinkler systems this area. installations The possible technical document to FPA Australia continues to engage with Public comment on Amendment 2 to address confusion regarding fire detection regulators on firefighting foam use at AS 2118.1:2017 has been reviewed. and alarm systems for carparks has been Australian airports. Progress continues on revisions of put on hold. AS 2118.2 (drencher systems) and However, the draft document on TAC/17 Emergency planning AS 2118.6 (combined systems). speaker layout has been updated and is A project proposal for a revision of currently being reviewed by the TAC. AS 3745 is being developed. FP-009 Fire hydrant installations Work on the draft Good Practice Guide The topic of emergency planning in FP-009 is meeting in early December (GPG) on smoke alarms has also begun again. schools was further discussed. to progress the AS 2419.4 draft (new The TAC discussed some common A draft revision of the IB-11 Evacuation standard for STORZ connections). issues relating to AS 1851-2012 Routine diagrams document is currently being service of fire protection systems and reviewed by the TAC. FP-011 Special hazard fire protection equipment. systems TAC/18/19 Passive fire protection FP-011 met in October to kick off the TAC/3/7 Portable and mobile Work continues on the update of PS-05 revision of AS 3772-2008 (kitchen equipment Product compliance and evidence of systems). Work on the revision of AS 4587- A draft document on the replacement of suitability. 1999 (water mist systems) continues. extinguishing agent in extinguishers after Discussion occurred on the difference use has been developed and is currently between access panels and doors, looking FP-020 Construction in bushfire- being reviewed by the TAC. at when is an access panel a door and prone areas Storage and transport of existing when is it an access panel. FP-020 met in October to review editorial fluorinated foam fire extinguishers Work on the Good Practice Guide on and technical issues raised with Standards was discussed. intumescent dampers has begun again. Australia by AS 3959 users. The taskforces Ongoing discussions on the Australian for the review of outstanding items Standards, including AS 1851-2012. TAC/20 Bushfire safety continue to progress those items. A proposed ready reference guide to TAC/4/8/9 Fire sprinkler and hydrant AS 3959 Construction of buildings in FP-022 Fire protection of mobile and systems, tanks and fixed bushfire-prone areas is currently being transportable equipment Discussions occurred on the NCC 2019 drafted. FP-022 met in late November to kick off Amendment 1 Public Comment Draft. Work continues on a general bushfire the revision of AS 5062 Fire protection for The draft GPG on hydrant attack level (BAL) assessment guide, as mobile and transportable equipment. commissioning is still under review by well as a proposed draft TAN on sarking. the TAC. The pumpset checklists are also The TAC had a general discussion on the being progressed. NCC Bushfire Verification Method.
48 FIRE AUSTRALIA ISSUE ONE 2020 CALENDAR OF EVENTSSTRAP STRAP FIRE AUSTRALIA CONFERENCE & TRADESHOW 2020 6–8 May 2020, International Convention Centre, AUSTRALIA FPA PHOTO: Sydney The Fire Australia Conference & Tradeshow 2020 has been redesigned to ensure you get even more value out of your participation in the biggest fire protection show in the Southern Hemisphere. We’re pleased to announce a new and improved tradeshow floorplan and additional sponsorship packages, created to better meet your sales and marketing needs.
For more information, visit www.fireaustralia.com.au.
STEWART AND HEATON MENTAL HEALTH MASTERCLASS 12–13 May 2020, Christchurch, New Zealand The Stewart and Heaton Clothing successes and innovations in the lessons from the Bushfire and Natural Hazards FireMate Company will host a free masterclass management sphere. CRC and dedicated streams from the Software was to address workplace resilience and Institution of Fire Engineers, Australian winner of the Best leading by influence in Christchurch. The For more information, visit Institute for Disaster Resilience and Exhibition masterclass follows on from the success www.aidr.org.au/resources/2020-lessons- Women in Firefighting Australasia. Stand of the Melbourne event in 2019 and is a management-forum. People's key component of the Leading Practice in For more information, visit Choice Mental Health Award, which recognises AFAC20 POWERED BY www.afacconference.com.au. Award at Fire the continued need to address mental INTERSCHUTZ Australia 2019. health and wellbeing in the fire and 25–28 August 2020, emergency services. Adelaide Convention and Exhibition Centre LESSONS MANAGEMENT Australia’s largest conference and FORUM 2020 trade exhibition for the fire and land AFAC PHOTO: Stewart 14–15 July 2020, management sectors is returning to and Heaton Brisbane Exhibition and Conference Adelaide in August 2020. The conference Leading Practice Centre will bring together a broad spectrum of in Mental AFAC is excited to be hosting the 2020 delegates to discuss, learn and share Health Award Lessons Management Forum in Brisbane. experiences surrounding the theme presented at After the success of the 2019 forum, ‘Connecting communities. Creating the AFAC19 this event will build on the knowledge, resilience’. It will feature leading research Conference.
JOINT EDITORS
Tom Bicknell Fire Protection Association Bushfire and Natural AFAC (FPA Australia) Australia (FPA Australia) Hazards Cooperative ABN 52 060 049 327 TEL +61 3 8892 3118 ABN 30 005 366 576 Research Centre Level 1, 340 Albert Street, [email protected] PO Box 1049, ABN 21 163 137 979 East Melbourne VIC 3002, Box Hill VIC 31 , Level 1, 340 Albert Street, Australia Nathan Maddock (Bushfire Australia East Melbourne VIC 3002, TEL +61 3 9419 2388 and Natural Hazards CRC) To submit a contribution or to advertise in TEL +61 3 8892 3131 Australia FAX +61 3 9419 2389 Fire Australia, please contact the editor: TEL +61 3 9412 9600 FAX +61 3 8892 3132 TEL +61 3 9412 9600 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.afac.com.au Tom Bicknell Leone Knight (AFAC) www.fpaa.com.au www.bnhcrc.com.au FPA Australia TEL +61 3 9418 5241 PO Box 1049 [email protected] Box Hill VIC 3128 Production and design: Coretext Australia TEL +61 3 9670 1168 www.coretext.com.au tel +61 3 8892 3131 [email protected]
ISSUE ONE 2020 FIRE AUSTRALIA 49 MOVERSSTRAP STRAP AND SHAKERS
Amanda Leck Greg Leach Shane Fitzsimmons David Nugent Amanda Leck has taken up the Greg Leach has taken up Shane Fitzsimmons’s term on Director of Fire, Environment, newly created role of Executive the role as Commissioner of the AFAC Board has concluded. Land and Water at Parks Director at the Australian Institute Queensland Fire and Emergency Within AFAC, Mr Fitzsimmons Victoria David Nugent has for Disaster Resilience (AIDR). Services. Mr Leach has over 30 has also served as a Director of been appointed to the AFAC Ms Leck was previously the years of experience working in the National Aerial Firefighting Board. Mr Nugent was awarded Director, Community Safety senior operational and executive Centre (NAFC) and Chair of the an AFSM for his leadership and Resilience across AFAC positions at the Country Fire NAFC Board from 2009 to 2013. and contribution to improved and AIDR. Authority and Metropolitan Fire He continues to serve as the management of Victorian forest and Emergency Services Board Commissioner of the NSW Rural firefighting over more than two in Melbourne, and Ambulance Fire Service. decades at a local, national and Victoria. international level.
Ken Block David Bruce Georgeina Whelan Carlene York Ken Block has taken up the role David Bruce has taken up Georgeina Whelan has Carlene York has been appointed as the Commissioner for the the role of Acting Chief been appointed as the fifth as the Commissioner of the NSW new Fire Rescue Victoria, which Executive and Chief Officer Commissioner at the ACT State Emergency Service. Ms will commence on 1 July 2020. at the Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Services Agency York has coordinated responses Mr Block has held the position Emergency Services Board (ESA), and is the first woman to to storms, tornadoes and of Chief Fire Officer at the (MFB) in Melbourne. He has hold the role. Ms Whelan has bushfires, and she headed up Edmonton Fire Rescue Services been with the MFB since July previously served as the Chief the strike force that captured in Canada, where he has led 1985, working as a firefighter Officer at ESA and worked in Australia’s most wanted offender, change in mental health and and in project teams for staff military disaster response for Malcolm Naden, during her wellbeing, building codes and development. over 30 years. time as Commander of Human diversity. Resources at the NSW Police Force.
Kyle Stewart Reece Kershaw Jamie Chalker Daniel Austin Kyle Stewart has returned to After serving as the Jamie Chalker has been After serving as an Assistant his position as an Assistant Commissioner of Police and appointed as the Police Chief Officer and the Director of Commissioner at the NSW Police Chief Executive Officer of the Commissioner and Chief Regional Operations at the South Force after serving as the Acting Northern Territory Fire and Executive Officer for Fire and Australia Country Fire Service, Commissioner at NSW State Emergency Services, Reece Emergency Services in the Daniel Austin is taking on the Emergency Service. Kershaw has returned to the Northern Territory. Mr Chalker role of Deputy Commissioner Australian Federal Police, where was awarded a Royal Humane Operations at NSW State he has taken up the role as Society Bronze Medal for Bravery Emergency Service. Commissioner. Mr Kershaw was after he entered floodwaters and awarded the Australian Police rescued a man who had been Medal in the 2016 Australian swept down river in Wattie Creek. Day Honours.
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