2017-18 AFAC Annual Report

ANNUAL REPORT 2017-18 CONTENTS

Message from the President and CEO 3 AFAC governance 4 AFAC National Council, Members and Affiliate Members 6 Our partners and key arrangements 7 Key initiatives for the sector 9 Events and professional development 19 AFAC17 powered by INTERSCHUTZ 22 Recognition of achievement: sector awards 24 AFAC collaboration 25 Financial highlights and Auditor’s opinion 34 Statement of financial performance/position 35

AFAC PURPOSE

AFAC is the facilitator and custodian of contemporary fire and emergency service knowledge and practice, for the benefit of our members and through them, the community. We will be recognised and have impact as the National Council for fire and emergency services, through collaboration and influence.

AFAC VALUES

1. Respect 2. Collaboration 3. Mutual obligation 4. Mutual benefit 5. Evidence-based decision making

2 | AFAC ANNUAL REPORT 2017-18 ANNUAL REPORT 2017-18

PRESIDENT’S CEO’S MESSAGE MESSAGE

AFAC has continued to demonstrate its purpose as the facilitator and AFAC exists to support its members. Through a collaborative custodian of contemporary fire and emergency service knowledge approach and under the direction of the National Council, AFAC and practice through a very productive 2017-18 year. From continues to be both the facilitator and custodian of fire and nationally-agreed doctrine to professional development events and emergency service knowledge and practice, working to overcome national projects, AFAC has continued to have impact as the National challenges with collective effort. Council through collaboration, influence and strong partnerships. During the 2017-18 year AFAC conducted a total of 120 Collaboration The AFAC Board met bi-monthly over the last 12 months to progress Group meetings, bringing together 795 individuals across 35 groups the strategic priorities for AFAC Limited and the broader emergency representing 31 Member agencies. This is a significant achievement management sector. We undertook a strategic planning session in that reflects the ever-growing need for fire, emergency services March 2017, setting goals for the future. and land management agencies to work together for the benefit of communities across Australia and New Zealand. This collaborative This year we published our first Strategic Directions Achievement model is at the core of what AFAC does best. Report, providing case studies from across the sector that show progress towards the goals set in the Strategic Directions for Fire In addition to our Collaboration Model, AFAC conducted 42 events, and Emergency Services in Australia and New Zealand 2017-2021. offering members and the broader emergency management The report recognises the initiative shown by our members in community access to essential professional development and adopting and acting upon these goals and ensures our sector is learning opportunities. The AFAC17 powered by INTERSCHUTZ equipped to protect the community through a shared commitment conference and exhibition in Sydney was our largest to date, to best practice. attracting some 3,500 attendees across the sector. Our collaboration groups have continued their work reviewing and The National Emergency Service Memorial in Canberra was extended producing doctrine in line with the Strategic Directions. AFAC’s suite this year with the addition of a Memorial Wall. The wall was unveiled of doctrine is our most significant intellectual property asset and at the National Memorial Service for fire and emergency service continues to generate evidence-based solutions while facilitating personnel on 1 May and lists the names of 505 personnel who lost industry-wide engagement. This collaborative approach to producing their lives protecting Australian and New Zealand communities doctrine ensures we are making a national effort to shape the since records began. It honours the sacrifice made by each person industry’s development and improve community safety. and provides a place of permanent and national significance for the community to reflect. The professionalisation of our workforce was a focus this year, with the Emergency Management Professionalisation Scheme (EMPS) The partnership between Australian and Canadian firefighting agencies expanding to provide credentials across all Incident Management was strengthened by the deployment of 235 Australian personnel to Teams and other specialist roles. EMPS establishes an important assist with wildfire suppression in Canada from July to September foundation for our professional fire and emergency services by 2017. It was the first overseas deployment arranged through the promoting industry standards and an agreed code of ethics. National Resource Sharing Centre, responsible for coordinating the effort on behalf of states and territories. This new model, endorsed I was pleased to represent one of the host agencies for the AFAC17 by the Commissioners and Chief Officer Strategic Committee (CCOSC), powered by INTERSCHUTZ conference and exhibition in Sydney. The supports national and international assistance and provides valuable event was a great success and drew a record attendance of people interagency collaboration experience for personnel. from across the emergency management community to explore a program of informative and insightful speakers. The annual AFAC The Australasian Inter-service Incident Management System (AIIMS) conference continues to be recognised as a world-class emergency continues to inform and update the system used by fire, emergency management event in the Australasian region, offering valuable services and land management agencies within Australia following an knowledge sharing and networking opportunities to attendees. extensive review of its doctrine. Through our collaboration groups, AFAC doctrine continues to evolve with the industry and remains a AFAC continues to offer support and work collaboratively with its vital resource in preparing the emergency management community members across the sector. I would like to express my gratitude to for the changes and challenges ahead. all those from the membership and the AFAC CEO and staff for their efforts throughout what has been another busy year. Reflecting on what was a productive year for AFAC I want to offer my thanks and gratitude to the National Council, the Board and AFAC staff for their efforts throughout the year. Paul Baxter QSO Commissioner, Fire and Rescue NSW Stuart Ellis AM AFAC President Chief Exeuctive Officer, AFAC

| 3 AFAC GOVERNANCE

Elected by the AFAC National Council, the AFAC Board provides governance oversight to the effective management of the organisation. The Board meets bi-monthly and Board Directors hold office for two years after which time they are eligible for re-election.

President Deputy President Deputy President Paul Baxter QSO Katarina Carroll APM Shane Fitsimmons AFSM Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Fire and Rescue NSW Queensland Fire and Emergency Services NSW Rural Fire Service

Paul Baxter was appointed Commissioner Katarina Carroll commenced as Acting Shane Fitzsimmons has over 30 years’ of Fire & Rescue NSW on 16 January 2017. Queensland Fire and Emergency Services experience with the New South Wales Rural Commissioner Baxter was previously (QFES) Commissioner in January 2015, Fire Service (NSW RFS), serving as both a National Commander of the New Zealand and was appointed Commissioner on volunteer and salaried officer. In 2004 he Fire Service and the National Rural Fire 1 August 2015. She is responsible for was appointed as the inaugural AFAC Visiting Authority, which comprises 10,000 efficiently leading all divisions of QFES and Fellow to the Australian Institute of Police volunteers and 2,200 career staff serving implementing a renewal process arising out Management (AIPM), and in September at 650 fire stations nationally. He has more of recommendations made in a number of 2007 he was appointed Commissioner of than 30 years of fire service experience, recent reviews into the organisation. She the NSW RFS. He was appointed a Director serving as a volunteer firefighter, then as a has come to QFES from the Queensland of the National Aerial Firefighting Centre career firefighter with the New Zealand Air Police Service, where she was Assistant (NAFC) in March 2008 and was Chair of Force. After joining the New Zealand Fire Commissioner and Program Executive for the NAFC Board from 2009 to 2013. He is Service he worked through the ranks until the Brisbane G20 Summit in 2014. She a member of the NSW State Emergency being appointed as National Commander a has more than 30 years’ experience in the Management Committee and the NSW State year after the 2011 Christchurch earthquake. emergency services, and has been awarded Rescue Board, and was Chairman from 2008 He holds a degree in business, is a Fellow the Australian Police Medal, National Police to November 2015. He was awarded the of the Institution of Fire Engineers, a Service Medal, National Emergency Medal National Medal in 1999 and the Australian Member of the New Zealand Institute and the National Medal. She is a graduate Fire Service Medal in 2001. of Management, and has completed the of the Vincent Fairfax Ethics in Leadership October 2016–present. Executive Fire Officer Program at the United Foundation. States Fire Academy. October 2015–present. December 2012–present.

AFAC BOARD MEETING ATTENDANCE

DIRECTORS NUMBER NUMBER ELIGIBLE ATTENDED TO ATTEND Mr P Baxter 5 5 Ms K Carroll 5 2 Mr N Cooper 5 2 Mr G Crossman 5 3 Mr S Fitzsimmons 5 4 Mr S Griffin 5 4 Mr W Gregson 1 1 Ms J Reilly 3 1

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Neil Cooper PSM Stephen Griffin Greg Crossman AFSM Manager Fire, Forests and Roads Chief Executive Officer Chief Officer and Chief Executive Officer ACT Parks and Conservation Service Victoria State Emergency Service South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service

Neil Cooper is the Manager of the Fire Stephen Griffin was appointed Chief Executive Greg Crossman was appointed as Chief Management Unit within the ACT Parks Officer for the Victoria State Emergency Officer and Chief Executive of the South and Conservation Service. He completed Service in May 2014. He came to Victoria Australian Metropolitan Fire Service (SA his BSC (Forestry) degree at the Australian State Emergency Service from the Geelong MFS) in September 2015. He joined the SA National University in 1982. His early career City Council where he was CEO for five MFS in October 1978 as a firefighter and saw him involved in plantation forestry years. Prior to this, he gained over 28 years progressed through the ranks to Assistant establishment, silviculture and harvesting of local government experience including Chief Fire Officer in May 2012 before being up until 1999 when he took on the role of City of Melbourne, City of Werribee and the appointed as Chief Officer. He was awarded Manager of Fire with the then ACT Forests Wyndham City Council, where he was the the Australian Fire Service Medal and the department. Since then he has been on recovery manager. Throughout his career, he Australian National Medal and Clasp – for several overseas deployments to the has been recognised for his transformational his services in advancing the firefighting United States, involved in a number of large leadership and robust management of service profession and service to the community of campaign fires in Australia and presented delivery programs and corporate functions. South Australia – and the MFS Exemplary papers at international forums including the Service Medal. Greg is a Board Director April 2015–present. United Nations in Rome in 2010 and 2012. of the SA Fire and Emergency Services Commission (SAFECOM) Board. October 2013–present. October 2016–July 2018.

Jennifer Reilly Wayne Gregson APM Mr Stuart Ellis AM Executive Director Commissioner CEO (non-Board member) Northern Territory Fire, Rescue and Department of Fire and Emergency Services AFAC Emergency Services WA

Jennifer Reilly was appointed Executive Wayne Gregson graduated from the WA Stuart Ellis was an Army Officer for over 22 Director of Northern Territory Fire, Rescue Police Academy in 1980. He served as years serving with the Special Air Service and Emergency Services on 11 July 2016. Portfolio Head of the Metropolitan Region, (SAS) Regiment. In 1996 he was appointed Prior to this position Jennifer was the Frontline Services, the Specialist Crime Chief Executive Officer/Chief Officer of the Director of the Northern Territory Police, and the Judicial Services Portfolios. He South Australian Country Fire Service. In Fire and Emergency Services College. Prior took up the position of CEO of the Fire and 2002 he established a consultancy company to moving to the NTJennifer’s career was Emergency Services Authority in September and has been involved in over 20 operational based in Queensland government agencies 2011. He was appointed Commissioner reviews including the Canberra Bushfires, including Departments of Housing, Health, of the Department of Fire and Emergency the Victorian Bushfire Royal Commission and Public Works, QBuild Corporate Services, Services which commenced operations on the operational response to the Christchurch Public Service Commission and Police. 1 November 2012. He is a graduate of the Earthquake. Stuart was appointed Chief Jennifer holds an Executive Masters in Public FBI National Academy and holds a BA in Executive Officer of AFAC in 2012. Administration and is a graduate of the Politics and Philosophy and a MA in Business Australian Institute of Company Directors. Administration. He is a Graduate of the Jennifer was awarded the Most Outstanding Australian Institute of Company Directors Female Administrator award at the 15th and an Executive Fellow of the Australia Annual Excellence in Policing Awards from and New Zealand School of Government. Australasia Council of Women and Policing. He was awarded the Australian Police Medal in 2006. October 2017–July 2018 February 2014–July 2017

| 5 AFAC NATIONAL COUNCIL, MEMBERS AND AFFILIATE MEMBERS

AFAC Members support Australian and New Zealand communities through mitigation and response phases of emergency management and the transition to recovery. We build knowledge by bringing together collaborators from across jurisdictions, capabilities and hazards to find opportunities and solve problems. Senior representatives of fire and emergency service agencies from Australia and New Zealand form the AFAC National Council. Please note all AFAC Member, Affiliate Member and Council representative names have been listed as correct as at 30 June 2018. Changes have been made to some of our Members and Affiliates after this date.

MEMBERS SOUTH AUSTRALIA AUSTRALIA-WIDE Department for Environment and Water, SA Council representative:Grant Pelton Airservices Australia Council representative:Craig Oakley ForestrySA Council representative:Chris Gibson Department of Home Affairs, Emergency Management Australia South Australian Country Fire Service Council representative:Robert Cameron Council representative:Greg Nettleton Parks Australia South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service 31 Council representative:Greg Crossman MEMBERS AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY South Australian State Emergency Service ACT Emergency Services Agency Council representative:Chris Beattie Council representative:Dominic Lane TASMANIA ACT Parks and Conservation Service 21 Council representative:Neil Cooper Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania Council representative:Paul Black AFFILIATE MEMBERS NEW SOUTH WALES Sustainable Timber Tasmania Fire and Rescue NSW Council representative:Dean Sheehan Council representative:Paul Baxter Tasmania Fire Service AFFILIATE MEMBERS Forestry Corporation of NSW Council representative:Christopher Arnol Australasian Road Rescue Organisation (ARRO) Council representative:Ross Dickson Tasmania State Emergency Service Australian Maritime Safety Authority NSW Rural Fire Service Council representative:Andrew Lea Council representative:Shane Fitzsimmons Australian Red Cross VICTORIA NSW State Emergency Service Brisbane City Council Council representative:Mark Smethurst Country Fire Authority, Victoria Council representative:Paul Smith Bureau of Meteorology Office of Environment and Heritage NSW Council representative:Naomi Stephens Forest Fire Management Victoria – Council of Australian Volunteer Fire Department of Environment, Land, Water Associations (CAVFA) NEW ZEALAND and Planning Department of Conservation New Zealand Fire and Emergency New Zealand Council representative:Darrin McKenzie Emergency Management Victoria Council representative:Rhys Jones Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Services NORTHERN TERRITORY Board, Melbourne Geoscience Australia Council representative:Dan Stephens Bushfires NT Hong Kong Fire Services Department Council representative:Collene Bremner Parks Victoria Council representative:David Nugent HQPlantations Pty Ltd Northern Territory Fire, Rescue and Melbourne Water Emergency Service Victoria State Emergency Service Council representative:Mark Spain Council representative:Stephen Griffin Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management QUEENSLAND WESTERN AUSTRALIA National SES Volunteers Association Department of National Parks, Sport Department of Fire and Emergency and Racing – Queensland Parks and Services, WA NSW Environment Protection Authority Council representative:Darren Klemm Wildlife Service Office of Bushfire Risk Management, WA Council representative:Guy Thomas Department of Biodiversity, Conservation Office of Emergency Management, NSW Queensland Fire and Emergency Services and Attractions WA – Parks and Wildlife Council representative:Katarina Carroll Council representative:Stefan De Haan Pacific Islands Fire Emergency Services Association (PIFESA) South Australian Fire and Emergency Services Commission (SAFECOM) Office of Emergency Management, WA Surf Life Saving Australia

6 | AFAC ANNUAL REPORT 2017-18 ANNUAL REPORT 2017-18 OUR PARTNERS AND KEY ARRANGEMENTS

AFAC partners work together to deliver outcomes for Members that they cannot deliver alone. Key partnerships exist with:

BUSHFIRE AND NATURAL HAZARDS AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF DISASTER COOPERATIVE RESEARCH CENTRE RESILIENCE (AIDR) As an important partner in the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC, In its third year, AIDR has established a strong program of work AFAC participates in long-term national research to support fire aligned to its core themes of knowledge management and and emergency services personnel directly across the country. The professional development. research is largely focussed on mitigating the impact of natural AIDR’s knowledge management focus is reflected in timely, highly hazards and preparing communities for potential hazards. regarded research published in the Australian Journal for Emergency The CRC’s research program is driven by end-user needs that focus Management (AJEM), through the depth and scope of principles and on natural hazard mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery guidance contained in the Australian Disaster Resilience Handbook across Australia and New Zealand. In this multi-hazard environment, Collection and the growing wealth of resources across emerging emergency service agencies, government departments and non- themes in disaster resilience on the Knowledge Hub. government organisations, including AFAC, benefit greatly from Lessons management, community recovery and volunteering were development, delivery and utilisation of the research program. This key focal points for AIDR this year. These themes featured in AJEM culture of research to drive continuous improvement is now part of editions, the revised Community Recovery Handbook and new the sector, and AFAC has played an important role in this. Communities Responding to Disasters: Planning for Spontaneous AFAC has a formal role in the CRC through its CEO sitting on the Volunteers Handbook and bespoke Knowledge Hub collections. Board, as well as the AFAC managers’ membership of CRC project AIDR’s Professional Development Program is key to developing end-user groups. This is reciprocated by regular CRC participation and sharing knowledge among emergency management agencies, in AFAC Group meetings. Another notable part of the relationship is volunteers, teachers and educators, researchers and community the annual conference of AFAC and the Bushfire and Natural Hazards groups who have been affected by disaster. CRC each year, where CRC research developments are made visible to an audience of thousands. But the relationship is much more AIDR draws strength from the support and expertise of its partners than this, with the partnership including collaboration at many other AFAC, the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC, the Australian Red Cross events, conferences, and research utilisation workshops across the and the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs. AIDR’s country, alongside products such as the Bushfire Seasonal Outlook partners utilise their capability and networks to ensure that AIDR for northern and southern Australia, and Fire Australia magazine. products and services are responsive to the demands of the broader AFAC and the CRC also work together with the Australian Institute emergency management and disaster resilience community. for Disaster Resilience, primarily on the Australian Journal of Emergency Management. The collaboration between both AFAC and the CRC ensures there is two-way communication and a joint approach to making Australia and the wider region more resilient and prepared for natural hazards.

| 7 NATIONAL AERIAL FIREFIGHTING CENTRE COMMISSIONERS AND CHIEF OFFICERS AFAC continued to support the National Aerial Firefighting Centre STRATEGIC COMMITTEE (CCOSC) (NAFC) during 2017-18 as it embarked upon the largest procurement The CCOSC provides jurisdictional consideration and representation activity since its inception in 2003. This Involved more than 110 aerial on behalf of AFAC to the Australian Government. fire fighting services and securing, for the states and territories, the most sophisticated and best value for money fleet. Members of the CCOSC are state-based jurisdictional operational representatives and Emergency Management Australia. The continued development of ARENA was recognised with the winning of the 2017 Motorola Solutions Knowledge Innovation Key functions of the CCOSC are to: Award. The award commended ARENA’s national approach to the • consider issues to be presented to the Australia-New Zealand management of standardised aviation information and efficient Emergency Management Committee (ANZEMC) dispatch. • provide higher-level consideration on operational issues related NAFC continued to refine ARENA with the development of the eFOR to the Australian Government and departments, including the (Flight Operations Record) module to streamline the flight records Attorney-General’s and Defence departments and reporting process. • progress national initiatives through jurisdictional support. Research and development progressed this year with work to create In 2017-18, CCOSC was co-chaired by the Director-General Emergency a roadmap to guide NAFC’s support for future R & D activity. Management Australia and Chief Officer Tasmania Fire Service. CCOSC formally met three times during the 2017-18 year, and additionally A review of specialist aviation roles in fire and emergency services met out-of-session to manage interstate deployments and support. will align with AFAC’s EMPS program, promoting a national approach to accreditation and allowing skills to be transferable from state National initiatives and projects within CCOSC’s scope of works over to state. the 2017-18 financial year included: Following a strategic review, the NAFC Board recommended to • the National Resource Sharing Centre’s (NRSC) Annual Operations its members that NAFC merge with AFAC. While NAFC has always Plan functioned well in a complex environment, a merger was viewed as • the NRSC National Team Deployment Registry an opportunity to improve collaboration, efficiencies and synergies • NRSC deployment of 235 Australian fire and emergency services and enable NAFC to remain at the forefront of contemporary personnel to the bushfires in British Columbia, Canada. arrangements across fire and emergency services. • NRSC support to Queensland with pre-planning efforts for the A merger project plan was developed for the transfer of NAFC to Commonwealth Games AFAC at 1 July 2018. • the National Warnings Group • the national approach to lessons management • National honours and awards for fire and emergency service personnel

8 | AFAC ANNUAL REPORT 2017-18 KEY INITIATIVES FOR THE SECTOR

| 9 MALE CHAMPIONS OF CHANGE FIRE AND STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS ACHIEVEMENT EMERGENCY GROUP REPORT 2017 In 2017, AFAC continued to lead the development of a Male The Strategic Directions 2017-2021 provide guidance to fire and Champions of Change (MCC) Group for the fire and emergency emergency services to ensure activities focus on supporting resilient sector. Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissioner communities, trusted response, credible and timely information, Kristen Hilton convened the group. effective governance and research. They ensure emergency management organisations are positioned to better meet challenges The group aims to advance gender equity and inclusive cultures of changing community needs and expectations, an ageing, growing and achieve significant and sustainable improvements in the and diverse population, natural disasters, national security and representation of women within the sector’s workplaces organisational change. During the year, the champions sought feedback on the leadership The work undertaken by AFAC and its members goes to the heart they project around diversity and inclusion to better understand of the overarching principles articulated in the strategic directions, areas for personal growth. They also sought to learn from others Primacy of Life, Trust and Confidence, Interoperability, and by hosting several focus groups to elicit feedback about barriers to Accountability. diversity and inclusion and listen to ideas about what can be done to improve the situation. The feedback was analysed and grouped into The Strategic Directions Achievement Report 2017 was tabled at seven priority areas led by action groups. These are: ANZEMC. There has been an increase in cross-jurisdictional activity • Inclusive Leadership: Prioritise inclusive leadership and that is focused on producing quality outcomes for ministers, psychologically safe workplaces/calling out behaviours. commissioners, chief officers and the community. These outcomes are demonstrated through the work that has been completed in • Flexible Workplaces: Normalise flexible roles and mindsets. the last 12 months by all jurisdictions in conjunction with AFAC. • Talent Development: Gender-balance talent development to This report highlights 25 initiatives undertaken in support of the capitalise on our diverse capabilities. Strategic Directions and will be produced on an annual basis. • Communication: Communication, symbols, icons and language. • Community: Engage our stakeholders in a community-centred case for change and over-arching narrative. • Systems: Systematise inclusive design and development. • Reporting: Implement rigorous and transparent reporting. To date, the MCC Fire and Emergency Group has agreed to report annually on gender representation by adapting the Workplace Gender Equality Framework to the fire and emergency sector. The group has also signed the Panel Pledge, a personal commitment by each member to only appear on panels and forums where women are also represented.

2017 STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS ACHIEVEMENT REPORT

10 | AFAC ANNUAL REPORT 2017-18 ANNUAL REPORT 2017-18

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TRANSITION AND REVIEW OF THE PUA12 PROFESSIONALISATION SCHEME PUBLIC SAFETY TRAINING PACKAGE In 2015, AFAC launched the Emergency Management The Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC) is the driver for Professionalisation Scheme (EMPS) with the aim of creating national all training packages to be transitioned, by mid-2018, to meet the professional standards for emergency managers in Australia and requirements of the Standards for Training Packages 2012. New Zealand. The release of the Standards for Training Packages 2012 resulted in In the second half of 2017, the AFAC Board committed to expanding the requirement to transition and review the PUA12 Public Safety EMPS and extending its scope and reach. Training Package (PUA12 PSTP). Professional standards were developed to support national The PUA12 PSTP contains 30 qualifications and more than 200 units certification and registration of incident management practitioners of competency. The Fire and Public Safety, SES, Surf Life Saving, and in mid-April 2018 a dedicated website (emps.org.au) was Biosecurity and Australian Maritime Search and Rescue qualifications launched for the sector. The site contains information about EMPS and units of competency are just some of the industries represented work as well as the standards on which it is based. by the PUA12 PSTP. The focus of EMPS in 2017-18 was the development of national The transitioning of the PUA12 PSTP was led by the Public Safety standards for incident management roles under AIIMS, as well Industry Reference Committee (PSIRC), working in conjunction with as some specialist technical roles. All IMT roles are now open for Australian Industry Standards (AIS) Skills Service Organisation. applications from suitably trained and qualified people, supported AFAC was the employer representative on the PSIRC and performed by their agency. For higher-risk, higher-consequence roles, expert a key role in the transition of the Fire and Public Safety qualifications. practitioners can apply for certification. AFAC, Council of Volunteer Firefighting Association members and Over time, the aim is to engage colleagues in the broader emergency industrial parties were represented on Fire, Public Safety and State management sector with EMPS to provide national recognition Emergency Services Technical Advisory Committees (TACs). These of people carrying out emergency management functions in TACs led the review of 147 transitioned units, 16 qualifications and government and the not-for-profit sectors. the development of 10 new units and 10 skill sets. The strategic vision is to provide recognition of emergency 170 subject matter experts, drawn from AFAC’s collaboration management as a profession, encompassing the full range of network, supported the TACs in this process and the AFAC activities currently undertaken before, during and after emergencies. collaboration model provided an agile approach for this work to be delivered on time. The review was an opportunity for AFAC members to update the Fire, Emergency Services, Communications Centre and Emergency Management qualifications. It also enabled them to embed doctrine developments, regulatory and policy shifts, and research utilisation in the qualifications.

| 11 AIIMS DOCTRINE COACHING AND MENTORING FOR INCIDENT AIIMS TRAINING RESOURCES MANAGEMENT TEAMS The release of AIIMS 2017 triggered an update to all AIIMS training The unique demands placed on Incident Management Teams doctrine. (IMTs), a changing, diversifying and aging workforce, the increasing complexity of incidents and an increasing move towards greater The existing 16-hour Course in AIIMS was reaccredited for another interoperability have combined to increase interest in, and use of, five years through the Victorian Recognition Qualifications Authority coaching and mentoring within fire and emergency management (VRQA). organisations. A new, shorter course in AIIMS awareness was also developed for Building the knowledge, skills, attitudes and abilities required by those AFAC members and industries requiring a five-hour course for an incident manager to perform effectively in an IMT takes years their personnel. Both courses were accredited by the VRQA by the of operational experience, formal and informal learning. Effective end of December 2017. mentoring and coaching strategies and practices for incident Training resources for both courses were produced to reflect AIIMS management teams through scenario-based exercises will guide 2017. These resources, published in April 2018, have been developed coaches and mentors on how real events and scenario-based in modular format, providing a blended approach to learning and exercises can be designed to transfer expertise to the next generation flexible delivery for end users. of managers. Upon successful completion of each course, a participant can be A project team, led by Dr Peter Hayes of RMIT University, and awarded a statement of attainment. The resources were published in working with AFAC reviewed the literature and available international April 2018. research evidence. The team consulted industry stakeholders to better understand how coaching and mentoring models and A robust understanding of the AIIMS principles is required to train frameworks could support current and future needs of IMTs. new and existing users of the system. Personnel seeking to perform a role within an Incident Management Team are subsequently trained This resource provides an overview of key coaching and mentoring concepts, examines practical frameworks and approaches relevant to to the relevant units within the PUA P. IMTs, evaluates the current knowledge and research evidence, details PUBLIC SAFETY INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAM UNITS OF useful models and tools and offers guidance for operationalisation. COMPETENCY The transition of the Public Safety Training Package has provided an NATIONAL FIRE DANGER RATING SYSTEM opportunity to update all the Incident Management units relating to (NFDRS) the functional roles within AIIMS and to develop new units to meet changes to AIIMS 2017 doctrine. This work is one of the outcomes The overall aim of this program is to design, develop and implement of the Transition and Review of the PUA12 Public Safety Training a National Fire Danger Rating System (NFDRS) to better describe the Package. overall fire danger and risk to firefighters, land managers and the community. AIIMS 2017 AIDES-MEMOIRE AFAC is contracted as the Program Management Office (PMO), AFAC released the updated AIIMS 2017 Aides-memoire in pocket- acts as secretariat to the Program Board and has responsibility for book and A4-card formats. The new AIIMS 2017 Aides-memoire have liaising with project managers to draw together the individual project been updated to reflect the enhancements made to AIIMS. elements. AFAC LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS The key deliverables through 2017-18 were the development, trial and evaluation of a research prototype to better categorise fire AFAC, in partnership with the Australian Institute of Police behaviour. The outcomes are being used to develop a program Management (AIPM), offered a number of professional development management plan for: courses during the financial year. • the full operationalisation of the new Fire Behaviour Index Representatives from the emergency management sector across • the development of other indices that consider ignition Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong attended the range of likelihood, suppression capability, and fire impact programs. AFAC member agencies had a combined total of 100 • an improved framework for expressing fire danger to assist delegates in attendance during the 2017-18 financial year. decision making and communication to the public and The courses offered through AIPM include: stakeholders. • Graduate Certificate in Applied Management The PMO has undertaken extensive and targeted communication • Graduate Diploma of Executive Leadership through conferences and workshops to promote dialogue around the program and enable agency participation in the NFDRS development. • Strategic Command Program • Frontline: Developing Future Leaders programs • Enterprise: Building Organisational Capacity and Capability • Balance: Women Leaders in Public Safety • Facilitate: Building Learning Organisations workshop • Bridging the Gap: From Management to Executive • Evolve: Leading in Complex Environments

12 | AFAC ANNUAL REPORT 2017-18 ANNUAL REPORT 2017-18

WARNINGS CLIMATE CHANGE The AFAC Warnings Group continues to work collaboratively towards The AFAC Position paper, Climate Change in the Emergency Services the implementation of the recommendations from the National Sector (2009), was identified as requiring review and was circulated Review of Warnings and Information. Over the past year the focus to AFAC Rural and Land Management (RLM) Group members for has been on the implementation of Recommendations 2 and 3 from comment in February/March 2017. the national review. In May 2017, the RLM Group agreed to revise and update the 2009 Recommendation 2 called for the review and development of key position paper and nominated members within RLM to provide national documents on warnings, as consistent national doctrine will support. contribute to a nationally consistent approach to warnings. The AFAC Climate Change Group submitted a national paper, The Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience (AIDR), an operating Climate Change and the Emergency Management Sector, to AFAC division of AFAC, managed a project to develop a Public Information Council in May 2018. The paper identified current and potential and Warnings Handbook, a new Handbook in the Australian Disaster implications of climate change for the EM sector and suggested Resilience Handbook Collection for which it is custodian, at the ways to support climate change adaptation and reduce the sector’s request of Emergency Management Australia (EMA). AFAC Warnings contribution to it. Group members, together with representatives from police and During 2018-19, the AFAC Climate Change Group will be required to health, contributed to the development of the Handbook. deliver the recommendations proposed to AFAC Council and support The Public Information & Warnings Handbook incorporates current the development of strategic priorities and initiatives for AFAC research and industry good practice, in addition to consolidating members and the EM sector. the information contained within Australia’s Emergency Warning This will include providing strategic advice to AFAC Council and Arrangements and the Best Practice Guide for Warning Originators. AFAC groups and members regarding climate change, identifying Two new companion documents were also developed as part of the opportunities and risks, developing a revised AFAC position on project. climate change and developing a strategy to support members with Nationally agreed principles for the provision of warnings were communications related to climate change and major disaster events. first established in 2008. As part of the development of the Public Jurisdictions have started to utilise the paper as a reference during Information and Warnings Handbook, 10 revised principles were state and territory based climate change initiatives. developed and adopted by the Commissioners and Chief Officers Strategic Committee (CCOSC) in May 2018. BUILT ENVIRONMENT ADVOCACY These 10 principles guide the development and use of warnings in Australia. They outline why warnings are important and how The 2014 Lacrosse fire in Melbourne and the 2017 Grenfell Tower warnings are provided most effectively. The National Warnings disaster in London have prompted widespread action across sectors, principles will ensure greater consistency in the provision of warnings including government, the building industry, researchers and fire and information to the community during emergencies and disasters. services. This has had significant impact in the built environment sector over the past twelve months. Recommendation 3 of the Review called for a nationally consistent warnings framework. CCOSC endorsed a project “Towards a National AFAC and it members have been making significant contributions to Warnings Framework” and committed to a consistent national the various cladding taskforces established by most states, working warnings framework across all states and all hazards based on a three with the relevant authorities in developing and implementing level warning system. risk reduction strategies for buildings identified with external combustible cladding. CCOSC acknowledged that while there is research and evidence available on community messaging, there is less understanding on AFAC on behalf of members, provided a submission to the Senate how different warning levels are interpreted by communities. There Inquiry into Non-Conforming Building Products and presented at the is a need to better understand what makes sense to the community Inquiry. AFAC called on the Senators to recommend greater clarity, with regard to risk information and threat levels across a range of simplicity and consistency across states regarding building material hazards and what actions communities need to take. To this end certification, compliance and regulatory enforcement. CCOSC committed to a program of social science research that will AFAC, through the Built Environment Technical Group and Bushfire occur during the 2018-19 year. Standards Technical Group, has provided significant input into numerous building and plumbing standards and codes. These have included the National Construction Code 2019: Public Comment Draft and participation in over 30 Standards committees related to fire safety in the built environment. As a result of research led by Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) into fire sprinkler protection for residential buildings under 25 metres, AFAC, FPA Australia and FRNSW submitted and advocated a proposal for change for the National Construction Code from early 2019. The aim is to have sprinklers installed into more buildings and ultimately improve community fire safety.

| 13 AFAC INDEPENDENT OPERATIONAL REVIEWS September 2017 June 2018 VICTORIAN CLADDING TASKFORCE ASSISTANCE FOR THE INDEPENDENT REVIEW INTO THE MARCH AFAC provided a formal submission and support of the work 2018 POTTERS HILL FIRE, ACT currently being undertaken by the Victorian Cladding Taskforce. AFAC was requested to undertake a review of the circumstances AFAC is advocating for the urgent examination of all existing buildings around the prescribed burn planning, the antecedent conditions and above two stories to identify where combustible panels may have the management of the Potters Hill prescribed burn. The outcome been used. AFAC believes a three-stage process to identify buildings of the team’s review will be an independent report of the findings where combustible facades may be present and to put actions in provided to ACT ESA. place to mitigate or remove the risk to life is necessary. June 2018 June 2018 ASSISTANCE FOR THE INDEPENDENT REVIEW INTO THE DALY SENATE FOREIGN AFFAIRS, DEFENCE AND TRADE REFERENCE RIVER FLOOD AND TROPICAL CYCLONE MARCUS COMMITTEE – REPORT ON IMPLICATIONS OF CLIMATE CHANGE FOR AUSTRALIA’S NATIONAL SECURITY An Independent Operational Review was implemented in the Northern Territory for the ‘whole of government’ following the Daly The Committee recommended the National Aerial Firefighting River flood and Tropical Cyclone Marcus which occurred in January Centre undertake a cost benefit analysis to assess where leasing and March 2018. AFAC also contributed to this review after the arrangements or government ownership of firefighting aircraft will February/March 2017 fires. provide the best value and support to firefighters and communities in the future. AFAC SUBMISSIONS NAFC supports the principle of the recommendation, but proposes ongoing, staged implementation, whereby NAFC and the states and January 2017 territories will continue to re-evaluate the best approach. SENATE STANDING COMMITTEES OF ECONOMICS – AFAC has recently developed a national paper, Climate Change INQUIRY INTO NON-CONFIRMING BUILDING PRODUCTS and the Emergency Management Sector, which identifies current Progress on this Inquiry has resulted in the release of an Interim and potential implications of climate change for the EM sector Report. and suggests ways to support adaptation and reduce the sector’s contribution to climate change. AFAC’s submission of April 2016 mainly concentrated on matters associated with the building regulatory framework and cladding. June 2018 AFAC acknowledged the issue of the interim on non-conforming COMMITTEE SECRETARY – SENATE EDUCATION AND building products and the additional terms of reference relating EMPLOYMENT COMMITTEES to asbestos. The role of Commonwealth, state and territory Governments in June 2017 addressing the high rates of mental health conditions experienced by first responders, emergency service workers and volunteers is under TASMANIAN GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT OF PREMIER AND consideration. CABINET The AFAC submission highlights the work being done nationally Report of the Government Flood Review into the Tasmanian floods of to collaborate and share findings on the mental health of fire and June and July 2016 has now been published. emergency service personnel through AFAC and the AFAC Mental AFAC is pleased to have been able to build on our history of working Health and Wellbeing Network. together with Tasmanian Fire and Emergency Service agencies to This Network is the leading space for collaboration in mental health support this Review. for fire and emergency services, and it has prioritised a whole of lifecycle approach to mental health of fire and emergency service personnel.

14 | AFAC ANNUAL REPORT 2017-18 ANNUAL REPORT 2017-18

RESEARCH UTILISATION INITIATIVES DOCTRINE LESSONS MANAGEMENT FORUM AFAC doctrine is our most significant intellectual property asset, Lessons management practitioners from fields as diverse as articulating collective emergency management knowledge aligned to emergency management, defence and community organisations our strategic goals. came together in Melbourne for the two-day national Lessons It is for the benefit of members and, through them, our communities. Management Forum in November 2017. Our suite contains positions, guidelines, frameworks, specifications More than 120 participants, representing a broad range of sectors and training resources, which are structured to enable adoption and and from locations as diverse as the US, Australia and New Zealand, implementation by practitioners. attended the event. AFAC’s collaboration groups produce relevant and timely member- Keynote speakers from sectors such as defence, emergency consulted and nationally applicable doctrine outlining key areas of services, energy, human services and local government shared their good practice. While the doctrine does not mandate action, there is perspectives and insights on building effective lessons management, a strong imperative for its adoption and detailed reasoning must be knowledge management, research utilisation, continuous provided where no uptake occurs. improvement and innovation capability. The key themes explored on both days were the role and impact of learning and culture. AFAC’s Doctrine Development and Management Policy – revised in early 2018 – defines how doctrine is managed. It covers doctrine Presenters from across jurisdictions shared their learned lessons creation, editorial development, production and future revision to its from recent major hazards and provided insights to the people and dissemination within the industry and other stakeholders in a clear, process capabilities developed by their organisations to help address professional and useful format. gaps or maximise opportunities identified in the lessons. In 2016, AFAC’s CEO instigated a refresh program that identified all CASE STUDIES doctrine aged five years or more to be reviewed. The process of review ensured that all doctrine was updated to reflected evidence- AFAC’s research utilisation program has sought to better understand based thinking and all doctrine was published in a consistent what makes for effective utilisation. In 2017 a meta-analysis of template. 10 cases studies of research utilisation over the past three years was Proposals, withdrawals, new doctrine and revisions must achieve published in the Australian journal for Emergency management. an 80 per cent approval vote by AFAC Council members before Each case study confirms that the journey from research to utilisation ratification. is different for every end user. Several common themes emerged in the critical success factors, however, providing clues and insights to both researchers and end users on what it takes to utilise research effectively for impact in contemporary emergency management policy and practice. These factors generally relate to: • the capability of people to use or cultivate relationships and networks within AFAC, its members and the BNHCRC to collaboratively develop, guide and support the research and its pathways to utilisation • the maturity and degree of structural support at the organisational level (such as strategies, processes, resources and policies) that enable change or innovation through adoption and implementation of the research outputs. Two new case studies were published on : • on the use of human factors research to inform EMPS capabilities for incident management and professional standards and Guidance for continuing professional development for incident management • understanding factors contributing to survival and fatalities on Black Saturday to inform National guidance for key messaging for catastrophic bushfires.

| 15 COLLABORATION FRAMEWORK AS AT AUGUST 2018 AFAC COUNCIL

AFAC BOARD CCOSC

STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS FOR FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES IN AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND 2017 2021

Supporting Providing Source of Effective Informed by 1 resilient 2 trusted 3 credible and 4 governance 5 knowledge and communities response timely and resource research information management

Community Safety Predictive Services Collaborative Knowledge, Innovation and AIIMS Steering Group Procurement and Business Research Utilisation Network Group Group Strategy Group

SES Community Learning and Warnings Diversity and Inclusion Australian Institute for Safety Group Development Group Group Group Disaster Resilience Built Environment Rural and Land Workforce Management and Bushfire Planning Predictive Services (Bushfire) Technical Group Management Group Practitioners Network Group Community Engagement Fleet Technical SES Operations Group Technical Group Group

Fire Engineering Operational Equipment Urban Operations Group Network Technical Group

Fire Investigation Fire and Emergency Aviation Operational Performance Network Technical Group Technical Group

Pacific Islands Liaison Hazardous Materials Personal Protective Officers Network Technical Group Equipment Technical Group

Urban Search and Rescue Volunteer Management & Technical Rescue Technical Group Technical Group

Work Health & Safety Employee Relations Network Technical Group

Computer Simulation Mental Health and Wellbeing Network Network Standards Representatives GROUP Network Each Group, Technical Group and Network is listed under the Strategic Direction that best suits its remit, TECHNICAL GROUP however all groups are underpinned by Strategic Directions Four and Five. All AFAC collaboration activities are Emergency Management Professionalisation Scheme NETWORK informed by knowledge and research (Strategic Direction Five), and all work to achieve effective governance and Panel resource management for AFAC members (Strategic Direction Four). PANEL

*Accurate16 | AFAC as ANNUAL at August REPORT 2018 2017-18 ANNUAL REPORT 2017-18

AFAC COUNCIL