Annual Report 2003-04 2003-2004 issn 1442-8288
• GLOSSARY OF TERMS 4 • CHAIR’S REPORT 5 • CEO’S REPORT 7
• SPECIAL REPORT – EMERGENCY RESCUE HELICOPTER SERVICE 10 • ABOUT FESA 12
• MEETING STATE GOVERNMENT OBJECTIVES 16 • MEETING KEY FESA OBJECTIVES 19
REPORT ON ACTIVITIES
• COMMUNITY-CENTRED EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT 24
- emergency management arrangements 25 - chemical, biological and radiological threats 31 - cyclone 32 - earthquake 34 - fire 35 - flood 40 - hazardous materials (incorporating urban, search and rescue) 42 - search/rescue 46 - storms 54
• QUALITY PEOPLE SERVICES 55 • SOUND BUSINESS PRACTICES 61
DIVISIONAL PERFORMANCE
• ACHIEVEMENTS AGAINST GOALS 2003-04 73 • GOALS 2004-05 89
GOVERNANCE
• CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 99 • COMPLIANCE REPORTS 122 • KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS 135 • FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 154
FESA Annual Report 2003-04
PRINCIPAL ADDRESS:
FESA HOUSE
480 HAY STREET
PERTH WA 6000
POSTAL ADDRESS:
GPO BOX P1174
PERTH WA 6844
TELEPHONE:
[08] 9323 9300
FACSIMILE:
[08] 9323 9470
EMAIL:
WEBSITE:
HTTP://WWW.FESA.WA.GOV.AU/
2 FESA Annual Report 2003-04
TO THE HONOURABLE MICHELLE ROBERTS MLA
MINISTER FOR POLICE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES
In accordance with Section 66 of the Financial Administration and Audit Act 1985, we hereby submit for your information and presentation to Parliament, the Annual Report of the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia for the year ended 30 June 2004.
As well as the Financial Administration and Audit Act 1985, the report was prepared according to the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia Act 1998, the Fire Brigades Act 1942 and the Bush Fires Act 1954.
M Barnett FESA BOARD CHAIRMAN
W N N Forbes ACTING FESA CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
23 August 2004
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 3
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
AEMC Australian Emergency Management Committee
AFAC Australasian Fire Authorities Council
AWARE All West Australians Reducing Emergencies
BFS Bush Fire Service
BRAG Bush Fire Ready Action Group
CBR Chemical, Biological, Radiological
COAG Council of Australian Governments
DEMC District Emergency Management Committee
CALM Department of Conservation and Land Management
DOLI Department of Land Information
EMS Emergency Management Services
ESC Emergency Services Cadets
ESL Emergency Services Levy
FESA Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia
FIRS Fire Incident Reporting System
FRIT Functional Review Implementation Team
FRS Fire and Rescue Service
HAZMAT Hazardous Materials
ICS Incident Control System
LEMC Local Emergency Management Committee
SECG State Emergency Co-ordination Group
SEMC State Emergency Management Committee
SES State Emergency Service
SMC State Mitigation Committee
UXO Unexploded Ordnance
VMRS Volunteer Marine Rescue Services
WALGA Western Australian Local Government Association
4 FESA Annual Report 2003-04
Chair’s report
The first five months in my position as Chair of the Fire and Emergency Services Authority’s (FESA) Board has been a huge learning curve. My experience as Speaker of the Legislative Assembly and as the Member for Rockingham could only partially prepare me for this diverse and exciting role.
Getting to know FESA is no mean feat but I have been extremely fortunate in being given the opportunity to undertake visits to a number of regions throughout the State. So far I have visited Boddington, Narrogin, Brookton, Bunbury, Busselton, Waroona, Mandurah, Esperance, Ravensthorpe, Hopetoun, Salmon Gums, Coolgardie, Kalgoorlie, Mount Newman, York, Northam, Toodyay, Geraldton, Greenough and Cape Burney, as well as many parts of the metropolitan area. I wanted to get to know the people and the issues from the ground floor up and I have found this to be not only an educational experience but also a pleasurable one. I have met some wonderful people and I never fail to be impressed by the staff and volunteers who provide such a comprehensive and professional emergency service. It is my intention to continue to use this method of bringing the Board to all the FESA family, wherever you are in W.A.
In my first report as Chair of FESA, I would like to convey my thanks to my predecessor, Barry MacKinnon. His work during the development phase of FESA and during the organisation’s first five years of building has been exemplary. I could not wish to take the helm of a sturdier or steadier ship. This is also due in no small part to the vision and determination of CEO, Bob Mitchell. I look forward to working with Bob again after his return from the Western Australia Police Service at the end of the year.
Like any good vessel, FESA’s strength comes from its foundations and structure. It’s obvious FESA is a values based organisation. The staff and volunteers that FESA support endeavour to reflect and reinforce those values in every decision, minor and major, that they make. This year FESA added a seventh value to its list. This value is extremely important to any organisation but it is perhaps even more so in FESA’s case, given the often perilous nature of the services it provides to the community. The value says “strive to keep ourselves and others safe”. It is a call to action for FESA’s vision of “a safer community” and I encourage all staff and volunteers to keep this new value at the forefront of their minds as they go about their daily tasks.
One of the most important achievements this year has been the successful audit of FESA’s Training Centre which resulted in FESA being granted five year status as a Registered Training Authority. FESA was audited against the Australian Quality Training Framework set of 12 standards and the auditors came back with a glowing report on the organisation’s simple but effective approach to training and assessment. Well done to all involved.
I am also pleased to note that FESA is undertaking a groundbreaking research project with the University of Western Australia to examine integrity within the organisation. Already a number of focus groups have been conducted to ascertain what FESA employees believe “acting with integrity” actually means in their lives in and outside work. The next step is a questionnaire and in 2005, a training program will be held followed by a survey to measure the effectiveness of the program. This is an important vehicle to further reinforce and embed FESA’s values and its leadership model within the organisation.
One of the most impressive parts of FESA’s structure is its consultative committees. These committees, which consist of major stakeholders from the operational arms, provide a fundamental conduit with the community. They are the sounding board for ideas, policies and the many challenges that face this organisation. Organisations can often become aloof from the communities that they serve but the consultative committees are one important tool to ensure the Board never fails to receive the grassroots opinion and feedback.
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 5 CHAIR’S REPORT
There have been four major forums this year, which have provided a space and time to learn about innovations and to network with others in the field. The first was the annual FESA Unit Forum and it was great to see the numbers grow and for the group to decide on a distinctive uniform. The second major event was the Wildfire Forum. The theme this year was “Wildfire – The Big Picture”. There were some thought provoking speakers but perhaps the highlight was keynote speaker, burns specialist, Professor Fiona Wood. Professor Wood spoke about her experiences helping victims of the Bali terrorist attack and she also stressed the importance of firefighters wearing personal protective equipment. This was a message indelibly burned into the minds of those fortunate enough to have heard the presentation. The FESA Forum also provided food for thought with Bali survivor Peter Hughes giving a vivid and disturbing account of his experiences and former SAS officer, Peter Tinley given an interesting perspective on leadership under fire during the early days of the Iraq invasion. He went on to detail the importance of planning for every eventuality, a message not lost on those who attended. Last but not least was the State Emergency Service Forum, where SES managers from all over the State gathered at Burswood to discuss future directions.
This was also the year for awards. FESA’s All West Australians Reducing Emergencies or AWARE program took out the National “Pre-Disaster Federal/State” category in the 2003 Australian Safer Community Awards. This was great recognition for the work being done in the area of community-centred emergency management and congratulations to all involved. FESA was also highly commended in last year’s Premier’s Awards. The commendation was for FESA’s work in the introduction of the Emergency Services Levy in the “Management Improvement and Governance” category. Congratulations should also go to the winners in the SES Awards, the Firefighting Awards as well as all those recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List and the recipients of the Australian Fire Service Medal and the Australian Emergency Services Medal. Accolades are also due to the teams from FESA who performed so well in the National Road Accident Rescue Championships in Melbourne, especially the Fire and Rescue Service team which won the “Limited” Extraction section of the competition.
FESA would not be the organisation it is today without its hardworking Board and I would like to thank all Board members for their diligence and their generosity in sharing their wide experience, which has greatly enriched this body. I would also like to welcome three new members who joined the Board earlier this year, Terry Gaunt, Frank Filmer and Iain Agnew. It is a pleasure to Chair such an active and enthusiastic group of people.
In addition we have been very fortunate to have the talents that Bill Forbes has brought to the role of Acting CEO. His capacity for work is huge and the informed advice he has provided me is valuable indeed.
I would also like to express my appreciation to the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Michelle Roberts. The Minister has been a tremendous supporter of both staff and volunteers and she has demonstrated this in a number of ways, one example of which has been her tireless pursuit for tax concessions for volunteers.
I would like to thank the career staff and volunteers, for without their devotion to duty and their single minded dedication to keep the community safe, we would not have the top class emergency service we have in this State.
Mike Barnett FESA Board Chair
6 FESA Annual Report 2003-04
CEO’s report
Throughout FESA’s five and half years of existence, change has been a constant. Joining the Fire Services, the State Emergency Service (SES) and the Volunteer Marine Rescue Services (VMRS) together under one umbrella organisation was never going to be easy but with each passing year we are growing stronger and we are learning to adapt to the ever present changes in a more positive way.
This is just as well given the challenges we have faced during 2003-2004.
There have been two particularly difficult incidents this year that have affected all of us at FESA. These were the deaths of two volunteers while they were undertaking operational duties. Volunteer bush firefighter, Bill Baldock from the Sunnyside Brigade was killed when he was struck by a branch while at a fire in Yornup on 5 February. Forty-five year old Bill is survived by his wife and four children.
The second incident happened at Karijini National Park on 2 April where Newman SES volunteer, Jim Regan was assisting in the rescue of a British tourist. Jim and the team of rescuers were just about to attach ropes to hoist the casualty out of the gorge when they were hit by a wall of water. All five were washed away by the flash flood but only four made it out of the gorge. Police divers found Jim’s body the next day. Jim was the first SES volunteer in WA to die while on operational duty and as a result, his passing has hit the Newman community and the volunteer community very hard.
Our sympathies go out to Bill and Jim’s family and friends, especially those from the Sunnyside Bush Fire Brigade and the Newman SES Unit. Their ultimate sacrifice will always be remembered.
The SES has had an extremely busy year. The storm season in the Southwest was challenging and that was followed by two cyclones that affected the Kimberley/Pilbara. Both tropical cyclones Monty and Fay caused some anxious moments and widespread flooding. While there was some property and infrastructure damage to roads and bridges, it was kept to a minimum where possible. The SES staff and volunteers have proved their worth again through their preparatory work, rescuing stranded motorists and pastoralists as well as resupplying isolated communities.
The Volunteer Marine Rescue Service has been concentrating on VHF communication “blackspots” along the vast West Australian coast. Thanks to some funding from the State Government, five repeaters have been installed along the south coast, two in the Kimberley and one in the Murchison. There have also been improvements to training of marine rescue volunteers, which further enhance the services provided to the boating public of Western Australia.
FESA units are going from strength to strength. At the end of this financial year there were 12 of these multifunctional emergency service units dotted around the State. This concept has literally breathed new life into the “stand alone” services that once existed. The problem of declining numbers of volunteers has always been an issue in regional and remote areas. FESA units have not only addressed this by training each volunteer in a number of skills but it has boosted morale and motivation because of the variety of services these volunteers can now provide.
This was also a year for restructuring which culminated in the release of the Metropolitan Resourcing Plan for FESA Fire Services. The plan positions the Fire Services division well for the future. One of the main changes was the creation of two extra regions within metropolitan Perth. This has been significant because it has freed up Regional Directors to concentrate their efforts on a number of initiatives that are imperative to FESA’s long term strategies. These include the closer links with firefighters, Local Governments and the establishment of Fire Community Managers who are jointly funded by the councils or shires and FESA. These closer ties immeasurably improve our ability to work cooperatively in our combined efforts to achieve the FESA mission and to create a safer community.
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 7 CEO’S REPORT
Another major success this year has been the further enhancement of FESA’s counter terrorism capability. This year the Capability Development directorate was expanded and many firefighters in WA received varying levels of training for chemical, biological and radiological hazards as well as urban search and rescue. New protective suits and other sensing equipment were provided through State and Federal funding schemes. Keeping up to date with the latest trends in this important area is a constant battle, but FESA has representation on a number of national committees and so is at the leading edge in enhancing the State’s counter terrorism response.
Although the fire season this year was relatively quiet in comparison to other years, the fires we did have tested our resources and processes. What was particularly pleasing in the Wooroloo fire on 2 February this year was the obvious cooperation across FESA. In a situation where two prisons were threatened and many houses were potentially at risk, timely, well coordinated actions resulted in a much better outcome than otherwise would have been expected.
This was also the first year we had a fully integrated alert system which combined radio messages on the ABC, recorded telephonic messages for stakeholders and the public, as well as a constantly updated webpage on the FESA website for information on serious fires. The alert system received positive feedback from the community but I consider this as work–in-progress with further improvements expected next season.
The Emergency Rescue Helicopter Service has been a welcome addition to the FESA family this year and it is a shining example of collaboration and cooperation. The range of stakeholders includes St John Ambulance, the Department of Health and Canadian Helicopter Corporation (CHC) (Australia), the helicopter lease company which provides the flight crews. Just months after the Minister for Emergency Services announced the Government’s intention to partially fund the service the first rescue helicopter was up in the air. Five months later the principal sponsor, Royal Automobile Club (RAC) came on board and RAC Rescue 1 was born. Last year the service performed 90 missions, which included hospital transfers, ship to shore rescues and mercy flights from crash scenes. The helicopter has increased FESA’s rescue capability and has proven to be a godsend to those in need.
Tremendous work is being done by FESA’s Community Safety division in the area of arson reduction. A targeted approach has been applied to trouble spot which has resulted in a dramatic reduction in the number of arson attacks in those specific areas. The program consists of a door knock, shopping centre displays and school visits. Another important initiative has been the introduction of Yellow Action Day to educate school children, and through them their parents, about what actions are required when yellow alerts are called during cyclone season. A number of schools in the Kimberley/Pilbara took part and from all accounts they not only learned something, but they had a lot of fun.
2003-2004 was the transitional year for the groundbreaking Emergency Services Levy (ESL). Although it was introduced on 1 July 2003, for the first six months of the financial year 2003-2004, part of the payment was still coming from the old insurance fire levy. Despite the complicated nature of the reform the introduction was remarkably smooth. The messages of greater transparency, accountability and more emphasis on resource allocation based on need, rather than ability to pay, was successfully conveyed to the community.
In the first year of the ESL, there was a $20.8-million capital works program for career stations, units and brigades across the State. In addition to that $15-million was allocated through capital and operating grants to Local Governments for their volunteer bush fire brigades and SES units. I would like to pay special tribute to all those who successfully delivered the goods and services to career staff and volunteers, especially those in the planning and procurement areas and at the O’Connor Workshop who did a great job in meeting some very tight deadlines.
FESA has been at the forefront of the introduction of the Shared Corporate Services Model. Through a Functional Review Steering Committee and a small dedicated team, FESA has been preparing the organisation for the forthcoming significant change. Key initiatives include keeping our people and stakeholders fully informed about what is being decided, how these decisions are likely to affect them and how FESA will support them in the transition to the new model.
8 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 CEO’S REPORT
This year has also seen some significant changes in leadership. FESA’s founding Chair, Barry MacKinnon left the organisation in December after seven years of dedicated service. Barry chaired the committee that oversaw the formation of FESA and then took on the job of Chair of the Board. He steered the Board extremely well and he and the FESA CEO Bob Mitchell established the critical foundations for what is developing into a world class emergency service organisation. His contribution is incalculable. Without him FESA would not be the strong and successful organisation it is today. Barry MacKinnon was replaced by former State Legislative Assembly Speaker, Mike Barnett.
Two months after Barry MacKinnon’s departure, Bob Mitchell was seconded to the role of Executive Director of the WA Police Service. This was a role created as a result of the recommendations made in the Royal Commission into allegations of Police corruption. Bob is due to return at the end of the year.
Despite these changes at the top, FESA has kept on course, striving to create a safer community through consultation and engagement with all stakeholders. This is also being achieved by providing a fire and emergency service which the people of Western Australia can depend upon.
Importantly, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the FESA staff and the volunteers for their untiring contribution this year. Reading through other parts of this Annual Report, I am struck by the challenges and triumphs we have seen over the past 12 months. I congratulate you for the projects that have gone well but I also applaud your dogged persistence, professionalism and compassion when times have been challenging.
To the Board, thank you for your support and hard work and I would particularly like to single out the new Chair, Mike Barnett for his enthusiasm and unflagging interest and support in FESA’s efforts to create a safer community. I would also like to express my appreciation to our Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Michelle Roberts for her tremendous efforts in assisting FESA to achieve its goals. We would be hard pressed to find a better champion for emergency services.
Bill Forbes Acting FESA CEO
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 9
Special report
EMERGENCY RESCUE HELICOPTER SERVICE
A DEDICATED emergency rescue helicopter service is the latest member of the FESA family.
The service exists to provide the best specialist medical care in the shortest possible time following an emergency.
Managed by FESA, the service was officially launched on 16 August 2003. However, it undertook its first rescue mission on 11 August when a light airplane crashed at Jandakot airport. The crew was training at the airport at the time and transferred a seriously injured person to Royal Perth Hospital.
Based at Jandakot Airport, the service primarily operates in a 200km radius of Perth, servicing 90% of the State’s population (over 1.7 million people). However, with refuelling enroute, rescues have been undertaken as far away as Esperance, Carnarvon, and Albany.
During the reporting period, the service has undertaken 90 missions. Of these, 62% were on-scene emergencies, 15% inter-hospital transfers and 23% search and rescue.
Of all missions, 57% were in response to road crashes. Other missions included a farm accident, mining accident, snake bite and parachute failure. Five missions were undertaken offshore, including the rescue of a patient on a luxury cruise liner off Esperance and a worker on board a cargo ship off Carnarvon.
The rescue helicopter is funded by the State Government of Western Australia and principal sponsor, the Royal Automobile Club (RAC). It also generates additional income through its user pays services. An example of this is an important service to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). To date there have been 16 searches for emergency beacons activated to emit distress signals.
In December 2003 the service took delivery of a new Bell 412 enhanced performance helicopter called RAC Rescue 1. Fitted out for Western Australia’s needs, specialist equipment onboard RAC Rescue 1 includes a Global Positioning System (GPS), external winch system, two stretchers, neo-natal capacity, and Forward Looking Infra Red (FLIR) together with a Nitesun searchlight to enable rescue missions at night or in poor visibility conditions.
The helicopter is crewed by a St John Ambulance critical care paramedic and a pilot and crewperson from CHC Helicopters (Australia).
RAC Rescue 1 can be used for non-medical purposes, including:
• transporting a road rescue rapid intervention team; • support for line rescue teams; • incident management team response; • support for aerial firefighting operations; • air attack platform/air command platform; and • transporting additional personnel to an incident.
10 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 SPECIAL REPORT
However, the preservation of life always takes precedence over any other mission and all requests are assessed according to the FESA-approved tasking protocols. Requests for search and rescue missions will be generally instigated by:
• the WA Police Service as the nominated State authority responsible for the coordination of land and marine search and rescue events that include medical evacuations; or • AMSA on behalf of the Commonwealth Government under a service agreement with FESA.
All requests for access to the service go through the St John Ambulance Operations Centre as the authorised tasking authority on 1300 306 454. A service charging policy helps minimise inappropriate use of the service.
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 11
About FESA
OUR VISION A safer community
OUR MISSION In partnership with the people of Western Australia to: • improve community safety practices; and • provide timely, quality and effective emergency services.
OUR VALUES • Put the community first • Work together as a committed team • Respect and value each other • Continuously improve our services • Act with integrity and honesty • Have open and honest two-way communications • Strive to keep ourselves and others safe
FESA was established in 1999 to improve the coordination and planning of emergency services in Western Australia. It brought together the Fire and Rescue Service (FRS), the State Emergency Service (SES), the Bush Fire Service (BFS), Emergency Management Services (EMS) and Volunteer Marine Rescue Services (VMRS) under the auspices of one chief executive officer and one board of management.
We support response services to bush and structural fires, incidents involving hazardous materials, floods, storms, cyclones, road crash rescues and a range of search and rescue call outs.
FESA also undertakes wide-ranging prevention and preparedness programs and assists the community with recovery after emergencies.
Since its establishment FESA has: • consolidated its corporate and operational structure and streamlined management and administrative procedures and policies; • implemented a coordinated approach for the planning, management and delivery of operational emergency services; • given stakeholders at all levels a voice in how we have developed the organisation and how we serve through community consultative processes embedded in FESA’s structure. This has been recognised Australia-wide as exemplary in emergency service provision; • devoted considerable resources and efforts to community awareness and emergency prevention and preparedness programs, bringing FESA to the forefront in Australian emergency risk management. New programs initiated by our people have won national acclaim and are being adopted by other states; • completed FESA’s first three-year planning cycle and introduced the FESA Strategic Plan 2002-2004; and • continued to improve and enhance support for more than 27,000 volunteers across the State.
12 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 ABOUT FESA
OUR STRUCTURE FESA’s structure has been developed to support our role, our strategic intentions and our programs. The six divisions are: • Fire Services division – incorporating the Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) and the Bush Fire Service (BFS); • State Emergency Service (SES) and Volunteer Marine Rescue Services (VMRS) division; • Emergency Management Services division; • Community Safety division; • Human Services division; and • Business Services division.
FESA has a chief executive officer whose office is responsible for overall leadership, policy, performance reporting, legal issues and legislation, strategic planning, ministerial and board support and media and public affairs activities.
The chief executive officer works with the FESA Board of Management and its chair to oversee the strategic planning and all operational and administrative functions of the organisation.
People from a broad cross-section of volunteers, the general public and local government form the 13- member FESA Board, which is also supported by a number of individual consultative committees representing the BFS, FRS, SES and VMRS.
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 13 ABOUT FESA
OUR OUTCOME STATEMENT “The impact of human and natural hazards on the community of Western Australia is minimised.”
This is the performance expectation placed on FESA by the Government of Western Australia and against which we report annually through key performance indicators.
OUR STRATEGIC INTENTIONS To help achieve our vision and mission and to endorse our commitment to continuous improvement in emergency service delivery, FESA’s programs have been underpinned by three strategic intentions:
• Community-centred emergency management – This is achieved by working in partnership with the people of Western Australia to create a safer community. This approach encourages communities to take greater responsibility for their own safety and to be more self-reliant and better prepared in case of emergencies.
It also requires FESA to adjust its service delivery in keeping with social, economic, cultural, environmental, geographic and special needs of people. It has four principal components: - Prevention – providing a range of services to increase community awareness of hazards and involvement in their reduction; - Preparedness – providing and maintaining suitable infrastructure, equipment, skilled personnel and plans to enable effective response to emergencies; - Response – ensuring a rapid and comprehensive response to emergency incidents and containing and minimising the impact of hazards, performing rescues and preventing injury and loss; and - Recovery – assisting communities, employees and volunteers affected by major emergencies to recover from the event effectively and efficiently.
• Sound business practices – FESA believes that in order to meet our commitments to the community we must implement business practices that can be benchmarked against recognised standards of excellence. We commit to managing our financial and physical resources in a competent and accountable manner and maintaining a customer focus.
• Quality people services – Our people are vital to the success of FESA and the services we provide to the community. FESA affirms the importance of providing appropriate training, opportunities, recognition and support for our people. We will ensure FESA has:
- Recruitment and retention strategies that attract, promote and retain the right people, who are committed to FESA, our values and our mission; - Competent, committed leadership and management; - A safe and healthy work environment; and - Training and development.
14 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 ABOUT FESA
OUR PEOPLE Collectively, FESA employs 1,163 full-time staff, 21 part-time staff and supports more than 27,000 volunteers. The full-time equivalent (FTE) staff complement for FESA was 1,140 as at 30 June 2004.
NUMBER OF VOLUNTEERS SUPPORTED BY FESA
Fire and Rescue Service 2,487
Bush Fire Service 19,500
State Emergency Service 2,039
Volunteer Marine Rescue Services 2,200
FESA Units 341
History Society 21
Total 26,588
Since 1 July 2000, FESA has been the host organisation to the Emergency Services Cadets in Western Australia. There are 42 cadet units with 1,816 cadets supported by 223 unit leaders and instructors.
OUR CUSTOMERS The people of Western Australia.
In addition, we have special responsibilities in relation to: • the Minister for Police and Emergency Services; • the Western Australian Government; • the Commonwealth Government; • other government departments and agencies; • local governments; • our staff; • the volunteers we support; • Emergency Services Cadets; • the insurance industry; • the building and construction industry; • associated industry interest groups; • associations that support our volunteers; • unions that support our staff; • community service groups and agencies; • other Australian emergency services agencies; • the communities of Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands; and • visitors and travellers in WA.
The over-riding priority of FESA is to put the community first. We take pride in serving all of our customers and we are committed to constantly improving to ensure we achieve FESA’s vision – a safer community – for all Western Australians.
A commitment to regionalisation has resulted in closer links with local communities enabling us to more readily identify our customers' needs and expectations.
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 15
Meeting State Government strategic objectives
FESA recognises that it has contributions to make in relation to all five of the strategic goals for Government outlined in the new Strategic Planning Framework: Better Planning - Better Services. In moving towards the new reporting framework, for 2003-04, FESA has begun development of a new strategic plan for 2005-2007 which will align with the Government's strategic goals.
In general terms FESA sees its responsibilities as outlined in the following table.
MEETING THE GOVERNMENT'S STRATEGIC GOALS
GOAL FESA’S RESPONSE
Goal 1: People and Communities FESA takes a community-centred approach, engaging communities in To enhance the quality of life and partnerships to provide prevention services and emergency services to wellbeing of all people throughout enhance the quality of life and well being of all people throughout Western Australia. Western Australia. In particular, FESA acknowledges a responsibility to provide safety awareness programs for vulnerable members of the community who are particularly at risk.
Goal 2: The Economy FESA is committed to minimising the impact of human and natural To develop a strong economy that hazards on the community of Western Australia. By working in delivers more jobs, more partnership with communities to ensure safety plans and preparations opportunities and greater wealth to are in place to combat emergencies, FESA contributes to the creation Western Australians by creating the of the conditions required for investment and growth, and the conditions required for investment development of a strong economy that delivers more jobs, more and growth. opportunities and greater wealth to Western Australians. As a direct strategy to support Western Australian enterprise, FESA commits the majority of its capital expenditure on firefighting appliances and other emergency equipment in regional WA, fostering local innovation, manufacturing, and employment opportunities.
Goal 3: The Environment A commitment to protection of the environment is one of the To ensure that Western Australia cornerstones of FESA's service delivery. FESA recognises the has an environment in which importance of the preservation of biodiversity, protection of habitats and resources are managed, developed river systems, and of urban air quality, particularly in relation to wildfire and used sustainably, biological management. Our people strive to minimise the impact of emergencies diversity is preserved and habitats on the environment through appropriate prevention, preparedness, protected. response and recovery strategies.
16 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 MEETING STATE GOVERNMENT STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
Goal 4: The Regions FESA acknowledges a key responsibility in increasing regional To ensure that regional Western community capacity to prevent, prepare for, respond to and recover Australia is strong and vibrant. from emergency incidents. We take a decentralised community-centred approach in providing emergency services, with regional areas served by local volunteer units, brigades and groups, supported and trained by a network of regional staff. FESA also works in partnership with other government agencies, local governments and their communities to minimise the impact of emergencies. In this way FESA makes a strong contribution to the maintenance of services in regional centres, helping to ensure regional WA is strong and vibrant.
Goal 5: Governance As a values-driven organisation, FESA actively promotes open and To govern for all Western honest communication and integrity in the workplace. FESA works in Australians in an open, effective and consultative, cooperative partnerships with the people of Western efficient manner that also ensures a Australia to: sustainable future. • Improve community safety practices; and • Provide timely, quality and effective emergency services. It is FESA's role to ensure that this State has the appropriate legislative and policy framework to manage emergencies as efficiently as possible to encourage resilient communities and a sustainable future.
In relation to Goal 1, FESA has specific obligations in relation to Outcome No. 6: Safe and secure Western Australian communities. The chapter of this Annual Report entitled Community-Centred Emergency Management details FESA's activities to this end in 2003-04.
For Goals 2 and 3 FESA will contribute to a number of outcomes. At this stage, these are not reported separately, but elements are contained in the chapters Sound Business Practices and Quality People Services.
FESA acknowledges that it is one of the responsible agencies in relation to Goal 4 Outcome No. 11: Safe and Cohesive Regional Communities. A separate report is provided below.
Goal 5 relates to both whole of Government, inter-agency and individual agency governance. The majority of FESA's responsibilities in this area are covered in the chapter Governance.
REGIONAL REPORT As detailed in the WA Government's Regional Development Policy FESA has specific responsibilities in relation to the fifth outcome priority:
Increased regional community capacity to prevent, prepare for, respond to and recover from emergency incidents.
To this end, FESA is committed to the related strategy:
“Develop and maintain effective partnerships between State Government agencies, local governments and regional communities to minimise the impact of human caused and natural hazards”.
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 17 MEETING STATE GOVERNMENT STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
INDUSTRY AND INTER-AGENCY PARTNERSHIPS
FESA works cooperatively in regional areas with a broad range of Government and private sector agencies.
FESA has a historical commitment to the development and enhancement of inter-agency co-operation, skill standardisation and resource sharing with regional industry. Opportunities for combined training in incident command systems and resource sharing between FESA, industry, local government, police and volunteers, highlight cost effectiveness and enhance the capacity of the community to respond to and cope with emergencies.
A number of successful long-term partnerships have been established across the State. In the Pilbara / Kimberley agreements have been established between FESA and mining organisations BHP Billiton and Hamersley Iron for delivery of emergency response training to BHP sites and integrated townsites in the Pilbara. The intention of these agreements is to establish a greater coordination in regional response and standardisation of procedures.
The partnership with BHP Billiton has lead to further opportunities. The mining company provided $450,000 to establish the Port Hedland/Newman .05 Project, a community initiative that targets the driving habits of people aged 17 to 35. The project aims to reduce the number of road accidents that require a FESA response.
FESA provides the Deputy Chair of the community group that coordinates education in the region. The project has distributed a booklet to all emergency service volunteers providing facts and figures related to alcohol consumption in the Pilbara/Kimberley and the related impact on emergency incidents. The Port Hedland volunteer Fire and Rescue Service are key participants in the project and provide support through workshops and promotional activities throughout the region.
The formation of the Pilbara Emergency Response Team (PERT) has created a vehicle for industry and FESA to prepare the community for emergencies. Adoption by industry of standards identified in post incident analysis has had significant benefit. Sharing of both human and physical resources has provided flexible and robust capabilities in all aspects of emergency management.
Similarly, in the Midwest/Goldfields/Midlands region, FESA has established partnerships with regional prisons, the Australian Defence Satellite Communications Centre (ADSCC) and mining industry representatives to enhance planning and response procedures. Under the arrangement with the ADSCC, Geraldton Fire Station provides fire response back-up to the facilities volunteer response team. In addition, breathing apparatus qualification and maintenance training is provided on a fee-for-service basis. Volunteers and career firefighters also conduct annual joint training exercises.
FUTURE REPORTING Into the future, FESA's annual report on progress towards regional outcomes will provide information about emergency programs and initiatives conducted in separate regional areas.
For 2003-04 FESA has reported regional programs chiefly in the chapter Community-Centred Emergency Management. Information about capital expenditure in regional areas is included in the Capital Expenditure tables in the chapter Sound Business Practices. See pages 66-68.
18 FESA Annual Report 2003-04
Meeting FESA’s key strategic objectives
IN the FESA Strategic Plan 2002-2004, nine key strategic issues were highlighted for the three-year cycle:
• Equitable and adequate funding for emergency services. • Enhancement of support for emergency services volunteers. • Enhancement of a supportive working environment for corporate and operational staff. • Enhancement of support for emergency services cadets. • Proactive encouragement of diversity and equal opportunity across FESA. • Endorsement of appropriate emergency services and emergency management legislation. • Continuing advancements in coordination and collocation of emergency services. • The further development of information systems to support evidence-based decision-making. • Continuation of the uptake and involvement of FESA staff and volunteers in community safety initiatives.
FESA has responded to all of these issues.
EQUITABLE AND ADEQUATE FUNDING FOR EMERGENCY SERVICES
In response to this issue, FESA has: • completed the introduction of the Emergency Services Levy (ESL) in time for the first full year of the ESL to begin on 1 July 2004. In the transitional year, 2003-2004, in addition to funding for the career and volunteer Fire and Rescue Service, FESA's Emergency Management Services and corporate support costs, the ESL provided in excess of $15 million in funding for volunteer bush fire brigades, State Emergency Service volunteer units and FESA units. This included a 50 % increase in the allocation for capital equipment for bush fire brigades compared with past annual contributions through the old Bush Fire Grants Scheme. • established its cost of service for 2004-2005 at $156.1 million, of which $127.3 million will be supported by the ESL and the remaining funded through State and Commonwealth Government contributions and other revenue. FESA will expand its capabilities through the construction of a new fire station in the Perth metropolitan area, additional fire fighters, and increased ability to respond to high risk incidents like chemical, biological and radiological emergencies and building collapses. The ESL Grant Scheme in 2004-05 will once again provide $15 million to local governments to fund volunteer bush fire brigades, State Emergency Service and FESA units. In particular, anticipated ESL capital grants include 82 emergency appliances and vehicles, 10 new volunteer bush fire stations, and repairs and extensions to six bush fire brigades buildings and 14 State Emergency Service unit buildings. • sought additional Government funding for Volunteer Marine Rescue Services. Funding was granted to address ‘black spot’ marine VHF radio communications encountered in a number of areas of the State. A further $300,000 per annum in capital grants, to cover both vessel and equipment replacement for three years has now been secured, commencing in 2004-05 and $400,000 in 2007-08. • reformed the funding provided to five independent associations which support emergency services volunteers. All arrangements were placed on a formal outcomes based structure for 2003-04. As a result, two of the associations received funding for the first time in 2003-2004 and overall contributions by FESA to these valuable support agencies was increased by $55,000.
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 19 MEETING FESA’S KEY STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
ENHANCEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR EMERGENCY SERVICES VOLUNTEERS
In response to this issue, FESA has: • provided support to the Minister for Police and Emergency Services in an initiative to seek taxation concessions for emergency services volunteers; • introduced Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia Amendment Regulations 2003 which prescribed: - the processes to be followed for appointment to the FESA Board of a member representing approved VMRS groups; - the conditions under which SES units, VMRS groups and FESA units may exercise powers under the FESA Act; and - the details which are to be included in the registers of members of SES units, VMRS groups and FESA units. • adopted a new FESA value: Strive to keep ourselves and others safe, to underpin a new safety culture program called FESA Safe; • clarified Police clearance processes for volunteers; • reviewed emergency management training to ensure it is ‘volunteer friendly’; • completed the initial development of all of the training resource kits within Group 1 of the new Fire Services Volunteer Training Program; • continued implementation of the competency based training system for SES volunteers - with 11 training resource kits now completed and a further six in development; • developed new roadside warning signs to improve safety of volunteers; • introduced FESA Outstanding Service Medal. Presented 64 certificates and corresponding FESA VMRS Service Medals to volunteers under the new VMRS awards scheme. A recognition and awards program has also been developed for FESA unit volunteers; • established premises and facilities for the administration of the independent associations which support emergency services volunteers; and • supported the participation of three volunteers in the Australasian Fire Authorities Council (AFAC) Executive Development Program.
ENHANCEMENT OF A SUPPORTIVE WORKING ENVIRONMENT FOR CORPORATE AND OPERATIONAL STAFF
FESA has achieved the following in relation to this issue: • appointed a FESA Safety Coordinator in July 2003. This officer is now making progress a range of safety culture initiatives across the organisation; • adopted a new FESA value: Strive to keep ourselves and others safe, to underpin a new safety culture program called FESA Safe; • established and marketed a new 1800 freecall number for peer support for staff and volunteers; • introduced a state-wide approach for peer support to provide a higher level of service; • advanced a three-year project to promote improved levels of integrity, leadership and organisational behaviour. The program is being conducted in partnership with the University of Western Australia; • completed new industrial agreements for both firefighters and workshop staff, providing flexibility in employment conditions; • introduced FESA Outstanding Service Medal; • introduced new Barrierman suits for dealing with hazardous materials (hazmat). Training provided for all Fire and Rescue Service breathing apparatus operators across the State; • implemented new hazmat decontamination procedures for all Fire and Rescue Service personnel; and • established a Functional Review Steering Committee and small dedicated team to foster regular communications and to ensure a smooth and supported transition for FESA personnel and stakeholders who will be affected by the new Government Shared Corporate Services Reform initiative.
20 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 MEETING FESA’S KEY STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
ENHANCEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR EMERGENCY SERVICES CADETS
In this area, FESA made a number of advancements in 2003-04: • A volunteer state coordination group has been established; • The development of a cadet advisory group was facilitated, to provide cadets with a forum for meaningful input and feedback on the cadet program and its activities; • A leadership training course, which provided generic training in leadership and instructional techniques, was attended by 60 cadets from around the State; and • More than 400 cadets from 22 units across the State attended the biennial State camp held in October 2003.
PROACTIVE ENCOURAGEMENT OF DIVERSITY & EQUAL OPPORTUNITY ACROSS FESA
FESA has worked proactively in this area over the past year: • As a result of a diversity workshop in March 2004, the FESA CEO has designated himself and the Corporate Executive Team ‘diversity champions’ with targeted outcomes to deliver in four groupings: - women; - disabilities; - culturally and linguistically diverse / Indigenous; and - youth. • A training needs analysis has been conducted through the FESA Training Centre to determine the need for cross-cultural awareness training among FESA personnel; • Through participation in the Public Sector Traineeship Program, three female Indigenous trainees are currently undertaking placements within FESA; • The organisation’s recruitment procedures affirm a commitment to ensuring FESA’s workforce reflects the diversity of the community by encouraging women, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds as well as Indigenous people to apply; and • FESA continues to actively pursue the improvement of gender representation within the organisation. The FESA Board currently has three women members and there is one woman on the Corporate Executive Team. Women are actively sought for nomination to the FESA Board’s four consultative committees.
ENDORSEMENT OF APPROPRIATE EMERGENCY SERVICES & EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT LEGISLATION
In relation to this issue in the past year FESA has: • assisted the Minister for Police and Emergency Services in initiating the legislative process for the introduction of emergency management legislation for Western Australia. A drafting officer has been appointed by the Parliamentary Counsel and it is expected that the draft legislation will be presented to Parliament in 2004-05. Consultation processes will involve a wide range of stakeholders; and • supported the introduction of the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia Amendment Regulations 2003, which came into operation on 3 October 2003 (detailed information in Corporate Governance section of the report).
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 21 MEETING FESA’S KEY STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
CONTINUING ADVANCEMENTS IN COORDINATION AND COLLOCATION OF EMERGENCY SERVICES
Major initiatives in this area include: • the formal establishment of new FESA units in Bremer Bay, Eucla, Trayning, Coral Bay, Fitzroy Crossing and Jerramungup. There are now 12 multi-skilled volunteer FESA units. These units are established by combining two or more emergency services groups in regional and remote centres where physical and volunteer resources are limited; • inter-divisional State Emergency Service and Fire and Rescue Service training programs in urban search and rescue and road crash rescue; • collocated volunteer facilities in Toodyay are nearing completion while projects are under way for Mundaring and Collie. A new collocated regional FESA office has been established in Broome, with plans in place for similar facilities in Bunbury, Geraldton and Albany; • five new community fire manager positions were created to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of fire services delivery to rural communities; • large-scale exercises were undertaken by FESA in conjunction with WA Police Service, Department of Health, St John Ambulance and other agencies to ensure an integrated State response to terrorist-related incidents; and • 22 inter-agency inspections of special risk sites were conducted by officers from FESA, Department of Environment and Department of Industry and Resources.
THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS TO SUPPORT EVIDENCE-BASED DECISION-MAKING
Considerable advancements have been made in relation to this issue. • significant effort has been made to improve FESA information management across all spectrums by merging all FESA Emergency Dispatch, Management and Support systems into two main systems: - FESA Emergency Dispatch System (FCAD); and - CFA Operational Management System (OMS) database for emergency management and support. • the system change is expected to occur during September 2004; • state-wide mapping for emergency dispatch development has continued and will be released in conjunction with the FCAD or Brigade OMS 2 in September; • automatic Vehicle Location and Visual Status Units (VSUs) have been tested and accepted. A tender for the replacement VSUs is finalised and installation will occur during the first quarter of 2004-05; • obtained clearance of the FESA Record Keeping Plan by the State Records Commission as required by the State Records Act 2000; • completed amendments to the FESA Records and Document Management System to reflect the restructure of the metropolitan Fire Services; • refinement of state-wide data in relation to volunteer resources undertaken to assist with funding allocations under the new Emergency Services Levy arrangements; • the Volunteer Marine Rescue Services computerised data base and reporting system developed in consultation with volunteers and the WA Police Service has now been in operation for one year; • appointment of a project team to coordinate research across FESA; • development of a centre of excellence in FESA’s natural environment branch to focus on fire management practices in the environment; • continuation of a program to research and establish an evidence base for the design of future emergency prevention and preparedness programs; • continuation of a five-year research and analysis program on fire fatalities in WA; • phase 1 completed of a research project on community awareness about safety campaigns in the north- west of the State; and • advanced a three-year project to promote improved levels of integrity, leadership and organisational behaviour. The program will underpin decision-making in human resources management.
22 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 MEETING FESA’S KEY STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
CONTINUATION OF THE UPTAKE AND INVOLVEMENT OF FESA STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS IN COMMUNITY SAFETY INITIATIVES
FESA has responded to this issue by: • continuing the Community Safety division’s Targeted Bush Fire Arson Reduction program, involving staff, volunteers and other agencies, in locations where bush fire arson has been identified as a problem; • encouraging the development of innovative programs by staff and volunteers through nominations for the National Safer Communities Awards – there were three successful nominations at a national level in the past year. The AWARE program devised by FESA’s Emergency Management Services was a winner; • launching a trial of a new Public Alerts System on 31 December 2004. The system used recorded phone messages, radio alerts and an Internet emergency page and met most of the trial’s objectives; • regional staff in the Great Southern conducting bush fire safety workshops aimed specifically at rural women; • trialling a new program to provide Fires Services and SES volunteers with funding to undertake targeted community safety strategies for their local communities; • developing and distributing display materials and community safety program resource materials to volunteer units and brigades; and • implementing a revised Juvenile and Family Fire Awareness program. The program can now be accessed in Kununurra, Wyndham, Karratha, Port Hedland, Geraldton and Albany, as well as in Perth, due to the participation of specially trained career and volunteer firefighters.
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 23
Community-centred emergency management
WESTERN Australia is faced with a broad range of natural and man-made risks – fires, cyclones, severe storms, flood, chemical spills, vehicle crashes and marine hazards. As terrorism has escalated, so too has the risks of chemical, biological and radiological emergencies.
FESA embraces and actively promotes the concept of ‘community-centred emergency management’ to further bolster Western Australia’s capacity to deal with these events. Community-centred emergency management requires working with the community to minimise the impact of emergencies.
FESA employs this concept in two ways. Firstly, it uses the community-centred concept as a foundation to shape its emergency risk and emergency management activities. It adjusts its service delivery in keeping with the social, economic, cultural, environmental, geographic and other special needs of people. FESA consults with the community to determine these needs.
Secondly, but equally important, FESA undertakes the community-centred approach by promoting and facilitating emergency risk and emergency management to communities in Western Australia so they can be more self reliant and better prepared in case of emergencies.
The community-centred emergency management concept is achieved using four components:
Prevention: a range of prevention services is provided to increase community awareness of hazards and involvement in minimising their impact.
Preparedness: appropriate and adequate infrastructure, equipment, skilled personnel, plans and programs are provided and maintained in preparation for emergencies. The community is supported in its own response to emergencies.
Response: rapid and comprehensive response to emergencies is ensured to contain and minimise the impact of hazards and to perform rescues. The community is supported in its own response to emergencies.
Recovery: assistance is given to the community, employees and volunteers affected by major emergencies to recover effectively and efficiently.
CONTENTS
• EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS 25 • CHEMICAL, BIOLOGICAL AND RADIOLOGICAL THREATS 31 • CYCLONE 32 • EARTHQUAKE 34 • FIRE 35 • FLOOD 40 • HAZARDOUS MATERIALS (INCORPORATING URBAN, SEARCH AND RESCUE) 42 • SEARCH/RESCUE 46 • STORMS 54
24 FESA Annual Report 2003-04
Emergency management arrangements
FESA has a pivotal role in improving the emergency management capability in Western Australia. It develops and improves the State emergency management arrangements through capacity building services and advisory and support services to key stakeholders at local, state and national levels.
Capacity building activities are aimed at improving the emergency management capability through training and development, policy and planning development, emergency management funding support programs and state mitigation development initiatives. Advisory and support activities assist in developing effective liaison with, and providing support including research, support to the State Emergency Management Committee and the State Mitigation Committee, participation in strategic working groups, special projects and advice and support to customers.
LOCAL COMMUNITY THE AWARE PROGRAM FESA has continued to engage the community in emergency management through the AWARE program (All West Australians Reducing Emergencies). The AWARE program aims to encourage communities to minimise the impact of local hazards through emergency management, especially emergency risk management. The program has engaged Local Emergency Management Committees to assist local governments in taking ownership of emergency management. This approach was recognised at a national level when the AWARE program won an award in the Australian Safer Communities Awards in 2003.
The implementation of the AWARE program has seen an increase in the number of local governments participating in emergency risk management and emergency management activities: • AWARE scholarship holders 4 • AWARE emergency risk management projects 7 • AWARE training activities 14
Number of local government officers attending emergency management courses: • Emergency Management for Local Government 44 • Emergency Risk Management (project management workshop) 29 • Introduction to Recovery Management 102 • Introduction to Emergency Risk Management 30
A significant initiative is the progression of the AWARE program into remote Indigenous communities. The emergency risk management framework has been reviewed and a workshop conducted with Indigenous bodies and community members and emergency risk management training has been trialed with two remote Indigenous communities – One Arm Point and Jigalong.
LEMC/DEMC SUPPORT PACKAGE Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs) are organised around local government boundaries and are an important component of state emergency management arrangements. Of the 99 LEMCs, 50 are chaired by local government representatives and the remaining 49 are chaired by Western Australia Police Service representatives.
The number of LEMCs with ratified community emergency management arrangements has increased this year to more than 60 and a number of others are under review.
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 25 EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS
With more local governments taking on the Chair positions on both the LEMC and the Local Recovery Committees, a need was identified to provide support and training to local government representatives. FESA is developing a comprehensive induction and operating package through consultation with selected emergency management committees and emergency management practitioners. A Local Recovery Arrangements Guide was also produced to assist local government develop a local recovery plan.
The LEMC induction package will provide emergency management committee members with a clear understanding of their role and purpose, as well as access to a range of methods, tools and processes to assist them to operate as a member of an effective group.
STATE A number of State policies and plans were reviewed during the year. These include: • Policy Statement 9 (Commonwealth Physical Assistance); • Policy Statement 11(Development and Promulgation of Hazard Management Agency Hazard Plans and Function Support Agency Plans); • State Recovery Plan; • State Wildfire Plan; • State Tropical Cyclone Plan; • State Dambreak Plan; • State Severe Storm Plan; and • State Health Support Plan.
The State Emergency Coordination Group (SECG) was activated for: • the possible return to Australia of a shipment of sheep from the Middle East aboard the MV Cormo Express (October 2003); • the Tenterden bush fires (December 2003); • Tropical Cyclone Monty (March 2004); and • Tropical Cyclone Fay (March 2004).
CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROTECTION Following work undertaken by the Commonwealth’s Critical Infrastructure Protection Group (of which Western Australia was a member), the Director General of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet requested the State Emergency Management Committee (SEMC) to review all aspects of critical infrastructure risk within Western Australia. Specific outcomes were to:
• identify essential infrastructure including that which is particularly vulnerable and a potential target; • establish a priority list of critical infrastructure; • facilitate security reviews, including the need to reinforce particular infrastructure, improve warning systems and physical security; • investigate mitigation strategies; • facilitate the development of plans and mechanisms to recover quickly and effectively from failure of essential infrastructure; • facilitate security reviews, including the need to reinforce particular infrastructure, improve warning systems and physical security; • investigate mitigation strategies; and • facilitate the development of plans and mechanisms to recover quickly and effectively from failure of essential infrastructure.
SEMC established a project committee and a FESA officer was appointed project manager. The project, including the development of a critical infrastructure database, was completed in December 2003. Following a report to the Department of the Premier and Cabinet (DPC), a program was developed. It will be managed by the DPC Security Planning and Coordination Group, and is supported by an officer seconded from FESA. The program will be overseen by the WA Critical Infrastructure Coordinating Committee, which has a FESA representative.
26 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS
STATE MITIGATION COMMITTEE The State Mitigation Committee (SMC) continued to work towards its aim of reducing the social, economic and environmental cost of natural hazards to the Western Australian community. The SMC is chaired by the FESA Chief Executive Officer. The FESA Executive Director Emergency Management Services is a member of the SMC, while other FESA personnel sit on the Committee's four senior officers working groups. The SMC and all working groups receive executive support from the FESA Manager Mitigation.
The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) gave in-principle approval to a review of Australia's approach to dealing with natural disasters. Importantly, the SMC State Mitigation Framework supports all COAG reform commitments and recommendations.
The SMC’s senior officers working groups achieved the following outcomes in 2003-04:
• Integration of emergency mitigation strategies into remote Indigenous communities A recovery management framework for remote Indigenous communities was completed and presented to the State Recovery Services Group for consideration and action. Developed by FESA and the Department of Indigenous Affairs, the framework contains a number of important principles based on the government’s efforts to ensure normalisation and equity in service delivery.
• Investment in and marketing of mitigation This working group considered requirements for the development, production and implementation of a State mitigation manual, principally for use by local governments. Development of the manual has been contingent on the finalisation of the new edition of the Australian and New Zealand Standard 4360 in Risk Management and the subsequent Emergency Risk Management Applications Guide produced by Emergency Management Australia.
• Land use planning in relation to natural hazard mitigation The working group gained SMC endorsement of a draft Statement of Planning Policy for natural hazard mitigation in WA. The statement applies to the planning and development of land that may be affected by natural hazards. Its objectives are to include planning for natural disasters as a fundamental element in the preparation of all statutory and non-statutory planning documents and, through the use of these instruments, to minimise the adverse impacts of natural disasters.
SPATIAL INFORMATION The SMC Spatial Information Working Group first met in November 2003. The group is working to establish a framework for the efficient and effective use of spatial data infrastructure to support an effective emergency management practice in WA. Tasks, as per its terms of reference, include: • developing an awareness and skills formation initiative; • identifying the means of progressively integrating the use of spatial information into emergency management practices; and • developing a governance framework to oversee the collection and access to spatial information required for emergency management activities.
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 27 EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS
REMOTE INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES The engagement of remote Indigenous communities in emergency management is a key goal of FESA’s Emergency Management Services (EMS) division. Wherever possible, EMS has sought to integrate its objectives and activities within a whole-of-government perspective.
Developments in the reporting period included: • extension of the AWARE program into Indigenous communities; • production of an emergency risk management guide with Indigenous terms of reference; • establishment of formal membership on the State Remote Service Delivery Project Steering Committee, a key outcome of the Gordon Inquiry into family violence in Aboriginal communities; • FESA’s participation in the National Remote Indigenous Communities Advisory Committee. The committee reports to the Australian Emergency Management Committee; and • establishment of formal links with the community layout planning process for Indigenous communities, undertaken by the Department for Planning and Infrastructure. This work will enhance the substantial commitment FESA has already made to improving services within remote Indigenous communities. It will be a significant step towards a more consolidated and collaborative approach to service delivery.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT LEGISLATION Western Australia is currently the only State or Territory that does not have emergency management legislation. Current emergency management arrangements are derived from a 1985 Cabinet Minute, which approved the reorganisation of emergency services in the State. These arrangements form the basis of Policy Statement No. 7: Western Australian Emergency Management Arrangements, issued by the State Emergency Management Committee.
In November 2002, the Community Development and Justice Standing Committee tabled its report on its inquiry on emergency management in Western Australia and recommended the State Government give a high priority to an Emergency Management Act. In her response to the committee, the Minister for Police and Emergency Services undertook to progress the establishment of the Act as quickly as possible.
A number of issues raised following the FESA Emergency Management Conference, Lessons Learned from September 11, the Bali bombings, and the National Counter-Terrorism Committee’s ‘Raw Horizon’ exercise highlighted the critical need to ensure that the proposed legislation was comprehensive and met the requirements of managing the consequence of such events as industrial or civil dispute or an act of terrorism.
In September 2003, FESA hosted a ‘hypothetical’ workshop, using the ‘Raw Horizon’ scenario to examine requirements of the proposed legislation. About 60 representatives from local and State government and industry organisations participated in the workshop. The proposed drafting instructions were amended as a result of this feedback.
On 1 December 2003, State Cabinet approved the drafting of legislation. A drafting priority has been allocated for the Emergency Management Bill to be introduced into Parliament in Spring 2004.
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENTS On 8 June 2001, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) commissioned a wide-ranging review of natural disaster relief and mitigation arrangements in Australia. FESA represented WA on a high level group made up of national, State and Territory as well as local government officials. Its job was to undertake the review and report to COAG by late-2002.
The review report, Natural Disasters in Australia: Reforming Mitigation, Relief and Recovery Arrangements made 66 recommendations aimed at improving the national framework for natural disaster management. Cabinet approval and COAG agreement was obtained in December 2003. FESA is facilitating implementation within Western Australia.
28 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS
A full-time FESA position has been taken off-line to progress the implementation of the recommendations over a six-month period. An implementation strategy has been developed. Progress to date shows that 28 of the 66 recommendations have been implemented which has included the incorporation of the Natural Disaster Relief Arrangements (NDRA) reforms into the State NDRA.
In addition, FESA provided input to the development of guidelines for the Natural Disaster Mitigation Program (NDMP) and a contractual agreement between the Australian and WA Governments. FESA facilitated the WA application process under the NDMP and submitted applications comprising more than $6.6 million in national, State and local governments monies. WA was successful with the Australian Government in gaining an increase in funds – from the notional figure of $300,000 to $1 million. WA was also successful in negotiations with the other Australian States and Territories to increase its proportion of shared funding from the Commonwealth – up five per cent to 11% (or $1.65 million of allocated funds) for 2004-05.
NATURAL DISASTER RELIEF ARRANGEMENTS To reduce the need for ad-hoc assistance, the report proposed a set of four Special Community Recovery Modules become part of the Commonwealth Natural Disaster Relief Arrangements (NDRA). The modules address a range of recovery needs for farmers and small businesses, individuals, families and communities.
To remove significant anomalies identified in assistance available across Australia, the report also recommended a range of enhancements to the Commonwealth NDRA and nine model arrangements for State and Territory NDRA. These recommendations have been integrated into the Western Australian NDRA. Included is a reduction in the threshold for declaration of an eligible disaster under the State NDRA.
AUSTRALIAN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE In agreeing to the implementation of the reform commitments and recommendations of the review Natural Disasters in Australia: Reforming mitigation, relief and recovery arrangements, COAG endorsed establishment of the machinery to oversee the national emergency management arrangements and implementation of the Natural Disaster Reform Package. The implementation machinery will include the Australasian Police Ministers Council (APMC), augmented with ministers with responsibility for emergency services, and the establishment of a new National Emergency Management high level group, named the Australian Emergency Management Committee (AEMC).
AEMC is to provide support for the augmented APMC and ensure a cross-jurisdictional, whole-of- government effort to drive the implementation of the Natural Disaster Reform Package. Western Australia is represented by Deputy Chair of the State Emergency Management Committee (SEMC), Mr Bob Mitchell PSM, who is supported by FESA Executive Director Emergency Management Services (Executive Officer SEMC), Ms Jo Harrison-Ward.
The first AEMC meeting, held in March 2004, focused on a review of the AEMC charter, including governance and administration arrangements. It also looked at a review of COAG Review Report recommendations to identify those that had already been implemented and those that may no longer be relevant because of time or other action.
The AEMC has established an officials working group to assist AEMC in the conduct of its role. The working group met for the first time on 15 June 2004 and developed a draft agenda for AEMC’s meeting in September 2004 and for the augmented APMC, to meet in November 2004.
NATIONAL AND STATE LIAISON Liaison between Emergency Management Australia and FESA provides a link between Commonwealth and State Departments for Western Australia in emergency management. The liaison is an effective way of maintaining relationships between the two levels of government. This occurs through a number of strategies such as participation on national working groups, committees, reference groups and the provision of advice and recommendations to the Commonwealth.
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 29 EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS
FESA has participated in a number of initiatives supporting this liaison and this is evidenced by the representation on the following committees and working groups for 2003-04: • Australian Emergency Management Committee (AEMC) • AEMC’s Officials Working Group • COAG High Level Group • EMA Grants Committee • Board of Centre for Risk and Community Safety (RMIT) • Australian Disaster Information Network Steering Committee • Emergency Management Sector Working Group • Hazard Action Guides Working Party • Australian Emergency Manuals Review Panel • Introduction to Emergency Risk Management - Flexible Delivery Working Group • ERM Review (Applications Guide) Steering Committee • AEMC Remote Indigenous Communities Advisory Committee • Catastrophic Disasters EM Capability Study • NDRA Review Working Group • Commonwealth Mass Casualty Planning Workshop • NDMP Development Group • Australian Emergency Manual Emergency Planning Review Group • Guidelines for Provision of Resources between Jurisdictions Working Group
30 FESA Annual Report 2003-04
Chemical, biological and radiological threats
IN a world environment where threats of chemical, biological and radiological incidents have increased, the need to develop competency, resources and systems for adequate response has become a high priority for FESA.
FESA has established a dedicated chemical, biological and radiological (CBR) unit with funds made available by the State and Commonwealth Governments. Top priorities have included managing the introduction of specialist equipment, reviewing operational procedures and training all response personnel.
Additional funding in the past two years has allowed significant advances to be made in the State’s preparedness, response and recovery capabilities to incidents originating from industrial mishaps, natural disasters and terrorist activity.
Developments have occurred simultaneously and in conjunction with advances in response capability to incidents involving: • hazardous materials; • chemical, biological, and radiological incidents; and • urban search and rescue incidents.
As a result, the report on FESA’s urban search and rescue developments will be reported in the Hazardous Materials section of the annual report.
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 31
Cyclone
THE northern coastal region of Western Australia is one of the most cyclone-prone areas in the world. This region experiences cyclonic winds and associated flooding, high seas and – in rare cases – storm surge (which resembles a large, sudden tidal movement).
FESA is the hazard management agency for the tropical cyclones that have crossed the Western Australian coast. This means it has a responsibility to undertake emergency management of cyclones in the areas of preparedness, response and recovery. FESA State Emergency Service (SES) and FESA units have prime responsibility for ensuring coordinated, timely and effective help is provided to communities impacted by cyclones.
PREPARDNESS CYCLONE PREPAREDNESS RESEARCH A three-year research program commenced into the knowledge, attitudes and behaviour among communities in the north of Western Australia in regard to cyclone preparation. The program involves qualitative research, gathered from focus groups and interviews, and quantitative surveys consisting of telephone interviews. The project seeks to support the development and implementation of appropriate and relevant wet season programs which effectively support the community’s preparedness for events such as cyclones, floods, storm surge and isolation.
Research focused on eight geographic areas in the Northwest statistically representative of the cyclone region. Results from the program’s first year are being reviewed and fed back to the communities involved in the research, as well as the emergency services personnel and key stakeholders. The outcomes will also have a significant influence on the activities undertaken as part of the wet season program during 2004-05.
TIMELY AND EFFECTIVE WARNING SYSTEM The accuracy and timeliness of community cyclone alerts has been improved with the introduction of teleconferencing between the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) and response managers at the local and district levels.
Previously, information on a cyclone’s intensity and forecast track was collected regularly from BOM by an SES operations area manager, who then disseminated it to the local level. Incident managers and their teams would use the information to calculate the most appropriate community alert status for their area. Feedback was then provided to the operations area manager, who would inform BOM for inclusion in the alert message.
Under the new system, response managers at both levels receive information directly from BOM using teleconferencing technology. This provides more time at the local level to decide the appropriate community alert status, which in turn, ultimately offers the community more time to respond.
Conversely, BOM can use information gathered at the local level to: • confirm critical radar and satellite data; • improve flood forecasts; and • incorporate community alerts into weather information which is disseminated through the media.
32 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 CYCLONE
CYCLONE COMMUNITY ALERT SYSTEM The community cyclone alert system was reviewed to ensure the public was aware of appropriate actions to take before and during the impact of a cyclone.
The system was reviewed by FESA in consultation with SES volunteers, local government, commerce and industry. The review resulted in clarification of the current system to: • more accurately define any impending cyclone risk; and • ensure different sections of the community are aware of appropriate actions to take during the different alert stages of an approaching cyclone.
Timeframes determining when alerts could be issued were removed from the system. This provided flexibility, so timing of the delivery matched risk to the community. This, in turn, could offer more time for communities to prepare in certain circumstances.
As a consequence of the review, businesses and employees were urged not to use the alerts system as a risk management tool to decide how long to keep working. Instead, it was suggested the alerts be used as a guide for actions linked to their own plans for each level of cyclone alert.
VOLUNTEER DEPLOYMENT Deployment of personnel to emergencies outside their home regions was enhanced this year with the introduction of mentoring across the State. The program contributed to effective succession planning by providing selected personnel with greater hands-on experience and skills.
RESPONSE SES volunteers spent a total of 63 hours responding to cyclone-related activities.
NOTABLE INCIDENTS TROPICAL CYCLONE MONTY – March 2004 While no wind damage was reported as a result of Tropical Cyclone Monty, widespread flooding required response by volunteers from the State Emergency Service and the Fire and Rescue Service.
TROPICAL CYCLONE FAY – March 2004 Tropical Cyclone Fay crossed the east Pilbara coastline between Pardoo and Wallal Stations with estimated maximum wind gusts of 235 km/h on 27 March. BHP’s Yarrie mine site was the worst affected with damage to buildings and vehicles. TC Fay caused flooding in the De Grey and Oakover Rivers, isolating and damaging roads east of Marble Bar.
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 33
Earthquake
FESA is the hazard management agency for earthquakes in Western Australia: it has a responsibility for emergency management of earthquakes in the areas of preparedness, response and recovery. FESA's State Emergency Service (SES) is responsible for the development of the State Earthquake Emergency Management Plan, which determines overall management and coordination of response to earthquake emergencies.
PREPAREDNESS ARRANGEMENTS REVIEWED The emergency management arrangements for earthquake in the Perth metropolitan region were reviewed and enhanced to reflect contemporary emergency management practices.
The response plan for earthquake in the Midlands/Goldfields/Mid-West region has also been reviewed and updated. The region records the State’s highest incidence of earthquakes.
RESPONSE In the reporting period, there were 20 earthquakes with magnitude 3-4.9 on the Richter scale. Most seismic activity was generated from the Burakin area, in the Wheatbelt north-east of Perth where 29 earthquakes were recorded with magnitudes 1.6-2.9 on the Richter scale. No deaths, serious injury or damage were recorded.
Seismic activity in Western Australia has decreased significantly since a swarm of earthquakes in recent years which culminated in four earthquakes of magnitude 5-5.2 on the Richter scale between October 2001 and March 2002.
34 FESA Annual Report 2003-04
Fire
EACH year thousands of fires impact on man-made structures, bushland and rural properties in Western Australia. FESA is the hazard management agency for fire in gazetted fire districts. Local governments are responsible for fire management in other areas of the State which are not unallocated Crown land.
A hazard management agency has a responsibility for emergency management of a designated hazard in the areas of prevention, preparedness, response and recovery.
Career and volunteer sections of the Fire and Rescue Service of Western Australia combat fires in urban and urban/rural areas. Bush fire brigades, managed by local governments, combat fires in others areas of the State (except unallocated Crown land).
PREVENTION MANAGING BUSH FIRES IN SENSITIVE ENVIRONMENTS FESA and the Shire of Mundaring have developed a project to reduce the high fire risk of bushland areas without compromising environmental assets or the safety of residents. The projects focused on creating environmentally-sensitive fire buffers by way of prescribed burning and weed spraying.
The project’s success rested heavily on pre-planning research to formulate strategies. Volunteer conservation groups collected data from 430 reserves to identify environmental assets such as wildlife corridors and rare flora. Bush fire brigades and CALM worked together to comprehensively map bushland conditions such as conservation values at risk, fuel loads and bush fire history.
Herbicides were also used effectively as an alternative bush fire mitigation strategy by reducing the amount of vegetative matter which could become fire fuel during dry months. It is anticipated that herbicides will facilitate the re-establishment of local native plants and reduce long-term bush fire management costs.
AERIAL CONTROLLED BURNING A controlled aerial burning program more than 6,800 kilometres in length was undertaken in the Kimberley. The program aimed to contain the spread of any future wildfires in inaccessible areas of pastoral leases and unmanaged reserves. The program also provided effective fire barriers to protect townsites and rural assets.
The aerial program service – conducted jointly with Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM) – was provided to pastoral leases on a cost-recovery basis. Movement of the controlled fires was observed daily through Department of Land Information’s (DOLI) remote sensing satellite system, which also provided relatively accurate data on the program’s effectiveness.
The overall area burnt as a result of controlled fire activity was 7016 hectares across 47 pastoral leases. The program was completed by the end of June 2004 (early dry season). When burning is less intense it assists in protecting the natural environment from more intense wildfires.
FIREFIGHTING IN DISUSED FIRING RANGES Despite rigorous efforts to remove all unexploded ordnance in certain firing ranges once used by the Federal Department of Defence, it is not known with absolute certainty whether any threats remain or not. On a number of occasions throughout the reporting period, the possible threat of unexploded ordnance presented an additional hazard to firefighters attempting to suppress fires or undertake fire management operations.
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 35 FIRE
An assessment of potential risks to fire management operations was jointly undertaken by FESA and CALM. It was determined that the likelihood of an unexploded ordnance incident occurring as a result of fire management operations in this State was extremely low. Recommendations were submitted regarding the mapping of disused missile ranges and management of fire operations when unexploded ordnance was discovered.
PREPAREDNESS RESOURCE-TO-RISK MODEL FESA has developed a resource-to-risk model to guide future development of bush fire brigades, particularly in the type, number and location of firefighting vehicles.
Before the introduction of the Emergency Services Levy (ESL), local governments adopted a wide range of strategies to determine their resource requirements. Now, FESA has developed a 16-year plan which will see the majority of the fleet turned over within 16 years. The plan’s core principles are:
• a young fleet; • a modern fleet; • a risk based fleet; and • a well managed fleet.
The resource-to-risk model considers four variables: • brigade risk profiles; • population centre risk profiles; • geographic risk profiles; and • regional response arrangements.
Implementation of the model is being progressed throughout WA by regional staff.
COMMUNITY FIRE MANAGERS Five new community fire manager positions were created to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of fire services delivery to rural communities. Community fire managers work with local governments to provide them with ongoing strategic planning and management of fire mitigation and response activities.
In cooperation with local governments, community fire managers conduct risk assessments, provide support and training to volunteers, provide community education and participate in strategic planning to mitigate and reduce the risk to rural communities.
Appointments were made in the municipalities of Swan, Wanneroo, Gosnells, Cockburn and Mundaring. Further appointments are being considered following reviews in a number of other areas.
ROAD SAFETY SIGNS Roadside signs have been developed to warn motorists that emergency service personnel are working in the area. The signs are highly reflective, quick to erect and compact when packed away. Operating procedures were updated to incorporate the use of the signs and other roadway safety information.
OPERATION READINESS The State Wildfire Emergency Management Plan (WESTPLAN – WILDFIRE) was reviewed and aligned with the State Emergency Management Arrangements documented in State Emergency Management Committee Policy Statement No.7. The principal hazard management agencies, CALM and FESA, jointly reviewed the document.
The plan was tested during Operation Readiness, which comprised a number of simultaneous scenarios throughout the outer metropolitan region and the State’s Southwest.
36 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 FIRE
RESPONSE In 2003-04, a total of 13,861 fires (including structural fires and bush fires) were suppressed by FESA’s career firefighters or by volunteer firefighters who are supported by FESA.
AERIAL FIREFIGHTING Urban-bushland areas of Perth and surrounds benefited from the services of specialised aerial waterbombers for a second consecutive summer.
Two specialised helicopters, called Helitacs, were responsible for directly saving 34 homes and protecting three fire crews, four community subdivisions and industrial buildings/large sheds on two complexes. The aircraft – capable of delivering 30,000 litres of water to an incident per hour – dropped 1.7 million litres of water on 57 missions throughout the summer.
NOTABLE INCIDENTS – STRUCTURAL FIRE CBH GRAIN TERMINAL, FORRESTFIELD - 1 August 2003 Firefighters from Belmont, Midland, Welshpool, Perth, Fremantle and Maddington attended a fifth alarm fire at the CBH Grain Terminal in Forrestfield. The fire, which started in a conveyor belt 25 metres above the ground, was difficult to access. However, the fire was under control in 70 minutes from the time FESA was alerted to the incident. The fire had a potential loss of millions of dollars worth of trade in grain to the WA economy. Only 30 metres of conveyor was damaged with the total cost of damage estimated at $170,000.
RAMPRIE LABORATORIES – 28 September 2003 Firefighters from Belmont, Welshpool, Perth, Kensington, Fremantle and Maddington fought a hazardous materials fire throughout the night at Ramprie Laboratories in Welshpool. Damage was estimated at $3 million.
XANADU WINERY – 26 May 2004 Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) firefighters from Margaret River/Augusta and volunteer bush fire brigade firefighters from Wallcliffe and Witchcliffe battled a fire at Xanadu Winery. The blaze caused an estimated $3 million worth of damage.
NOTABLE INCIDENTS – WILDFIRE BRIDGETOWN – 27–31 December 2003 A total of 140 firefighters and 57 appliances were used to respond to the Bridgetown fire. Waterbombers were used and made many notable saves. Two houses, 55 power poles and numerous sheds were lost in the blaze. More than 700 sheep and many cattle perished as the fire swept through 4,727 hectares of land. Damage was estimated in the millions of dollars.
TENTERDEN – 27 December 2003 Two lives were claimed by this fire, which caused over $12 million of damage in the shires of Cranbrook and Plantagenet. Loses included over 15,000 head of livestock, 20 buildings (including two homes), 15 vehicles, 500km of fencing and 1,000 hectares of crops.
In attendance were bush fire firefighters from throughout the Great Southern, career FRS firefighters, FESA staff and CALM firefighters. One bush fire brigade firefighter was admitted to hospital with burns and five others reported injuries. The likely cause of the fire was determined to be faulty power poles.
WOOROLOO – 2 February 2003 About 300 firefighters and four waterbombers were required to contain a bush fire which swept through 1,000 hectares of bushland in the Wooroloo area. Wooroloo Prison Farm was evacuated and 28 cars at Acacia Prison were gutted. The fire was thought to have been deliberately lit.
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 37 FIRE
CHITTERING – 2-3 February 2004 More than 1,500 hectares of bushland, farming land, vineyards and orchards were damaged when wildfire swept through Chittering. Three sheds and some other rural infrastructure were lost, but no residential dwelling was directly affected by the fire.
The blaze was fought by volunteer and career firefighters from Chittering, Muchea, Bindoon, Bullsbrook, Swan, Gingin, New Norcia, Wannamal, Toodyay, Wanneroo, Quinns Rocks, Joondalup and Bassendean. In addition, firefighters from CALM, two helitacs and one fixed-wing waterbomber assisted.
SCIENTIFIC PARK, PORT KENNEDY – 10 January 2004 Multi-agency fire services took more than 12 hours to bring a wildfire under control at an old ordnance range in Port Kennedy. Helitacs and CALM water bombers were called in to control the fire, which burnt out about 40 hectares of coastal heath.
BOYA – 12 February 2004 Up to 40 people from 15 households were evacuated after a fire broke out at the Boya Quarry. At the peak of the fire, 80 personnel and 35 appliances were in attendance. However it was restricted to 130 hectares, attributed to the consistent and tireless efforts of the attending career, volunteer and CALM firefighters.
THOMPSON LAKE – 13 January 2004 Volunteer and career firefighters from across the southern metropolitan area, waterbombers and Helitacs attended a fire at Thompson Lake, Success.
FESA received a call around 1pm and firefighters had the fire contained by late afternoon. A concern for firefighters was the ground area around Thompson Lake was made up of a very combustible combination of dried grass and peat, so a fire watch was continued into the morning of the 15th.
An area of approximately 40 hectares was burnt out.
RECOVERY OPERATIONAL WILDFIRE REVIEW The Operational Wildfire Review 2003-04 examined two major wildfires and a comprehensive review of post incident analyses for significant wildfires.
The analysis aimed to determine consistent trends and assess if remedial actions implemented following previous major wildfires had resulted in any improvement in operational performance.
The report aimed to: • proactively identify areas of potential deficiency in operational performance and recommend enhancements; • provide suggestions to further integrate regional operations and provide greater fire ground support in the field; • identify and make recommendations on consistent communication, control and command structures from a local through to state level; and • recommend a more active and formal approach to supporting local government on matters pertaining to wildfire.
The review lead to the development of 39 recommendations to enhance wildfire prevention, preparedness, response and recovery. It also provided a benchmark to gauge future improvements.
The anticipated outcomes following implementation of the recommendations will be: • an improvement in operational preparedness at local, regional and state levels; and • reduction in the number of operational injuries as a percentage of reported incidents.
38 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 FIRE
RURAL WORKSHOPS FOR WOMEN Bush fire safety workshops aimed specifically at rural women were conducted in the Great Southern. The workshops provided information on fire mitigation strategies around the home, survival strategies in the home, survival strategies in vehicles and on foot and bush fire behaviour.
The workshops helped participants to develop action plans in the event of a bush fire and reinforced the importance of safe practices for firefighters within the family, such as the wearing of appropriate protective clothing.
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 39
Flood
In recorded history, FLOODING has occurred in many places throughout Western Australia at different times of year. In recent times, floods have caused significant disruption to road, rail, and communications and damaged community infrastructure.
FESA is the hazard management agency for flood in Western Australia: it has responsibility for emergency management of flood in the areas of preparedness, response and recovery. State Emergency Service units and FESA units undertake the relevant responsibilities.
PREPAREDNESS REMOTE INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES The impact on remote Indigenous communities isolated by flooding in the Pilbara and Kimberley is being mitigated through partnerships with FESA. The communities and FESA are working together to develop risk management plans to reduce the need for direct resupply assistance during flooding.
Many remote communities were impacted by widespread flooding in the reporting period and isolated for up to three months. Some assistance was required by individual communities in the form of fresh produce and stores. However, for the third consecutive year, fuel was managed and resupply was unnecessary.
Plans and procedures created by Oombulgurri community and FESA to mitigate the flood risk were activated during the passage of Tropical Cyclone Fay. Leaders of the community – which has been evacuated twice in recent years – used timely information to allay any fears of flooding.
BUNBURY EXERCISE An exercise was undertaken during the reporting period to test the coordination capability of agencies in the event of a flood in Bunbury. The exercise scenario was based upon the Preston River flooding, forcing the evacuation of hundreds of residents and impacting on the local sewerage system in eastern Bunbury. Agencies in the exercise included the Water Corporation, Department of Environment, the City of Bunbury, FESA and the WA Police Service. The exercise exposed deficiencies which have been rectified as an ongoing process of improvement.
FLOOD BOAT ALLOCATED The Nannup SES Unit was allocated a new model flood boat. It will service the Blackwood River, one of the biggest river systems in the Southwest used for a wide range of recreational purposes. The $5,000 flood boat, to be purchased using funds from the Emergency Services Levy, will also enhance the Southwest’s flood response capability.
WARNING SYSTEM IMPROVEMENT Work has begun towards streamlining flood warning systems in the Southwest. It is hoped that initial contacts between FESA, the Department of Environment and Bureau of Meteorology will lead to a working agreement that will result in more accurate and timely flood warnings in the Southwest.
40 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 FLOOD
RESPONSE NOTABLE INCIDENTS TROPICAL CYCLONE MONTY – March 2004 Tropical Cyclone Monty produced widespread rainfall over the Pilbara and caused significant flooding in the Robe, Ashburton, Maitland and Fortescue Rivers after it crossed the coastline on 1 March. The water level over the Harding River Dam spillway was 3.9 metres, exceeding the previous high of 2.8m during Tropical Cyclone Steve in 2000.
Flooding isolated Pannawonica’s 800 residents and cut off electricity, disabling bores used to replenish drinking water. Volunteers from the State Emergency Service and the Fire and Rescue Service helped supply and deliver bottled water from Karratha. Assistance was also provided in restoring power.
Two people were rescued by helicopter from the roof of Yarraloola Homestead on the Robe River, about 150km south of Karratha. A number of travellers were rescued after becoming stranded on washed out roads. Floodwaters damaged the Northwest Coastal Highway at the Maitland and Robe River crossings.
SES volunteers in Tom Price undertook sandbagging and debris clearance as a result of local flooding.
NULLAGINE FLOODS – February to March 2004 Three floods between February and March divided and isolated Nullagine (1,400km north of Perth). An emergency communication plan, developed after a post incident analysis of Cyclone Chris (2002), provided the incident manager with a clear picture of likely consequences in the town during flooding.
SES volunteers, a flood boat and heavy-duty generator were put on standby for the first two floods. It was deployed in the third flood, created by Tropical Cyclone Fay, in March. About 120 residents were evacuated as heavy rains and winds battered the town.
Funding is being sought to provide a remote floodwater gauge for the river upstream of Nullagine.
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 41
Hazardous materials
(INCORPORATING CHEMICAL, BIOLOGICAL, RADIOLOGICAL THREATS AND URBAN SEARCH AND RESCUE)
HAZARDOUS materials are used widely by the community and wherever they are utilised, there is a risk of an emergency. They include explosives, compressed gases, flammable liquids and gases, poisons, corrosive substances, radioactive materials and infectious materials.
FESA has legislative responsibility for emergency management of hazardous materials in the areas of prevention, preparedness, response and recovery. Fire and Rescue Services of WA undertake the combat role at incidents involving hazardous materials.
Additional funding in the past two years has allowed significant advances to be made in the State’s preparedness, response and recovery capabilities to incidents originating from industrial mishaps, natural disasters and terrorist activity.
Developments have occurred simultaneously and in concert with advances in response capability to incidents involving: • hazardous materials; • chemical, biological, radiological incidents; and • urban search and rescue incidents.
As a result, the report on FESA’s urban search and rescue developments and chemical, biological, radiological capabilities will be reported in this section of the annual report.
42 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
PREPAREDNESS Additional Commonwealth and State funding has allowed significant advances to be made in the State’s preparedness, response and recovery capabilities to incidents related to the areas of chemical, biological and radiological/hazardous material response and urban search and rescue.
The following developments have resulted in an enhanced capability for FESA to respond to incidents originating from industrial accidents, natural disasters and terrorist activity: • creation and appointment of two additional full-time positions to manage the response capability for incidents involving rescue and hazardous materials/chemical, biological and radiological substances; • review of response procedures for chemical, biological and radiological (CBR) incidents. Procedures were refined to ensure the best level of service is delivered and response managed in line with the identified risk; • introduction of new decontamination procedures across the State to ensure the highest level of safety to crews, the community and the environment; • introduction of state-of-the-art chemical splash suits to ensure the best possible protection is afforded to the State’s emergency services personnel at biological incidents and chemical spills; • delivery of equipment and training throughout the State to help detect various warfare agents, industrial chemicals and radiological hazards. It also enables FESA to monitor the radiological health exposure of firefighters; • purchase of new equipment, including sophisticated listening and detection devices, search cameras, specialised concrete cutting and removal tools; • commissioning of a purpose-built vehicle to carry new specialist equipment for a range of incidents. The appliance has four main functions: - to deliver equipment to chemical, biological and radiological incidents; - to widen the hazardous materials response capability to cover industrial areas; - to supply breathing apparatus and confined space rescue equipment at large incidents; and - to provide salvage recovery equipment. Fire station officers and firefighters assigned to the vehicle undertook intensive training and assessment in the use of the specialist equipment. Representatives from WA Police, Chemistry Centre WA and Department of Health were also involved in training. • FESA’s 750 career firefighters across the State were trained to respond to terrorist attack. They were trained in the use of new equipment acquired by FESA and introduced to new procedures in search and rescue in collapsed buildings, decontamination, and response to chemical, biological and radiological incidents. To facilitate this large and widespread instruction, FESA officers were qualified to train Fire Services and State Emergency Service personnel. • volunteer brigades and emergency response units across the State were briefed in State arrangements regarding terrorist-related incidents; • a select team of firefighters received advanced training on urban search and rescue techniques by the Singapore Civil Defence Academy. The team now have skills that enable them to access and rescue people trapped in buildings that have collapsed following terrorist-related activities or earthquake. Skills provided included tunnelling, structure stabilisation, forced entry techniques, mass casualty care, incident preparation, usage of life-detection devices, high-angle rescue and confined space rescue; • the first State chemical, biological, radiological management course was hosted by FESA and Emergency Management Australia. The course, the first of its kind held outside Victoria, included guest speakers from across the nation and was attended by all State agencies as well as St John Ambulance Service and Chemistry Centre WA; and • large-scale exercises were undertaken by the Fire Services in conjunction with WA Police Service, Department of Health, St John Ambulance Service and other agencies to ensure an integrated State response to terrorist-related incidents (see below for more information).
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 43 HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
MAJOR INTER AGENCY OPERATIONS Operation Quadrant This operation was the forerunner of many exercises to test the capability of FESA and its partners to respond to a terrorist event. The simulated high-rise incident – conducted within the Perth central business district – required evacuation of over 800 workers from a high-rise office building. At the same time, a simulated chemical-biological-radiological incident was staged in Fremantle. The concurrent incidents required the FESA Coordination Centre to monitor resources in the Perth metropolitan area.
The exercise provided opportunities for FESA, other agencies and the City of Perth Local Emergency Management Committee to practice response determined by WA’s emergency management arrangements.
Operation Turnstile A multi-agency exercise at Subiaco Oval, held to coincide with the World Rugby Cup in September 2003, Operation Turnstile focused on testing the coordination of response agencies for an explosion and a chemical release.
Response agencies were tested in crowd control, mass decontamination, inter-agency communications and protective clothing usage. The exercise highlighted numerous logistical and contingency problems related to mass decontamination.
Exercise Gas Escape Career firefighters from Daglish, Claremont and Perth joined the Water Corporation, Town of Cambridge, City of Nedlands, and CSBP’s emergency response team for this interagency exercise.
Emergency personnel were required to respond to a chlorine gas leak that threatened neighbouring residents and businesses. FESA crews worked closely with the CSBP emergency response team to manage evacuation and rescue of trapped people, contain the leak and restore the site to normality.
The exercise provided the opportunity for firefighters to practice the use of new sampling and analysis equipment. Firefighters were also provided with an overview of requirements for storage and transportation of chlorine and the reaction of the chemical when released into the atmosphere.
As a result of the exercise, both FESA and the Water Corporation were able to identify areas for improvement.
RESPONSE Career and volunteer firefighters attended a total of 854 Hazmat incidents during the reporting period. The majority of these incidents (594) involved petrol or other flammable liquid spills.
NOTABLE INCIDENTS OIL ENERGY CORP, PORT HEDLAND – 9 July 2003 Port Hedland and South Hedland volunteer Fire and Rescue Service firefighters were called to attend a fire in a fuel/oil waste storage and recycle plant in Port Hedland. Volunteers bunded the 15 x 15 metre fire area and extinguished the fire using foam. Damage to the property was estimated around $300,000.
CHEMICAL SPILL, WATTLE GROVE –19-20 February 2004 Firefighters from Belmont, Welshpool, Kensington, Osborne Park, Bassendean and Maddington attended the spillage of 1200 litres of paraquat after it had fallen from a truck on the corner of Welshpool Road and Tonkin Highway, Wattle Grove.
About 30 people were evacuated by police from the immediate area. The area was made safe the next day.
44 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
WESTERN GALVANISERS, O’CONNOR – 27 April 2004 An explosion in a hot dip galvanising bath at Western Galvanisers, O’Connor, caused an estimated $200,000 in damages. Career firefighters from Fremantle, O’Connor and Osborne Park contained the fire.
TARATULA GAS WELL BLOWOUT – 10-23 June 2004 Volunteer and career firefighters attended a gas leak near Dongara for 14 days until oil-well experts capped the flow. About seven million cubic metres of gas escaped. Firefighters provided a safety barrage of water to disperse the gas and keep equipment cool during the capping attempts.
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 45
Search / Rescue
CONTENTS
• CLIFF AND CAVE RESCUE 47 • LAND AND AIR SEARCH 48 • MARINE SEARCH AND RESCUE 49 • ROAD CRASH RESCUE 51 • URBAN SEARCH AND RESCUE 53
46 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 SEARCH / RESCUE
Cliff and cave rescue
VOLUNTEERS from State Emergency Service units and FESA units are trained to undertake vertical rescues on cliffs and in caves. These volunteers provide a support role for the WA Police Service, the hazard management agency for land search and rescue.
PREPAREDNESS VERTICAL RESCUE TRAINERS Two SES volunteers in the Great Southern have qualified as vertical rescue instructors. The qualifications will boost FESA’s capability to meet operational responsibilities along Albany’s rugged south coast. The instructors will also provide support training in vertical rescue throughout the southern half of the State.
CAVE RESCUE Agreements have been established with CALM to provide State Emergency Service volunteers with access to caves and cliffs in the Leeuwin/Naturaliste National Park for training. CALM and SES units have also established a working party to ensure risk assessments are carried out within tourist caves in the National Park.
RESPONSE SES undertook 10 cliff rescues during the reporting period. No cave rescues were required.
NOTABLE INCIDENTS KARIJINI NATIONAL PARK, 2 April 2004 James Martin Regan became the first State Emergency Service volunteer to lose his life in an operational incident after being hit by a flash flood during a rescue in Karijini National Park, near Tom Price.
Mr Regan was in a team of SES volunteers from Newman and Tom Price working to rescue a tourist from a gorge. Only hours previously, Mr Regan’s rescue party had hauled another tourist to safety in a separate incident. Eyewitness accounts said Mr Regan bore the full force of the flash flood and was swept away. The tourist was winched to safety.
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 47 SEARCH / RESCUE
Land and air search
THE WA Police Service is responsible for managing land search and rescue but the State Emergency Service (SES) provides skills and resources to assist. Assistance comes in the form of fully trained and self-contained teams of volunteers who work under the leadership of a volunteer field search controller. Most of the searches are for missing people but they also have sought criminal evidence such as murder weapons.
PREPAREDNESS TRAINING RESOURCE KITS A group of experts provided content for a national air search training resource kit. The WA contribution formed the basis of the kit and represented the majority its content. The kit has been completed and will be available in July 2004.
A land search training resource kit has been produced by FESA in consultation with the Subject Matter Advisory Group. Aligned to national competency standards, it has been produced for Western Australia but is being reviewed for national use.
RESPONSE SES volunteers spent a total of 7,854 hours undertaking 139 searches during the reporting period.
NOTABLE INCIDENTS SALMON HOLES, ALBANY – 14 September 2003 An extensive five and a half day search was conducted for a young fisherman who had fallen into the sea at the Salmon Holes, near Albany.
The search involved 41 State Emergency Service volunteers as well as members of the Albany Sea Rescue Squad and FESA staff. This was a particularly notable event due to a high level of involvement from the young man’s family.
The family has since formed the Nathan Drew Memorial Trust Fund for Coastal Safety, linking into the “Fish Safe, Be Coast Safe” campaign. Ongoing trials of rescue devices, installed at the Salmon Holes, have been undertaken since the incident.
KARIJINI NATIONAL PARK – 2 April 2004 James Martin Regan became the first State Emergency Service volunteer to lose his life in an operational incident after being hit by a flash flood during a rescue in Karijini Park, near Tom Price.
Mr Regan was in a team of SES volunteers from Newman and Tom Price working to rescue a tourist from a gorge when he took the full force of the flash flood and was washed away. The search to find Mr Regan included the deployment of additional ground-based personnel, an expansion of the operation control team, fresh vertical rescue teams and aerial reconnaissance. His body was found a day later by police divers at the base of the gorge.
48 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 SEARCH / RESCUE
Marine search and rescue
Western Australia’s 36 volunteer marine rescue groups – which comprise 2,200 active and associate volunteers – are involved in a wide variety of marine emergency management activities. These include: • assisting the Western Australia Police Service to search for missing people or vessels; • providing help to drifting vessels; • assisting in operations to remove grounded or submerged vessels; • providing a ‘sail plan’ notification service for boat owners; • monitoring marine radio services; • providing training in small-craft proficiency courses, communications and safety; and • providing information to boat owners on appropriate actions to take during an emergency at sea.
All volunteer marine rescue groups are independent, incorporated bodies affiliated with either of two volunteer marine rescue associations – Volunteer Marine Rescue Western Australia or West Coast Volunteer Marine Search and Rescue Association. There are 33 marine rescue groups formally approved under the FESA Act.
PREPAREDNESS BLACK SPOT COMMUNICATIONS PROBLEMS FESA has been allocated State Government funds to address black spot marine VHF communication problems throughout the State. So far, five repeaters have been installed along the south coast, two in the Kimberley and another in the Murchison region. Preliminary work was carried out on several other sites.
TRAINING – MARINE RESCUE VOLUNTEERS The focus on training of marine rescue volunteers has continued. More than 140 volunteers were enrolled with TAFE Colleges throughout WA. Assessment of volunteer’s skills levels have ensured proper recognition of prior learning.
BOAT SAFETY TRAINING FESA and marine rescue volunteers have begun work with the Department of Planning and Infrastructure to promote boating safety to the regions through a ‘whole-of-community’ approach.
RESPONSE ELECTRONIC INCIDENT REPORTS The amount of time and human resources required for processing incident reports have been greatly reduced by the introduction of an electronic system. The system, developed by the Two Rocks Volunteer Sea Rescue Group and delivered by FESA and the WA Police Service, is used by all volunteer marine rescue groups to generate incident reports for WA Water Police and FESA. The system, replacing reports on paper, is also used by volunteers to document training information.
For volunteers, the system allows quicker and easier compilation and delivery of data. For FESA and the WA Police Service, it is hoped this will result in more accurate, timely and significant audits.
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 49 SEARCH / RESCUE
NOTABLE INCIDENTS SALMON HOLES, ALBANY – 14 September 2003 An extensive five and a half day search was conducted for a young fisherman who had fallen into the sea at the Salmon Holes, near Albany. Members of the Albany Sea Rescue Squad were involved in a sea search while SES volunteers and FESA staff helped in an extensive search on land. This was a particularly notable event due to a high level of involvement from the young man’s family.
The family has since formed the Nathan Drew Memorial Trust Fund for Coastal Safety, linking into the “Fish Safe, Be Coast Safe” campaign. Ongoing trials of rescue devices, installed at the Salmon Holes, have been undertaken since the incident.
ROTTNEST ISLAND – 9 April 2004 Fremantle Volunteer Sea Rescue Group’s vessel the MV R100 was wrecked in an incident at Strickland Bay, Rottnest Island.
DUNSBOROUGH SEARCH – 1 May 2004 The Naturaliste Volunteer Sea Rescue Group was called out to assist at the scene of an incident in which a young boy's life was lost. He had been the passenger of a vessel which was struck by a commercial fishing boat near Dunsborough.
The group was called upon to transfer the survivors ashore and search and recover all floating debris. The event had a severe impact on volunteers on the rescue vessel and in the operations centre.
50 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 SEARCH / RESCUE
Road crash rescue
SERVICES to extricate casualties of car crashes are delivered by emergency services supported by FESA:
• career and volunteer firefighters from the Fire and Rescue Service of Western Australia; • State Emergency Service volunteers; and • FESA unit volunteers.
Career and volunteer firefighters from the Fire and Rescue Service predominantly provide this service throughout the State. However, volunteers from State Emergency Service (SES) units and FESA units also undertake this often lifesaving task in areas where Fire and Rescue Services are unavailable.
The WA Police Service is the hazard management agency for road transport emergencies.
PREPAREDNESS NEW TOOLS DELIVERED New equipment to protect rescuers and casualties of road crashes were delivered to firefighters and emergency response units throughout the State along with training. The new equipment includes: • metal edge protectors, designed to improve protection from sharp-edged metal at motor vehicle and industrial accidents; and
• glass management kits. These thick, clear sheets of plastic protect patients and rescuers from broken glass or other projectiles that may be released during a rescue.
RESCUE EQUIPMENT REVIEW FESA Fire Services is continuing a review of rescue equipment. A report has been finalised on the type and location of rescue equipment required to match risks across the State. Recommendations in the report are being considered and are anticipated to be integrated into the Fire Services’ metropolitan resourcing plan.
Following a review of FESA’s confined space rescue capability during the reporting period, equipment will be deployed at strategically-located fire stations throughout the State. An upgrade of the capability will meet the requirements of the Australian Standards for Confined Space Rescue.
ROAD CRASH RESCUE CHALLENGE, MELBOURNE A team of six firefighters from the metropolitan region represented FESA’s Fire Services at the annual Australasian Road Rescue Organisation Challenge in Melbourne during May. Participants at the competition and a subsequent symposium gained exposure to new rescue techniques, equipment and issues.
Teams were required to work on new vehicles to ensure rescue equipment and techniques kept pace with technological advances in motor vehicle manufacture. The FESA Fire Services team gained first place in the Limited Category, which limits the use of power tools. A road rescue team also represented Western Australia’s SES. The competitions are utilised as a high-level training opportunity.
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 51 SEARCH / RESCUE
In November, a team from the Southwest represented FESA and Western Australia in the SES 2003 National Disaster Rescue Competition in Latrobe, Tasmania. The team achieved third place overall while the team leader was runner-up in the Outstanding Leadership section.
NEW POSITIONS CREATED As a result of a restructure within FESA Fire Services, two dedicated Fire Service managers were appointed to manage the response capability for incidents involving rescue.
CROSS AGENCY TRAINING Cooperation between agencies in road rescue training has been encouraged and proven to be successful in the Great Southern. In the northern part of the region, training has been delivered by FESA SES staff and SES volunteers to members of FESA units, Fire and Rescue Service volunteers and bush fire brigades. In the southern part of the region, Fire and Rescue Service personnel are delivering training to FESA units.
RESPONSE In 2003-04, emergency services in Western Australia attended 170 road crashes to extricate people from vehicles. Of the total, 137 incidents were attended by career and volunteer FRS firefighters. SES volunteers attended 33 incidents to extricate road crash casualties.
NOTABLE INCIDENTS JANDAKOT AIRCRAFT CRASH – 11 August 2003 Firefighters from Canning Vale, Perth and O’Connor attended a light plane crash next to Jandakot Airport. The plane experienced problems immediately on take-off, clipping some trees and bursting into flames.
There was one fatality and five injured – two critically and three seriously. The interim medical helicopter, which FESA manages, airlifted one of the injured to hospital.
52 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 SEARCH / RESCUE
Urban search and rescue
WHILE the WA Police Service is responsible for the management of land search and rescue, FESA has developed a capability to deal with the rescue of casualties trapped by buildings, landfall or slippage which collapse as a result of industrial accidents, natural disasters and terrorist activity.
Additional funding in the past two years has allowed significant advances to be made in the State's preparedness, response and recovery capabilities to urban search and rescue.
Developments have occurred simultaneously and in concert with advances in response capability to incidents involving: • hazardous materials; • chemical, biological, radiological incidents; and • urban search and rescue incidents.
As a result, the report on FESA's urban search and rescue developments will be reported under the 'Hazardous Materials' section of this annual report.
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 53
Storms
FROM May to September rain, gale force winds and severe thunderstorms are characteristics of weather experienced by residents from Geraldton to Esperance. In Western Australia each year, storms generally cause more damage than either cyclones, floods, bush fires or earthquakes.
FESA has overall responsibility for emergency management of storms in the areas of preparedness, response and recovery.
PREVENTION RENTAL TENANTS Rental homes were identified by SES volunteers as being particularly at risk of being damaged during storms. As a result, the Storm Safe 2004 program included specific strategies encouraging tenants and property owners to prepare rental homes for the storm season.
RESPONSE In 2003-04 the State Emergency Service (SES) attended 264 incidents storm-damaged premises. Response to storm operations involved a total of 1516 volunteer hours.
NOTABLE INCIDENTS 2 August 2003 SES volunteers responded to more than 100 calls for assistance after winds up to 120km/h caused widespread damage across the metropolitan and Southwest regions .
54 FESA Annual Report 2003-04
Quality people services
FESA employs 1,163 full-time staff, 21 part-time staff and supports more than 27,000 volunteers (see page 13 for full breakdown of volunteer numbers). The full-time equivalent (FTE) staff complement for FESA was 1,140 as at 30 June 2004.
Our people are vital to the success of FESA and the services we provide to the community. FESA affirms the importance of providing appropriate training, opportunities, recognition and support for our people.
We will ensure FESA has: • recruitment and retention strategies that attract, promote and retain the right people, who are committed to FESA, our values and our mission; • competent, committed leadership and management; • a safe and healthy work environment; and • training and development.
CONTENTS
• TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT 56 • OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE 57 • EMPLOYEE RELATIONS 58 • RECRUITMENT 58 • RECOGNITION 59
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 55 QUALITY PEOPLE SERVICES
TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT TRAINING FESA’s status as a registered training organisation was renewed following an audit against the Australian Quality Training Framework. As a consequence, FESA can continue to conduct nationally-recognised training and issue statements of attainment and certificates linked to national standards.
The auditor provided very positive feedback on FESA’s training and assessment systems, singling out several areas as representative of best practice: • FESA’s simple and effective approach to training and assessment; • FESA’s training procedures manual, which has been widely distributed and understood; • the evidence of FESA’s systematic review and continuous improvement ethos; • FESA’s training resource kits, which assist in the maintenance of quality assurance in training and assessment; and • the focus of FESA’s training centre on customer needs.
VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER TRAINING During the reporting period FESA has significantly improved training for members of volunteer Fire and Rescue Services and bush fire brigades. In particular, FESA is working with volunteers to promote leadership skills and an understanding of change management.
Training programs have been developed to improve the competencies of volunteers on the fireground. In addition, volunteers have attended management courses and higher level operational management courses. This will assist with succession planning and team leadership capabilities.
FESA is working closely with local governments to ensure that training programs delivered to volunteers matches risks within their areas of response. Through the process of brigade profiling, volunteer competencies are being cross-checked with agreed profiles.
Updated operating procedures and administrative procedures have been distributed to all volunteer Fire and Rescue Service volunteers and bush fire brigades.
CAREER FIREFIGHTER TRAINING Career firefighter training continues to be developed to ensure appropriately trained staff are available to meet the future needs of the organisation. Selected personnel have been given higher level opportunities to relieve in middle and senior management positions in line with career enhancement and succession planning objectives.
Particular emphasis has been placed on incident management skills for operational staff. Required competencies have been identified through analysis incident reports and benchmarking against national standards. Training programs such as Vector Command have been implemented to enhance officers’ skills and knowledge related to incident leadership and control.
Mentoring has been established with Fire Service managers attending both Fire Rescue Service and bush fire brigade emergencies to facilitate a broader understanding of all fire incidents. Fire station officers have received training in the use of computer-based forms and systems to assist with administrative roles. These are included in the Operational Management Training Program, Skills Enhancement Program as well as drills and exercises.
56 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 QUALITY PEOPLE SERVICES
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE PREVENTATIVE PHYSIOTHERAPY SERVICE A physiotherapy intervention service at FESA: • improves staff performance during work; • lowers the risk of lost time due to injury; • decreases recovery time from injury; and • increases the level of staff available to deliver service.
In the reporting period, 459 examinations were undertaken at a cost of $20,000. The service identified and mitigated 23 workplace injuries that would have resulted in a worker’s compensation claim in the absence of preventative physiotherapy. Based upon the FESA estimated average claims cost of $4,015 (for 2003/2004 until 30 May), this service saved an estimated $72,345.
Of the total injuries, 344 were identified as potentially requiring medical treatment and time away from work at some point in the working career. However, it could not be accurately determined whether a claim was probable or not. Of these 344 clients, 159 reported symptoms had been resolved.
FESA SAFE PROGRAM A three-year, five-phase plan was created and implemented to promote a greater level of safety throughout FESA. As a result of the initiative, called FESA Safe, consultative mechanisms have improved and the number of safety education programs has increased. A new organisational value – ‘strive to keep ourselves and others safe’ – has been created and incorporated into FESA’s value statement to underline the importance of safety as a key component of the organisation’s culture.
FUNCTIONAL ASSESSMENT TOOL An assessment tool has been created and implemented to test the physical capability of people to undertake repetitive tasks specific to firefighting. The physical test has been used: • to better identify appropriate recruits for a career in firefighting; and • to determine when firefighters are ready to return to work after an injury.
The test was created after deficits were discovered between the basic physical test for firefighter recruitment candidates and actual physical demands of firefighting. The new assessment tool, which tests the nine most common movements carried out by firefighters, is used as a secondary test on all recruitment candidates.
The functional assessment tool has been successfully implemented to: • identify candidates with weaknesses that could be improved; and • identify candidates who passed the primary test but were unable to meet the demands of movements required for the actual job.
A secondary result has been the application of the tool into the area of injury management. It enables FESA and the injured person to determine their suitability to return to full duties.
REDUCING WORKERS’ COMPENSATION CLAIM COSTS The first eight months of the 2003/2004 financial year showed promising results with costs contained to 79% of the previous financial year. However, four workplace stress-related claims in the final four months increased costs to a level similar to the previous financial year. These claims carried very high cost estimates due to their complexity and poor projected outcome.
PEER SUPPORT 1800 FREECALL The Peer Support and Family Support programs facilitate FESA’s drive to maintain emotional well-being for its people. There are 146 representatives throughout the State to provide assistance to FESA staff, emergency services volunteers and their families in times of need. A 1800 freecall number was implemented and widely used to provide immediate contact for confidential advice and assistance.
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 57 QUALITY PEOPLE SERVICES
FESA CRISIS MANAGEMENT PLAN On 2 April 2004 the FESA Crisis Management Plan was activated for the first time and the FESA Crisis Management Team convened to deal with the event that tragically claimed the life of 36-year-old Newman State Emergency Service volunteer, James Martin Regan.
The immediate priorities were to ensure an effective FESA response to the event, notify the family of the affected people, provide peer support to those involved and ensure effective internal and external communications. FESA staff performed key roles within the Crisis Management Team.
The event involved intense and successful multi-divisional cooperation and included support from a range of non-government organisations. The family of Mr Regan appreciated the strong support that FESA provided. The overall management and processes of the Crisis Management Team was effective and included a central point and authority, immediate and efficient problem solving, and logistical support to FESA staff and affected individuals.
In light of the Karijini operation, the plan has been reviewed and amended to enhance future operations.
EMPLOYEE RELATIONS ENTERPRISE BARGAINING New enterprise bargaining agreements were finalised during the year to cover FESA Technical Services employees and FESA Firefighters.
The new Technical Services enterprise bargaining agreement – negotiated with the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union – introduced a new classification which is based on competencies and provides more flexibility for employees and FESA.
The WA Fire Service Certified Agreement 2004 – negotiated with the United Firefighters Union of Australia – provides a pay increase to firefighters and enables FESA to develop key initiatives in consultation with firefighters and the union.
EMPLOYEE GRIEVANCE An employee grievance resulted in two periods of passive strike action, in which some firefighters chose to respond only to emergency calls and did not participate in other activities, including community safety initiatives.
The first period of action lasted about three days with intervention required in the Australian Industrial Relations Commission. The second period lasted one day and did not require external intervention.
RECRUITMENT FIREFIGHTER RECRUITMENT The firefighter recruitment campaign provides information sessions to candidates on requirements to become a firefighter and a FESA employee. After the selection process, information sessions on results were also conducted for unsuccessful candidates. Feedback was positive.
SHARED CORPORATE SERVICES REFORM The Shared Corporate Services Reform is an initiative taken by the State Government to adopt a whole-of- government approach to the delivery of corporate services within agencies. It is envisaged that the reform will improve the effectiveness and efficiency of government priorities.
An outcome of the reform was the establishment of five shared service centres to deliver most of the ‘back office’ corporate services currently provided by every public sector agency.
A proactive approach was taken by FESA to play its part in achieving objectives of the Shared Corporate Services Reform and to keep its people well informed of developments:
58 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 QUALITY PEOPLE SERVICES
• the FESA Functional Review Implementation Team (FRIT) Steering Committee (FFSC) was established and terms of reference endorsed. Monthly meetings are held to monitor progress and make decisions relating to the reform. • the FESA Corporate Review Team (CRT) was put in place to deal with a range of initiatives associated with the reform, including: - establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with stakeholders; - identifying issues and developing strategies; - assisting FESA managers and staff in the transition process; - researching and developing position papers; - identifying and comparing costs; and - communicating progress and providing updates. • representatives from the FESA CRT have participated in the evaluation of a number of proposed computer systems relating to arrangements for the shared service centres. FESA CRT representatives also participated in the testing of selected systems. • FESA representatives have attended FRIT workshops to provide input into processes for the Shared Service Centre. The workshops have provided FESA with an opportunity to identify and build a case for the retention of any unique processes.
RETENTION OF SES VOLUNTEERS FESA has commissioned the University of WA to research ways of retaining its SES volunteers. Based on findings of the research, a project team has recommended a number of strategies: • providing worthwhile tasks on a rotational basis so all volunteers are kept motivated; • balancing the need for serious training within a fun environment; • use skills that volunteers bring to the SES so they have the opportunity to excel in their ‘comfort zone’ to offset the stress of learning other skills; and • providing them with a career path if they wish to move from volunteerism to paid employment.
The strategies will be implemented in the forthcoming year.
RECOGNITION AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL Awarded for service distinguished by a high degree of resource and devotion above and beyond normal work for the Queen’s Birthday Honours List. Recipients were: • Fire and Rescue Service Station Officer, John Harper • Wyndham FESA Unit Captain, Ray MacNamara • FESA Fire Services Regional Director Pilbara/Kimberley, Peter Cann • Shire of Colgar Bush Fire Brigade Fire Control Officer, George Giraudo • FESA Fire and Rescue Service Station Officer, John Gordon • Member of Welbungin Bush Fire Brigade, Alan Gracie • FESA Fire and Rescue Service Senior Firefighter, Anthony Harris
AUSTRALIAN EMERGENCY SERVICES MEDAL Awarded to those who have demonstrated distinguished service as a member of the emergency services. Recipients were: • Collie SES Unit deputy manager, Colin Nicholson • Peaceful Bay Sea Rescue Group volunteer, Alec Cull • SES Southwest regional headquarters volunteer, Nicholas Elrick
STATE EMERGENCY SERVICE AWARDS 2003 Peter Keillor Award. The SES Peter Keillor Award is presented to a SES volunteer who has achieved a high level of service in an operation, in the development or promotion of a community safety initiative, or in raising their unit's profile or capabilities. Winner: Bernie O’Brien.
SES Team Achievement Award. As teamwork is a vital part of the SES, this category recognises the efforts of SES units or teams who have initiated a new idea, worked collectively to achieve outstanding
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 59 QUALITY PEOPLE SERVICES
results in a particular area, or undertaken a community safety project. Winner: Bassendean and Belmont units.
Youth Encouragement Award. An award which recognises, rewards and encourages the special contributions of youth to the community. Winner: Stuart Romero.
RAC INSURANCE AND ROTARY CLUB OF WHITFORDS FIREFIGHTING AWARDS 2003 • Career Fire and Rescue Service of WA Award. Bruce Johnston, FESA USAR Training Officer, received this award for his dedication in developing an urban search and rescue (USAR) capability in Western Australia, a project to which he devoted many hours of his own time. • Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service of WA Award. Esperance Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service won this award for being extremely proactive in the community. On average the brigade attended 130 call- outs a year and still found time to hold community events, displays and training sessions promoting fire safety. • Volunteer Bush Fire Service of WA Award. Shirley Morris of Gingin West Bush Fire Brigade, received this award for her dedicated and active work as a member of the Gingin West Bush Fire Brigade in the past 15 years. Currently, she is Fire Control Officer for the Woodridge area and a FESA Peer Support Officer for the Gingin Shire. Shirley has been proactive in developing new initiatives as well as undertaking training to improve services. • West Australian Firefighters’ Commemorative Award. This award was introduced by the Firefighting Awards Committee for the first time, in honour of all firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty. It acknowledges a nominee deserving of special recognition. However, it will not necessarily be awarded on an annual basis.
NEW MEDALS OF RECOGNITION Volunteers from around the State received medallions in recognition of long-term commitment to the community through their active association with either FESA units, bush fire brigades, volunteer marine rescue groups or SES units.
The Volunteer Marine Rescue Services and Bush Fire Service medallions, introduced during the reporting period, are a similar style in design. They are based on the same design as long-service medallions produced for FESA units. A proposed version for SES volunteers has been embraced by the SES Consultative Committee to replace the current long-service medallion.
FESA also began issuing an Outstanding Service Medal, which recognises extraordinary contributions made by FESA staff and volunteers. The medals are for outstanding service which cannot be nominated under the Australian Honours and Awards System.
To date, these medals have been awarded on two occasions:
• Christine Horton, Bush Fire Service • Ronald Geoffrey Panting, State Emergency Service
60 FESA Annual Report 2003-04
Sound business practices
FESA believes that in order to meet our commitments to the community, we must implement business practices that can be benchmarked against recognised standards of excellence. We commit to managing our financial and physical resources in a competent and accountable manner and maintaining a customer focus.
CONTENTS
• KNOWLEDGE AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT 62 • FINANCIAL SYSTEMS 65 • BUSINESS PROCESSES 66 • PHYSICAL RESOURCE PLANNING 67 • CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAM 68
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 61 SOUND BUSINESS PRACTICES
KNOWLEDGE AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
GENERAL GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS The Geographical Information Systems (GIS) branch work program has continued this year with foci on the capture of information on lands potentially polluted by unexploded ordnance, the final stages of the Peel West Emergency Services Directory and also the development of tools and training for operational incident management. As the GIS branch develops closer ties with GIS units in other emergency services within Western Australia and Australia, opportunities to look at shared development of standards, tools and data are being pursued. The GIS branch is also working closely with the Department of Land Information and WALIS on the Shared Land Information Capture Program (SLICP), Shared Land Information Platform (SLIP), and the CRC for Spatial Information Emergency Management Demonstrator Project.
Current projects include: • development of standards for the development of emergency services mapping products within WA; • the development of tools to assist in major incident management and recovery; and • continued mapping to support the ongoing needs of the Emergency Service Levy.
DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT The FESA Recordkeeping Plan was cleared by the State Records Commission in January 2004. The draft FESA Retention and Disposal Authority was lodged at the State Records Commission in March 2004 and is awaiting endorsement. This has ensured FESA’s compliance with the State Records Act 2000. Records management has been included in FESA’s Annual Internal Audit plan to ensure that recordkeeping systems are assessed and reviewed. Work has continued on the state-wide records and document management system across FESA, in particular, the implementation of the FESA Training Files at the Training Centre. Ongoing training and support in records and document management for FESA staff continues to be provided.
INFORMATION SERVICES FESA Information Services has been working in three key areas to consolidate FESA’s Operational Support Computing systems. Those key areas relate to: • application delivery infrastructure; • back-end database systems; and • data verification and uptake.
Work has commenced on the deployment of infrastructure to deliver a consolidated suite of applications via the Internet protocol, so that FESA personnel and volunteers can have access to quality information, anywhere, anytime in order to make informed business decisions.
An upgrade of back-end database systems (Sybase) has also commenced to ensure that the new consolidated system operates within a standard database environment. This will ensure consistent management reporting for all FESA divisions - improving reporting processes - and will result in a greater return on database software investment.
Work has also commenced on data verification and integration from the current disparate systems, so that FESA can provide quality data within the new system.
The aim is to amalgamate the computing requirements of all FESA emergency divisions into a single computing system which is accessible to staff, volunteers, local government and operations centre personnel.
62 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 SOUND BUSINESS PRACTICES
COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY AUTOMATIC VEHICLE LOCATION AND MESSAGING During the year FESA has awarded the tender for the delivery of an automatic vehicle location and messaging system. The system will operate over the commercial GSM mobile phone data system and utilise positioning data from the satellite Global Positioning System (GPS).
The system incorporates the following functionality into a single unit: • mobile phone communications; • automatic vehicle location; and • two-way data messaging to FESA vehicles.
This first phase of this project will standardise the dispatch process for career fire stations both metropolitan and country.
COUNTRY COMMUNICATION SYSTEM (CCS) The replacement CCS system has been developed over the past 12 months and is ready for implementation. The first CCS is scheduled for delivery early November 2004 for the Eaton/Australind Fire and Rescue Service station.
This system incorporates the following emergency communication facilities: • Direct Brigade Alarms; • Group Call; • Paging; and • Station siren operation.
The system will now enable all country Direct Brigade Alarm (DBA) messages to be transmitted to the FESA COMCEN whilst being actioned locally. This permits automatic incident creation within the FESA emergency operational computer systems. As a result the accuracy and timeliness of incident data is increased. This also simplifies the reporting requirements for Fire Services volunteers.
VOICE OVER INTERNET PROTOCOL TELEPHONY FESA Business Services are currently migrating the telephone system to Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP). This system lets FESA IT concentrate on a single communications network and at the same time reduce telephone call costs.
To date the new system has been installed in the following FESA offices: • Midland; • Fremantle; and • Broome.
It is planned that FESA will eventually adopt this technology in the Emergency Dispatch areas and provide links into the FESA Emergency Radio Network (FERN).
MEDIA AND PUBLIC INFORMATION NATIONALLY-ACCREDITED MEDIA TRAINING A package to deliver nationally-accredited media training is in the final stages of approval. The package is intended to provide select staff and emergency services volunteers with nationally-accredited media liaison skills to effectively service and manage the media.
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 63 SOUND BUSINESS PRACTICES
This media training increases the likelihood of and provides more opportunities for FESA to gain media coverage. This is important for a number of reasons: • to provide emergency information to the public; • to deliver community safety messages relevant to incidents or campaigns; • to publicly recognise FESA staff and the volunteers it supports; • to publicise the services FESA provides; and • to enhance FESA’s standing within the community.
The new level of training will help to further enhance the capabilities of FESA’s already well developed network of media liaison officers throughout Western Australia and will allow those who gain accreditation to perform the duties of a media liaison officer anywhere in Australia.
PUBLIC ALERT SYSTEM A system which delivers alerts on serious bush fires as quickly as possible to the community was trialled during the bush fire season in the southern half of the State. The system can deliver alerts via: • special announcements on ABC radio; • stakeholder messages to groups such as media outlets, the Minister, government agencies and internal customers; • a 1300 message telephone line; • a community information telephone line staffed by the Guildford volunteer Fire and Rescue Service; • the FESA website; and • television advertisements (for extreme fires only).
Delivery via mobile phone text messages and the WA Police Service’s special community alert phone system were not used because of technical problems and accessibility.
The public alert system, launched by the Premier after the Tenterden wildfire on 31 December 2003, was activated eight times, including major wildfires at Wooroloo (which resulted in evacuation) and Chittering on 3 February 2004. A report on the alert system’s effectiveness and recommendations for improvement will be released next year.
FESA has also been instrumental in the development of a Memorandum of Understanding for public alerts between all Hazard Management Agencies (HMA) and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).
FESA has also supported an Emergency Management Australia/Murdoch University trial of an automated and standardised alerts system involving SMS, e-mail, fax and voicemail. The system was successfully trialled in the Kimberley/Pilbara in June.
FESA MEDIA POLICY A FESA media policy has been developed to ensure accurate and timely information is issued to the media about emergencies, community safety information, FESA-related issues and promotion. The policy is in the final stages of approval.
MEDIANET A new section on the FESA intranet, called MEDIAnet, was developed to provide FESA staff with guidelines on matters relating to media and public affairs. It provides FESA staff with an outline of the scope of the FESA Media and Public Affairs branch and aims to standardise procedures relating to events management and publications production. It also offers a catalogue of marketing tools produced by the branch to promote FESA and volunteer recruitment. In addition, a style guide for FESA staff wanting to write for the public domain has been published online to standardise references and grammar usage. A Corporate Image Style Guide, in final approval stage, will also be published online to standardise use of logos and publications design.
64 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 SOUND BUSINESS PRACTICES
EVIDENCED-BASED SAFETY PROGRAMS FESA is working with the community to research and establish an evidence base for the design of future prevention and preparedness programs. Data gathered from a range of sources, including operational statistics and feedback, evaluations and research, is being used as the basis for the development of FESA’s community education and awareness programs.
This process is in line with a commitment by FESA’s Community Safety division to develop evidence- based programs.
FINANCIAL SYSTEMS PROCUREMENT AND CONTRACT MANAGEMENT FESA, in conjunction with the State Government’s Procurement reform agenda currently being implemented as part of Government’s ongoing public sector reform agenda to improve efficiency an effectiveness, will continue to ensure that all FESA procurement is undertaken in accordance with best practice principles of open and effective competition, risk management, accountability, equity, ethical behaviour, transparency, formal contracting procedures and value for money.
The importance of ensuring that all contracts are managed efficiently and to high standards is fundamental to maintaining high quality business management.
FESA has recently implemented a Contract Management System. The Contract Management System provides a quality computer application that will effectively manage short and long term FESA contracts to any value, and provide a detailed reporting facility to assist in contract and contractor assessment and ongoing planning. The system manages the total procurement and contract management process from inception to completion and will support FESA’s contracting activities in all areas of business including tendering, contract management and reporting.
FESA’s procurement activities and direction has continued to focus on strategic sourcing in particular ecommerce solutions in an approach to reducing the total cost of purchased goods and services.
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS On 1 July 2003, the Emergency Services Levy (ESL) was introduced by virtue of the Emergency Services Levy Act 2002. Amendments were made to the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia Act 1998 and the Fire Brigades Act 1942 in relation to the annual estimates of expenditure and the source of funding of the Authority.
The financial reporting period ending 30 June 2004 represents the transitional period for the introduction of the ESL under the provision of the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia Act 1998 and the phase out of the Fire Services Levy contribution system under the provisions of the Fire Brigades Act 1942.
The ESL is a new system to fund the services of the Authority and replaced several funding arrangements. The ESL is a levy on all properties in the state of Western Australia regardless of ownership and is applicable to residential properties, farming properties, vacant land, commercial properties, industrial properties and miscellaneous properties.
Significant re-engineering of the financial system infrastructure was undertaken to accommodate the introduction of the ESL including the establishment of the ESL Local Government Manual for Capital & Operating Grants and the ESL Manual of Operating Procedures. The grant manual was developed to assist local government in preparing their estimate requirements for emergency services rendered to the community whilst the operating manual - coupled with system upgrades undertaken for the local government rates system - has been introduced to ensure that appropriate collection and remittance procedures are implemented in relation to ESL raised against ratepayers.
The new accounting processes and administration framework introduced are being monitored to ensure that the Authority’s reporting obligations are met.
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 65 SOUND BUSINESS PRACTICES
BUSINESS PROCESSES EMERGENCY SERVICES LEVY REVIEW The ESL was introduced on 1 July 2003 on the basis of operating parameters and administrative arrangements formulated and agreed with key stakeholders and the local government sector over several years in the lead up to its introduction. These key operating parameters and administrative arrangements were determined on the basis that they would be reviewed during the first year of the levy’s implementation.
The Minister for Police and Emergency Services and the State Government were fully committed to such a review, in conjunction with the appropriate stakeholders, and in a timely manner in order that, where feasible, agreed changes to ESL operating parameters and administrative arrangements be implemented in preparation for 2004/05.
To facilitate the ESL review process a framework was established. This is depicted graphically on page 110.
The ESL review process focussed on refining processes and implementing improvements given the experiences gained in the first year.
Accordingly, the following outcomes resulted from the ESL review process: • publication (tabled in Parliament) of the “Insurance Compliance Review” report which reported that the insurance industry had complied with the legislative obligation to phase out the old Fire Service Levy on insurance premiums; • the “Manual of Operating Procedures” provides local governments with the administrative guidelines on how to bill, collect and remit the ESL, was updated to incorporate general improvements and accommodate audit requirements; • promotion of the alternative more efficient ESL remittance arrangement for local governments which resulted in a further 21 councils electing this option in addition to the 15 that operated under this arrangement in the first levy year; • reviewed all ESL Category boundaries to ensure that they properly reflected the service delivery available to property owners; • the review of the “Local Government Manual for Capital and Operating Grants” focused on areas where more simplistic administrative approaches could be taken to reduce unnecessary duplication of information provided by applicants, as well as improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the ESL Grants scheme; and • the formulation of a communications strategy that set in place a cost effective ESL marketing plan, identified the need for an ESL call centre to operate in 2004/05, developed an ESL brochure for inclusion with 2004/05 rates notices and updated the ESL page on the FESA Web.
MEDIA ENQUIRY SURVEY In response to a government-wide requirement for accountability, FESA has begun measuring the performance of its media-inquiry response capabilities. During the three busiest months of November (Emergency Services Month), December and January, FESA recorded 104, 125 and 93 media inquiries respectively. The majority of operational calls (95%) were answered at the time of the inquiry or within an hour. The majority of issue-based calls were answered the same day.
EVALUATION OF INTERNAL PUBLICATIONS A survey of FESA’s new internal magazine 24seven and its video Callout was completed. The results provided a strong endorsement for both publications. More than 90% of respondents believed the magazine was informative, 96% agreed with the introduction of colour and 84% believed the articles are relevant. For Callout, 92% believe the video was informative, 90% found it useful and 90% believed it contained a good mix of stories.
66 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 SOUND BUSINESS PRACTICES
CRIMTRAC FESA received endorsement from the WA Police Service to access CrimTrac, a Commonwealth service which will provide national police checks for volunteer organisations.
Once CrimTrac is made available on the website, FESA will have direct access to the national CrimTrac database, allowing instant checks on volunteer applicants.
Complementing this, a risk matrix has been developed to assist district and local managers evaluate the types and seriousness of offences recorded on police checks.
PHYSICAL RESOURCE PLANNING FESA continues to utilise business-like management approaches to ensure that resource project planning, procurement and delivery are consistent with organisational goals and required outcomes.
The maintenance of a business-case approach to service delivery ensures that decisions are based on principles of sound reasoning that provide a foundation for achieving strategic and corporate outcomes.
These business strategies also assist FESA to reduce corporate risk and thereby maintain its effectiveness and efficiencies within the competitive Public Sector business sector.
NEW REGIONAL OFFICES Under a restructure of the metropolitan fire district, Perth now has four regions instead of two - Perth North Coastal (based in Joondalup), Perth North East (Midland), Perth South East (Belmont) and Perth South Coastal (Fremantle). A regional director has been appointed for each. The aim of the restructure is to enhance relationships and service delivery to local governments and career and volunteer brigades.
All regions provide training facilities at a local level for both career firefighters and volunteers and their planning activities include programs to identify local risks and target these with education campaigns and where necessary intervention treatments.
The latest regional office at Midland services the Swan, Darling Range and Perth North East Districts, enhancing service delivery to the communities on the Darling Scarp.
PERTH METROPOLITAN RESOURCING PLAN The number of fires in the Perth CBD has dropped over the past 30 years as a significant number of older buildings have been replaced by newer, fire-resistant structures. During the same period, demand for Fire Services resources have grown in Perth’s rapidly spreading suburbs.
The Perth Metropolitan Resourcing Plan, which addresses these issues, was introduced at the beginning of the reporting period. This plan takes a medium-to-long term approach to the strategic location of Fire Services resources such as fire stations, vehicles, equipment and staff requirements throughout Perth.
To accommodate new response arrangements in the resourcing plan, a new $1.2 million fire station at Osborne Park was built and officially opened in November. Planning progressed on the construction of four additional stations in Duncraig, Midland, Kwinana and Murdoch. These stations will be commissioned during the 2004-05 financial year.
As part of the resourcing plan, the strategic location of key vehicles was also considered. Fire Services’ Incident Control Vehicle – an onsite operations centre and communications point at major incidents – was moved to the Belmont Fire Station. Belmont station was considered more appropriate than the Perth Fire Station as it is adjacent to major highways leading to all metropolitan areas and is close to Perth’s CBD via the Graham Farmer Freeway.
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 67 SOUND BUSINESS PRACTICES
CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAM (AS AT 30 JUNE, 2004) The FESA Capital Works Program for the 2003-04 financial year of $12.745 million comprised new works of $7.810 million and works in progress of $4.935 million. As part of the budget process, the capital works program for 2003-04 was revised to $20.865 million, an increase of $8.120 million representative of several new programs initiated and approved during the financial period. Details of the capital works are formulated in the following tables.
CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAM AS AT 30TH JUNE 2004 ESTIMATED PRIOR TO ESTIMATED ACTUAL CARRY-OVER BALANCE OF
TOTAL 1/7/03 EXPENDITURE EXPENDITURE EXPENDITURE PROGRAM NOTE COST 2003-04 2003-04 2002/03
$'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000
Completed Works
Fire Stations - 1
Osborne Park Fire & 1,700 1,627 73 73 0 0 Rescue - Replacement
Resources –
SES Trailer Replacement 5 450 424 26 26 0 0 - 2000-03 Program
Works in Progress
Regional Offices 8
FESA Regional Headquarters 1,000 5 995 73 922 922 - Broome
FESA Regional Office 525 0 525 1 524 524 - Geraldton
Volunteer 9 Collocations
Collie 400 15 385 42 343 343
Esperance 400 5 395 0 395 395
Mundaring Eastern 920 341 579 0 579 579 Corridor
Toodyay 400 2 398 235 163 163
Refurbishment / 10 Modifications
Albany Fire Station 260 15 245 27 218 218 - Refurbishment
Station Modifications 600 240 120 107 13 253
New Fire Stations 11
Duncraig CFRS 800 7 793 28 765 765
Kalgoorlie VFRS 250 0 250 51 199 199
North East Corridor No. 1 (Ellenbrook) 1,100 223 877 0 877 877 VFRS
North East Corridor No. 2 - Midland Stage 1,420 0 300 497 -197 923 1 & 2 CFRS
68 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 SOUND BUSINESS PRACTICES
CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAM AS AT 30TH JUNE 2004 ESTIMATED PRIOR TO ESTIMATED ACTUAL CARRY-OVER BALANCE OF
TOTAL 1/7/03 EXPENDITURE EXPENDITURE EXPENDITURE PROGRAM NOTE COST 2003-04 2003-04 2002/03
$'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000
Southwest Corridor 2,225 0 1,600 40 1560 2185 - Hope Valley CFRS
Southwest Corridor 1,200 0 300 33 267 1167 - O'Connor CFRS
Resources
BFS Command Network Asset 12 608 414 194 194 0 0 Replacement
BFS Operational Support System 13 10 0 10 10 0 0 Replacement Program
Breathing Apparatus 14 2,500 1,700 400 316 84 484 Replacement Program
CBR Protective Suits 15 240 0 240 0 240 240
CBR Specialist Vehicle 15 450 0 450 0 450 450
CLP Half Life 16 400 0 400 0 400 400 Refurbishment
Demountable Pods 17 1,600 1,354 246 38 208 208
Direct Brigade Alarm 18 800 208 592 83 509 509 Replacement Program
ES-CADCOM Project 19 2,500 0 2,500 0 2500 2500
Firefighting Appliance 2 1,300 0 1,300 709 591 591 Program - 2003-04
Heavy Tanker 20 400 199 201 0 201 201 Replacement Program
Hose Replacement 21 450 53 127 0 127 397 Strategy
Light Tankers Country Additions 3 150 0 75 75 0 75 - 2003-05 Programs
Light Tanker 22 6,450 2,180 1,420 1547 -127 2723 Replacement Program
Light Pumper Replacement Program 23 21,250 6,857 2,643 3371 -728 11022 - 2000-08 Program
Protective Suits 24 700 315 385 0 385 385 Replacement Program
Road Signs 25 300 0 300 146 154 154 (New Legislation)
SES Asset Replacement 4 200 23 177 177 0 0 - 2002-03 Program
SES Asset Replacement 4 480 0 160 160 0 320 - 2003-06 Program
SES Trailer 5 150 0 150 59 91 91
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 69 SOUND BUSINESS PRACTICES
CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAM AS AT 30TH JUNE 2004 ESTIMATED PRIOR TO ESTIMATED ACTUAL CARRY-OVER BALANCE OF
TOTAL 1/7/03 EXPENDITURE EXPENDITURE EXPENDITURE PROGRAM NOTE COST 2003-04 2003-04 2002/03
$'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000
Replacement - 2003-04 Program
SES Truck Replacement 26 600 366 234 234 0 0 - 2000-03 Program
SES Truck Replacement 26 200 0 200 200 0 0 - 2003-04 Program
SES Volunteer Equipment 6 1,500 0 500 0 500 1500 - 2003-06 Program
VMRS Communication 27 850 0 100 43 57 807 Network
Sub Total $57,738 $16,573 $20,865 $8,595 $12,270 $32,570
Projects brought forward:
CFRS Belmont 11 1,800 0 0 878 -878 922 Fire Station
CFRS Kalgoorlie 11 1,400 0 0 97 -97 1303 Fire Station
FESA Albany 8 650 0 0 255 -255 395 Regional Office
VFRS Broome Fire 11 450 0 0 1 -1 449 Station
Sub Total $4,300 $- $- $1,231 -$1,231 $3,069
TOTAL 2003-04 $62,038 $16,573 $20,865 $9,826 $11,039 $35,639
70 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 SOUND BUSINESS PRACTICES
NOTES ON CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAM 2003/04
Completed Works
1. Fire stations. Provision of additional and new facilities that will provide greater functional capacity between services and improved service delivery to the community in accordance with risk. These building projects have been completed in Malaga, Osborne Park and for Training Engine Rooms.
2. Firefighting appliance program. An ongoing program to replace existing firefighting vehicles that have completed their economic and serviceable life.
3. Light tankers – country additions. Ongoing program to provide additional and replacement Fire and Rescue Service firefighting capacity in specific country areas.
4. SES – asset replacement. Replacement of assets that have completed their serviceable life.
5. SES – trailer replacement. Replacing SES volunteer unit trailers that have completed their serviceable life.
6. SES - volunteer equipment. Updating aged equipment at SES volunteer units.
7. Vehicle Kalgoorlie Volunteer – Replacement of the current North Kalgoorlie Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service vehicle that has reached the end of its serviceable life.
Works in Progress / Projects brought forward
8. Regional offices. Planning and delivery costs for the provision of new collocated regional offices in Broome, Geraldton and Albany.
9. Volunteer Collocations. Replacement of existing fire stations in Collie, Esperance, Mundaring, and Toodyay with new collocated facilities.
10. Refurbishments/station modifications - Refurbishment of the existing Albany Fire Station to improve the relationships of function and design in accordance with needs. The addition and modification of building structures to accommodate current and new emergency appliances and/or provide training facilities.
11. New fire stations. Provision of new facilities that will provide greater functional capacity and improved service delivery to the community in accordance with risk. These building projects are being developed for Duncraig, North and South Kalgoorlie, Ellenbrook, Midland, Hope Valley, O’ Connor, Belmont and Broome.
12. BFS Command Network asset replacement. The replacement of telecommunication equipment and establishment of new repeater stations in the country to facilitate improved communications for the bush fire service
13. BFS Operational Support System Replacement. This allocation is fully committed for replacement equipment.
14. Breathing apparatus replacement. Introduction of state-of-the-art breathing apparatus incorporating electronic monitoring equipment and lightweight cylinders.
15. Chemical Biological Radiological Protective Suits/Specialist Vehicle: Being the capital equipment to manage a CBR emergency or terrorist attack.
16. CLP half-life – refurbishment of specialised combination ladder platform vehicle in order to maintain its operational effectiveness in accordance with manufacturer’s requirements.
17. Demountable pods. Continuation of a program to provide additional functional capacity and diversity (large mobile toolbox) within the metropolitan firefighting fleet.
18. Direct brigade alarm replacement. Replacement of existing communications infrastructure to fire stations in country regions that has reached the end of its serviceable life.
19. ESCADCOM project – Replacement of FESA’s emergency dispatch system and associated voice and radio equipment.
20. Heavy tanker replacement program. A program for the replacement of existing heavy tankers that have completed their serviceable life.
21. Hose replacement strategy. Replacement of firefighting hose on fire stations that has completed its serviceable life.
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 71 SOUND BUSINESS PRACTICES
22. Light tankers replacement program. Ongoing program to provide additional and replacement Fire and Rescue Service firefighting capacity state-wide.
23. Light pumper replacement program. Ongoing replacement of existing light pumpers that have completed their serviceable life in country regions.
24. Protective suits replacement program. Replacement of firefighting equipment resources that have reached the end of its serviceable life.
25. Road signs. Provision of new signage to improve the occupational health and safety of firefighters at incidents.
26. SES - truck replacement program. Replacing SES volunteer unit vehicles that have completed their serviceable life.
27. VMRS communication network. Provision and replacement of communication infrastructure to improve emergency response service delivery.
72 FESA Annual Report 2003-04
Divisional achievements against goals 2003-04
CONTENTS
• BUSINESS SERVICES 74 • COMMUNITY SAFETY 75 • EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SERVICES 76 • FIRE SERVICES 81 • HUMAN SERVICES 83 • OFFICE OF THE CEO − Media & Public affairs 85
− Policy & Strategic Planning Policy & Strategic Planning 86
• STATE EMERGENCY SERVICE 87 • VOLUNTEER MARINE RESCUE SERVICES 88
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 73 ACHIEVEMENTS AGAINST GOALS 2003-04 | BUSINESS SERVICES
BUSINESS SERVICES
GOALS FOR 2003-04 ACHIEVEMENTS 2003-04
Review and manage the functions of the Emergency The ESL was successfully introduced and processes have Services Levy (ESL). been reviewed as required.
Implement the WA Emergency Rescue Helicopter WA Emergency Rescue Helicopter Service commenced Service. August 2003.
Complete FESA Record Keeping Plan and FESA • FESA Recordkeeping Plan cleared by the State Retention and Disposal Schedule in compliance with Records Commission (SRC) as required by the State State Records Act 2000. Records Act 2000.
• FESA Retention and Disposal schedule lodged with SRC
Implement a VOIP PABX solution for both the Emergency The VOIP rollout to date has concentrated on the Dispatch (COMCEN) area and the corporate voice corporate areas with the new offices in Midland and telephony. Broome now operating on the FESA VOIP system.
Replace the Visual Status Units (VSU) equipment and The tender for the replacement VSUs is finalised and implement an AVL system for the Metro fire appliances. installation will occur first quarter 2004/05.
Consolidate all divisional Emergency Dispatch systems This project is progressing well with the first version into a single FESA CAD system. scheduled for release in September 2004.
Commence the RF Strategy plan in migrating to a FESA The FESA Radio Network strategy is well under way with consistent VHF Hi Band Radio system. a number of responses to the expressions of interest for supply of dual VHF High and UHF band mobiles.
Develop a FESA web browser catalogue for specific Two fire stations are piloting a system with further orders and enquiries. developments to occur next year.
Continue mapping to support FESA requirements. State-wide mapping for Emergency Dispatch (COMCEN) development continues and will be released in conjunction with FESA Computer Aided Dispatch or Brigade Operational Management System 2 (BOMS 2) in September.
Within the Capital Works Program, continue to: Within the Capital Works Program:
• replace fleet and equipment • commissioned 191 fleet items and many equipment items • construct fire stations and/or collocated facilities • two fire stations were completed • acquire and dispose of property. • acquired eight properties and disposed one
74 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 ACHIEVEMENTS AGAINST GOALS 2003-04 | COMMUNITY SAFETY
COMMUNITY SAFETY
PLANNED GOALS 2003-04 ACHIEVEMENTS 2003-04
Undertake extensive research to determine • First phase of program completed. community awareness of campaigns targeting residents in the North of Western • Qualitative and quantitative research conducted. Australia. • Research focus on eight geographic regions in Northwest.
• Phase 1 report released August 2004.
To work with at-risk communities to research • Data gathered from operational statistics, feedback, evaluations and and establish an evidence base for the research. design of future prevention and preparedness programs. • Consolidation of data and analysis to determine outlook of future program design.
Manage and coordinate the inspection of • Inspection program completed with report to the Minister in draft form. backpacker accommodation in Western Australia against building codes. • Analysis of role completed with emphasis on targeted areas of business and encouragement of voluntary compliance.
Undertake strategies to make smoke alarm • Report presented to Minister for consideration. installation mandatory for all new leased accommodation or domestic homes sold. • Further investigation underway to determine costing and possible subsidy schemes for targeted at risk groups such as the profoundly deaf.
• Complementary work undertaken with Mission Australia to install smoke alarms in houses of the aged or infirm.
Implementation of arson reduction activities Arson reduction activities conducted at Byford, Canning Vale, Leeming, targeting high-risk schools and communities. Rockingham and Koondoola.
Implementation of a revised JAFFA • Completed. program. • Review of pilot project expected to be completed by December 2004.
Smoke Management and Prescribed • Draft guidelines for smoke management and prescribed burning has been Burning Guidelines completed. completed.
Review reporting mechanisms to the Mechanisms reviewed and completed. Coroner’s Office to ensure FESA’s fire safety and prevention advice is part of coronial findings.
Begin five-year research and analysis • Second year of research program undertaken. program to establish fatality statistics from fires in Western Australia. • Information of fire related deaths for the year gathered from Coroner’s Office.
• Interim report being complied.
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 75 ACHIEVEMENTS AGAINST GOALS 2003-04 | EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SERVICES
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SERVICES
GOALS FOR 2003-04 ACHIEVEMENTS 2003-04
Facilitate the implementation of COAG • Facilitating implementation within WA through Cabinet approval. recommendations on natural disasters in Australia. • A full time position has been taken off-line for a six-month period to progress the implementation of the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) recommendations.
• 28 of the 66 recommendations have been implemented.
• Negotiated an increase in allocated program funding for the Natural Disaster Mitigation Program – from 6% to 11% - to Western Australia for 2004-05.
• The small disaster threshold reduced for WA for the Natural Disaster Relief Arrangements.
• Provided State input into the development of guidelines for the Natural Disaster Mitigation Programme and a contractual agreement between the Australian and WA Governments.
• Facilitated the WA application process under the Natural Disaster Mitigation Programme and submitted applications to Department Of Transport And Regional Safety (DOTARS) totaling $6.567 million.
Ensure the State NDRA arrangements are • Completed amendment of State Natural Disaster Relief Arrangements amended to reflect COAG changes. (NDRA) arrangements to reflect COAG recommendations, which included the incorporation of the NDRA reforms into the State NDRA.
Facilitate the implementation of the State • The State Mitigation Framework supports all COAG recommendations Mitigation Framework including risk leading to the development of the Natural Disaster Mitigation Programme. assessment; involvement of community organisations and Indigenous communities; • Senior Officer Working Groups making significant progress towards goals incorporating mitigation into the Machinery of and targets endorsed by the State Mitigation Committee (SMC). Government; and ensuring activities are cost effective. • State Planning Policy developed for natural hazard mitigation in WA. • Recovery framework finalised for remote Indigenous communities.
• Work underway to develop a mitigation manual for local governments.
• New SMC Spatial Information Working Group established in November 2003.
• Mitigation funding sources have been identified.
Enactment of emergency management • Cabinet approval for drafting. legislation. • Allocation of a drafting priority.
76 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 ACHIEVEMENTS AGAINST GOALS 2003-04 | EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SERVICES
Improve the capacity of agencies and • Complete re-issue of Emergency Management (EM) policies: organisations to be prepared for - PS9 Commonwealth Physical Assistance; and emergencies through appropriate State-level policies, plans and procedures; training; - PS11 Development & Promulgation of Hazard Management advisory services; and strategic Agencies(HMA) Hazard Plans & Support Agency Plans relationships. • Minor amendments to this policies: - PS2-Standard Emergency Warning Signal; - PS3-Local Community EM Arrangements; - PS5-Evacuation Policy; and - PS7-WA EM Arrangements.
• EMS Website is updated weekly.
• Link to Emergency Management Australia (EMA) Website completed.
• WESTPLANS issued: - Wildfire; and - Recovery.
• WESTPLANS reviewed: - HAZMAT; - Marine Pollution; - Marine Transport; - Offshore Petroleum; - Severe Storm; - Tropical Cyclone; - Dam Break; and - Health.
• Advice and support to State Emergency Management Committee (SEMC) committees and sub-committees and interagency committees.
• Facilitated input into to the Australian Emergency Manual (AEM) Planning.
• Provision of EM briefings & workshops to numerous key agencies and organisations.
• Support to State Emergency Coordination Group (SECG) during activation for Cormo Express (October 2003), Tenterden Bush fires (December 2003), Tropical Cyclone Monty (March 2004) and Tropical Cyclone Fay (March 2004).
• A framework for the Catastrophic Disaster plan developed.
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 77 ACHIEVEMENTS AGAINST GOALS 2003-04 | EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SERVICES
Encourage local government to be key • Increased interest in and attendance at emergency management training players in emergency management. activities conducted by Emergency Management Services (EMS) within Western Australia: - Emergency Management for Local Government- 44 - ERM Project Management Workshop 31 - Introduction to Recovery Management 46 - Consultation Workshops 26 - Evacuation Management 3 - Introduction to Emergency Risk Management (ERM)- 1 - Conferences and Workshops 24
• Increased interest in, nominations for, and attendance at emergency management training activities conducted by Emergency Management
Australia at Mt Macedon: - Recovery Management 5 - Emergency Management for Local Government 10 - Risk Based Land Use Planning 17 - Graduate Certificate in EM1 1 - Emergency Risk Management 12 - Community Engagement 1
• Provision of support and guidance through advice and tools – weekly email bulletin to all local governments, weekly update of website.
• Support of applications for the Australian Safer Communities Awards – three applications received from local government with one announced a National winner.
• Commenced development of an Induction package for local EM committee members.
• Provision of a guide for preparing Local Recovery Arrangements.
• Local government encouraged to submit projects under the Natural Disaster Mitigation Program. Five local governments applied for funding in 2003-04.
• Support to local community following the Tenterden bush fire to ensure that appropriate assistance was provided.
78 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 ACHIEVEMENTS AGAINST GOALS 2003-04 | EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SERVICES
Encourage local government to undertake • AWARE Program: risk management through the community- - Scholarship Program: Four participants centred emergency management process. Shire of Busselton; Shire of Dandaragan; City of Nedlands; Town of Narrogin - Grant Scheme: Seven risk registers developed Shire of Beverley; Shire of Quairading; Shire of Dandaragan; Shire of Gingin; City of Joondalup and City of Wanneroo; City of Kalgoorlie- Boulder; City of Nedlands; Town of Vincent
• Training program: - EM for Local Government: 44 participants; - AWARE Scholarship Workshops: 19 participants; - Introduction to Emergency Risk Management: 30 participants: - ERM Project Workshop: 29 participants - EM Training Program: - Introduction to Emergency Risk Management: 10 occurrences - Emergency Risk Management - Phase 1: 1 occurrence
Provide support to local governments • Engagement in the AWARE Program Rounds 1 and 2 with 45 local involved in the AWARE program. governments involved. Specifically: - AWARE Scholarship Holders: 11 - AWARE ERM Projects: 17 - AWARE Training Activities: 14
Engage Indigenous communities in • The AWARE program was extended into Indigenous communities. emergency management. • An emergency risk management guide developed with Indigenous terms of reference was completed.
• Formal membership on the Remote Service Delivery Project Steering Committee, a key outcome of the Gordon Inquiry, was established.
• Formal links were established with the Community Layout Planning process for Indigenous communities, undertaken by the Department for Planning and Infrastructure.
• FESA participated in the National Remote Indigenous Communities Advisory Committee, as chaired by the Executive Director of FESA EMS.
• A recovery framework for remote Indigenous communities drafted for consideration and actioned by the SEMC Recovery Services Group.
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 79 ACHIEVEMENTS AGAINST GOALS 2003-04 | EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SERVICES
Ensure the State incorporates emergency • Completion of State Critical Infrastructure Project including development of management into critical infrastructure a critical infrastructure database. protection. • Endorsement of State Critical Infrastructure Project Report by SEMC and referral to Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC).
• Provision of FESA officer to support the establishment of Security Planning and Coordination Unit within DPC.
• Inclusion of FESA EMS representation on WA Critical Infrastructure Coordinating Committee to oversee the WA Critical Infrastructure Protection Program.
80 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 ACHIEVEMENTS AGAINST GOALS 2003-04 | FIRE SERVICES
FIRE SERVICES
GOALS FOR 2003-04 ACHIEVEMENTS 2003-04
Ensure appropriate skills are in place, • Mutual training with key stakeholders including BHP Billiton, Hamersley commensurate with identified risks. Iron, Australian Defence Satellite Communications Centre, Department of Justice.
• Major interagency exercises completed.
• 112 special risk plans now completed (additional 42 in the reporting period). Plans developed for major hazard facilities, prisons, ports, explosive reserves and significant public buildings.
Enhance the CBR/HAZMAT preparedness • Creation and appointment of two dedicated positions to manage Rescue capability. and CBR/Hazmat capability.
• Review of response procedures.
• Introduction of new decontamination procedures across the State.
• Introduction of new chemical splash suits.
• Delivery of equipment and training to help in detection and monitoring exposure to industrial chemicals and radiological hazards.
• 750 career firefighters trained in CBR response and decontamination procedures.
• First CBR management course outside of Victoria hosted by FESA and EMA, which was attended by all state agencies, St John Ambulance and Chemistry Centre WA.
• Large scale exercises undertaken in conjunction with WA Police Service, Department of Health and St John Ambulance Service to ensure an integrated response capability.
• New Specialised Equipment Tender built to carry equipment for a range of incidents.
Develop a USAR/Line Rescue preparedness • Purchase of new equipment including listening and detection devices, capability. search cameras, specialised concrete cutting and removal tools.
• 750 career firefighters trained to use new equipment and in new procedures for search and rescue in collapsed buildings.
• Select team received advanced training from Singapore Civil Defence Academy.
Enhance Fire Services emergency • Five Community Fire Manager positions created to improve service management practices and procedures. delivery to local governments in rural areas and on the urban/rural fringe.
• Road safety signs developed for use during bush fire incidents and operational procedures updated to enhance firefighter safety.
• Aerial waterbombing program continued.
• State Wildfire Emergency Management Plan reviewed and aligned with the State Emergency Management Arrangements and tested through major exercise.
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 81 ACHIEVEMENTS AGAINST GOALS 2003-04 | FIRE SERVICES
Implement appropriate resource and funding • Restructure of metropolitan region into four regional directorates. plans, in particular the Metropolitan Resourcing Plan. • New fire station commissioned at Osborne Park, construction of four additional stations in Duncraig, Midland, Kwinana and Murdoch progressed for commissioning in the 2004-05 financial year.
• Strategic relocation of key appliances including the Incident Command Vehicle and Special Equipment Tender.
Review and enhance the Emergency • Resource to Risk Model developed. Services Levy regional resourcing plans. • Response times and operational boundaries reviewed and modified in consultation with stakeholders to comply with ESL category boundaries.
• Assistance provided to local governments regarding ESL funding submissions.
Develop and implement information • Operational Wildfire Review conducted to determine consistent trends and management arrangements to enhance assess remedial actions resulting from Post Incident Analyses. operational and corporate management. • Special risk plans linked to information in FESA Communication Centre to provide alerts in the event of an incident at any high risk site.
• Project established in Mundaring to reduce high fire risk in bushland areas without compromising environmental assets or safety of residents.
• UXO sites identified, mapped and standing operating procedures issued.
• Fuel age mapping procedures developed and being implemented.
82 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 ACHIEVEMENTS AGAINST GOALS 2003-04 Ι HUMAN SERVICES
HUMAN SERVICES
GOALS FOR 2003-2004 ACHIEVEMENTS FOR 2003-2004
Maintain an ongoing contribution to • Health Safety and Welfare Critical Incident Team is in place. response planning for major emergencies through the development of a Crisis • 1800 freecall number has been implemented. Management Plan. • Draft Crisis Management Plan developed and tested during Karijini incident. Enhancements are being made and a policy is being developed based on these findings.
Continue a focus on peer support, • 1800 freecall number has been established and marketed through a poster, chaplaincy and the employee assistance brochure and personal card. program through the development of an 1800 telephone service. • Review of peer support database is complete and the list of members has been rationalised.
• Statewide approach has been introduced to provide a high level of service.
Research and develop the Safety First • FESA Safe program has been written and implementation is continuing. concept including strategies for implementation and incorporation as a FESA • Safety has been accepted and implemented as FESA’s seventh value. value.
Continue the development of a FESA-wide • Successfully amalgamated the four separate training systems within FESA training system in accordance with the into one single training system, and developed and implemented all the Australian Quality Training Framework. relevant documentation.
• Awarded five years Registered Training Organisations status following a successful audit by the Training Accreditation Council against the Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF). Cited by the Training Accreditation Council’s Auditor as having best practice in a number of areas.
Improve recruiting strategies including • Successful firefighter recruitment campaign completed. Target of two schools further development of Organisational and achieved from recruit pool. Role Profile (ORP) documents. • Continued to implement ORP as opportunity arises through new position creation.
Implement initiatives under the motivated • Review of Specialist Position status to be undertaken for key positions within and Productive People (MAPP) program, FESA. relating to compensation planning and reward and recognition. • FESA outstanding service medal introduced. Two awards confirmed.
Development of risk management plans with • The emergence of Functional Review Implementation Team and other preventative strategies in place. resourcing issues has resulted in this goal not being achieved.
Conduct detailed analysis of sick leave • The emergence of FRIT and other resourcing issues has resulted in this goal absences in FESA and report to the FESA not being achieved. Corporate Executive Team.
Further enhance support services to • A volunteer state coordination group has been implemented. Emergency Services cadets and other youth groups. • Key strategic issues for FESA Youth have been identified.
• A paper has been developed on single agency youth support.
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 83 ACHIEVEMENTS AGAINST GOALS 2003-04 | HUMAN SERVICES
Develop industrial agreements to cover • New industrial agreements for both firefighters and workshop staff have been firefighters and workshop staff that provide completed. flexible employment conditions and continue the industrial harmony between FESA and • The new agreements provide flexibility in employment conditions and the relevant unions. maintain industrial harmony.
84 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 ACHIEVEMENTS AGAINST GOALS 2003-04 | OFFICE OF THE CEO > MEDIA & PUBLIC AFFAIRS
MEDIA AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS
GOALS FOR 2003-2004 ACHIEVEMENTS FOR 2003-2004
Develop a plan to deliver nationally accredited • This training package is in the final stages of approval. media training to build media liaison network.
Work in conjunction with Fire Services and • Public Alerts System was launched on 31 December. The methods of the community to develop a public information delivery: recorded phone messages, radio alerts and FESA website met alert system during significant fire incidents. most of the objectives. FESA has also been instrumental in the development of a Memorandum of Understanding on Public Alerts between all Hazard Management Agencies and the ABC.
• FESA has also supported an EMA/Murdoch University trial of a new media (SMS, e-mail, fax and voicemail) alerts system which provides an automated, standardised solution.
Develop MEDIAnet on the FESA Intranet. • Completed in May. Other information will be added as necessary eg. Corporate Image Style Guide.
Develop and implement phase two of FESA • This was put on hold while other priorities, including the introduction of a Internet. content management system for the FESA internet site and the upgrading of the intranet is finalised.
Develop FESA media policy. • This policy has been developed and in the final stages of approval.
Develop satisfaction requirements and • Feedback for internal magazine 24seven and internal video Callout was expectations for both internal and external completed last year. The results providing a strong endorsement for both customers. publications. Of respondents 92% believed 24seven was informative, 96% agreed with the introduction of colour and 84% believed the articles were relevant. For Callout 92% believed the video was informative, 90% found it useful and 90% believed there was a good mix of stories.
Work with FESA Business Services to • MPA currently uses the FESA Business Services database as well as one it improve accuracy and effectiveness of our has established for outside stakeholders internal distribution process.
Measure the number and type of media • During the three busiest months of November (Emergency Services Month), inquiries. December and January MPA recorded 104, 125 and 93 media inquiries respectively. The majority of operational calls (95%) were answered at the time of the inquiry or within an hour. The majority of issue-based calls were answered the same day.
Ensure all campaigns/projects have an • MPA has included evaluation and has determined to report findings to team evaluation component with feedback session at weekly meetings as well as to clients and sponsors. with client.
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 85 ACHIEVEMENTS AGAINST GOALS 2003-04 Ι OFFICE OF THE CEO > POLICY & STRATEGIC PLANNING
POLICY AND STRATEGIC PLANNING
GOALS FOR 2003-2004 ACHIEVEMENTS FOR 2003-2004
Legislation (new) : Legislation (new):
• Develop legislative framework for compulsory use of • Drafting instructions have been prepared. smoke alarms in residential dwellings. • Drafting priority has been allocated to the Bill for • Provide drafting support for the development of introduction into Parliament in Spring 2004. Drafting Emergency Management legislation. instructions have been provided to Parliamentary Counsel and a drafting officer has been appointed. • Develop regulations to underpin amendments to the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia • The Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Act 1998 (the FESA Act). Australia Amendment Regulations 2003 came into operation on 3 October 2003.
Legislation (application and compliance): Legislation (application and compliance):
• Clarify local government role in fire prevention. • This issue is now to be dealt with in the review of the Legislative procedures and legislative compliance emergency services Acts (see below). manuals to be progressed. • First section of FESA Legislation Administration Manual • Encourage enforcement of fire prevention measures in has been completed. the Bush Fires Act 1954. • The FESA Legislation Administration Manual will facilitate • Determine FESA’s role and responsibilities as an enforcement of fire prevention measures. ‘enforcement’ agency. • This issue is now under consideration as part of: • Determine impact of environmental protection legislation - a review of FESA’s role in relation to building plan on FESA and local governments. approvals, inspections etc; and - the review of the emergency services Acts (see below).
• Advice was provided to Community Safety and Fire Services staff for the development of information sheets for distribution in the field.
Legislation (review): Legislation (review):
• Plan and manage commencement of review of • Project commenced. Initial planning has been completed. emergency services Acts. Steering Committee to be appointed early in 2004-05. Proposal approved for dual external/internal process.
Strategic planning and reporting: Strategic planning and reporting:
• Initiate the process for development of the FESA • Process commenced. Strategic directions workshop held Strategic Plan 2005-2007. for Board and Corporate Executive Team. New framework in development. • Monitor reporting and planning against 2002-2004 plan. • Divisional plans and reports monitored for FESA CEO. • Review key performance indicators (KPIs). • Completed in consultation with Office of the Auditor • Complete development and implementation of local General. KPIs to be retained in current form for the time government Fire Prevention Rating System. being.
• This project is not yet complete.
Volunteer support: Volunteer support:
• Manage the development of further multi-skilled FESA • New FESA units formally established in Bremer Bay, Eucla, units to meet emergency services needs in regional Trayning, Coral Bay, Fitzroy Crossing and Jerramungup – areas. total now 12.
• FESA Unit Manual and new personal protective equipment distributed.
• FESA Unit Forum held for volunteers in September 2003.
86 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 ACHIEVEMENTS AGAINST GOALS 2003-04 Ι STATE EMERGENCY SERVICE
STATE EMERGENCY SERVICE
PLANNED GOALS 2003-04 ACHIEVEMENTS 2003-04
To ensure a closer relationship between • Within the FESA regions meetings have been held with FESA staff and SES units and local governments in local governments to clarify issues relating to the levy. implementing the funding process for the Emergency Services Levy. • FESA values of open and two way communication has been at the forefront of discussions. SES unit managers have been assisted with the provision of electronic record keeping models.
To develop a 10 year replacement and • Ongoing for the 2004-05 financial year. Work has commenced on a acquisition plan for all SES vehicles, Replacement Program Matrix. buildings and equipment ready for the 2004- 05 financial year.
To have in place by the 2004-05 financial • Ongoing for the 2004-05 financial year. A risk to resource model is well year an agreed set of standards for SES underway. The model will need to be tested on various units to test the vehicles and equipment and a determined validity of the model. minimum allocation of numbers and types of vehicles and equipment for each SES unit based on risk and location.
To increase the number of SES volunteers • A vast number of courses have been held across all FESA regions skilled in SES HMA and combat roles. including the induction of a Training Needs Analysis in the metropolitan region. Included in the training is the qualification of instruction in such
areas as general rescue, air search, cliff rescue, storm damage, and reading and navigation.
To tailor emergency services for remote • Ongoing with relationship building and consultation with communities. Indigenous communities at risk of natural hazards. • Broome has established a sub unit of FESA SES Broome with appropriate training.
To further develop programs and services Initiatives throughout the region include: for vulnerable members of the WA Community. • The cyclone community alert system was reviewed. • Schools program was developed to enhance the knowledge and change the behaviour of “Yellow Alert”.
• Emergency Planning guidelines have been developed for businesses at risk of cyclones.
• Storm surge mapping is ongoing with vulnerable local governments.
• Risk assessment of flooding has commenced and to be further progressed in 04/05.
• Research through Edith Cowan University has been conducted to as certain the community’s knowledge and attitude towards the risk of cyclones.
• Further enhancement of Frail, Aged & People with Disability Program between FESA and the Department of Health by streamlining first point of contact to a local level.
• Southwest Region in partnership with FESA Community Safety has developed a storm safe campaign aimed at identifying who is at risk in each local government area. Treatment strategies will then target each identified group.
• Strong communication links have been established with the Department of Environment and the Bureau of Meteorology improving our ability to detect, through modelling to streamline the flood warning systems, further leading toward developing regional flood mitigation strategies.
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 87 ACHIEVEMENTS AGAINST GOALS 2003-04 Ι VOLUNTEER MARINE RESCUE SERVICES
VOLUNTEER MARINE RESCUE SERVICES
PLANNED GOALS 2003-04 ACHIEVEMENTS 2003-04
Identify and access new sources of funding • FESA VMRS has been allocated funds from the State Government to for VMRS initiatives including equipment address the current ‘black spot’ marine VHF communication problems purchases, improvement of communication encountered throughout the State. Eight VHF repeaters have been networks and a replacement program for installed with a further four currently under design for Augusta and dedicated rescue vessels. Exmouth.
• This year has seen funding being increased for capital projects by the WA Government. This money is to be used by the FESA VMRS Groups in a Vessel Replacement Program designed to reduce the overall age of the rescue fleet over a number of years.
Continue to target training as vital in the • This year sees 157 FESA VMRS volunteers enrolled in the Certificate III in improvement of both safety to the volunteers Volunteer Marine Rescue Services 6575. With many more seeking to take and service delivery to the boating public. on additional training to enhance their skill level and knowledge.
Continue work to provide a reward and • Already this year there have 64 Certificates and corresponding FESA recognition scheme for FESA VMRS VMRS Service Medals presented to VMRS volunteers at functions around volunteers. Western Australia. to recognise the considerable commitments made by these people.
88 FESA Annual Report 2003-04
Divisional goals 2004-05
CONTENTS
• BUSINESS SERVICES 90 • COMMUNITY SAFETY 91 • EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SERVICES 92 • FIRE SERVICES 93 • HUMAN SERVICES 94 • OFFICE OF THE CEO − policy & strategic planning 95
− media & public affairs 96
• STATE EMERGENCY SERVICE 97 • VOLUNTEER MARINE RESCUE SERVICES 98
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 89 DIVISIONAL GOALS 2004-05
BUSINESS SERVICES
GOALS FOR 2004-05
• Contribute to State Government’s corporate service reform. • Obtain endorsement from the State Records Commission for the FESA Retention and Disposal Schedule in compliance with State Records Act 2000. • Successfully host the 2004 annual conference of the inFIRE (International Network for Fire Information and Reference Exchange) during October. • Replace the Visual Status Units (VSU) equipment and implement an AVL system for the Metro fire appliances. • Consolidate all divisional Emergency Dispatch systems into a single FESA CAD system. • Commence the RF Strategy plan in migrating to a FESA consistent VHF Hi Band Radio system. • Finalise state-wide mapping to support FESA requirements. • Implement FESA Air Services Management framework. • Establish dedicated WA Emergency Rescue Helicopter Service (ERHS) Base facility. • Within the Capital Works Program, continue to: - replace fleet and equipment; - construct fire stations and/or collocated facilities; and - acquire and dispose of property.
90 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 DIVISIONAL GOALS 2004-05
COMMUNITY SAFETY
GOALS FOR 2004-05
• Establish a sound process for research identification and implementation and integrate into targeted community safety programs. • Further consolidate a targeted approach to community safety and produce specific programs for residents in bush fire prone, storm prone and flood prone areas. • Evaluate and redesign as necessary, Fire Inside Out School program for children. • Evaluate and redesign as necessary programs for Seniors and people with disabilities. • Introduce “Fatal Module” from data gathered for Fire Investigation and Analysis. • Continue five year research project into fire death demographics. • Complete state-wide Bush Fire Threat Analysis. • Evaluate and redesign as necessary Targeted Arson Reduction Program. • New Building Inspection Guidelines introduced. • Review Fire Safety Branch and the building inspection processes.
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 91 DIVISIONAL GOALS 2004-05
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SERVICES
GOALS FOR 2004-05
• Enactment of Emergency Management Legislation. • Ensure effective state emergency management arrangements are in place. • Ensure local emergency management arrangements are established. • Encourage local government to be key players in emergency management. • Engage Indigenous communities in emergency management. • Provide support to local governments involved in the AWARE program. • Improve the capacity and capability of agencies, communities and organisations to be prepared for emergencies. • Progress the implementation of COAG recommendations on natural hazard mitigation. • Progress the State Mitigation Framework outcomes. • Facilitate the involvement of State and local government in the Natural Disaster Mitigation Programme.
92 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 DIVISIONAL GOALS 2004-05
FIRE SERVICES
GOALS FOR 2004-05
• Implement integrated risk management processes across the division to promote an enhanced safety culture. • Review and enhance FESA’s counter terrorism capabilities, in particular with regard to preparedness for CBR, Explosions, HAZMAT and USAR. • Review and enhance bush fire related prevention, preparedness, response and recovery capabilities. • Further enhance operational capability, particularly in relation to major incident management and specialist operations. • Review and enhance systems for information collection and management. • Further develop resourcing and planning processes. • Skill and develop employees and volunteers to agreed standards. • Review the Fire Services delivery model with a view to broadening the concept of a FESA management structure. • Capitalise on reviews, research and innovation opportunities. • Enhance the standing of FESA Fire Services within the external arena.
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 93 DIVISIONAL GOALS 2004-05
HUMAN SERVICES
GOALS FOR 2004-05
• Implement the Public Safety Training Package into the Fire and Rescue Service using the agreed four stage change management process, which includes the development of the relevant Training Resource Kits for the Recruit and Modular training programs. • Implement the new Fire Service Volunteer Training Program (FSVTP) as outlined in the FSVTP Implementation Plan, using a consultative process with all key stakeholders. • Introduce a new Volunteer Services Branch. • Continue research projects with the University of Western Australia and look to opportunities with other research providers. • Enhance the FESA Safe program and provide training and education for regional managers. • Commence the development of the fitness leaders network and health and fitness program. • Continue to provide significant input to the Government Shared Corporate Services Reform. • Conduct detailed analysis of sick leave absences in FESA and report to the FESA. • Implement the initiatives in the new industrial agreements to provide flexible employment conditions and continue the industrial harmony between FESA and the relevant unions. • Further enhance recruiting strategies including the Organisational and Role Profile documents. • Develop and facilitate people management strategies to achieve a smooth transition to the Shared Service Centre.
94 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 DIVISIONAL GOALS 2004-05
POLICY AND STRATEGIC PLANNING
GOALS FOR 2004-05
• Customer Service: - Review and reprint Customer Service Charter. - Review and revise Customer Feedback Policy and procedures to meet new Government requirements. • Legislation (new): • Provide support for the drafting and parliamentary processes for proposed Emergency Management legislation. • Legislation (application and compliance): - FESA Legislation Administration Manual to be further progressed. • Legislation (review): - Manage review of emergency services Acts. • Strategic planning and reporting: - Complete development of the FESA Strategic Plan 2005-2007, incorporating new public sector planning framework and Regional Development Policy and Sustainability Strategy requirements. - Monitor reporting and planning against the FESA Strategic Plan. - Review and update performance indicators in relation to local government role in fire prevention. - Review key performance indicators. • Legal services: - Print and distribute handbook for staff on court appearances. • Research: - Establish FESA register of research. • Volunteer support: - Manage the development of further multi-skilled FESA units to meet emergency services needs in regional areas. - Coordinate the development of infrastructure for volunteer fire service brigades. - Restructure framework for service delivery to volunteer brigades in Christmas and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 95 DIVISIONAL GOALS 2004-05
MEDIA AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS
GOALS FOR 2004-05
• Evaluation of Public Alert System and the development of a marketing plan for phase 2. • Restructure internet information for target groups (eg. seniors, students). • Implement technology such as video streaming through internet/intranet. • Develop phase 2 of internet (better pathways, more images, graphics). • Include information about FESA’s partnerships and projects on the internet. • Develop an electronic photo library. • Provide media advice, training and liaison for the promotion of the Emergency Management Legislation. • Develop media plan for Emergency Services Month to better promote staff and volunteers. • Conduct five regional media training workshops to give staff and volunteers the skills to promote themselves and the services they provide.
96 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 DIVISIONAL GOALS 2004-05
STATE EMERGENCY SERVICE
GOALS FOR 2004-05
• To strengthen the relationships between the FESA SES personnel and the volunteers within the FESA SES units. • To further develop relationships between FESA SES and local governments. • To finalise a 10-year replacement and acquisition plan for all SES vehicles, building and equipment ready for the 2005-06 financial year. • Complete the risk-to-resource model for the 2005-06 financial year as an agreed set of standards for SES vehicles and equipment and a determined minimum allocation of numbers and types of vehicles and equipment for each SES unit based on risk and location. • To review policies and procedures and performance in consultation with SES volunteers. • Continuation of the training regime to ensure volunteers are appropriately skilled in SES hazard management agency and combat roles. • Continuation on the development of programs and services for vulnerable members of the WA community.
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 97 DIVISIONAL GOALS 2004-05
VOLUNTEER MARINE RESCUE SERVICES
GOALS FOR 2004-05
• To strengthen the relationships between the FESA VMRS Coordinators and the volunteers within the approved FESA VMRS groups. • To further develop relationships between FESA VMRS and key stakeholders of the Consultative Committee, Water Police, Department of Planning and Infrastructure, Challenger TAFE and others. • To further develop improvements to the radio communication for FESA VMRS Groups. • To review policies and procedures and performance in consultation with FESA VMRS volunteers. • Continue to assist FESA VMRS groups in the promotion of ‘Boat Safety’ to the ‘WA Boating Community’.
98 FESA Annual Report 2003-04
Corporate governance
FESA strives to continually improve its high standards of corporate behaviour and ensure that the organisation acts in the best interests of the Western Australian community – working towards its vision of a safer community.
Corporate governance within FESA concerns the structure and methods for controlling and directing the organisation. This means ensuring that systems and practices are in place to monitor, evaluate and meet the State Government’s desired outputs – prevention services and emergency services – and desired outcome – to minimise the impact of human and natural hazards on the community of Western Australia.
The FESA Board of Management is responsible for FESA functioning in accordance with the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia Act 1998, other relevant Western Australian and Australian Government legislation and State Government policy. Particular importance is placed on the FESA Board’s role, operations and accountability. Related emphasis is placed on strategic planning functions, as well as policy, risk management and performance reporting frameworks and corporate decision-making rules and procedures.
CONTENTS
LEGISLATION • acts administered 100 • legislation and legislative compliance 100 • legislation 101 • ministerial communications 102
STRUCTURE • board of management 102 • board sub-committees 111 • consultative committees 112 • corporate executive 117
STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT AND REVIEW • agency resource agreement and CEO performance agreement 118 • strategic planning 118 • organisational policy development, implementation and review and risk management frameworks 119 • internal audit 120
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 99 CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
ACTS ADMINISTERED FESA administers the following emergency services Acts: • Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia Act 1998 • Fire Brigades Act 1942 • Bush Fires Act 1954
LEGISLATION AND LEGISLATIVE COMPLIANCE In performing its functions, FESA complies with the following legislation: • Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia Act 1998 • Fire Brigades Act 1942 • Bush Fires Act 1954 • A New Tax System (Fringe benefits Reporting) Act 1999 (Commonwealth) • A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 • Corruption and Crime Commission Act 2003 • Country Areas Water Supply Act 1947 • Criminal Code • Disability Services Act 1993 • Electoral Act 1907 • Electronic Transactions Act 2003 • Environmental Protection Act 1986 • Equal Opportunity Act 1984 • Evidence Act 1906 • Explosives and Dangerous Goods Act 1961 • Financial Administration and Audit Act 1985 • Fire and Emergency Services Superannuation Act 1985 • Freedom of Information Act 1992 • Government Employees’ Housing Act 1964 • Government Financial Responsibility Act 2000 • Heritage of Western Australia Act 1990 • Industrial Relations Act 1979 • Library Board of Western Australia Act 1951 • Local Government Act 1995 • Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1960 • Metropolitan Water Supply, Sewerage and Drainage Act 1909 • Minimum Conditions of Employment Act 1993 • Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984 • Public Sector Management Act 1994 • Public and Bank Holidays Act 1972 • Salaries and Allowances Act 1975 • State Records Act 2000 • State Superannuation Act 2000 • State Supply Commission Act 1991 • Water Boards Act 1904 • Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 1981 • Workplace Relations Act 1996 (Commonwealth)
100 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
LEGISLATION Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia Amendment Regulations 2003 The Fire and Emergency Services Legislation Amendment Act 2002 made a number of changes to the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia Act 1998 (the FESA Act) to recognise and empower fire and emergency services volunteers. This included State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers, volunteers from marine rescue groups and FESA unit volunteers.
The Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia Amendment Regulations 2003 (the Amendment Regulations), which came into operation on 3 October 2003, provide the underpinning detail for the amended legislation.
The Amendment Regulations inserted new regulations which prescribed: • processes to be followed for appointment to the FESA Board of members representing approved VMRS groups and FESA employees; • the conditions under which SES units, VMRS groups and FESA units may exercise powers under sections 18B, 18G and 18L of the FESA Act. These relate to disconnecting or shutting off any electricity, gas, water or fuel supply, or any drainage facility or any other service; and • the details which are to be included in the registers of members of SES units, VMRS groups and FESA units.
Acts Amendment and Repeal (Competition Policy) Act 2003 The Acts Amendment and Repeal (Competition Policy) Act 2003 (the Act) implemented reforms in respect of restrictions on competition found not to be in the public interest by legislation reviews under the National Competition Policy arrangements.
The Act, which came into operation on 21 April 2004, amended the Bush Fires Act 1954 to empower local governments to issue firebreak orders and hazard reduction orders to prescribed departments of the public service or prescribed State agencies or instrumentalities.
In order to determine which entities will need to be prescribed in regulations, FESA will be undertaking extensive consultation in 2004-05 with the public service departments and State agencies and instrumentalities which are in competition with the private sector, ie. those subject to the ‘competitive neutrality’ principles.
PROPOSED EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT LEGISLATION The Community Development and Justice Standing Committee of the Legislative Assembly undertook an inquiry into Western Australia’s emergency management arrangements. In its report, ‘Emergency Services Legislation in Western Australia’, tabled in the Legislative Assembly on 7 November 2002, the committee recommended that “…the Government gives a high priority to an Emergency Management Act” and prepared drafting instructions for the legislation.”
FESA has assisted the Minister for Police and Emergency Services in initiating the legislative process. It is expected that the draft legislation will be introduced to Parliament in 2004-05.
LEGISLATION REVIEW In accordance with the FESA Act, FESA has set in motion a review of the emergency services Acts.
Section 41 of the FESA Act provides that the Minister is to carry out ‘a review of the operation and effectiveness of the emergency services Acts as soon as practicable after the expiry of five years from the commencement of this Act’.
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 101 CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Section 3 of the FESA Act defines the ‘emergency services Acts’ as:
“this Act, the Bush Fires Act 1954 and the Fire Brigades Act 1942”.
As the FESA Act came into operation on 1 January 1999, the review of the emergency services Acts is required to commence during 2004. The initial planning for the review has been completed. It is proposed that FESA takes a two-pronged approach that will enable both an internal inquiry and an impartial external assessment of how the State’s emergency services Acts can best serve the community.
Consultation with stakeholders will be pivotal to a successful appraisal of the legislation. FESA’s Board and consultative committees will provide a conduit for the flow of information from stakeholders to the review.
The process will be managed by a steering committee, chaired by the A/FESA Chief Executive Officer and involving the FESA Corporate Executive Team. The committee will report to the FESA Board.
In order to set the strategic direction for the review, it is proposed that the steering committee will meet conjointly with the FESA Board in a planning workshop, during September 2004.
MINISTERIAL COMMUNICATIONS In accordance with Section 74 of the Public Sector Management Act 1994, FESA has a communications agreement with the Minister for Police and Emergency Services. The agreement outlines communication procedures between staff of the Minister’s office and employees of FESA on all matters pertaining to: • requests for advice, briefing notes, information or research; • media inquiries; • arrangements for special events; • arranging meetings with FESA staff; • drafting of legislation; and • requests for information from Parliament and State Cabinet.
The agreement ensures that the Minister receives accurate and timely information and advice.
In 2003-04, 765 ministerial items were attended to by the FESA Ministerial Services Coordinator. This included requests from the Minister’s office for draft replies, advice, briefing notes, speeches, State Cabinet comments and parliamentary questions in addition to items initiated by FESA for the Minister’s approval or information. This compares with 500 items handled in 2002-2003.
During the year the Minister attended 30 FESA functions including openings, launches, commissioning ceremonies, presentations and visits (38 in 2002-2003). FESA responded to 47 parliamentary questions (41 in 2002-2003).
FESA BOARD OF MANAGEMENT Government places significant trust in the boards of management of statutory authorities such as FESA. In return, Board members are required to perform their duties with care, diligence, honesty, openness and in good faith.
Section 6 of the FESA Act established the FESA Board of Management and states:
“the Board is the governing body of the Authority and, in the name of the Authority, is to perform the functions of the Authority under the Emergency Services Acts”.
The Board is accountable to the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and is responsible for: • determining FESA’s strategic direction and overall performance;
102 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
• ensuring FESA’s compliance with key legislation; and • endorsing management initiatives.
PRINCIPLES FOR EXCELLENCE IN BOARD GOVERNANCE A number of supporting principles ensure that the organisation achieves the FESA Board’s objectives and conducts its operations with distinction: • the FESA Board is explicit about its organisational performance expectations. It has assigned these expectations clearly and assesses their achievement annually. In particular, the following performance areas are monitored: - maintenance of FESA’s strategic direction and strategic intentions through divisional business plans. - FESA’s funded outputs: i. Prevention services that increase community awareness of human and natural hazards and the community’s involvement in minimising their impact; and ii. Emergency services that enable a rapid and effective response to emergency incidents to minimise their impact. - FESA’s desired outcome: To minimise the impact of human and natural hazards on the community; and - FESA’s vision: A safer community.
• The Board uses a single point of delegation, the FESA Chief Executive Officer, to ensure that performance expectations are met. Responsibilities are delegated to the FESA Chief Executive Officer under the provisions of the FESA Act, with all approved delegations held on a delegations register. • Through this system of governance, the Board is able to devolve necessary authority and responsibility to FESA’s staff and volunteers while preserving the controls necessary for accountability.
BOARD COMPOSITION The ability of a Board is dependent on the quality and diversity of its individual members, the skills they bring to their work and their capacity to function as an effective team.
• The structure of the FESA Board reflects the need for, and its commitment to, transparency and independence. As established in the FESA Act, the FESA Board consists of 13 members: • a Chair; • the Chair of each of the Board’s four consultative committees representing: - Bush Fire Service; - Fire and Rescue Service; - State Emergency Service; and - Volunteer Marine Rescue Services; • four members who represent emergency services volunteers; • one member who represents FESA staff; • one member who represents local government; • the FESA Chief Executive Officer; and • not more than one other member.
The FESA Chief Executive Officer attends FESA Board meetings as an ex-officio member, but is not entitled to vote on matters considered by the Board. All other members of the FESA Board are non- executive positions.
Late in 2002, amendments to the FESA Act formalised the Board membership of a FESA staff representative. A staff poll was held in September/October 2003 to assist the Minister for Police and Emergency Services in the appointment of an appropriate person to this position.
Subsequently Mr Iain Agnew was appointed to the Board on 25 November 2003.
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 103 CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
In accordance with the decision of the Royal Commission into Commercial Activities and Other Matters 1992, when Mr Agnew was appointed to the FESA Board, reasons were documented and Mr Agnew does not receive remuneration additional to his salary.
BOARD MEMBERS The membership of the FESA Board as at 30 June 2004 is as follows:
MR MICHAEL BARNETT
CHAIR OF THE FESA BOARD
Mr Barnett is a former member of Parliament and is well respected for his role as Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Chair of Committees and Shadow Ministerial responsibilities in Lands, Conservation and Environment. He was also the Member for Rockingham for 22 years until his retirement from Parliament in 1996. For many years Mr Barnett was involved with a number of community groups and organisations within the City of Rockingham, either in an advisory capacity, as an office bearer, patron or life member.
First appointed: 1 January 2004 Term expires: 31 December 2006
MS ANNEMIE MCAULIFFE
DEPUTY CHAIR OF THE FESA BOARD CHAIR - BUSH FIRE SERVICE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE
Ms McAuliffe is the Acting Director, Public Sector Telecommunications Strategy for the Department of Premier and Cabinet. A professional management consultant, Ms McAuliffe is a former manager of the Western Australian Trade Office in Indonesia and of the International Relations Branch of the then WA Department of Commerce and Trade. In 1986-87 she was Ministerial Representative for Industry and Technology for WA in London. Ms McAuliffe has also been a senior librarian and senior lecturer in the library and information services fields.
First appointed: 10 December 2002 Term expires: 31 December 2005
MR WILLIAM (BILL) FORBES AM
ACTING CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (EX-OFFICIO MEMBER)
Mr Forbes is the acting Chief Executive Officer of the Fire and Emergency Services Authority from 12 March 2004 – 31 December 2004. Mr Forbes’ permanent position is FESA Executive Director, Fire Services, responsible for the Fire and Rescue Service and the Bush Fire Service, supporting the volunteer bush fire brigades established by local governments. Mr Forbes had a distinguished career in the Australian Army prior to joining FESA. first appointed: 12 march 2004 term expires: 31 december 2004
MR IAIN AGNEW
EMPLOYEE REPRESENTATIVE
Mr Agnew was appointed to the board following his success in a FESA staff election process in late 2003. Mr Agnew has been an employee of FESA since 1979. He is a senior firefighter stationed at Welshpool Fire Station.
First appointed: 25 November 2003 Term expires: 25 November 2004
104 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
MR JOHN CAPES
STATE EMERGENCY SERVICE VOLUNTEER REPRESENTATIVE
Mr Capes has been involved in the State Emergency Service Volunteer Association in many capacities for the past 20 years. He has also made a considerable contribution as a volunteer. After leaving the Commonwealth Government service, Mr Capes established his own business, Capes Consultancy Services, which supplies expertise on security and facilitation of emergency management exercises.
First appointed: 2 November 1999 Term expires: 30 June 2005
MR FRANK FILMER
FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE VOLUNTEER REPRESENTATIVE
Mr Filmer has a long association with the volunteer sector of the Fire and Rescue Service in regional Western Australia. He is currently the Great Southern Zone President of the WA Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services Association, a position he has held for the past 11 years.
First appointed: 27 January 2004 Term expires: 27 January 2006
MR ELIOT FISHER
MARINE RESCUE SERVICES VOLUNTEER REPRESENTATIVE
Mr Fisher is Commander and a Sea Rescue Skipper of the Bunbury Sea Search and Rescue Group. He is the former Chief Executive Officer of the Shire of York and is currently a consultant working for local governments. He is also the Chief of Staff – Australian Navy Cadets.
First appointed: 28 April 2003 Term expires: 31 December 2004
CR TERRENCE (TERRY) GAUNT
WESTERN AUSTRALIAN LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION REPRESENTATIVE
Cr Gaunt is a semi-retired businessman and a current councillor with the City of Bayswater. Mr Gaunt has served on a large number of community, management and advisory committees over many years.
First appointed: 25 August 2003 Term expires: 24 August 2006
MS SANDRA GREGORINI
CHAIR OF THE STATE EMERGENCY SERVICE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE
Ms Gregorini has been a member of a volunteer bush fire brigade for the past seven years and a volunteer in a number of other community groups. She has worked in property development management for 28 years.
First appointed: 19 March 2002 Term expires: 31 December 2004
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 105 CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
MS SUSAN ROONEY
INDEPENDENT MEMBER
Ms Rooney is the Chief Executive Officer of the Cancer Council of Western Australia and was formerly FESA Executive Director State Emergency Service and Volunteer Marine Rescue Services. She is also a member of the Centrecare board of management. Ms Rooney has a broad range of experience in supporting volunteers and in change management in the not-for-profit and public sector agencies.
First appointed: 10 December 2002 Term expires: 31 December 2005
MR ALLAN SKINNER PSM
CHAIR OF THE VOLUNTEER MARINE RESCUE SERVICES CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE
A retired career State public servant, Mr Skinner was a former Chief Executive Officer of the Department of Land Administration and Chair of the Bush Fires Board. Since his retirement in 2001, he has undertaken several consulting assignments for Government. He is also Chair of the Children and Young People in Care Advisory Committee to the Director General for Community Development and Chairperson of Workpower Incorporated, a not-for-profit organisation providing employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Mr Skinner was awarded the Public Service Medal in 2001 and the Centenary Medal in 2003.
First appointed: 19 February 2003 Term expires: 31 December 2004
MR EDDIE VAN RIJNSWOUD
BUSH FIRE BRIGADE VOLUNTEER REPRESENTATIVE
Mr van Rijnswoud has 10 years experience as a bush fire brigade volunteer and served for three years as Secretary of the Association of Volunteer Bush Fire Brigades WA. He has had extensive involvement with other voluntary community organisations, including the Scout Association of Australia and has worked in the State and Commonwealth public sectors as an electrical engineer for 34 years.
First appointed: 31 December 2001 Term expires: 31 December 2006
MR ERIC C WOOD PSM
CHAIR OF THE FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE
Mr Wood is a retired career public servant with 37 years experience. He has served in seven different WA government agencies including eight years as Executive Director of the Western Australia Police Service. He was first appointed to the FESA Board in 2000 as the independent member and became Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee. He was appointed Chair of the Fire and Rescue Service Consultative Committee in January 2003. Mr Wood was awarded the Public Service Medal in 1995.
First appointed: 31 January 2000 Term expires: 31 December 2005
106 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
BOARD MEMBER – TEMPORARY ABSENCE
MR ROBERT (BOB) MITCHELL PSM
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (EX-OFFICIO MEMBER)
Mr Mitchell is the substantive Chief Executive Officer of the Fire and Emergency Services Authority. In March 2004 Mr Mitchell was seconded to the Western Australia Police Service as Executive Director until 31 December 2004.
First appointed: 1 January 1999 Term expires: 28 June 2008
FORMER BOARD MEMBERS
MR BARRY MACKINNON
FORMERLY CHAIR OF THE FESA BOARD
Mr MacKinnon is a former Leader of the Opposition in Western Australia and a business consultant. He is Chair of the Disability Services Commission and a former Chair of the Western Australian Fire Brigades Board. Mr MacKinnon was appointed foundation Chair of the inaugural FESA Board in 1999 and resigned from his position on 15 December 2003.
First appointed: 1 January 1999 Term expired: 31 December 2003
MR EAMONN LENNON
FORMERLY EMPLOYEE REPRESENTATIVE – OBSERVER
Mr Lennon is a former career firefighter with the Fire and Rescue Service and now holds the position of FESA Regional Director Metropolitan Region State Emergency Service. He was a former employee representative on the Western Australian Fire Brigades Board from 1996 to 1998 and has represented employees on numerous working groups and committees.
First appointed: 1 January 1999 Term expired: 27 October 2003
MR TOM MILLER AFSM
FORMERLY WESTERN AUSTRALIAN VOLUNTEER FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICES REPRESENTATIVE
Mr Miller is a retired engineer and has been a volunteer firefighter for more than 50 years. He was elected to the executive of the Western Australian Volunteer Fire Brigades’ Association Inc (now the Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services Association) in 1970 and was President from 1988 until his retirement in April 2002.
First appointed: January 1999 Term expired: 15 December 2003
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 107 CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
CR CHRISTINE L THOMPSON
FORMERLY WESTERN AUSTRALIAN LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION REPRESENTATIVE
Ms Thompson is Deputy Shire President of the Shire of Murray and serves on a number of the council’s committees. She has been active in local government for 17 years. Ms Thompson is the local government representative on the Peel Region District Emergency Management Committee and has been a serving member of a volunteer bush fire brigade for 20 years.
First appointed: 30 May 2000 Term expired: 22 September 2003
APPOINTMENT AND INDUCTION The Minister for Police and Emergency Services recommends the appointment of Board members to State Cabinet and the Governor, and ensures that those recommended have expertise relevant to the functions of the authority.
Schedule 1 of the FESA Act outlines the FESA Board’s constitution and proceedings. Apart from the FESA Chief Executive Officer, members hold office for a term not exceeding three years, but may from time to time be reappointed. Other sections of the Act define the quorum, voting procedures, minutes and disclosure of interests.
To assist with gaining an understanding of the business of the organisation, a FESA board induction manual is presented to all new members. The manual includes:
• corporate governance guidelines for State public sector board members; • accountability and risk management guidelines for the State public sector; • the legislative framework for emergency services; • FESA’s roles and responsibilities, including those of the Chair, board members and the Chief Executive Officer; and • the FESA Board’s code of conduct.
New members are also taken on a tour of facilities and are briefed by the Corporate Executive Team.
ETHICAL STANDARDS A code of conduct for the FESA Board and consultative committees was developed to specify members’ obligations and promote sound, ethical practices. The code of conduct outlines members’: • relationships with the FESA Chief Executive Officer and Minister for Police and Emergency Services; • personal behaviour; • accountability (including public expenditure, remuneration and allowances); • use of public sector resources and facilities; • record keeping and use of information; • conflict of interest; and • compliance with WA Public Sector Code of Ethics.
The code of conduct stresses the need for board members to observe FESA’s values and, where possible, consult with stakeholders and affected parties. Accountability is also highlighted in noting that the Financial Administration and Audit Act 1985 places a responsibility on board members to ensure efficient and effective operations, avoid wasteful use of resources, maintain confidentiality and ensure compliance with statutory and legal requirements. Other legislative requirements are contained in section 39 of the FESA Act, section 85 of the Criminal Code, the Freedom of Information Act 1992 and the Public Sector Management Act 1994.
The code of conduct states that the board will prepare and retain minutes of meetings, ensure adequate procedures are observed for documenting decisions and prepare and release a summary of proceedings following each meeting.
108 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The code also defines the role of the chair. Key tasks include facilitating the boardroom process, ensuring that the board provides leadership and vision and undertaking public relations responsibilities.
BOARD EVALUATION The FESA Board affirms that it is both necessary and appropriate to review its own activities for accountability purposes. When FESA was established, a commitment was made to independently review the operations of the board and its consultative committees within two years.
During 2000-01, Bandt, Gatter & Associates reviewed the role, functions, operations and membership of the FESA Board and its consultative committees. The review was held to ensure that the board: • had effective mechanisms for consulting with key stakeholders; • had complementary rather than duplicative roles; • used resources effectively and efficiently; and, most importantly, • was able to make a valuable contribution to the corporate governance and strategic management of FESA.
A report of the findings of the review was presented to the board in late June 2001. The review report contained 29 recommendations (13 in relation to the board and 16 in relation to the FESA consultative committees) and in September 2001 it was forwarded along with comments from the board, to the Minister for Police and Emergency Services for consideration and action.
All decisions on the outcome of the review were postponed late in 2001 pending the outcome of a formal review by Government of all statutory authorities in WA, including FESA. In October 2002, State Cabinet agreed to FESA remaining a statutory authority. Subsequently, in November 2002 the Minister responded to the Board giving formal agreement to the following: • the FESA Board to continue to have an independent Chairperson who is not aligned to any group and is not an employee of FESA; • that each of the four consultative committees be chaired by a member of the FESA Board and that the consultative committee Chairs should be viewed as independent board members, who do not represent any of the groups on the consultative committees; • the recommendation for a reduction in the size of the FESA Board be referred to the board for consideration during the review of the emergency services Acts beginning in 2004; and • suggested changes in the selection criteria for the board also be deferred for consideration at that time.
In total, the Minister referred 19 of the recommendations to the Board for a decision and action and four recommendations are to be considered during the review of the emergency services Acts beginning in 2004.
In November 2002, the FESA Board agreed to the development of an action plan for implementation of the recommendations. Implementation of this plan was due to be completed during 2003-04, however, due to a change in Chair of the Board, the remaining issues are now to be dealt with in 2004-05.
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 109 CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
BOARD REMUNERATION During 2003-04 a review was initiated to address the rates of remuneration paid to members of the FESA Board and committees established under the FESA Act.
On 10 June 2004, the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, on the recommendation of the Minister for Public Sector Management, determined that the rates would be increased.
BOARD MEMBERS’ ATTENDANCE AT MEETINGS 2003-04 Number of meetings
Mr Mike Barnett (term commenced 1 January 2004) 5
Mr Barry MacKinnon (term expired 15 December 2003) 5
Mr Iain Agnew (term commenced 25 November 2003) 6
Mr John Capes 7
Mr Frank Filmer (term commenced 27 January 2004) 4
Mr Eliot Fisher 11
Mr Bill Forbes1 (term commenced 12 March 2004) 3
Ms Sandra Gregorini 10
Mr Terry Gaunt (term commenced 25 August 2003) 8
Mr Eamonn Lennon (term expired 27 October 2003) 2
Ms Annemie McAuliffe 10
Mr Tom Miller (term expired 15 December 2003) 6
Mr Robert (Bob) Mitchell1 7
Ms Susan Rooney 8
Mr Allan Skinner 11
Ms Christine Thompson (term expired 22 September 2003) 2
Mr Eddie van Rijnswoud 11
Mr Eric Wood 10
1 On 12 March 2004 the substantive FESA Chief Executive Officer, Mr Bob Mitchell was seconded to the Western Australia Police Service until 31 December 2004. Mr Bill Forbes is acting in the position of FESA Chief Executive Officer for the period of Mr Mitchell’s absence.
Eleven board meetings were held during the year, seven at FESA House, one at Busselton, two at Forrestfield and one in the Fire Safety Education Centre and Museum, Perth.
110 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
BOARD SUB-COMMITTEES Two sub-committees ensure relevant information is submitted to the FESA Board for its information and to assist with decision making.
FINANCE AND AUDIT COMMITTEE The FESA Internal Audit Charter states that the Finance and Audit Committee shall comprise at least three FESA Board members. The committee met four times in 2003-04. At 30 June 2004 the members and their attendance records were as set out in the table.
NUMBER OF MEETINGS ATTENDED
Susan Rooney - Chair 3
Eric Wood 4
John Capes 1
Eddie van Rijnswoud 4
Meetings were also attended by the FESA Chief Executive Officer, FESA Executive Director Business Services, FESA Manager Financial Services, the Managing Partner PKF Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers (internal auditor), Partner Grant Thornton Chartered Accountants and an Associate Director of Audit, Office of the Auditor General (external auditors).
EMERGENCY SERVICES LEVY EXECUTIVE STEERING COMMITTEE In July 2003, with the introduction of the Emergency Services Levy (ESL) the ESL Executive Steering Committee was replaced by an ESL Executive Review Committee, tasked to review all aspects of the implementation of the ESL and report to the FESA Board.
Throughout 2003-04 the work of the ESL Executive Review Committee (ESL-ERC) continued, reflecting the commitment of the State Government to fully review ESL policy and administrative processes in conjunction with the appropriate stakeholders.
An ESL review process framework was established, comprising working committees, to review key areas and make recommendations to the ESL-ERC.
The Insurance Compliance Review Working Committee oversaw a review of insurance company charging practices, conducted on behalf of the Minister for Police and Emergency Services by an independent consulting company. This culminated with the Minister tabling a report in Parliament in June 2004, which confirmed that insurance companies had correctly complied with the changes brought in as a result of the introduction of the ESL.
The ESL Administration Review Working Committee conducted a review of the ESL administrative policies and procedures applicable to local governments. This review produced an updated version of the ESL Manual of Operating Procedures in readiness for 2004-05 ESL billing and collection.
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 111 CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
EMERGENCY SERVICES LEVY REVIEW PROCESS FRAMEWORK
ESL Related Issues/Complaints Raised With Minister (Non-Administrative)
S ION
DAT E N V E M PRO M
Legislative Reform AP Minister for Emergency Services (Govt/Parliament) RECO
NS O I
E NDAT S E M M ENDOR ESL Executive Review Committee (ERC) CO RE
NS AKE IO NDAT E AND M M W M E Insurance Compliance Review ESL Administration Review ESL Grants Process Review ESL Marketing Review I CO E REV
Working Committee Working Committee Working Committee Working Committee R
ESL Related Feedback and Complaints/Issues Lodged With FESA
The ESL Grants Process Review Working Committee conducted a comprehensive review of the 2003-04 ESL Grants Scheme, which provided capital and operating grants to local governments for bush fire brigades and State Emergency Service units. The review led to the incorporation of simplified administrative approaches in the 2004-05 version of the ESL Grants Manual. These modified processes improved the efficiency and effectiveness of the Grants Scheme, reducing unnecessary duplication of information required from local governments. Following the establishment of interim grants committees in 2002-03, the review confirmed the need for Bush Fire Brigade and State Emergency Service Grants Committees and formalised membership for 2003-04.
The ESL Marketing Review Working Committee conducted a comprehensive review of the effectiveness of the 2003-04 ESL marketing program and prepared a marketing plan for 2004-05.
FESA’S CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEES THE Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia Act 1998 (the FESA Act) established three consultative committees as forums for stakeholders of FESA’s operational divisions to be consulted on significant issues. These cover the Bush Fire Service, the State Emergency Service and the Fire and Rescue Service. During 2002, the Act was amended to formally recognise the Volunteer Marine Rescue Services Consultative Committee, which was established by the Minister for Police and Emergency Services in 1999.
Each consultative committee has a Chair appointed by the Minister for Police and Emergency Services. By virtue of their position as Chair, they are members of the FESA Board of Management.
Section 25 of the FESA Act stipulates that Schedule 1 of that Act, “Constitution and proceedings of Board”, also applies to the constitution and proceedings of the FESA consultative committees, providing a basis for the appointment and removal of members, the calling of meetings and meeting procedures.
112 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
STATE EMERGENCY SERVICE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE
MEMBERS (AS AT 30 JUNE 2003)
Sandra Gregorini Chair
Phil Marshall FESA Executive Director SES and VMRS
Bill Mulroney Deputy Chair and Central South Region
Margi Weir Midwest Region
Robin Lonsdale Goldfields Region
Vacant Great Southern Region
Sean McGee Kimberley Region
Sylvia Bristow-Stagg Midlands Region
Tracy Barker North Metro Region
Steve Cable Pilbara Region
Peter Newton Southwest Region
Bernard McNamara South Metro Region
Phil Petersen SES Volunteer Association
The SES Consultative Committee met twice in 2003-04.
REPORT The events of 2003-04 will be remembered for the passing of James Regan at Karijini National Park in April 2004. It is appropriate to acknowledge the efforts of the SES volunteers, FESA staff and police personnel involved in this tragic incident.
I also take this opportunity to acknowledge the efforts of outgoing member Mr Ron Panting (retiring after eight years of valued service) and welcome Margi Weir to the consultative committee.
The committee farewelled Naomi Brown, who left to join the Country Fire Authority in Victoria. Thank you to the acting FESA Executive Directors in Eamonn Lennon and Ric Gornik for a job well done and welcome to the new FESA Executive Director SES/VMRS, Phil Marshall.
During the year the committee has provided advice and input in a number of key areas including:
• SES Awards - - Revision of the SES awards application forms and criteria. - Design of the Peter Keillor Award pin. - FESA-SES service badge. • re-appointment of Mike Wadley as the volunteer representative on the ESL grants committee for the next two years; • tax concessions for volunteers; • competency based training; and • SES policy, administration and operations instructions.
The consultative committee formed a dress code sub-committee to provide advice and input on relevant issues.
Congratulations to the winners of the SES Awards for 2003: • Peter Keillor Award - Bernie O’Brien • SES Team Achievement Award - Bassendean and Belmont units • Youth Encouragement Award - Stuart Romero
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 113 CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Sincere thanks to all of the consultative committee members for their valued input into developing and progressing the initiatives of the SES for the Western Australian community.
Sandra Gregorini – Chair
FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE
MEMBERS (AS AT 30 JUNE 2004) Eric Wood Chair
Russell Stevens A/FESA Executive Director Fire Services
Howard Fiedler A/FESA Director Fire Services Metropolitan
Craig Hynes FESA Director Fire Services Country
Lyle Boyle Western Australian Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services Association
Norm Flynn Western Australian Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services Association
Cr Terry Kenyon Western Australian Local Government Association
Mark Hayes United Firefighters Union of Australia
Matt Watson United Firefighters Union of Australia
The FRS Consultative Committee met three times in 2003-04.
REPORT The Fire and Rescue Service Consultative Committee discussed and considered a number of significant issues and their impact on policy and planning within the FESA Fire Services division.
As well as regular updates on major incidents, volunteer firefighter training, community safety initiatives and new appliances and equipment, presentations were provided on the following topics: • WA Auditor General’s review; • COAG inquiry; • appearing in court as a witness; • review of emergency services legislation; • new equipment for CBR and HAZMAT; • the new rescue helicopter service; • local government reviews and the Community Fire Manager Program; • recruitment and retention issues for volunteer brigades; and • the Australind Fire Protection Plan.
In addition, the committee discussed and provided input on a range of major issues including: • the Metropolitan Resourcing Plan; • brigade profiling and regulations; • the Bush Fire Cooperative Research Centre; and • Westplan Wildfire.
Eric Wood PSM – Chair
114 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
BUSH FIRE SERVICE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE
MEMBERS (AS AT 30 JUNE 2004)
Annemie McAuliffe Chair
Russell Stevens A/FESA Executive Director Fire Services
Craig Hynes FESA Director Fire Services Country
Max Borwick Perth North District Operations Advisory Committee (DOAC)
Paul Maddern Association of Volunteer Bush Fire Brigades
Ritch Maslen Central West-Carnamah DOAC
Dave Gossage Perth South DOAC
Colin James Western Australian Local Government Association
Peter Capito Midlands-Northam DOAC
Brian Wood Goldfields-Merredin DOAC
Rod Daw Great Southern DOAC
Terry Hunter Southwest DOAC
Terry Maher Department of Conservation and Land Management
The BFS Consultative Committee met twice in 2003-04.
REPORT The Bush Fire Service Consultative Committee had an active and productive year. The committee members bring forward the views of their District Officer Advisory Committees in the interests of developing a common focus. The committee has provided input and advice to FESA’s Fire Services division on a broad range of issues.
Key issues covered during the year included: • penalties under the Road Traffic Code; • Emergency Services Levy and bush fire capital grants; • government reviews and inquiries; • Westplan Wildfire; • brigade profiling and succession planning; • aerial firefighting; • chief bush fire control officer competencies and training; • fire management on unallocated Crown lands; • Incident Control System training; • police clearance processes for volunteers; • fire hazards on Westrail reserves; • standing operating procedures; • post-incident analysis reporting; • access to information technology for volunteers; • community safety programs and campaigns; • volunteer issues including insurance and training; • the Bush fire Cooperative Research Centre; • Bush Fire Service cadets; • radio communications; and • vehicles and equipment.
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 115 CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
In addition, a number of presentations were made to the committee and members considered a series of recommendations on a range of major issues including:
• amendments to fire and emergency services legislation; • the Australind Fire Protection Plan; • local government reviews and the appointment of community fire managers; • FESA’s Appearing as a Witness in Court publication; • FESA’s risk-to-resource model for ESL funding; • FESA’s wildfire threat analysis; • recruitment and retention of volunteers; • power company infrastructure and bush fires; and • FESA’s public alert system.
Annemie McAuliffe – Chair
VOLUNTEER MARINE RESCUE SERVICES CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE
MEMBERS (AS AT 30 JUNE 2004)
Allan Skinner Chair
Phil Marshall FESA Executive Director SES and VMRS
Keith Shadbolt President Volunteer Marine Rescue Western Australia (VMRWA)
Stuart Robertson Vice President VMRWA
President West Coast Volunteer Marine Search and Rescue Chris Wright Association (WCVMSRA)
Ron Smith Vice President WCVMSRA
Barry Corish VMRWA Rep
Terry Pow WCVMSRA Rep
Graham Pratt WCVMSRA Rep
Rick Holman VMRWA Rep
Paul Kimber FESA VMRS Coordinator
Jeff Howe FESA VMRS Coordinator
The VMRS Consultative Committee was this year, for the first time, made up of entirely volunteer representation, with representatives of the WA Police Service and Department of Planning and Infrastructure available for specific issues where applicable.
The VMRS Consultative Committee met three times in 2003-04 and conducted one workshop in January 2004 to determine the roles and responsibilities for members and future methods of operation of the consultative committee.
REPORT Legislative protection under amendments to the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia Act 1998 was sought by 33 of the 36 VMRS groups and these 33 became approved groups under the legislation. FESA is continuing to work with the remaining three groups to enter into a Service Level Agreement. The committee made known its stance with a notice of motion from the committee for consideration at the FESA Board in May 2004.
116 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The consultative committee considered the following grant applications from VMRS groups: • Shark Bay – $8,000 for modifications to vessel. • Albany – $31,171 for renovations to building and improvements to communications tower; and • Rockingham – $10,200 for improvements to communications.
An additional amount of $76,568 was funded by Lotterywest. This allowed a further $60,000 to be distributed in the mid-year allocations for items ranging from facsimiles machines to trailers.
Other items of interest considered by the committee included: • the training relationship with Challenger TAFE with 157 volunteers participating in the Certificate III in VMRS; • The West Australian Marine Search and Rescue (WAMSAR) system for incident reporting, asset data bases and attendance register has been operational for 12 months with good results being achieved; • a review of the rescue vessel NAIAD on a risk-analysis model, to determine whether a second vessel should be purchased; • code of conduct signed off by all committee members; and • a review of the capital grant funding program. A matrix has been developed to enable submissions to be considered on a risk and needs basis, thereby justifying and quantifying decisions on funding.
In closing, I would like to thank Mr John Garner and Mr Fab Zanuttigh who have retired from the consultative committee. Thanks also to all members of the committee for their valued input into the development of the VMRS for the Western Australian community.
Allan Skinner PSM – Chair
REVIEW OF CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEES During 2001-2002, the role, functions, operations and membership of FESA’s consultative committees were reviewed. There were 16 recommendations made in relation to consultative committees in the review report, which was forwarded to the Minister for Police and Emergency Services in September 2001. All decisions on the outcome of the review were postponed late in 2001 pending the outcome of a formal review by Government of all statutory authorities in WA, including FESA. In October 2002, State Cabinet agreed to FESA remaining a statutory authority. Subsequently, in November 2002 the Minister responded to the board. The action to be taken in relation to the report is outlined in the section of this report related to the board, headed Board Evaluation.
CORPORATE EXECUTIVE The executive directors of the six FESA divisions make up FESA’s Corporate Executive Team, which is led by the FESA Chief Executive Officer.
On 12 March 2004, the substantive FESA Chief Executive Officer, Mr Robert (Bob) Mitchell was seconded to the Western Australia Police Service until 31 December 2004. The Premier of Western Australia, the Hon Dr Geoff Gallop, directed Mr Bill Forbes to act in the position of FESA Chief Executive Officer for the period of Mr Mitchell’s absence.
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 117 CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
CORPORATE EXECUTIVE (AS AT 30 JUNE 2004)
DIVISION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Business Services Bill Hewitt
Community Safety Barry Hamilton
Emergency Management Services Jo Harrison-Ward
Fire Services Russell Stevens (Acting)
Human Services Ric Gornik
SES and VMRS Phil Marshall
The Corporate Executive team met 10 times in 2003-04.
AGENCY RESOURCE AGREEMENT & CEO PERFORMANCE AGREEMENT Agency resource agreements have a critical role in ensuring financial management and accountability. They: • clarify the State Government’s desired outcomes for the organisation; and • provide a formal mechanism for the endorsement of budget allocation and the goods and services (outputs) purchased by the Government.
Accordingly, Chief Executive Officer performance agreements are closely aligned to agency performance agreements.
The existing FESA Resource Agreement is between the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, the Chair of the FESA Board, the FESA Chief Executive Officer and the State Treasurer.
The performance agreement of the FESA Chief Executive Officer was approved by the Minister for Public Sector Management on 7 November 2003. The assessment report is due to be presented to the Minister for Public Sector Management on 24 September 2004.
STRATEGIC PLANNING FESA’s strategic planning process involves a continual cycle of: • analysis of internal and external factors; • strategy development and planning; • service delivery; and • performance monitoring and evaluation.
FESA’s inaugural strategic plan, which covered the period 1999-01, established a clear link between FESA’s corporate direction and its activities in the field. Following a review of the inaugural plan by the FESA Board in 2001, FESA’s strategic plan for 2002-04 was developed in consultation with the FESA Board, the Corporate Executive Team and key staff and has been in place since April 2002.
The 2002-04 strategic plan – now in its final year of implementation – has a direct link to: • divisional business plans and performance agreements (reporting divisional progress in meeting FESA’s strategic intentions); • functional plans at the directorate, regional and district levels; • branch plans; • project plans; and • individual performance and development plans.
118 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The strategic plan establishes FESA’s mission in the planning process: • In partnership with the people of Western Australia to: • improve community safety practices; and • provide timely, quality and effective emergency services.
The mission will be achieved through three strategic intentions. These are: • community-centred emergency management; • sound business practices; and • quality people services.
Through community-centred emergency management, FESA has continued to actively encourage communities to share responsibility for their own safety and to increase their resilience in the event of emergencies.
All FESA divisions provided business plans and reports in accordance with the framework during 2003-04. Interim plans were presented to the FESA Chief Executive Officer in December 2003 and these assisted with the development of the budget papers for 2004-05. Final year reports have formed the basis for the 2003-04 annual report.
For the second year the divisional plans and reports were used in conjunction with the FESA Let’s Talk professional development process, forming the performance agreements of the Corporate Executive Team.
In April 2004, the Corporate Executive Team and the FESA Board commenced the planning cycle for the FESA strategic plan 2005-07.
The new plan will incorporate new requirements under the State Government’s new strategic planning framework for the Western Australian public sector, the Regional Development Policy and the Western Australian State Sustainability Framework.
ORGANISATIONAL POLICY DEVELOPMENT, IMPLEMENTATION AND REVIEW & RISK MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORKS
POLICY FRAMEWORK During its inaugural years, FESA built an effective and coherent policy development and implementation framework. In line with its commitment to continuously improve its services, FESA reviewed and significantly improved four policies during 2003-04.
The primary achievements in policy development within FESA include: • FESA now has 63 comprehensive organisational policies which include compliance procedures to assist and guide FESA personnel (six new policies in 2003-04); • all FESA policies are checked for consistency with relevant legislation and State Government initiatives and policies; • all FESA policies are aligned with the FESA values and take cognisance of risk management practices; • all FESA policies are subjected to formal endorsement by the FESA Corporate Executive Team; • endorsed policies are promoted and available to all FESA personnel via the FESA intranet; • a register of endorsed policies, signed by the FESA Chief Executive Officer, is maintained in hard copy for auditing purposes; and • a three-year policy review and evaluation process has been established.
The FESA policy development and implementation framework supports a coordinated approach to planning, management and consistency across the organisation and adds significant value to FESA customer service delivery.
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 119 CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
INCIDENT ANALYSIS Sound corporate governance requires the ability to comprehensively assess prevention, preparedness, response and recovery issues surrounding significant emergency incidents.
In 2002-03, a common incident analysis policy was introduced across all FESA operational divisions. The analysis process ensures maximum effectiveness, efficiency and consistency within operational procedures. This results in an improved capacity to manage risks, and more timely and effective emergency services.
During 2003-04 a comprehensive training program was completed, equipping key staff with the skills to undertake incident analysis in accordance with the policy. A database of trained facilitators is maintained by the FESA Training Centre.
As a result of major incidents involving the death of community members and of volunteers, the Incident Analysis Policy has undergone a major review, which was in its final stages at 30 June 2004.
PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS During 2003-04 FESA established a Directorate of Professional Standards. Currently, this is located within the FESA Fire Services division.
The role and function of the directorate is to: • provide advice on the development and implementation of professional standards; • examine how effectively and efficiently incidents are managed; • monitor implementation of post incident analysis and major incident review recommendations; and • conduct investigations as required.
In particular, the directorate has undertaken a major review of the Incident Analysis Policy. This review was in its final stages at 30 June 2004.
PUBLIC INTEREST DISCLOSURE In accordance with the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2003, FESA has developed a comprehensive policy and guidelines in relation to ‘public interest disclosures’ (PID) [commonly referred to as ‘whistle blowing’]. FESA has appointed a PID officer who is required to record and investigate claims and make an annual report to the Public Sector Standards Commissioner.
INTERNAL AUDIT PKF Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers provides internal audit services in accordance with FESA’s audit requirements as established in the FESA Internal Audit Charter. This conforms with contemporary internal audit ideals and best practice models – defining audit responsibilities, structures and relationships for audit committees and the internal audit function.
Audits were undertaken in the areas of: • expenditure and revenue; • Emergency Services Levy; • fleet management; • inventory and stores; • capital works and assets; • information technology controls; • records management; and • payroll, superannuation and staff records.
120 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
MEMORANDA OF UNDERSTANDING When it is necessary to formalise arrangements between FESA and other government agencies, local governments and/or private sector entities, it is FESA’s policy to establish either a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) or a legally binding agreement.
During the year FESA completed an internal MOU audit to ensure all documentation is up to date. Currently, 44 MOUs are contained in the FESA register (compared with 31 at 30 June 2003). A number of other less formal arrangements are covered by partnering charters established prior to the adoption of the Memoranda of Understanding Policy. As these fall due for renewal, they are updated or replaced as required.
In particular, a MOU between FESA and the Commonwealth Department of Defence and the Commonwealth Department of Finance and Administration has been the subject of a detailed re- evaluation as a result of the introduction of the Emergency Services Levy on 1 July 2003. New arrangements are nearing completion.
In addition to MOUs and legal agreements, FESA’s operational services maintain response plans with government agencies, local governments and the private sector to ensure each party’s roles and responsibilities in relation to emergency response at particular locations, are understood.
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 121
Compliance reports
CONTENTS
• ADVERTISING AND SPONSORSHIP 123 • CULTURAL DIVERSITY AND LANGUAGES SERVICES 123 • DISABILITY SERVICES 123 • ENERGY SMART 124 • EQUAL OPPORTUNITY & DIVERSITY 124 • FREEDOM OF INFORMATION 125 • GROUP OUTCOMES 127 • HUMAN SERVICES – STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE WITH PUBLIC SECTOR STANDARDS 127 • PUBLICATIONS 128 • RECORD KEEPING PLAN 129 • WASTE PAPER RECYCLING AND PAPER SAVINGS 129 • YOUTH OUTCOMES 130 • FUNDED OUTPUTS AND OUTPUT MEASURES OF QUANTITY, QUALITY, TIMELINESS AND COST 130
122 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 COMPLIANCE REPORTS
FESA reports regularly, or as required, to the following public sector bodies: • Crime and Corruption Commission; • Office of the Auditor General; • Department of Housing and Works; (Government Property Office) • Department of the Premier and Cabinet; • Department of Consumer and Employment Protection, including WorkSafe; • Department of Treasury and Finance; • Director of Equal Opportunity in Public Employment; • WA Disability Services Commission; • Government Employees Superannuation Board; • Heritage Council of Western Australia; • Library and Information Service of WA; • Office of the Information Commissioner; • Office of Multicultural Interests; • Office of the Public Sector Standards Commissioner; • Parliament; • State Supply Commission; • State Records Office of the Department of Culture and the Arts; and • WorkCover WA.
FESA also provides data and organisational performance information to the Emergency Management chapter of the annual Commonwealth Report on Government Services, which is published by the Productivity Commission for the Council of Australian Governments.
ADVERTISING AND SPONSORSHIP See Notes to Financial Statements.
CULTURAL DIVERSITY AND LANGUAGE SERVICES For information on FESA initiatives in these areas see under the heading Equal Opportunity on page 122.
DISABILITY SERVICES FESA continues to provide services to ensure the needs of people with disabilities are met in a number of ways. • Firefighters visited 962 homes of the aged and people with disabilities throughout the State to install or maintain smoke alarms. Complementing this, the Mission Australia Home Safety Teams, which are supported by FESA, expanded their operations to include the installation and maintenance of battery- powered smoke alarms for seniors and people with disabilities. • Priority assistance is provided to the frail, aged and people with disabilities within the Albany community during emergencies to which the State Emergency Service respond. This is a joint program between FESA State Emergency Service and the Department of Health. Similar initiatives are now being put in place for the Pilbara/Kimberley Region. • Information about services is provided in formats that meet the needs of people with disabilities. FESA staff are aware of, and understand the needs of, people with disabilities and provide advice and services accordingly. • People with disabilities are provided with the opportunity to participate in emergency and evacuation planning. • FESA’s Capital Works Program addresses access by people with disabilities to buildings and facilities.
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 123 COMPLIANCE REPORTS
ENERGY SMART In accordance with the Energy Smart Government Policy FESA has committed to achieving a 12% reduction in non-transport related energy use by 2006-07 with a 2% reduction targeted for 2003-04. The actual saving achieved was 17.23% from figures 2002-03 as detailed in the following table.
TABLE 2. FESA’S ENERGY SMART PERFORMANCE
ENERGY SMART GOVERNMENT PROGRAM BASELINE 2002-03 2003-04 VARIATION
Energy consumption (Mj) 28,059,775 26,882,000 22,251,000 17.23%
Energy cost ($) $824,520 $817,324 $738,224
Greenhouse gas emissions (tonnes of CO2) 5,325t 5,258t 5,100t
Performance indicators
Mj/sqm 1,317Mj 1,307Mj 1,196Mj
Mj/FTE 76,040Mj 60,654Mj 60,663Mj
During the year the following Energy Smart initiatives were undertaken: • Further implementation of the Energy Data Gathering and Reporting (EDGAR) software with references with Sustainable Energy Development Office (SEDO) updated. • Planning was undertaken for a revised energy audit. A partial energy audit was carried out in 2000 on mechanical services within FESA House. A new tender for an Energy Audit Consultant contract being Tendered and Awarded. • Funding Application for Energy Audit Grant Energy Smart Government Facilitation Grants Program applied for and granted from SEDO, subject to Awarded Tender. • Main Chiller Replacement and associated Mechanical Services equipment installed at FESA House as a Capital Investment Project. • Funding Application for Capital Investment Projects applied for and awaiting approval from SEDO.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY AND DIVERSITY FESA has given Equal Opportunity and Diversity a strategic profile at the highest level of the organisation. The CEO has designated himself and his Executive Team as FESA’s ‘diversity champions’, each with a specific portfolio to carry through with targeted outcomes to improve organisational diversity at all levels.
Another initiative which has arisen from this approach is the FESA Values Plan. This plan is being developed to clarify and demonstrate how diversity as a ‘leadership value’ is lived on a day-to-day basis, through links to FESA's policies, programs and operational activities.
FESA’s firefighter recruitment campaign for 2004 continued to promote the diversity of the role in a diverse community. The selection panel also included a female firefighter.
Information on FESA’s website affirms a commitment to ensuring our workforce reflects the diversity of the community by encouraging women, people from cultural and linguistically diverse backgrounds as well as indigenous people to apply for jobs at FESA. The website also contains human resource guidelines which reinforce our commitment to equal opportunity and diversity.
FESA has continued to participate in the Public Sector Traineeship Program. Five trainees commenced the Certificate II in Business in August 2003. Three successfully completed the Certificate II and subsequently two have been chosen to continue with FESA to complete Certificate III in Business. A
124 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 COMPLIANCE REPORTS
person with a disability is also participating in a school-based traineeship to complete a Certificate II in Electro Technology Servicing. FESA intends to offer two apprenticeships at its O’Connor workshops.
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION A total of 53 valid applications were received, two of which were transferred in full to other agencies. Most requests sought access to non-personal information from Fire Services (including Fire Incident Reports and Fire Investigation Reports) and related to a number of significant bush fire incidents (Bridgetown, Tenterden and Chittering Valley) and structural fires (Sorrento Quay and 205 Stirling Highway). Partial transfers were made to CALM, Energy Safety Directorate and Western Power.
Of the 50 applications dealt with this year (five applications are still being deliberated), only 11 applications were granted access in full. Edited access applied to 39 applications and Exemption Clause 3(1) (which enables certain personal information about individuals to be withheld) was claimed for the majority of those applications.
FESA received four applications for access to personal information from FESA employees and volunteers, where the applicants were seeking information relating to grievance matters.
The average processing time is 26 days (still within the 45 limit imposed by the Freedom of Information Act 1992). This increase is attributed to a number of reasons, namely the complexity of the application and the delay in reports being finalised (FESA is provided with reports prepared by external agencies to assist our deliberations).
One applicant sought an internal review to unedited access to copies of statutory declarations held by FESA relating to complaints made against a private company. FESA upheld its decision not to release unedited copies of the statutory declarations.
FESA FREEDOM OF INFORMATION STATISTICAL RETURN (1 JULY 2003 TO 30 JUNE 2004)
APPLICATIONS STATS
New valid applications received in this period 51 (2 applications were transferred in full to other agencies)
Applications held over (undecided) from 2002/2003 4
Applications not yet dealt with 5
TOTAL APPLICATIONS DEALT WITH (DECIDED) IN THIS PERIOD 50
OUTCOME OF APPLICATIONS STATS
Access in Full 11
Edited Access 39
TOTAL 50
AVERAGE PROCESSING TIME (DAYS) 26
INTERNAL REVIEW 1
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 125 COMPLIANCE REPORTS
FESA DECISION MAKERS STATS
Dir Perth North Coastal 9
Dir Fire Services Metropolitan 7
Dir Fire Services Country 6
ED Community Safety
ED Fire Services 4 ED Human Services
Dir Perth North Dir South Coastal 2 Dir South East
Dir North East 1 Dir Great Southern
Total 29
FEES AND CHARGES $
Application Fees Collected 1438
Charges Waived * 120
Actual Charges Collected 922
Note: * Charges are waived if the actual processing cost is less than $10.00.
126 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 COMPLIANCE REPORTS
GROUP OUTCOMES REMOTE INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES Developments in the reporting period included: • extension of the AWARE (All West Australians Reducing Emergencies) program into Indigenous communities; • production of an emergency risk management guide with Indigenous terms of reference; • establishment of formal membership on the State Service Delivery Project Steering Committee, a key outcome of the Gordon Inquiry into family violence in Aboriginal communities; • FESA’s participation in the National Remote Indigenous Communities Advisory Committee. The committee reports to the Australian Emergency Management Committee; and • establishment of formal links with the community layout planning process for Indigenous communities, undertaken by the Department for Planning and Infrastructure. This work will enhance the substantial commitment FESA has already made to improving services within remote Indigenous communities. It will be a significant step towards a more consolidated and collaborative approach to service delivery.
ASSISTANCE TO THE FRAIL AND AGED Priority assistance is provided to the frail, aged and people with disabilities within the Albany community during emergencies to which the State Emergency Service respond. This is a joint program between FESA State Emergency Service and the Department of Health. Similar initiatives are now being put in place for the Pilbara/Kimberley Region.
Firefighters visited 962 homes of the aged and incapacitated throughout the State to install or maintain smoke alarms. Complementing this, the Mission Australia Home Safety Teams, which are supported by FESA, expanded their operations to include the installation and maintenance of battery-powered smoke alarms for seniors and people with disabilities.
HUMAN SERVICES STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE WITH PUBLIC SECTOR STANDARDS PUBLIC SECTOR STANDARDS IN HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT In 2003-2004, FESA conducted 86 selection processes that had the potential to attract breach of Standard claims. These processes attracted 1286 applicants. This included 668 applications for the 2004 firefighter recruitment. Of the nine breach claims lodged, five were from the 2004 firefighter recruitment campaign.
SUMMARY OF BREACH APPLICATIONS
Number lodged: 9
Breaches found: 0
Multiple breaches: 0
Breaches under review: 0
Material breaches: 0
Non-material breaches: 0
All breach claims lodged were reviewed and claimants advised of the outcomes. Further action was requested by two claimants. An external examination revealed that no breach of Standard was found and these matters were dismissed.
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 127 COMPLIANCE REPORTS
Two breach claims were lodged against the grievance resolution standard. These were reviewed and the claimant advised of the outcome. Further action on these claims was requested with an external examination revealing that no breach of Standard was found and these matters were dismissed.
The framework for FESA policies emphasises compliance with the Public Sector Standards in Human Resource Management. Although relevant policies have future revision dates scheduled, they are amended progressively should the need be identified.
PUBLIC SECTOR CODE OF ETHICS AND CODE OF CONDUCT FESA values underpin the achievement of ethical conduct throughout the organisation. These values are encapsulated in pamphlets entitled Living Our Values and Leadership the FESA Way.
The values and leadership attributes are integral to the way we work with each other and the community for a safer Western Australia. FESA’s values are compatible with ethical principles, values and behaviour embodied in the Western Australian Public Sector Code of Ethics. By living the values, employees of FESA will comply with the Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct.
SELF ASSESSMENT The self assessment model established in relation to the Public Sector Standards and Code of Ethics revealed overall compliance with the requirements during 2003-2004.
PUBLICATIONS The following publications were produced in the reporting period:
REPORTS • FESA Annual Report 2002-2003
MAGAZINES • 24seven (October 2003, March 2004) • A Safer Community (December 2003)
BROCHURES (new) • Make Your Home Fire Safe and Secure • Protect Your Home from Bush Fire • Evaporative Air Conditioners and Bush Fires • Emergency Services Levy 2003/04 (available in English, Arabic, Chinese, Indonesian, Greek, Italian and Vietnamese). • BROCHURES (REVISED) • Bush Fires in the North of Australia • Farm Fire Safety • Safe Harvesting Practices • Installing Smoke Alarms in your Home • All West Australians Reducing Emergencies (AWARE)
BOOKLETS • The Homeowners Bush Fire Survival Manual • Emergency Services Information Guide 2003/04 • Emergency Services Levy Insurance Compliance Review: Final Report • ESL Property Use Classification Queries, Objections & Appeals • ESL Mining & Exploration Exemptions
128 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 COMPLIANCE REPORTS
MANUALS • Local Government Manual of Operating Procedures 2003/04 • Local Government Manual for Capital & Operating Grants 2003/04 • Local Government State Emergency Service Unit Vehicles, Trailers & Boats (type available and specifications) • Local Government Bush Fire Brigade Firefighting Appliances (type available and specifications)
NEWSLETTTERS • Emergency Services Levy Newsletter (September 2003)
REPORTS • Major Incident Review into the Karijini Incident 1-3 April 2004
VIDEOS • CallOut (December 2003) • Best Practice Decontamination • Training video for Glass Management Kits • Rescue 1 Helicopter Service • 2003 SES Awards presentations video • 2003 Firefighter Awards presentations video • Exercise Turnstyle • Helitac promotional video
RECORD KEEPING PLAN The FESA Recordkeeping Plan was cleared by the State Records Commission in January 2004.
• Records management has been included in FESA’s Annual Internal Audit plan to ensure that recordkeeping systems are assessed and reviewed. • Presentations on various aspects of FESA recordkeeping program are delivered on a regular basis to branches and units within FESA. Tailored sessions are conducted to individual FESA employees as required. • The training program is reviewed from time to time through the results of the annual audit or through a client satisfaction survey. • FESA’s induction program addresses employee roles and responsibilities in regard to their compliance with FESA’s recordkeeping plan.
WASTE PAPER RECYCLING AND SAVINGS FESA has reduced its level of paper recycling during the past year. Table 1 shows the recycling recorded for FESA House, the Belmont offices and the O’Connor workshops.
TABLE 5. WASTE PAPER RECYCLING
FESA – PERTH & BELMONT FESA – O’CONNOR TOTAL COMBINED 2003-04 1,520 kg (1.52 t) 350 kg 1,870 kg (1.9 t)
2002-03 1,615 kg (1.6 t) 375 kg 1,990 kg (2 t)
2001-02 790 kg 390 kg 1,180 kg (1.2 t)
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 129 COMPLIANCE REPORTS
YOUTH OUTCOMES YOUTH SERVICES The Emergency Services Cadets (ESC) currently has 1816 cadets and 223 adult volunteers in 42 units throughout the State. The ESC provides training and activities that enhance life skills and foster a sense of community service in young people.
FESA facilitated the implementation of a cadet advisory group to provide cadets with a forum for meaningful input and feedback on the cadet program and its activities.
A leadership training was conducted in the reporting period for the first time. The course, which provided generic training in leadership and instructional techniques, was attended by 60 cadets from around the State.
The major activity for the cadet program has been the Biennial State camp held in October 2003 at Ern Halliday Recreation Camp, Hillarys. The camp was attended by over 400 cadets from 22 units across the State.
FUNDED OUTPUTS AND OUTPUT MEASURES OF QUANTITY, QUALITY, TIMELINESS AND COST FESA is funded to provide two outputs for the Western Australian community – prevention services and emergency services. Tables 6 and 7 on the following pages demonstrate how FESA performed in relation to its budget targets in providing these services in 2003-04.
130 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 COMPLIANCE REPORTS
OUTPUT 1: PREVENTION SERVICES Provision of prevention services to increase community awareness of human and natural hazards, and involvement in minimising their impact.
TABLE 6. OUTPUT PERFORMANCE MEASURES 2003-04 2003-04 Reason for significant variation between actual and target output production
Budget Target actual Quantity Community prevention/awareness campaigns (a) 21 21 delivered Participants undertaking emergency management 1,100 1,224 Increase due to training needs. services training programs Two-person team days for explosive inspections(b) The role of this area has changed to that of a regulatory body, overseeing private 0 0 contracts. Quality Participants completing emergency management 95% 95% services training programs Completed two-person team days for explosive 0% 0 Note as above, services contracted out. inspections(b)
Timeliness
Community prevention/ awareness campaigns 95% 95% delivered within an agreed timeframe Emergency management services training programs 95% 95% delivered within an agreed timeframe Explosive inspections carried out within an agreed (b) 0% 0 Note as above, services contracted out. timeframe Cost (Efficiency) Average cost per community prevention/ awareness $665,419 $669,622 campaign delivered Average cost per participant undertaking emergency $984 $1,119 management services training programs Average cost per two-person team day for explosive (b) - - Inspections in 2002-03 were contracted out. FESA in advisory role only. inspection
In addition to community prevention/awareness campaigns, previous Budget Papers reported on the production of media prevention/awareness campaigns. Following the direct alignment of these areas in 2001-2002, the two output measures were amalgamated. All media campaign costs are now consolidated in the one community prevention/awareness measure. As indicated last year, this service has been phased out. FESA has a regulatory and advisory role only. No explosive inspections were conducted by FESA in 2003-04 and therefore there can be no calculation of performance measures
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 131 COMPLIANCE REPORTS
OUTPUT 2: EMERGENCY SERVICES Provision of emergency services to enable rapid and effective response to emergency incidents to minimise their impact.
TABLE 7. OUTPUT PERFORMANCE MEASURES
2003-04 2003-04 Reason for Significant Variation between actual and target output production Budget Actual
Quantity
Operational personnel ready to respond to emergencies:
Fire Services – Career 839 840
Fire and Rescue Service – Volunteer 2,450 2,487
Bush Fire Service – Volunteer 19,000 19,500 Variation due to continuing enhancement of personnel records systems.
State Emergency Service – Volunteer and Career 2,304 2,039 As above; some personnel transferred to FESA units.
Volunteer Marine Rescue Services 2,420 2,200
FESA Units - volunteer - 341 Growth in FESA unit establishment.
WA Emergency Rescue Helicopter Service - Mission hours - 234 Function transferred to FESA effective 1 July 2003.
Natural disasters declared - 5
Responses to emergency incidents 1 27,000 26,740
Quality
Participants completing FESA training programs 95% 95%
Response time standards (minutes) 2
Fire and Rescue Service – Career 8 8
Service availability (hours per day) - 24
1 Given FESA has limited control over the total number of emergency incidents that occur, responses to incidents are not regarded as outputs. Therefore, associated average cost figures are not provided in the output table.
2 The duration from the receipt of an emergency call to arrival at the scene of the incident.
132 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 COMPLIANCE REPORTS
TABLE 7 (CONT’D). OUTPUT PERFORMANCE MEASURES
2003-04 2003-04 Reason for Significant Variation between actual and target output production Budget Actual
Timeliness
FESA Training programs delivered within an agreed timeframe 95% 95%
Time to mobilise (000 calls only) 3
Fire and Rescue Service – Career (within 2 minutes) 92.5% 92.5% .
Fire and Rescue Service – Volunteer (within 12 minutes) 90% 90%
Volunteer Marine Rescue Services (within 12 minutes) 90% 90%
Response times WA Emergency Rescue Helicopter Service - 74.7% During temporary housing, the helicopter is airborne within 20 minutes (currently % of missions airborne within 15 minutes of tasking 89.3%). Within 15 minutes reflects permanent housing not yet achieved.
Cost (Efficiency)
Fire Services – Career $97,738 $100,914
Fire and Rescue Service – Volunteer $4,146 $2,373
Bush Fire Service – Volunteer $934 $307 Includes additional grant funding to BFS under ESL.
State Emergency Service – Volunteer and Career $6,492 $4,748 Includes additional grant funding to SES under ESL.
Volunteer Marine Rescue Services $607 $607
FESA Unit volunteer - $1,507
Average cost per mission hour Emergency Rescue Helicopter Service - $19,570
3 The duration from the receipt of the 000 call to the time crews/units turn out.
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 133
134 FESA Annual Report 2003-04
Key performance indicators
CONTENTS
• STATEMENT OF CERTIFICATION 136 • AUDITOR GENERAL’S OPINION 137 • FESA’S OUTCOME STATEMENT 138 • KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATOR 1 139 Local Government Fire Protection Rating System
• KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATOR 2 140 Number of residential fires per 100,000 persons
• KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATOR 3 141 Response times
• KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATOR 4 143 Proportion of structure fires contained to room of origin
• KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATOR 5 144 Human costs of flood, tropical cyclone, storm, earthquake and tsunami hazards
• KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATOR 6 144 Organisational capability to deliver timely, quality and effective services - Training
- Fire and Rescue Urban Volunteer Brigade Profiling
- FESA training courses, competencies and numbers successfully completed: • KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATOR 7 151 Weighted average cost per prevention service • KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATOR 8 153 Emergency Services: Average cost per operational personnel ready to respond to an emergency
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 135
Key performance indicators
STATEMENT OF CERTIFICATION
We hereby certify that the performance indicators are based on proper records, are relevant and appropriate for assisting users to assess the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia performance and fairly represent the performance of the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia for the financial year ended 30 June 2004.
M Barnett FESA BOARD CHAIR
W N N Forbes ACTING FESA CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
23 August 2004
136 FESA Annual Report 2003-04
AUDITOR GENERAL
INDEPENDENT AUDIT OPINION
To the Parliament of Western Australia
FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA PERFORMANCE INDICATORS FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2004
Audit Opinion In my opinion, the key effectiveness and efficiency performance indicators of the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia are relevant and appropriate to help users assess the Authority’s performance and fairly represent the indicated performance for the year ended June 30, 2004.
Scope The Board’s Role The Board is responsible for developing and maintaining proper records and systems for preparing performance indicators.
The performance indicators consist of key indicators of effectiveness and efficiency.
Summary of my Role As required by the Financial Administration and Audit Act 1985, I have independently audited the performance indicators to express an opinion on them. This was done by looking at a sample of the evidence.
An audit does not guarantee that every amount and disclosure in the performance indicators is error free, nor does it examine all evidence and every transaction. However, my audit procedures should identify errors or omissions significant enough to adversely affect the decisions of users of the performance indicators.
D D R PEARSON AUDITOR GENERAL October 12, 2004
4th Floor Dumas House 2 Havelock Street West Perth 6005 Western Australia Tel: 08 9222 7500 Fax: 08 9322 5664 KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
FESA’s vision is to achieve a safer community through:
• its mission: Working in partnership with the people of Western Australia to:
- improve community safety practices; and
- provide timely, quality and effective emergency services.
• meeting its strategic intentions:
- Community-centred emergency management (composed of prevention, preparedness, response and recovery initiatives);
- Sound business practices; and - Quality people services.
• ensuring that its outputs (prevention and emergency services) produce FESA’s agreed outcome for the Western Australian community.
FESA’S OUTCOME STATEMENT The impact of human and natural hazards on the community of Western Australia is minimised.
138 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
EFFECTIVENESS INDICATORS
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATOR 1
Local Government Fire Protection Rating System
Local governments are responsible for minimising the impact of fires through the administration and maintenance of bush fire brigades (Bush Fires Act 1954). Currently, 122 local governments hold this responsibility. FESA assists local governments by providing training and advisory services to bush fire brigades.
The Local Government Fire Protection Rating System (LGFPRS) shows the extent to which local governments meet recommended fire protection standards, appropriate to hazards and risks.
The relevant FESA district manager assesses each brigade area using a standard rating system made up of 19 indicators grouped into three categories – fire prevention, operations and training. The current assessment determines whether the local government has established:
• fire prevention plans, policies and fire break orders; • brigade rules, local laws, standard operating procedures and response plans; • its own response plans; • a five-year equipment replacement strategy; and • an appropriate training program.
In Table 1 a summary of the 2003-04 assessment for all local governments is shown compared with results for 2002-03. Figure 1 shows achievement levels over the past seven years.
TABLE 1: LOCAL GOVERNMENT FIRE PROTECTION RATINGS
MAJOR MAXIMUM ASSESSED RATING LEVEL ACHIEVED (%) CATEGORIES RATING POINTS POINTS
2003-04 2002-03 2003-04 2002-03 Fire Prevention 366 231 211 63.1 57.6
Operations 1,342 1015 970 76 72.3
Training 610 339 301 55.6 49.3
Total 2,318 1,585 1,482 68.59 63.93
* Maximum of 1 rating point for each of 19 categories for 122 local governments in 2002-03 and 2003-04. All ratings are as at June of each year.
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 139 KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
FIGURE 1: LOCAL GOVERNMENT FIRE PROTECTION RATINGS
80
) 70
% 60 50
eved ( 40 30 achi 20
Level 10 0 Fire Prevention Operations Training Total
1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04
NOTE: Comparison of assessed rating points with maximum rating points.
By focusing on areas of importance, FESA has influenced improved performance. Results demonstrate steady improvement in each category and in overall results. Since the first data collection in 1997-98, the level of achievement has increased over 20%.
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATOR 2
Number of residential fires per 100,000 persons
Prevention Services are one of FESA’s principal outputs. Provision of these services is through FESA’s focus on community-centred emergency management. Public awareness of hazards and community involvement in minimising their impact is the impact of these services.
Individuals and the wider community are encouraged to take greater responsibility for fire safety. Prevention and awareness campaigns are offered. These include: WinterSafe, SummerSafe, FireSafe Dry Season, as well as Smoke Alarm Awareness and the Fire Inside Out education program.
Effective prevention services have the potential of impacting on the incidence of residential fires. However, considering external factors and time lags, the relationship between prevention services and residential fires will at best be a partial one. Reporting the number of residential fires per 100,000 persons acts to control for population changes, which in Western Australia, comprise an annual increase generally between 1-2%.
In 2003-04, Fire and Rescue Service brigades and bush fire brigades attended more than 26,700 primary incidents, of which 941 were residential fires. For 2003-04, the number of residential fires per 100,000 population was 48. Over the past eight years, the level has been maintained in the order of 46 to 55 fires in any one period. Figure 2 indicates the steady level of fires per 100,000 people.
140 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
FIGURE 2: NUMBER OF RESIDENTIAL FIRES PER 100,000 PEOPLE
70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 96/97 97/98 98/99 99/00 00/01 01/02 02/03 03/04
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATOR 3
Response times
SCOPE OF RESPONSE INDICATORS As most Fire Services emergencies occur in the Perth metropolitan area, reported response times are for incidents within FESA metropolitan brigade areas where career brigades provided the primary response. As response time statistics for incidents in country areas and those attended by volunteer firefighters are subject to different control procedures, these are not included in the assessment.
The community expects quick response to emergency incidents not only to minimise their impact, but also to demonstrate community satisfaction with our services. Response time indicators are provided for four major classes of emergencies: • Property fires (Figure 3); • Grass, scrub, bush and rubbish fires (Figure 4); • Hazardous materials (HAZMAT) incidents (Figure 5); and • Rescues (Figure 6).
In summary, excellent response times have been maintained. In general, faster responses are observable for property fires.
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 141 KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
FIGURE 3: RESPONSE TIME TO PROPERTY FIRES
100 90 80 70
dents 60 i 2002-03 50 40 2003-04
of inc 30 % 20 10 0 0 > 9 0-1 0-2 0-3 0-4 0-5 0-6 0-7 0-8 0-9 Minutes
FIGURE 4: RESPONSE TIME TO GRASS, SCRUB, BUSH AND RUBBISH FIRES
100 90 80 70 60 2002-03 50 40 2003-04 30 % of incidents 20 10 0 0 > 9 0-1 0-2 0-3 0-4 0-5 0-6 0-7 0-8 0-9 Minutes
FIGURE 5: RESPONSE TIME TO HAZMAT INCIDENTS
100 90 80 70 60 2002-03 50 40 2003-04 30 % of incidents 20 10 0 0 > 9 0-1 0-2 0-3 0-4 0-5 0-6 0-7 0-8 0-9 Minutes
142 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
FIGURE 6: RESPONSE TIME TO RESCUES
100 90 80 70 60 2001-02 cidents 50 40 2002-03 30 % of in 20 10 0 0 >9 0-1 0-2 0-3 0-4 0-5 0-6 0-7 0-8 0-9 Minutes
NOTE: Response time is measured as the duration from the time stamping of an incident by a FESA Communications Centre operator (ie. the incident is confirmed as an emergency) to the arrival at the scene of the emergency.
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATOR 4
Proportion of structure fires contained to room of origin
The percentage of fires where damage is confined to room of origin is a measure of effectiveness in combating property fires. Prompt detection and rapid response, plus the use of effective firefighting techniques, make a significant difference in the percentage of fires contained. It is impossible to contain 100% of these fires because of uncontrollable factors including weather and traffic conditions as well as the time elapsed before notification of an emergency. However, Figure 7 indicates a steadily increasing trend to the year 2002-03. There was a slight drop in 2003-04 in the percentage of properties with damage confined to the room of origin. Currently, 68.5% of structure fires have damage confined to the room of origin.
FIGURE 7: PROPORTION OF STRUCTURE FIRES WITH DAMAGE CONFINED TO ROOM OF ORIGIN
80 70 age 60
ned dam 50 40 th confi i 30
res w 20 of fi 10 % 0 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 143 KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATOR 5
Human costs of flood, tropical cyclone, storm, earthquake and tsunami hazards
The State Emergency Service responds to five major natural hazards – flood, tropical cyclone, storm, earthquake and tsunami. The report of deaths and serious injuries caused by these events is a partial indicator of the effectiveness of emergency services. In particular, this relates to the preparedness and response activities undertaken in partnership with local communities. The total number of events is combined in Figure 8.
No deaths or serious injuries were recorded in 2003-04. Moreover, for the seven years before 2003-04, the number of recorded deaths was one or zero and there were no serious injuries. This does not include the death of a State Emergency Service volunteer during a rescue in Karijini National Park, near Tom Price.
The natural environment is inherently variable and the total of hazard events changes from year to year because of this factor. There were only 21 hazard events in 2000-01, but 104 were recorded during 2001- 02. Hazard events increased again to 133 in 2002-03, but fell during 2003-04 to 93.
The relationship between hazard frequency and the incidence of deaths/injuries is not a cause and effect one. Nevertheless, better preparedness for hazards directly affects minimisation of the hazard’s impacts. Examples of preparedness are undertaking response planning and evacuation procedures.
FIGURE 8: TOTAL HAZARD EVENTS, DEATHS AND SERIOUS INJURIES
140 120 100 er
b 80 60 Num 40 20 0 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04
events deaths serious injuries
NOTE: For all years, there have been no serious injuries. One death was recorded in1996-97 and 1998-99.
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATOR 6
Organisational capability to deliver timely, quality and effective services - Training
Developing and enhancing the competencies of staff, volunteers and community members impacts significantly on FESA’s capacity to deliver effective services. Provision of training therefore contributes significantly to FESA’s vision of a safer community. Due to FESA’s focus on training, more community members are prepared and capable of dealing with emergency incidents.
In 2001-2002, FESA Fire and Rescue Service introduced the concept of volunteer brigade ‘profiling’ for its urban volunteer brigades. A brigade profile is a common set of key skills/competencies that the volunteers in a brigade should possess in order to function safely and efficiently at operational incidents. Profiles which detailed required and actual levels of competency achievement for volunteer Fire and Rescue Service brigades were reported in 2001-02 and in 2002-03. Work also commenced on development of competency profiles for FESA State Emergency Service.
144 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
Most emergency services organisations rely heavily on the commitment of volunteers – and FESA is no exception. Without the dedication of volunteers, the resources required to effectively manage emergencies could not be provided. Profiling has been developed in order to give a fair representation of the capacity of volunteer brigades to respond to incidents, and to identify areas where FESA should concentrate its attention.
Another indicator of performance related to profiling is demonstrated in Tables 1-5, which show the number of FESA personnel and community members achieving competence or qualification in FESA’s core training programs.
As noted in last year’s report, a number of weaknesses had been identified in the concept of profiling as it applied in the initial phase of implementation. In addition, training throughout Australia has been undergoing major structural changes. This has impacted on the Fire and Rescue Service’s ability to develop and provide targeted training which would meet the particular needs of volunteers. As profiling is intimately linked with volunteer training, this had in turn adversely impacted on our ability to apply profiling concepts as broadly as we would like.
During the last 12 months many of these underlying issues have been resolved and considerable developmental work has therefore been undertaken to redefine the profiling concepts and to match these adjusted concepts with a new volunteer curriculum that is currently under development.
In the 2002/3 annual report it was foreshadowed that a new approach to profiling would be structured around each brigade having numbers of volunteers qualified to undertake key roles (e.g. wildfire firefighter, incident controller, structural firefighter, etc). The majority of these role requirements have now been developed and it is hoped that the remainder will be finished within the immediate future. An example of a role requirement for a wildfire firefighter is provided in Table 2.
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 145 KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
TABLE 2: OPERATIONAL ROLE REQUIREMENTS: WILDFIRE FIREFIGHTER
1. Has a broad understanding of wildfire behaviour and is able to apply that knowledge effectively in practice, e.g. understands:
- How materials burn and how heat is transferred; - The factors that affect basic wildfire behaviour; and - Extremes of wildfire behaviour that could be a danger to the individual firefighter.
2. Has sufficient knowledge and skills to be able to maintain personal safety and survival at a wildfire incident, e.g. understands:
- Protective clothing and equipment; - How to protect themselves from unexpected events (e.g. sudden wind shifts); - Safety features and equipment and emergency procedures; - The impact of and protection from heat related illnesses; and - Hazards related to wildfires (e.g. working with vehicles or heavy machinery, working near power lines, understanding briefings, etc)
3. Is able to act safely and efficiently in an unsupervised manner, or as a member of a team at a wildfire incident.
4. Able to apply a range of wildfire suppression practices (i.e. both wet and dry) and can apply them effectively in an incident context, for example:
- Operates brigade suppression equipment effectively; - Can operate hand tools; - Use normal wildfire suppression agents; and - Understands basic wildfire firefighting tactics.
5. Understands operational chain of command/control structures in a wildfire context.
6. Can effectively operate the operational communication systems available to the brigade and can apply them functionally in a wildfire incident context.
7. Has basic map reading skills and can utilise them effectively in a wildfire operational context.
Once these role requirements are completed, volunteer Fire and Rescue Service brigade profiles will then be determined on the basis of these role requirements. For example, Table 3 outlines the likely minimum profile for a volunteer urban brigade based on role requirements.
146 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
TABLE 3: MINIMUM PROFILE FOR A VOLUNTEER URBAN BRIGADE
ROLE REQUIREMENT REQUIRED NUMBERS OF VOLUNTEERS IN THE BRIGADE ABLE TO CARRY OUT THAT ROLE COMPETENTLY AND SAFELY
Wildfire Firefighter 6
Structural Firefighter 6
Road Rescue Firefighter 5
Hazmat Firefighter 5
Driver 3
Pump Operator 5
First Aid Firefighter 3
Incident Controller (Type 1) 2
The FESA Training Centre will be asked to develop training courses/subjects which will enable the brigades volunteers to perform these roles safely and efficiently.
The major advantage with this system is that the overall profile does not have to be varied every time there is a minor adjustment to training courses or subjects. The profiles become relatively fixed. At the same time the exposition of a role requirement enables the course/subject developers in the training environment, to more closely match training development to operational needs. In the longer term these advantages are seen as justifying the major changes that will take place and the delays in detailed reporting that have been experienced over the reporting year just completed.
By the beginning of the 2006 calendar year, it is hoped that nearly all of these changes will be firmly in place with role requirements and associated training being available to all volunteer urban brigades. From January 2006 onwards it should then be possible to closely monitor the profiles of all Fire and Rescue Service brigades.
In addition to overall brigade profiling, work has also begun on the concept of minimum crewing at incidents for volunteer urban brigades. Whilst a brigade profile ensures that a brigade has sufficient trained volunteers to cover its incidents, it is no guarantee that it will enable it to adequately cover each particular incident with sufficient numbers of trained personnel.
Data which is available indicates that many volunteer brigades have trouble mustering sufficient trained crew during certain periods (e.g. working hours during weekdays). This is caused by such things as volunteers not being able to be released during working hours or working at some distance away from the location of their brigade. During the coming 12 months it is intended to work on a system which will enable crewing at incidents to be monitored. The introduction of a dual system of this kind (i.e. brigade profiling and minimum crewing at incidents) will, it is believed, lead to greatly enhanced volunteer safety in the longer term.
BUSH FIRE BRIGADE PROFILING Whilst FESA Fire Services is not responsible for the crewing and training of bush fire brigades, it is under the FESA Act required to “develop plans for and provide advice on, the management and use of emergency services”.
In this regard, FESA has recommended that local governments with bush fire brigades adopt profiling for their brigades. To date nearly all outer metropolitan and country shires with bush fires brigades have been approached regarding the adoption of profiling. At this point 45% of them have indicated that they are prepared to adopt profiling for their bush fire brigades. Whether or not they make profiling an inherent part of their operational procedures, is a matter for each shire to determine, but FESA is available to assist them with any issues that may arise.
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 147 KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
Table 4 updates the information presented in the 2002-03 Annual Report on profiling for urban volunteer brigades. In broad terms, there have only been minimal changes to this data in the 2003-04 reporting year. This in part reflects the unavailability of certain volunteer training courses. The implementation of the revised profiling approach outlined above means that future reporting will gradually alter in order to reflect these revised arrangements”.
TABLE 4: DEGREE TO WHICH URBAN VOLUNTEER FRS BRIGADES MEET PROFILING REQUIREMENTS
Competency Total Average Average No. of No. of No. of No. of No. of Area volunteer profile ‘actual’ brigades brigades brigades brigades with brigades with brigades number profile of meeting with a with a a 50-100% a 0-50% in sample required brigades profile shortfall 100% shortfall in shortfall in requirements shortfall in profiling profiling profiling numbers numbers numbers
Induction 98 7.89 15.01 73 25 2 6 17 Training
Introduction to 98 7.89 13.72 86 12 0 3 9 Firefighting
Wildfire Skills 98 7.89 6.81 36 62 17 21 24
Vehicle 98 6.42 9.39 72 26 5 10 2 Rescue Skills
Hazmat 98 6.49 8.68 68 30 4 11 16 Competencies
Incident Command & 98 3.59 2.51 27 71 27 16 28 Leadership
Senior First 98 3.91 0.85 7 91 86 2 3 Aid Skills
Breathing 98 6.49 9.52 88 10 0 2 8 Apparatus
ICS AIIMS 98 2.18 0.29 16 82 70 7 5
NOTE: figures are as of 30 June 2004. Ninety-eight volunteer brigades are included in the sample for all competencies. Given this number is close to 100, the percentage of brigades meeting requirements or with a shortfall will be similar to the numbers specified.
148 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
FESA TRAINING COURSES, COMPETENCIES AND NUMBERS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED
FESA FIRE SERVICES
TABLE 5: FESA FIRE SERVICES CAREER TRAINING 2003-04
NUMBERS ACHIEVING COMPETENCE OR QUALIFICATION TRAINING ACTIVITY 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04
Skills Enhancement Program 652 550 818
Certificate II Firefighting Operations 33 22 31
Certificate III Firefighting Operations 0 23 55
Certificate IV Firefighting Operations 11 23 2
Operational Management Program 9 8 12
The Skills Enhancement Program is delivered annually according to training needs. The key skill areas of the 2003-04 program included urban search and rescue (USAR), training for chemical biological and radiological (CBR) hazards, air operations and hydrant flow measurements.
TABLE 6: FESA FIRE SERVICES VOLUNTEERS 2003-04
NUMBERS ACHIEVING COMPETENCE OR QUALIFICATION TRAINING ACTIVITY 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04
FESA Fire and Rescue Service Volunteer 2,234 1,570 665 Training and Education Curriculum
FESA Bush Fire Service Core Training Program 3,177 3,904 2,944
Public Safety Training Package N/A 80 26
Fire Services volunteer firefighter performance indicators are reflected in the competencies achieved in the two volunteer firefighter training programs and the Public Safety Training Package.
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 149 KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
FESA STATE EMERGENCY SERVICE
TABLE 7: FESA STATE EMERGENCY SERVICE – PREVIOUS TRAINING SYSTEM
NUMBERS ACHIEVING COMPETENCE OR QUALIFICATION TRAINING ACTIVITY 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04
Level 1 – Specialist Skills 955 1,231 800
Level 2 – Team Leader of Specialist Skills 68 31 33
Level 3 – Instructors of Specialist Skills 39 81 61
TABLE 8: FESA STATE EMERGENCY SERVICE – NEW COMPETENCY-BASED TRAINING SYSTEM
NUMBERS ACHIEVING COMPETENCE OR QUALIFICATION TRAINING ACTIVITY 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04
Level 1 – Specialist Skills 367 820 841
Level 2 – Team Leader of Specialist Skills 0 0 0
Level 3 – Instructors of Specialist Skills 70 70 131
FESA SES indicators illustrate the number of volunteers and staff successfully completing courses at the three training levels. The large volume of participants gaining specialist skills (eg airborne observation; cliff, flood and road crash rescue; land search; roof safety; storm damage; and chainsaw operation) is in accordance with SES operational requirements.
In 2003-04, the FESA Training Section SES successfully developed and implemented Training Resource Kits (TRKs) in Communications Voice Procedures, Workplace Assessor (version two), Train Small Groups (version two) and Land Search Team Member. Another TRK, Air Observer was completed in consultation with Australian Search and Rescue (AusSAR). The FESA Training Section is also near implementation of the Storm Damage Operations TRK and the Operations Room Team Member TRK.
The FESA Training Section SES also in 2003-04 successfully developed and implemented Navigate in Urban and Rural Environments, a TRK linked to the Public Safety Training Package.
Currently under development and due for completion in the next six months are another five TRKs: Road Crash Rescue, Technical Rescue, Local Manager, Basic Rescue Skills and General Rescue.
VOLUNTEER MARINE RESCUE SERVICES There are currently 157 volunteers engaged in training in TAFE colleges throughout the state. Some volunteers are undertaking the complete Certificate III in Volunteer Marine Rescue Services while others are undertaking only particular modules.
FESA COMMERCIAL TRAINING One of the key components of community-centred emergency management is to increase the community’s preparedness to respond effectively to workplace emergencies. In 2003-04, FESA Commercial Training delivered courses to over 1,523 personnel from health-care, manufacturing and mining organisations across the State. Table 9 represents the activities of Commercial Training over the past three years.
In 2003-04, FESA Commercial Training produced 40 written evacuation procedures for a corresponding number of Western Australian organisations. To reinforce this essential aspect of workplace safety, FESA
150 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
also conducted 290 evacuation instruction and fire safety sessions with the participation of more than 7,188 workplace employees.
TABLE 9: COMMERCIAL TRAINING
NUMBERS ACHIEVING COMPETENCE OR QUALIFICATION TRAINING ACTIVITY 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04
Workplace Emergency Response Training 94 / 81 181 / 57 423 / 35 (including Fire Warden / Extinguisher courses)
Emergency Operations Training 4,391 1,646 1,523
NUMBERS PROVIDED TRAINING ACTIVITY 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04
Provision of written evacuation procedures 29 25 40
Provision of evacuation instruction and fire safety 37 242 290 demonstrations
FESA CORPORATE TRAINING FESA also provides training programs for executive development and organisational skills. Study assistance is provided for attendance at post secondary courses.
TABLE 10: CORPORATE TRAINING
NUMBERS PROVIDED TRAINING ACTIVITY 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04
Executive Development Program 1 2 4
Key Organisational Skills Training 238 164 213
Study Assistance Scheme 18 37 53
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATOR 7
Weighted average cost per prevention service
In order to form one composite indicator covering the majority of FESA’s prevention related activities, appropriate output-based efficiency measures have been selected and weighted.
Weightings were originally established from costs for 1999-00 as supplied in the 2000-01 Budget Papers. Current measures correspond with prevention services reporting in the 2004-05 Budget papers.
The weighting system is proportional. As the majority of prevention expenditure is directed towards community prevention/awareness campaigns, a weighting of 1 was applied to this output. Comparatively, the smaller weightings for emergency management services training and explosive inspections
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 151 KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
represented the difference in unit cost of these services. For the year 2002-03 explosive inspections were outsourced and are no longer part of the equation. They are reported for the last time this year as a zero factor.
As noted in the 2003-04 Budget, in addition to community prevention/awareness campaigns, previous Budget reported on the production of media prevention/awareness campaigns. Following the increasing alignment of these areas, the two output measures were amalgamated in 2001-02. Consequently, all media campaign costs are now consolidated in the one community prevention/awareness measure. Figures for previous years have been adjusted to enable current assessment of the prevention services total and average cost.
TABLE 11: PREVENTION EFFICIENCY MEASURES AND WEIGHTINGS
INDICATORS WEIGHT 2003-04 2002-03 2001-02 2000-01 1999-00
Number of community prevention / awareness 1 21 20 18 19 19 campaigns delivered
Nominal contact hours for Raw: Raw: Raw: Raw: Raw: participants undertaking 9,9027 8,936.5 8,021.5 7,729.5 5,166 emergency management 0.0002 services training programs Weighted: Weighted: Weighted: Weighted: Weighted: 2.0 1.8 1.6 1.5 1
Number of two-person team- Raw: Raw: Raw: days for explosive 596 771.5 871.5 (a) (a) 0.0025 inspections Raw: 0 Raw: 0 Weighted: Weighted: Weighted: 1.5 1.9 2.2
Prevention services total 23.0 21.8 21.1 22.4 22.2
(a) As indicated last year, this service phased out during 2002-03. The outsourcing of explosive inspections was completed ahead of schedule and FESA has a regulatory and advisory role only. No explosive inspections were conducted by FESA this year and therefore there can be no calculation of this component in the efficiency measures.
TABLE 12: AVERAGE COST PER PREVENTION SERVICE
2003-04 2002-03 2001-02 2000-01 1999-00
23.0 21.8 21.1 22.4 22.2 PREVENTION SERVICES
TOTAL PREVENTION EXPENDITURE 15,155 13,652 13,483 12,840 12,336 $’000
AVERAGE COST PER PREVENTION SERVICE 658.913 626.238 639.004 573.214 555.675 $’000
The average cost has only risen three percent since 2001-02, the year of the previous highest expenditure.
152 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATOR 8
Emergency Services: Average cost per operational personnel ready to respond to an emergency
The output quantity measure used to determine emergency services efficiency is formed by the number of operational personnel ready to respond to an emergency. In total, operational staff and volunteers numbered 27,451 in 2003-04 and 29,120 in 2002-03. An ongoing review of volunteer status and the establishment of more accurate personnel records systems have had a large impact on the numbers in 2003-04.
TABLE 13: AVERAGE COST PER OPERATIONAL PERSONNEL READY TO RESPOND TO AN EMERGENCY
2003-04 2002-03 2001-02 2000-01 1999-00
Number of operational personnel ready to 27,451 29,120 26,771 26,339 24,792 respond to emergencies
129,637 100,348 93,847 90,707 87,148 Total expenditure $’000
4,722.49 3,446.02 3,505.54 3,443.82 3,515.16 Average cost per operational personnel $
FESA and local governments are improving the systems of recording active volunteer numbers. The apparent loss of more than five per cent operational personnel this year is actually the establishment of a more accurate base line of total numbers. With the introduction of the Emergency Services Levy (ESL) in July 2003, the accuracy of record systems is being improved. Transfers, resignation and moves of volunteers are being resolved to prevent double counting and other inaccuracies. These improvements are leading to a more accurate appraisal of the cost per personnel.
The average cost has increased as the ESL now provides an additional $12.5 million in local government grants for bush fire brigades and SES units. It also requires associated levy costs of $10 million and cost of awards $7.2 million for salary increments.
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 153
Financial statements
CONTENTS
• STATEMENT OF CERTIFICATION 155 • AUDITOR GENERAL’S OPINION 156 • STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE 157 • STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION 158 • STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS 159 • NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 160
154 FESA Annual Report 2003-04
Financial statements
STATEMENT OF CERTIFICATION
The accompanying financial statements of the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia have been prepared in compliance with the provisions of the Financial Administration and Audit Act 1985 from proper accounts and records to present fairly the financial transactions for the twelve months ending 30 June 2004 and the financial position as at 30 June 2004.
At the date of signing we are not aware of any circumstances, which would render the particulars included in the financial statements misleading or inaccurate.
M Barnett FESA BOARD CHAIR
W N N Forbes ACTING FESA CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
W E Hewitt FESA PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING OFFICER
23 August 2004
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 155
AUDITOR GENERAL
INDEPENDENT AUDIT OPINION
To the Parliament of Western Australia
FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2004
Audit Opinion In my opinion, (i) the controls exercised by the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia provide reasonable assurance that the receipt, expenditure and investment of moneys, the acquisition and disposal of property, and the incurring of liabilities have been in accordance with legislative provisions; and (ii) the financial statements are based on proper accounts and present fairly in accordance with applicable Accounting Standards and other mandatory professional reporting requirements in Australia and the Treasurer’s Instructions, the financial position of the Authority at June 30, 2004 and its financial performance and cash flows for the year ended on that date.
Scope The Board’s Role The Board is responsible for keeping proper accounts and maintaining adequate systems of internal control, preparing the financial statements, and complying with the Financial Administration and Audit Act 1985 (the Act) and other relevant written law.
The financial statements consist of the Statement of Financial Performance, Statement of Financial Position, Statement of Cash Flows and the Notes to the Financial Statements.
Summary of my Role As required by the Act, I have independently audited the accounts and financial statements to express an opinion on the controls and financial statements. This was done by looking at a sample of the evidence.
An audit does not guarantee that every amount and disclosure in the financial statements is error free. The term “reasonable assurance” recognises that an audit does not examine all evidence and every transaction. However, my audit procedures should identify errors or omissions significant enough to adversely affect the decisions of users of the financial statements.
D D R PEARSON AUDITOR GENERAL October 12, 2004
4th Floor Dumas House 2 Havelock Street West Perth 6005 Western Australia Tel: 08 9222 7500 Fax: 08 9322 5664 FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA Statement of Financial Performance For the year ended 30 June 2004
Source Reference 30/06/2004 30/06/2003 FAAA Sec, 67(1)(a) NOTE $000 $000 TI 1102
AASB 1018(4.1) COST OF SERVICES
Expenses from Ordinary Activities
Employee expenses 2 67,789 63,950 Superannuation 3 6,933 6,440 AASB 1018(4.1)(iii) Borrowing cost expense 2,776 2,749 Grants and subsidies 4 18,449 4,394 Depreciation of non-current assets 5(a) & 1.14(iii) 7,673 7,119 Cost of disposal of non-current assets 5(b) 1,531 1,131 Operating leases 1.4 2,519 2,427 Electricity and water expenses 1,031 1,015 Equipment repairs and maintenance expense 6 17,526 14,411 Communication expenses 1,820 1,594 Services and contract expenses 7 6,781 1,948 Consumable expenses 1,177 1,213 Advertising and promotion expenses 8 630 554 Administration expenses 3,857 3,812 Capital user charge payments 1.5 1,950 1,880 Ex-Gratia payments 9 594 183 All other expenses 10 1,756 114
Total Cost of Services 144,792 114,934
AAS 15 (12.2) Revenues from Ordinary Activities
(i) Operating
Regulatory fees and fines 11 & 1.6(i) 111,605 87,248 User charges and fees 1.6(ii) 4,132 3,273 Direct grants and subsidies 12 4,332 2,036 120,069 92,557
Non-operating
AAS 15(12.1)(b)(vii) Proceeds from disposal of non-current assets 5(c) 1,993 1,531 AAS 15(12.1)(b)(iv) Interest revenue 2,704 1,780 Other revenue 1,899 1,035 6,596 4,346 Total Revenues from Ordinary Activities 126,665 96,903
NET COST OF SERVICES (18,127) (18,031)
REVENUES FROM STATE GOVERNMENT
Revenues from State Government
Output appropriations 1.7 29,704 22,280 TI 1102(9)(ii) Resources received free of charge 13 & 1.8 212 513
Total Revenues from State Government 29,916 22,793
CHANGE IN NET ASSETS 11,789 4,762
Net Increase/(Decrease) in Reserve
FESA Sec. 35A Net Increase/(Decrease) in Replacement Reserve 11,783 8,856
Total revenues, expenses and valuation adjustments recognised directly in equity 11,783 8,856
TOTAL CHANGE IN EQUITY OTHER THAN THOSE RESULTING FROM TRANSACTIONS WITH WA STATE $6 ($4,094) GOVERNMENTS AS OWNERS
The Statement of Financial Performance should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 157 FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA Statement of Financial Position As at 30 June 2004
Source Reference 30/06/2004 30/06/2003 FAAA Sec. 67(1)(b) NOTE $000 $000 TI 1103 AAS 36 CURRENT ASSETS
Restricted cash assets 14, 1.10 & 1.11 39,235 37,310 Receivables 15 & 1.12 3,802 3,469 Inventories 1.13 1,207 1,122 FAAA Sec. 27(1) Amounts receivable for outputs 16 5,959 3,824
Total Current Assets 50,203 45,725
NON-CURRENT ASSETS
Land 17 & 1.14 30,258 23,378 Buildings 17 & 1.14 47,217 38,896 Motor vehicles 17 & 1.14 24,379 20,440 Plant and equipment 17 & 1.14 8,067 7,962 Capital works in progress 17 & 1.14 10,091 11,432
Total Non-Current Assets 120,012 102,108
TOTAL ASSETS 170,215 147,833
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Payables 18 & 1.15 3,548 8,755 Provisions 19(a) & 1.3 5,129 5,064 Interest-bearing liabilities 20 & 1.17 2,112 2,021
Total Current Liabilities 10,789 15,840
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES
Provisions 19(b) & 1.3 8,442 10,127 Interest-bearing liabilities 20 & 1.17 40,013 40,093
Total Non-Current Liabilities 48,455 50,220
TOTAL LIABILITIES 59,244 66,060
NET ASSETS $110,971 $81,773
Represented by:
EQUITY
Contributed equity 21(a) 75,268 72,870 FESA Sec. 35A Reserves 21(b) & (c) 35,650 8,856 Accumulated surplus/(deficit) 21(d) 53 47
TOTAL EQUITY $110,971 $81,773
The Statement of Financial Position should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.
158 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA Statement of Cash Flows For the Year Ended 30 June 2004
Source Reference 30/06/2004 30/06/2003 FAAA Sec. 66(1)(a) NOTE $000 $000 TI 1101(3)(v) AAS 28 CASH FLOWS FROM STATE GOVERNMENT
Output appropriations 27,569 18,149 Capital contributions - 2,378 Holding account drawdowns 450 1,040
Net Cash provided by State Government 28,019 21,567
Utilised as follows:
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Payments Employee expenses (67,337) (64,385) Superannuation payments (6,932) (4,678) Interest on borrowings (2,746) (2,781) Grants and subsidies (17,870) (3,826) Payment to Government (1,950) (1,880) Other Payments (44,832) (32,319)
Receipts Regulatory fees and fines 105,332 87,021 Direct grants and subsidies 2,814 1,779 Interest receipts 2,685 1,784 Other receipts 14,056 8,856
Net Cash provided by/(used in) Operating Activities (16,780) (10,429)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from disposal of non-current assets 5(c) 1,993 1,531 Purchase of non-current assets (11,296) (11,950)
Net Cash provided by/(used in) Investing Activities (9,303) (10,419)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Borrowing proceeds 4,560 5,500 Borrowing repayments (4,571) (3,194)
Net Cash provided by/(used in) Financing Activities (11) 2,306
Net increase/(decrease) in cash held 1,925 3,025
Cash assets at the beginning of the financial year 37,310 34,285
Cash assets at the end of the financial year $39,235 $37,310
The Statement of Cash Flows should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 159 FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA Notes to the Financial Statements 30 June 2004
Source Source Reference Reference
AAS 6 1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES An actuarial assessment of long service leave undertaken by PriceWaterhouseCoopers in The following accounting policies have been 2004 determined that the liability measured adopted in the preparation of the financial using the short hand method was not statements. Unless otherwise stated, these materially different from the liability measured policies are consistent with those adopted in the using the present value of expected future previous year. payments.
TI 1101 1.1 General Statement This method of measurement of the liability is consistent with the requirements of Australian The financial statements constitute a general Accounting Standard AASB 1028 – Employee purpose financial report, which has been Benefits. prepared in accordance with Accounting Standards, Statements of Accounting AASB 1028 (iii) Superannuation Concepts, other authoritative pronouncements (6.10)(c) of the Australian Accounting Standards Board, Contributions are made to The Fire and and Urgent Issues Group (UIG) Consensus Emergency Services Superannuation Board Views as applied by the Treasurer’s and to the Government Employees Instructions. Several of these are modified by Superannuation Board to provide benefits for the Treasurer’s Instructions to vary application, employees and their dependants on disclosure, format and wording. retirement, disability or death.
The Financial Administration and Audit Act and The liability for superannuation charges under the Treasurer’s Instructions are legislative the Fire and Emergency Services provisions governing the preparation of financial Superannuation Act 1985 is extinguished by statements and take precedence over weekly payments of employer contributions to Accounting Standards, Statements of The Fire and Emergency Services Accounting Concepts and other authoritative Superannuation Board. pronouncements of the Australian Accounting Standards Board, and UIG Consensus Views. The liability for superannuation charges under The modifications are intended to fulfil the the Government Employees Superannuation requirements of general application to the Act is extinguished by fortnightly payments of public sector together with the need for greater employer contributions to the Government disclosure and also to satisfy accountability Employees Superannuation Board. requirements. The liability for superannuation charges If any such modification has a material or incurred under the Superannuation and Family significant financial effect upon the reported Benefits Act pension scheme, together with results, details of that modification and where the pre-transfer service liability for employees practicable, the resulting financial effect, are who transferred to the Gold State disclosed in individual notes to these financial Superannuation scheme, have been provided statements. for in the financial statements.
1.2 Basis of Accounting On June 30, 2004 unfunded liabilities relating to the Pension Scheme and the pre transfer The statements have been prepared on the benefit for employees who transferred to the accrual basis of accounting using the historical Gold State Superannuation Scheme were cost convention, except for certain assets and assumed by the Treasurer. The amount liabilities that, as noted, are measured at assumed by the Treasurer is disclosed at Note valuation. Additions to non-current physical 21 (a) “Equity”. assets since valuation are stated at cost. An actuarial assessment of The Fire and AASB 1028 1.3 Employee Benefits Emergency Services Superannuation Board’s plan was carried out at 30 June 2003. The AASB 1028 (4.3) (i) Annual Leave actuary concluded that the assets of the plan (4.4) & (5.1) was sufficient to meet all benefits payable in This benefit is recognised at the reporting date the event of the plan’s termination, or the in respect to employees’ services up to that voluntary or compulsory termination of date and is measured at the nominal amounts employment of each employee of the expected to be paid when the liabilities are Authority. settled. The note disclosure required by paragraph AASB 1028 (5.1) (ii) Long Service Leave 6.10(c) of Australian Accounting Standard & (4.4.11) AASB 1028 (being the employer’s share of the Leave benefits are calculated at remuneration difference between employee’s accrued rates expected to be paid when the liabilities superannuation benefits and the attributable are settled. A liability for long service leave is net market value of plan assets) has not been recognised after an employee has completed provided. five years of service.
160 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA Notes to the Financial Statements 30 June 2004
Source Source Reference Reference
The Fire and Emergency Services AAS 15(12.1)(a) (ii) Revenues from User Charges, Fees and Superannuation Board and the Government Disposal of Non-Current Assets Employees Superannuation Board’s records are not structured to provide the information for the Revenue from the sale of goods and disposal Authority. of other assets, and the rendering of services are recognised when the Authority has passed Accordingly, deriving the information for the control of the goods or other assets or delivery Authority is impractical under current of the service to the customer. arrangements, and thus any benefits thereof would be exceeded by the cost of obtaining the AAS 15(12.1)(a) (iii) Revenues from Interest information. Interest revenues are recognised as they are AAS 17 1.4 Leases accrued.
The Authority has entered into a number of (iv) Grants and Subsidies operating lease agreements for buildings, office equipment and motor vehicles where the Grants, donations, gifts and other non- lessors effectively retain all the risks and reciprocal contributions are recognised as benefits incidental to ownership of the items revenue when the Authority obtains control held under the operating leases. over the assets comprising the contribution. Control is normally obtained upon their receipt. Equal instalments of the lease payments are charged to the Statement of Financial Contributions are recognised at their fair value. Performance over the lease term, as this is Contributions of services are only recognised representative of the pattern of benefits to be when a fair value can be reliably determined derived from the leased property. and the services would be purchased if not donated. 1.5 Capital User Charge FAAA Sec 27(1) 1.7 Output Appropriations A capital user charge rate of 8% has been set by the Government for 2003/2004 and Output appropriations are recognised as represents the opportunity cost of capital revenues in the period in which the Authority invested in the net assets of the Authority used gains control of the appropriated funds. The in the provision of outputs. The charge is Authority gains control of appropriated funds at calculated on 30% of the net assets adjusted to the time those funds are deposited into the take account of exempt assets. Payments are Authority’s bank account or credited to the made to the Department of Treasury and FAAA Section 27(1) holding account held at Finance on a quarterly basis. the Department of Treasury and Finance.
1.6 Revenue Recognition TI 1102(9) 1.8 Resources Received Free of Charge
FBA (i) Regulatory Fees and Fines Resources received free of charge that can be FESA reliably measured are recognised as revenue Revenues from regulatory fees and fines and as assets or expenses as appropriate at encompass the following: fair value. Fire service levy contributions from insurance companies, local government FESA Sec. 35A 1.9 Reserves and the State Government raised in accordance with Section 37 of the Fire Section 35A of the Fire and Emergency Brigades Act 1942; Services Authority of Western Australia Act Emergency services levy assessments 1998 allows the Authority to retain funds for raised in accordance with Part 6A of the specific purchases. The Motor Vehicle Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Replacement Reserve, Land and Building Western Australia Act 1998; Replacement Reserve, Plant and Equipment Private brigade registration fees raised in Replacement Reserve and General Reserve accordance with Regulation 215 of the Fire have been established. The composition of brigades Regulations 1943; these funds is reflected in Note 20 (b). Incorrect and incomplete insurance return penalties raised in accordance with Section AAS28(12.1)(a) 1.10 Cash Assets 39(6) of the Fire Brigades Act 1942; Failure to pay prescribed payments in For the purpose of the Statement of Cash accordance with Section 43 of the Fire Flows, cash includes cash assets and Brigades Act 1942; restricted cash assets net of outstanding bank Interest accrued on unpaid Emergency overdrafts. These include short-term deposits services levy assessments in accordance that are readily convertible to cash on hand with Section 36X of the Fire and Emergency and are subject to insignificant risk of changes Services Authority of Western Australia Ac in value. 1998; and Other related fees, penalties and fines enshrined within the emergency services Acts.
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 161 FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA Notes to the Financial Statements 30 June 2004
Source Source Reference Reference
AAS 33(5.2) 1.11 Investments AAS 4 (11.2) (iii) Depreciation of Non-Current Assets AAS 15(12.1)(a) Investments are brought to account at the lower Property, plant and equipment, other than of cost and recoverable amount. Term freehold land, crown land, reserve land and investments held represent investments in vested land are depreciated over their approved commercial bills. Interest revenues estimated useful lives using the straight-line from investments are recognised as they are method. Useful lives of non-current assets are accrued. reviewed annually. Useful lives for each class of depreciable asset are: AAS 33(5.2) 1.12 Receivables Buildings 40 - 50 years Receivables are recognised at the amounts Fire and Emergency Appliances 4 - 25 years receivable as they are due for settlement no Non-Emergency Vehicles 2 - 20 years more than 30 days from the date of recognition. Plant and Equipment 5 - 15 years Collectability is reviewed on an ongoing basis.
Debts that are known to be uncollectable are AASB 1041 (iv) Revaluation of Land and Buildings written off. A provision for doubtful debts is raised where some doubts as to collection exist. The Authority has a policy of valuing land and buildings at fair value every three years. The AAS 2(10.1)(a) 1.13 Inventories triennial revaluations of the Authority’s land and buildings undertaken by the Valuer Inventories comprising vehicle spare parts, General’s Office are recognised in the financial consumables and supplies are valued using the statements. The last valuation was average cost method and are brought to undertaken as at 1 July 2003. account at the lower of cost and net realisable value. UIG 11 (v) Non-Reciprocal Contributed Assets
1.14 Non-Current Assets Under the provisions of the FESA Manual for Capital and Operating Grants as approved by (i) Establishment the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, local government assets being Non-current assets on establishment of the Fire replaced under the ESL scheme are and Emergency Services Authority of Western transferred to the Authority for reassignment, Australia transferred from the Western recommissioning or disposal in exchange for Australian Fire Brigades Board, Bush Fires the replacement asset. Board and the Department of Fire and Emergency Services have been recognised at 1 Similarly, under Memorandum of January 1999 at fair value. Acquisitions after Understanding provisions to establish FESA this date have been recognised at cost. Units, local governments and existing volunteer groups are required to transfer all AAS21 (6.1) (6.2) (ii) Acquisitions assets to the Authority at no cost. TI 1102(9)(ii) The cost method of accounting is used for all The Authority recognises such assets acquisitions of assets. Cost is measured as the transferred as “non-reciprocal contributed fair value of the assets given up or liabilities assets” and are brought to account at fair undertaken at the date of acquisition plus value by recognising revenue as opposed to incidental costs directly attributable to the equity. acquisition. Work in progress components are valued at cost. AAS 33(5.2) 1.15 Payables
Assets acquired at no cost or for nominal Accounts Payable, including accruals not yet consideration, are initially recognised at their billed, are recognised when the Authority fair value at the date of acquisition. becomes obliged to make future payments as a result of a purchase of assets or services. Assets costing less than $1,000 are expensed Accounts payable are generally settled within in the year of acquisition (other than where they 30 days. form part of a group of similar items which are significant in total). 1.16 Other Liabilities
The Authority does not capitalise interest Accrued salaries represent the amount due to charges on major capital expenditure projects staff but unpaid at the end of the reporting and does not appropriate proportionate fixed period as the end of the last pay period for that and variable overheads to any capital projects. reporting period does not coincide with the end of the reporting period. The Authority considers the carrying amount approximates net fair value.
162 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA Notes to the Financial Statements 30 June 2004
Source Source Reference Reference
AAS 33(5.2) 1.17 Interest-bearing Liabilities (vi) FESA Units
Bank loans and other loans are recorded at an FESA Units are formed in accordance with amount equal to the net proceeds received. Part 3C of the Fire and Emergency Services Interest expense is recognised on an accrual Authority of Western Australia Act 1998. basis. (vii) FESA Fire Services Brigades UIG 38 1.18 Contributed Equity FESA Fire Services Brigades are formed in TI 955 Under UIG 38 “Contributions by Owners Made accordance with Section 13(4) of the Fire and to Wholly-Owned Public Sector Entities” Emergency Services Authority of Western transfers in the nature of equity contributions Australia Act 1998 which is the combined must be designated by the Government operation of a bush fire brigade established (owners) as contributions by owners (at the time under the Bush Fires Act 1954 and a volunteer of, or prior to transfer) before such transfers can fire brigade established under the Fire be recognised as equity contributions in the Brigades Act 1942. financial statements. (viii) Indian Ocean Territories Services Capital contributions (appropriations) have been designated as contributions by owners Under the Indian Ocean Territories Law and have been credited directly to Contributed Reform Ordinance, the Authority provides Equity in the Statement of Financial Position. capital and operating support for Volunteer Fire and Emergency Service Brigades All other transfers have been recognised in the operating on Christmas Island and Cocos Statement of Financial Performance. Prior to (Keeling) Islands. The costs associated with the current reporting period, capital this support are fully refundable from the appropriations were recognised as revenue in Commonwealth. the Statement of Financial Performance. FESA Act 1.22 Changes in Legislation TI 949 1.19 Comparative Figures FBA On 1 July 2003, the Emergency Services Levy Comparative figures are, where appropriate, was introduced by virtue of the Emergency reclassified so as to be comparable with the Services Levy Act 2002. figures presented in the current financial year. Amendments were made to the Fire and AAS 37 (4.4)(d) 1.20 Rounding of Amounts Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia Act 1998 and the Fire Brigades Act TI 948 Amounts in the financial statements have been 1942 in relation to the annual estimates of rounded to the nearest thousand dollars, or in expenditure and the source of funding of the certain cases, to the nearest dollar. Authority.
ESA 1.21 Establishment of Services (i) Transitional Period
(i) Permanent Fire and Rescue Service The reporting period represents the transitional period for the introduction of the Emergency Permanent fire and rescue brigades are formed Services Levy under the provisions of the Fire in accordance with the Fire Brigades Act 1942. and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia Act 1998 and the phase out of the (ii) Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service Fire Services Levy contribution system under the provisions of the Fire Brigades Act 1942. Volunteer fire and rescue brigades are formed in accordance with the Fire Brigades Act 1942. FESA Sec. 36B (ii) Emergency Services Levy (ESL)
(iii) Private Fire Brigades The ESL is a new system to fund the services of the Authority and will replace several Private Brigades are formed in accordance with funding arrangements. The ESL is a levy on Part VII of the Fire Brigades Regulations 1943 all properties in the State of Western Australia and all costs incurred are fully reimbursed. regardless of ownership.
(iv) State Emergency Service Units The levy is applicable to residential properties, farming properties, vacant land, commercial State Emergency Service Units are formed in properties, industrial properties and accordance with Part 3A of the Fire and miscellaneous properties. Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia Act 1998. FESA Sec. 36F (iii) ESL Category Boundaries
(v) Volunteer Marine Rescue Service Groups The State is divided into five categories (known as ESL Categories) according to Volunteer Marine Rescue Service Groups are emergency services delivery and each formed in accordance with Part 3B of the Fire category will have a different ESL rate applied and Emergency Services Authority of Western to it. Australia Act 1998.
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 163 FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA Notes to the Financial Statements 30 June 2004
Source Source Reference Reference
ESL Category 1 – Perth metropolitan area FBA Part 5 (vii) Fire Services Levy (FSL) (including Armadale and Rockingham townsites) serviced by a network of Career Fire Under the FSL, the annual estimates for the and Rescue Stations ad the state wide State provision of fire and rescue services in Emergency Services network. permanent gazetted fire districts are funded ESL Category 2 – City centres of Albany, through the contribution system, paid quarterly Bunbury, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie-Boulder and in advance whereby insurance companies Mandurah with a Career Fire and Rescue contributed 75%, the State Government Brigade, Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service contributed 12.5% and Local Governments Brigade and the State Emergency Services. contributed 12.5%. Fire and rescue services rendered in the volunteer gazetted fire districts ESL Category 3 – Fringe of the metropolitan are funded 100% by the State Government. area and Northam townsite, with a Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service Brigade or Bush Fire Under the transitional provisions, the Brigades, plus onsite support from Career Fire contributions by the State Government and and Rescue Brigade or the Authority’s staff, and Local Government have been repealed whilst the State Emergency Services. insurance companies are only required to contribute 50% of the 75% annual contribution. ESL Category 4 – Major country towns with a The contributions assessed for insurance Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service Brigade or companies are based on the insurance FESA Unit or Bush Fire Brigade with breathing company statutory declaration returns for the apparatus, and the State Emergency Service. calendar year ended 31 December 2002 as required by the Fire Brigades Act 1942. ESL Category 5 – All other areas of the State The phase out of the insurance based system generally supported by Bush Fire Brigades and will affect properties in ESL Categories 1, 2 the State Emergency Services network. and 3 and will not impact on properties in ESL Categories 4 or 5. FESA Div 3 (iv) ESL Determination and Assessment (viii) Annual Estimates of Expenditure The ESL is based on a rate in the dollar multiplied by the property’s Gross Rental Value Section 36 of the Fire and Emergency (GRV). The Minister for Police and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia Act Services is required to declare the ESL rate for 1998 requires that: each Category no later than 31 May each year. (a) subject to section 35B, the provision of the A minimum and maximum threshold is Financial Administration and Audit Act established in relation to the amount a property 1985 regulating the financial owner will pay for ESL Categories 1 to 4. administration, audit and reporting of Property located in ESL Category 5 will pay a statutory authorities apply to an in respect fixed annual charge regardless of the property of the Authority and its operations; and use, size or value. (b) Section 35B outlines the manner in which FESA Sec. 36D (v) ESL Concessions the Authority shall cause its annual estimate of expenditure to be derived. The State Government will provide concessions to qualifying pensioners and seniors. 1.23 Source Reference
FESA Sec. 36J (vi) ESL Collection Source references used throughout this document are as follows: Local Governments raise and collect the ESL assessments on behalf of the Authority by AAS – Australian Accounting Standards; including it on Council rates notices. The AASB – Australian Accounting amounts collected are remitted to the Authority Standards Board; in accordance with the FESA ESL Manual of EA – Electoral Act 1907; Operating Procedures as approved by the ESA – Emergency Services Acts Minister for Police and Emergency Services. encompassing FESA, FBA, FBR; FAAA – Financial Administration and The Authority will raise assessment notices for Audit Act 1985; ESL directly to the State Government (General FAR – Financial Administration Sector), State Government instrumentalities Regulations 1986; (corporations) and Local Governments for FBA – Fire Brigades Act 1942; properties owned by these groups separately. FBR – Fire Brigades Regulations 1943; FESA – Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia Act 1998; TI – Treasurers Instructions; and UIG – Urgent Issues Group Consensus Views.
164 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA Notes to the Financial Statements 30 June 2004
Source Reference
30/06/2004 30/06/2003 $000 $000
2. EMPLOYEE EXPENSES
Salaries and Wages 65,499 61,820 Other staffing costs 718 655 Staff travel expenses 1,572 1,475 $67,789 $63,950
3. SUPERANNUATION
Fire and Emergency Services Superannuation Fund 6,384 5,888 Government Employee Superannuation Board 648 597 Unfunded superannuation assumed by the Treasurer 1 (158) Change in superannuation entitlements (100) 113 $6,933 $6,440
FESA Part 6A 4. GRANTS AND SUBSIDIES TI 1102 (6)(iv)(a)(i) Grants and subsidies are made directly to volunteer establishments, Local Government, State Government Agencies, financial institutions and external organisations. Payments are made in accordance with policy and guidelines approved by the Authority to enable such entities to meet service delivery requirements of the community.
Grants and subsidies of a capital nature 8,951 2,285 Grants and subsidies of a recurrent nature 9,194 1,775 Grants and subsidies of a general nature 304 334 $18,449 $4,394
Classified as:
Emergency Service Levy grants paid in accordance with the provisions of the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia Act 1998 and the FESA ESL Capital and Operating Grants Manual: - Local Governments 14,828 - - Private Fire Brigades 82 -
Natural Disaster grants paid in accordance with agreements and determinations administered on behalf of the Federal Department for Transport and Regional Services in relation to: - Natural Disaster Relief Arrangements 62 245 - Natural Disaster Risk Management Studies Programme 11 135
Grants and subsidies paid to volunteer establishments and external bodies in line with approved schemes, agreements and statues encompassing: - Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service delivery 1,089 382 - Volunteer Bush Fire Service delivery 1,222 2,415 - Volunteer State Emergency Service delivery 58 128 - Volunteer Marine Rescue Service delivery 549 502 - Volunteer FESA Units 13 - - Other grants and subsidies 535 566 - Collocation grants to Local Government - 21 $18,449 $4,394
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 165 FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA Notes to the Financial Statements 30 June 2004
Source Reference
30/06/2004 30/06/2003 $000 $000
5. NON-CURRENT ASSET COST AND MOVEMENT
AASB 1018(5.6)(c)(ii)(a) Depreciation of Non-Current Assets AAS 4(11.2)(c) Buildings 2,143 1,685 Motor vehicles 3,519 3,547 Plant and equipment 2,011 1,887 $7,673 $7,119
(b) Carrying value of disposed Non-Current Assets
Land 959 851 Buildings 255 166 Motor vehicles 317 104 Plant and equipment - 10 $1,531 $1,131
(c) Proceeds from disposal of non-current assets
Land 1,080 1,038 Buildings 176 122 Motor vehicles 737 368 Plant and equipment - 3 $1,993 $1,531
6. EQUIPMENT REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE EXPENSE
Maintenance of plant and equipment 3,829 2,974 Maintenance of motor vehicles 3,197 3,957 Maintenance of properties 3,560 3,108 Maintenance of inventory 48 (41) Hire charges 5,055 3,076 Protective clothing and uniforms 1,837 1,337 $17,526 $14,411
7. SERVICE AND CONTRACT EXPENSES
Audit fees and disbursements 170 177 Legal fees and disbursements 36 13 Consultancy fees and disbursements 490 338 General service fees and disbursements 3,585 1,420 Emergency Services Levy administration fees 2,500 - $6,781 $1,948
8. ADVERTISING AND PROMOTION EXPENSES
(a) Cost of Advertising and Promotion
Publicity and promotion costs 290 292 General donations 9 3 Advertising expenses 331 259 $630 $554
166 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA Notes to the Financial Statements 30 June 2004
Source Reference
30/06/2004 30/06/2003 $000 $000
8. ADVERTISING AND PROMOTION EXPENSES (Continued)
EA Sec. 175ZE (b) Expenditure on Advertising
The following information is published in accordance with Section 175ZE of the Electoral Act 1907. There was no expenditure on market research, polling or direct mail activities.
(i) Advertising Agencies
MarketForce Pty Ltd 80 96 Media Decisions WA 189 97 Pretzel Logic Pty Ltd 1 1 270 194
(ii) Media Advertising Agencies
Business Promotions Australia - 1 Creative ADM - 1 Department of the Premier and Cabinet - 3 Direct Image Digital Printing Pty td - 1 Discus Digital Print - 3 Double G 2 - Goolarri Media Enterprises 4 - Media Monitors Australia Pty Ltd 22 25 Property Council of Australia – WA Division - 1 Purevision TDS 2 - Radiowest Broadcasters Pty Ltd 4 3 Radio West Network - 2 Redwave Media Ltd - 2 Rural Press Regional Media (WA) Pty Ltd - 1 Sensi Pty Ltd (Pacific Access) 9 2 Shields Media 2 - SiVIDEO Television Production 9 - State Law Publisher 2 3 The Australian Government Directory 1 1 The National Enquirer - 1 Urban Voodoo - 4 West Australian Newspapers Ltd 1 1 West Coast Radio 6MM 3 3 West Regional Sales - 1 Xpedite Systems Pty Ltd - 1 61 60 $331 $254
TI 319 9. Ex-Gratia Payments
Ex-Gratia payments are made in accordance with the Bush Fires Act 1954. The payments represent a top up component paid to individual volunteers who have been injured resulting in partial/permanent disability or to the estate of volunteers as a result of death whilst engaged in the provision of fire and emergency services.
Ex-gratia as a result of death 594 183 $594 $183
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 167 FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA Notes to the Financial Statements 30 June 2004
Source Reference
30/06/2004 30/06/2003 $000 $000
10. OTHER EXPENSES FROM ORDINARY ACTIVITIES
(a) Asset Revaluation
Asset revaluation consist of the capitalisation of a building in Armadale donated to FESA, donation of art work to the Art Gallery of Western Australia and the refund of cost for the abandoned joint development fire station project at Mundaring.
Asset revaluation - 105 - 105
(b) Bad and Doubtful Debts
Bad debts written off - 2 Provision for doubtful debts 1,756 7 1,756 9 $1,756 $114
11. REGULATORY FEES AND FINES
(a) Contributions to Fire Brigades
Statutory contributions from non-government sources are assessed in accordance with Sections 38 and 39 of the Fire Brigades Act 1942 (as amended).
FBA Sec. 38 (i) Insurance Companies
Insurance companies contribute 75% of net expenditure in fire districts served by permanent or both permanent and volunteer fire brigades. For the reporting period, insurance companies are required to contribute 50% of the 75% of net expenditure under the transitional provisions to the Emergency Services Levy.
Permanent and Volunteer Brigades 30,453 58,945 Extra Insurance contributions received 160 90 30,613 59,035
FBA Sec. 39 (ii) Local Government
Local Government contribute 12.5% of net expenditure in fire districts served by permanent or both permanent and volunteer brigades. For the reporting period, Local Governments no longer contribute as the section of the Act has been repealed under the transitional provisions to the Emergency Services Levy.
Permanent and Volunteer Fire Brigades - 9,824 - 9,824
(iii) State Government
State Government contribute 12.5% of net expenditure in fire districts served by permanent or both permanent and volunteer brigades and 100% for fire districts served by only volunteer brigades. For the reporting period, the State Government no longer contributes as the section of the Act has been repealed under the transitional provisions to the Emergency Services Levy.
Permanent and Volunteer Fire Brigades - 9,824 Volunteer Fire Brigades - 8,492 - 18,316 Total Fire Service Levy Contributions 30,613 87,175
168 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA Notes to the Financial Statements 30 June 2004
Source Reference
30/06/2004 30/06/2003 $000 $000
11. REGULATORY FEES AND FINES (Continued)
(b) Contributions to Fire and Emergency Services
The Emergency Services Levy (ESL) was introduced on 1 July 2003. The ESL is assessed on all properties in the State of Western Australia with the exception of certain exempt properties.
FESA Sec. 36J (i) ESL assessments for ratepayers
Ratepayers contribute to the ESL through Council rates levied annually. The ESL is assessed, raised, collected and remitted to the Authority in line with the ESL Manual of Operations as approved by the Minister for Police and Emergency Services in accordance with the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia Act 1998. 73,433 - 73,433 -
FESA Sec. 36J (ii) ESL assessments for Local Governments, the State Government general sector and State Government Instrumentalities
ESL assessments are raised directly by the Authority for properties owned by Local Governments, the State Government general sector (met by the Treasurer) and State Government Instrumentalities.
Local Government assessments 581 - State Government public sector assessments 6,033 - State Government Instrumentalities 945 - 7,559 - Total Emergency Service Levy Assessments 80,992 -
(c) Penalties and Fines
ESA Penalties and fines imposed under the provision of the emergency services Acts. - 73 - 73 $111,605 $87,248
12. DIRECT GRANTS AND SUBSIDIES
(a) Arrangements and Service Delivery Agreements
The Authority receives funding from several Commonwealth Government sources based on Service Delivery Agreements, Memorandum of Understandings and general arrangements.
These include financial support for Fire and Rescue Services, State Emergency Support Package, Natural Disaster Relief Arrangements, Mitigation and Emergency Management Studies, and Indian Ocean Territories funding.
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 169 FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA Notes to the Financial Statements 30 June 2004
Source Reference
30/06/2004 30/06/2003 $000 $000
12. DIRECT GRANTS AND SUBSIDIES (Continued)
(i) Fire Service Contributions
The Authority receives funding from the Department of Finance and Administration and the Department of Defence through an agreement towards the provision of fire and rescue services rendered at Commonwealth owned properties within the State of Western Australia. 554 493 554 493
(ii) State Support Package Funding
The Authority receives funding from the Commonwealth through an agreement between Emergency Management Australia and the State of Western Australia. Funds are disbursed in accordance with the Emergency Management State Support guidelines. A portion of this funding is utilised for purchases of equipment and provision of dollar for dollar subsidies direct to municipalities to enable local State Emergency Service Volunteer Units to purchase buildings and vehicles. 755 756 755 756
(iii) Natural Disaster Administration
Natural Disaster Relief Arrangements
The Authority is charged with the responsibility for the administration and management of Natural Disaster Relief Arrangements for the State of Western Australia in accordance with the “NDRA Determination of TERMS and CONDITIONS” dated July 2002 by the Minister for Transport and Regional Services. Relief recovery is made subject to a separate audit of eligible disaster claims submitted in accordance with the determination. 78 21
Natural Disaster Relief Mitigation Studies Programme 111 -
Natural Disaster Risk Management Studies Programme 652 -
841 21
(iv) Emergency Mitigation and Research Grants
The Authority received funding from the Commonwealth to conduct research on natural disaster mitigation, emergency management, volunteer training, and other programs. 415 301 415 301
(v) Indian Ocean Territories Funding
The Authority, through the Indian Ocean Territories Service Delivery Agreement with the Commonwealth Department of Regional Transport and Regional Services, receives capital and operational funding for the provision of Fire and Rescue Services, State Emergency Services and Volunteer Marine Rescue Services at Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands. 249 208 249 208
170 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA Notes to the Financial Statements 30 June 2004
Source Reference
30/06/2004 30/06/2003 $000 $000
12. DIRECT GRANTS AND SUBSIDIES (Continued)
UIG 11 (b) Non-Reciprocal Contributions and other Grants
(i) Non-Reciprocal Contributed Assets
Assets received under the ESL Capital Grants Scheme that have either been refurbished and recommissioned or disposed off. 755 -
Assets received under memorandums of understandings for the formation of FESA Units and capitalised as assets. 232 - 987 -
(ii) Other grants, sponsorships and subsidies
Grants, subsidies and sponsorship received for various programs promoted by the Authority and the recovery of the diesel fuel rebate under the Energy Grants Credit Scheme. 531 257 531 257 $4,332 $2,036
(c) Indian Ocean Territories Funding
In accordance with the Service Delivery Agreement between the Authority and the Commonwealth, financial information pertaining to the delivery of services at Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands is to be audited and disclosed.
CHRISTMAS ISLAND
Revenue Commonwealth Government Funding 53 72 Other revenue 5 5 58 77 Expenditure 61 83 Surplus/(Deficit) for the period (3) (6)
Surplus brought forward 40 46 Surplus carried forward $37 $40
COCOS (KEELING) ISLANDS
Revenue Commonwealth Government Funding 195 136 Other Revenue 10 7 205 143 Expenditure 79 90 Surplus/(Deficit) for the period 126 53
(Deficit) brought forward 90 37 Surplus/(Deficit) carried forward $216 $90
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 171 FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA Notes to the Financial Statements 30 June 2004
Source Reference
30/06/2004 30/06/2003 $000 $000
TI 1102(6)(iv)(c) 13. RESOURCES RECEIVED FREE OF CHARGE TI 1102 (9)(ii) Resources received free of charge are determined on the basis of estimates provided by agencies.
Department of Land Administration 212 513 - Mapping and survey, computer access and remote sensing and land data services $212 $513
14. RESTRICTED CASH ASSETS
TI 1103(7) (a) Reconciliation of Cash AAS 28(12.1)(a & b) Cash held by the Authority is to be used only for the purpose of providing services in accordance with the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia Act 1998, Fire Brigades Act 1942 and Bush Fire Act 1954.
For the purposes of the Statement of Cash Flows, cash includes cash on hand, in banks and investment in money market investments. Term investments comprise bank accepted bills of exchange. Cash at the end of the financial year as shown in the Statement of Cash Flows is reconciled to the related items in the Statement of Financial Position as follows:
Cash at Bank 5,005 1,555 Cash held in Trust 9 6 Petty Cash Advances 38 36 Term Investments 34,183 35,713 $39,235 $37,310
(b) Financing Facilities
A bank overdraft facility of $500,000 was available to the Authority at 30 June 2004. At the reporting date, no amount of this facility was in use.
TI 1101(2)(xvii)(c) (c) Reconciliation of net Cost of Services to Cash used in Operating Activities
Net Cost of Service 18,127 18,031
Plus/(minus) non-cash items:
Depreciation of non-current assets (7,673) (7,119) Net profit from disposal of non-current assets 462 400 Resources received free of charge (212) (513) Other expenses from operating activities 964 - State Government (Accrual) Funding (2,135) (1,753) 9,533 9,046 Changes in assets and liabilities:
Increase/(Decrease) in Receivables 334 4,101 Increase/(Decrease) in Inventories 85 96 (Increase)/Decrease in Creditors and Accruals 5,207 (1,469) (Increase)/Decrease in Employee Entitlements 1,621 (1,345) Net cash used in Operating Activities $16,780 $10,429
172 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA Notes to the Financial Statements 30 June 2004
Source Reference
30/06/2004 30/06/2003 $000 $000 15. RECEIVABLES
Current
(a) Trade Debtors
Trade debtors 3,035 2,264 Provision for doubtful debts (1,761) (164) 1,274 2,100
(b) Other Debtors, Deposits and Prepayments
Rental bond and other deposits 19 17 Prepaid salaries and wages 1,432 - Prepaid expenditure 540 622 Interest receivable 146 127 Statutory taxes recoverable 391 603 2,528 1,369 $3,802 $3,469
16. AMOUNTS RECEIVABLE FROM OUTPUTS
Current 2,135 3,824 Non-current 3,824 - 5,959 3,824
TI 1103 (7) This asset represents the non-cash component of output appropriations. It is restricted in that it can only be used for asset replacement or payment of leave liability.
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 173 FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA Notes to the Financial Statements 30 June 2004
Source Reference
AAS 4(11.2)(d) 17. PROPERTY, PLANT, EQUIPMENT AND VEHICLES AAS 36(8.1)(b) AASB 1041 (5.1)(b) (a) Net Book Values
(i) As at 30 June 2004
Non-Current Asset Balance as Revaluations Disposals Balance as By Class at and and at 30/06/2003 Additions Capitalised 30/06/2004
Land - at fair value 23,378 7,839 (959) 30,258
Written Down Value $23,378 7,839 (959) 30,258
Buildings - at fair value 46,253 10,719 (319) 56,653
Accumulated Depreciation (7,357) (2,413) 334 (9,436)
Written Down Value $38,896 8,306 15 47,217
Motor Vehicles - at cost 34,287 7,536 (1,149) 40,674
Accumulated Depreciation (13,847) (3,518) 1,070 (16,295)
Written Down Value $20,440 4,018 (79) 24,379
Plant and Equipment - at cost 14,831 2,121 (6) 16,946
Accumulated Depreciation (6,869) (2,010) - (8,879)
Written Down Value $7,962 111 (6) 8,067
Capital Works in Progress - at cost - Appliances (Owned) 6,905 5,786 (6,732) 5,959 - Appliances (Grants) 2,571 7,518 (6,785) 3,304 - Buildings 1,557 863 (1,909) 511 - Plant & Equipment 399 141 (223) 317
Written Down Value $11,432 14,308 (15,649) 10,091
Capital works disposals represent non-current assets capitalised during the reporting period by asset class.
174 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA Notes to the Financial Statements 30 June 2004
Source Reference
AAS 4(11.2)(d) 17. PROPERTY, PLANT, EQUIPMENT AND VEHICLES (Continued) AAS 36(8.1)(b) AAS 38(9.5) (a) Net Book Values (Continued)
(ii) As at 30 June 2003
Non-Current Asset Balance as Disposals/ Balance as By Class At Additions Capitalised at 30/06/2002 $ $ 30/06/2003
Land - at fair value 24,148 80 (850) 23,378
Written Down Value $24,148 $80 ($850) $23,378
Buildings - at fair value 45,833 617 (197) 46,253 Accumulated Depreciation - at fair value (5,704) (1,684) 31 (7,357)
Written Down Value $40,129 ($1,067) ($166) $38,896
Motor Vehicles - at cost 29,936 4,911 (560) 34,287
Accumulated Depreciation (10,755) (3,547) 455 (13,847)
Written Down Value $19,181 $1,364 ($105) $20,440
Plant and Equipment - at cost 13,006 1,954 (129) 14,831
Accumulated Depreciation (5,095) (1,887) 113 (6,869)
Written Down Value $7,911 $67 ($16) $7,962
Capital Works in Progress - at cost 7,039 9,249 (4,856) 11,432
Written Down Value $7,039 $9,249 ($4,856) $11,432
Capital works disposals represent non-current assets capitalised during the reporting period by asset class.
AAS 38(9.1), (9.2) (b) Asset Revaluation
A revaluation of freehold land, land improvements and buildings was performed in accordance with AAS 38 on 1 July 2003. An independent valuation was undertaken by the Valuer General’s Office. Fair value has been determined on the basis of the current use value and current cost where no value has been provided. The valuation has been made in accordance with a regular policy of revaluation on a three-year basis.
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 175 FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA Notes to the Financial Statements 30 June 2004
Source Reference
30/06/2004 30/06/2003 $000 $000
18. PAYABLES
Current
Trade creditors 2,074 2,159 Accrued expenditure 1,173 770 Unearned revenue 91 5,593 Unclaimed monies 43 49 Goods and Services Tax (GST) 167 184 $3,548 $8,755
19. PROVISIONS
(a) Current employee benefits
AASB 1028(6.2) Provision for annual leave 1,839 1,920 AASB 1028(6.2) Provision for long service leave 1,192 1,878 Provision for accrued salaries 1,758 835 Provision for superannuation – funded 340 431 $5,129 $5,064
(b) Non-Current employee benefits
Provision for long service leave 7,574 7,275 Provision for superannuation – funded 868 877 Provision for superannuation – unfunded - 1,975 $8,442 $10,127
TI 1102 On June 30, 2004, unfunded liabilities relating to the Pension Scheme and the pre-transfer benefit for employees who transferred to the Gold State Superannuation Scheme were assumed by Treasurer. An expense equivalent to the movement in this liability during the financial year has been included in Employee Expenses in the Statement of Financial Performance.
AASB 1028(6.2) (c) Aggregate Employee Benefits
Current Provision 5,129 5,064 Non-Current Provision 8,442 10,127 $13,571 $15,191
The settlement of annual and long service leave entitlements give rise to the payment of on-costs including superannuation. The liability for such on- costs is included here.
TI 1103 20. INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES
At the reporting date, the Authority has the following obligations under loans from Western Australia Treasury Corporation:
TI 1103(9)(ii) Current liabilities 2,112 2,021 TI 1103(10)(ii) Non-current liabilities 40,013 40,093 $42,125 $42,114
Classified as:
No later than one year 2,112 2,021 Later than one year and no later than two years 2,203 2,128 Later than two years and no later than five years 6,818 6,628 Later than five years 30,992 31,337 $42,125 $42,114
176 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA Notes to the Financial Statements 30 June 2004
Source Reference
30/06/2004 30/06/2003 $000 $000
TI 1103 21. EQUITY
(a) Contributed Equity
(i) Capital Contributions have been designated as contributions by owners and are credited directly to equity in the Statement of Financial Position. (ii) Transfer of the Unfunded Superannuation Liability Assumed by the Treasurer.
Opening Balance 72,870 71,830 Capital Contribution (i) 450 1,040 Contributions by Owners (ii) 1,948 - Closing Balance $75,268 $72,870
(b) Replacement Reserve
The replacement reserve is used to record increments and decrements for specific purchase programmes, as described in accounting policy note 1.9
Opening balance 8,856 - Net Replacement Increment/ (Decrement) Motor Vehicle Replacement Reserve 2,726 2,236 Land and Building Replacement Reserve 1,900 2,075 Plant and Equipment Replacement Reserve 2,000 1,100 General Reserves 5,157 3,445 Closing Balance $20,639 $8,856
(c) Revaluation Reserve
The asset revaluation reserve is used to record increments and decrements on the revaluation of non-current assets, as described in accounting policy note 1.14 (v)
Opening balance - - Net Revaluation Increments Motor Vehicle 304 - Land 6,154 - Building 8,553 - Closing Balance $15,011 - Total Reserves $35,650 $8,856
(d) Accumulated Surplus/(Deficit)
Accumulated Surplus/(Deficit) Opening Balance 47 4,141 Change in net assets 6 (4,094) Closing Balance $53 $47
Total Equity $110,971 $81,773
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 177 FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA Notes to the Financial Statements 30 June 2004
Source Reference
30/06/2004 30/06/2003 $000 $000
22. COMMITMENTS FOR EXPENDITURE
AAS 17(11.2)(c) (a) Operating Lease Commitments
At the reporting date, the Authority had the following obligations, not recognised as liabilities, under non- cancellable operating leases:
Operating lease – motor vehicles 1,628 1,825 Operating lease – property 1,488 826 Operating lease – plant and equipment 61 129 $3,177 $2,780
Commitments in relation to leases contracted for at the reporting date but not recognised as liabilities, are payable as follows:
AAS 36(8.3)(d) Within one year 1,870 1,575 Later than one year and no later than five years 1,303 1,205 Later than five years 4 - $3,177 $2,780
AAS 36(8.3)(d) (b) Capital Expenditure Commitments
Capital expenditure commitments, being contracted capital expenditure additional to the amounts reported in the financial statements are due and payable within 12 months from the reporting date.
Motor vehicles 631 3,299 Plant and equipment 25 23 Telecommunications 7 569 Other 1 144 $664 $4,035
TI 952(3) 23. REMUNERATION OF MEMBERS OF THE ACCOUNTABLE AUTHORITY AND SENIOR OFFICERS
(a) Remuneration of Members of the Accountable Authority
The number of members of the Accountable Authority whose total of fees, salaries, superannuation and other benefits received or due and receivable for the period falls within the following bands:
$ $ 30/06/04 30/06/03 0 - 10,000 12 12 10,001 - 20,000 2 - 30,001 - 40,000 - 1 180,000 - 190,000 1 - 190,001 - 200,000 - 1 220,001 - 225,000 - - 15 14
Total fees, salaries, superannuation and other benefits received or due and receivable for the period by members of the Accountable Authority. 273 283 Total Remuneration for members of the Accountable Authority $273 $283
178 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA Notes to the Financial Statements 30 June 2004
Source Reference
30/06/2004 30/06/2003 $000 $000
TI 952(3) 23. REMUNERATION OF MEMBERS OF THE ACCOUNTABLE AUTHORITY AND SENIOR OFFICERS (CONTINUED)
(b) Remuneration of Senior Officers
The number of Senior Officers other than members of the Accountable Authority whose total of fees, salaries, superannuation and other benefits received or due and receivable for the period falls within the following bands:
$ $ 30/06/04 30/06/03 10,001 - 20,000 - - 20,001 - 30,000 1 1 30,001 - 40,000 1 2 40,001 - 50,000 5 - 50,001 - 60,000 1 1 60,001 - 70,000 1 - 70,001 - 80,000 0 2 80,001 - 90,000 4 3 90,001 - 100,000 5 4 100,001 - 110,000 2 5 110,001 - 120,000 3 3 120,001 - 130,000 1 1 130,001 - 140,000 3 1 140,001 - 150,000 1 - 190,001 - 200,000 - 1 28 24
Total fees, salaries, superannuation and other benefits received or due and receivable for the period by Senior Officers other than members of the Accountable Authority. 2,453 2,255 Total Remuneration of Senior Officers $2,453 $2,255
24. REMUNERATION OF AUDITORS
The total of fees paid or due and payable for the period to the Office of the Auditor General is as follows:
Fees for external audit 49 45 $49 $45
FAAA Sec. 45 25. SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION TI 952(6)(i) FAR Reg. 10 Write-Offs
The total of public property and debt written off by the Authority during the period has been included in the Statement of Financial Performance as part of maintenance expenditure and loss on disposal of non- current assets is categorised as follows:
Inventory 23 47 Bad Debts 159 2 $182 $49
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 179 FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA Notes to the Financial Statements 30 June 2004
Source Reference
30/06/2004 30/06/2003 $000 $000
TI 951 (5) & (6) 26. RELATED AND AFFILIATED BODIES
Treasurer's Instruction 951 – “Related and Affiliated Bodies”, requires that where a Statutory Authority has non- government affiliated and related bodies at the end of the financial year or at any time during the financial year, disclosure by way of note to the financial statements is to be made.
(a) Non-Government Affiliated Bodies
The following are classified as a non-government affiliated bodies and receive indirect and/or direct financial assistance.
Direct financial assistance is given in the form of a grant. Indirect financial assistance is also given in the form of administrative support including the use motor vehicle and running costs, free office accommodation and minor administrative support.
Association of Volunteer Bush Fire Brigades WA Inc 25 - SES Volunteer Association of WA Inc 25 - Volunteer Marine Rescue WA 18 11 West Coast Volunteer Marine Search & Rescue Association 10 5 Western Australian Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association 266 352 $344 $368
(b) Related Bodies
The Authority has no related bodies at the reporting date.
AAS 8 27. EVENTS OCCURRING AFTER BALANCE DATE
The Authority is not aware of any event or events occurring after the reporting date, which would materially, effect the operating results as disclosed in the financial statements during the current or future reporting periods.
TI 952(8) 28. CONTINGENT LIABILITIES AND CONTINGENT ASSETS AASB 1044(14.6) As at the reporting date the board is aware of two potential claims with an estimated value of $35,000.
AAS 33 29. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
AAS 33(5.5) (a) Credit Risk Exposure
All financial assets are unsecured. Amounts owing by other Government agencies are guaranteed and therefore no credit risk exists in respect of those amounts.
In respect of other financial assets, the carrying amounts represent the Authority’s maximum exposure to credit risk in relation to those assets.
AAS 33(5.6) (b) Net Fair Values
The carrying amount of financial assets and financial liabilities recorded in the financial statements are not materially different from their net fair values, determined in accordance with the accounting policies disclosed in Note 1 to the Financial Statements.
180 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA Notes to the Financial Statements 30 June 2004
Source Reference
AAS 33 29. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Continued)
AAS 33(5.4) (c) Interest Rate Risk Exposure
The Authority’s exposure to interest rates on financial instruments at the reporting date is as follows:
Fixed interest rate maturity Weighted Variable Less 1 to 5 More Non Total average interest than years than interest INTEREST RATE RISK effective rate 1 year 5 years bearing interest rate $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 %
As at 30 June 2004 FINANCIAL ASSETS Cash at bank - - - - - 5,014 5,014
Cash on hand - - - - - 38 38
Term Investments 5.18 - 34,183 - - - 34,183
Receivables - - - - - 7,789 7,789
Total financial assets 5.18 - 34,183 - - 12,841 47,024
FINANCIAL LIABILITIES Payables - - - - - 3,548 3,548
Interest-bearing Liabilities 6.01 - 2,112 9,021 30,992 - 42,125
Provisions - - - - - 13,571 13,571
Total financial liabilities 6.01 - 2,112 9,021 30,992 17,119 59,244
As at 30 June 2003
Total financial assets 4.84 - 35,713 - - 8,268 43,981
Total financial liabilities 6.68 - 15,542 11,792 14,780 23,946 66,060
The interest-bearing liability maturity identified above is different from that as disclosed in Note 20. Borrowings established by the Western Australian Treasury Corporation for the Authority is based on a “Short Stock” and “Long Stock” maturity profile.
The total amount maturing on any given date need not be extinguished by the Authority in total, other than the amount that is due and payable in accordance with the schedule of loan repayments.
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 181 FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA Notes to the Financial Statements 30 June 2004
Source Reference
TI 945(4) 30. EXPLANATORY STATEMENTS
(a) Significant variations between actual revenues and expenditures for the financial year and revenues and expenditures for the immediately preceding financial year
Details and reasons for significant variations between the total actual results with the corresponding results of the preceding year are detailed below. Significant variations are considered to be those greater than 10% and $500,000.
ACTUAL COMPARISON 30/06/2004 30/06/2003 Variance Variance 2002/2003 and 2003/2004 $’000 $’000 $’000 %
Expenses from Ordinary Activities Employee Expenses 67,789 63,950 3,839 6.00% Superannuation 6,933 6,440 493 7.66% Borrowing Cost Expense 2,776 2,749 27 0.98% Grants and Subsidies 18,449 4,394 14,055 319.87% Depreciation of non-current assets 7,673 7,119 554 7.78% Carrying Amount of Non Current Assets Disposed 1,531 1,131 400 35.37% Operating Lease 2,519 2,427 92 3.79% Electricity and Water Expense 1,031 1,015 16 1.58% Equipment Repairs and Maintenance Expense 17,526 14,411 3,115 21.62% Communication Expenses 1,820 1,594 226 14.18% Service and Contracts Expenses 6,781 1,948 4,833 248.10% Consumable Expense 1,177 1,213 (36) (2.97%) Advertising and Promotion Expense 630 554 76 13.72% Administration Expense 3,857 3,812 45 1.18% Capital User Charge Payment 1,950 1,880 70 3.72% Other Expenses – Act of Grace 594 183 411 224.59% All Other Expenses 1,756 114 1,642 1,440.35% Total Expenses from Ordinary Activities 144,792 114,934 29,858 25.98%
Revenues from Ordinary Activities Regulatory Fees and Fines 111,605 87,248 24,357 27.92% User Charges and Fees 4,132 3,273 859 26.25% Direct Grants and Subsidies Revenue 4,332 2,036 2,296 112.77% Proceeds from Disposal of Non Current Assets 1,993 1,531 462 30.18% Interest Revenue 2,704 1,780 924 51.91% Other revenue 1,899 1,035 864 83.48% Total Revenue from Ordinary Activities 126,665 96,903 29,762 30.71%
Revenues from State Government Output Appropriations 29,704 22,280 7,424 33.32% Resources received free of charge 212 513 (301) (58.67%) Total Revenue from Government 29,916 22,793 7,123 31.25%
Surplus/(Deficit) for the period $11,789 $4,762 $7,027
Total Expenses from Ordinary Activities
Total expenses from ordinary activities for the year increased by $29.9 million compared to the last financial year. The increase was due mainly to changes in funding arrangement associated with the Emergency Service Levy. The major increase in grants and subsidies, equipment repairs and maintenance expenses, services and contracts expenses and all other expenses are related to the Emergency Services Levy which was not previously paid.
Total Revenue from Ordinary Activities
Total revenue received for the year increased by $29.76 million. The overall increase in revenue was mainly due to the change in funding from insurance companies’ contributions to the Emergency Services Levy.
182 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA Notes to the Financial Statements 30 June 2004
Source Reference
TI 945(4) 30. EXPLANATORY STATEMENTS (Continued)
(b) Significant variations between estimates and actual results for the financial year
Details and reasons for significant variations between the total actual results with the annual estimates are detailed below. Significant variations are considered to be those greater than 10% and $500,000.
ACTUAL V ESTIMATES Actual Estimates Variance Variance 2003/2004 $’000 $’000 $’000 %
Expenses from Ordinary Activities Employee Expenses 67,789 66,084 1,705 2.58% Superannuation 6,933 9,486 (2,553) (26.91%) Borrowing costs 2,776 6,062 (3,286) (54.21%) Grants and Subsidies 18,449 16,295 2,154 13.22% Depreciation of Non Current Assets 7,673 7,917 (244) (3.08%) Carrying Amount of Non Current Assets Disposed 1,531 - 1,531 NA Operating Lease 2,519 4,735 (2,216) (46.80%) Electricity and Water Expense 1,031 1,410 (379) (26.88%) Equipment Repairs and Maintenance Expense 17,526 8,337 9,189 110.22% Communication Expenses 1,820 2,253 (433) (19.22%) Services and Contracts Expenses 6,781 8,524 (1,743) (20.45%) Consumable Expense 1,177 1,252 (75) (5.99) Advertising and Promotion Expense 630 894 (264) (29.53) Administration Expense 3,857 4,462 (605) (13.56%) Capital User Charge Payment 1,950 1,955 (5) (0.26%) Other Expenses – Act of Grace 594 - 594 NA All Other Expenses 1,756 1,750 6 (0.34%) Total Expenses from Ordinary Activities 144,792 141,416 3,376 2.39%
Revenues from Ordinary Activities Regulatory Fees and Fines 111,605 112,478 (873) (0.78%) User Charges and Fees 4,132 2,764 1,368 49.49% Direct Grants and Subsidies Revenue 4,332 2,175 2,157 99.17% Proceeds from Disposal of Non current Assets 1,993 - 1,993 NA Interest Revenue 2,704 1,450 1,254 86.48% Other Revenue 1,899 806 1,093 135.61% Total Revenue from Ordinary Activities 126,665 119,673 6,992 5.84%
Revenues from State Government Output Appropriations 29,704 23,940 5,764 24.08% Resources received free of charge 212 - 212 NA Total Revenue from Government 29,916 23,940 5,976 24.96%
Surplus/(Deficit) for the period $11,789 $2,197 $9,592
Total Expenses from Ordinary Activities
The current year actual expenditure was almost in line with the annual estimates. The increase in repairs and maintenance expense of $9.2 million was compensated by decreases in superannuation, borrowing cost, operating lease and service and contract expense resulting from reclassification and greater disclosure of expenses.
Total Revenue from Ordinary Activities
Current year actual revenue exceeded the annual estimates by 5.84%. This is mainly due to an increase in operational activities, direct grants and subsidies from the NDRA programmes and ESL Capital Grants Scheme, interest revenue from higher interest yields and longer cash holding period and proceeds from sale of non current assets.
Total Revenue from Government
Total revenue from government exceeded the annual estimates by $5.98 million due mainly to the inclusion of the WA Emergency Helicopter Services and additional supplementary funds.
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 183 FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA Notes to the Financial Statements 30 June 2004
Source Reference
TI 1101(3)(iii) 31. OUTPUT INFORMATION
(a) As at 30 June 2004
As at 30 June 2004 As at 30 June 2003 COST OF SERVICES Prevention Emergency Total Prevention Emergency Total Services Services $’000 Services Services $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000
Expenses from Ordinary Activities Employee expenses 11,406 56,383 67,789 10,744 53,206 63,950 Superannuation 439 6,494 6.933 405 6,035 6,440 Borrowing costs 94 2,682 2,776 93 2,656 2,749 Grants and Subsidies 287 18,162 18,449 70 4,324 4,394 Depreciation of Non Current Assets 181 7,492 7,673 171 6,948 7,119 Carrying Amount of Non Current Assets Disposed 2 1,529 1,531 2 1,129 1,131 Operating Leases 140 2,379 2,519 133 2,294 2,427 Electricity and Water Expenses 42 989 1,031 41 974 1,015 Equipment Repairs and Maintenance Expense 697 16,829 17,526 576 13,835 14,411 Communication Expenses 160 1,660 1,820 139 1,455 1,594 Services and Contracts Expenses 594 6,187 6,781 171 1,777 1,948 Consumable Expense 207 970 1,177 212 1001 1,213 Advertising and Promotion Expense 343 287 630 301 253 554 Administration Expense 352 3,505 3,857 347 3,465 3,812 Capital User Charge Payment 236 1,714 1,950 241 1,639 1,880 Other Expenses – Act of Grace - 594 594 - 183 183 All Other Expenses (25) 1781 1,756 - 114 114 Total Expenses from Ordinary Activities 15,155 129,637 144,792 13,646 101,288 114,934
Revenues from Ordinary Activities Regulatory Fees and Fines 11,683 99,922 111,605 9,161 78,087 87,248 User Charges and Fees 433 3,699 4,132 344 2,929 3,273 Direct Grants and Subsidies 453 3,879 4,332 214 1,822 2,036 Proceeds from Disposal of Non Current Assets 209 1,784 1,993 161 1,370 1,531 Interest Revenue 283 2,421 2,704 187 1,593 1,780 Other Revenue 199 1,700 1,899 109 926 1,035 Total Revenue from Ordinary Activities 13,260 113,405 126,665 10,176 86,727 96,903
NET COST OF SERVICES (1,895) (16,232) (18,127) (3,470) (14,561) (18,031)
Revenues from State Government Output Appropriations and Contributions 3,240 26,464 29,704 2,340 19,940 22,280 Resources received free of charge 23 189 212 54 459 513 Total Revenue from Government 3,263 26,653 29,916 2,394 20,399 22,793
CHANGE IN NET ASSETS $1,368 $10,421 $11,789 ($1,076) $5,838 $4,762
184 FESA Annual Report 2003-04 FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA Notes to the Financial Statements 30 June 2004
Source Reference
32. EMERGENCY SERVICES LEVY (ESL) RATES AND CHARGES FOR THE REPORTING PERIOD
The Emergency Services Levy Rate declared by the Minister for Police and Fire and Emergency Services as at 31 May 2003 applicable to ESL assessments for the levy year 1 July 2003 to 30 June 2004.
ESL Category ESL Rate Minimum and Maximum ESL Charges by Property Use
Resident, Farming Commercial, Industrial and Vacant Land and Miscellaneous
Minimum Maximum Minimum Maximum
1 0.0088c $30 $175 $30 $100,000
2 0.0071c $30 $175 $30 $100,000
3 0.0062c $30 $175 $30 $100,000
4 0.0044c $30 $175 $30 $100,000 Fixed Charge 5 $30 $30 $30 $30 $30
Mining Fixed Charge Tenement $30 $30 $30 $30 $30
33. THE IMPACT OF ADOPTING INTERNATIONAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
The Authority is adopting international accounting standards in compliance with AASB 1 ‘First-time Adoption of Australian Equivalents’ to international Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
AASB 1 requires an opening balance sheet as at 1 July 2004 and the restatement of the financial statements for the reporting period to 30 June 2005 of the IFRS basis. These financial statements will be presented as comparatives in the first annual financial report prepared on an IFRS basis for the period ending 30 June 2006.
AASB 1047 ‘Disclosing the Impacts of Adopting Australian Equivalents to International Financial Reporting Standards’ requires financial reports to disclose information about the impacts of any changes in accounting policies in the transition period leading up to the adoption date.
The Authority is aware of the IFRS and is assessing the impact on the Authority. In the near future training would be provided by the Authority.
Currently there are no key differences in the accounting policies that are expected to arise from adopting Australian equivalents to IFRS.
FESA Annual Report 2003-04 185