Official magazine of the Fire & Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia Issue 2, 2012 OPERATIONAL INCIDENTS From the CEO It is an honour and a privilege to have recently As I travel around the State meeting people been reappointed by the State Government to lead from all parts of the FESA family, I am constantly this great organisation for a five year term, and to impressed with the dedication, community spirit and continue the journey with such a dedicated and determination to give of their best. At the same time, committed team of staff and volunteers. I am also keenly aware of the valuable support and understanding shown to both career and volunteer Since joining FESA in September 2011 my agenda personnel by family, friends and employers. has been to make significant changes that will reshape our agency for the future with a focus At the recent awards for the Volunteer Employer on enhancing the operational side of the business. Recognition Program (VERP) it was tremendous to meet with the many different employers who stand Therefore, it was extremely pleasing and rewarding behind our volunteers and support them. The VERP for me to see a significant milestone met on 2 July is a unique and special event, and this year there Burnt out sections of Mt Lawley Primary School. Photos courtesy of The West Australian. 2012 when the first phase of the new organisational was a record number of nominations. This was a structure was implemented. This means we now fantastic response, and testament to the success have a solid platform from which to continue of the program. building our operational capacity and capability. Deliberate fire razes historic school This is an exciting and dynamic period of change Completing this initial stage of the restructure for our organisation as we work together to build has involved a great deal of planning, energy and and deliver a top line service for the community of commitment over many months. I thank everyone Western Australia. who has contributed to this first stage of our blueprint for the future. There are a number of significant initiatives, A deliberately lit fire that started Darren said as soon as the incident had The fire was contained by 1.44am programs and events being developed and been assessed, firefighters attacked the and declared under control half an While a great deal of attention has been focused implemented over the next few months that will shortly before midnight on fire aggressively. hour later. on achieving organisational change, our frontline change the way we operate. Heading the list is our Saturday 7 July 2012, gutted personnel continue to respond to emergencies. transition to a Department, as well as our move most of the century old Mount “The fire already had a large hold and Firefighters remained on site during Over recent times incidents have included several to the new purpose built complex in Cockburn in Lawley Primary School and the fact that it was a deliberate act the early hours of Sunday through to major structure fires, serious road crashes and October. I will keep you all well informed as we draw would have contributed to this,” he the afternoon, dampening down the shocked the local community. said. “I have never seen fire spread hazmat spills, sea and air searches and rescues. closer to these major events. smouldering fire and returned again There was also a series of destructive storms that through a structure so quickly. Fire crews sent to the scene found on Monday morning. predominantly hit the Perth metropolitan area and Our goal is to work closely as a team and introduce the blaze in the main building well “On arrival firefighters were confronted South West region in June. Snapshots of some of these changes with minimal disruption. From past advanced and more than 50 firefighters Urban Search and Rescue officers were these incidents are covered in this current issue of experience I know the way the FESA family operates, with the sight of the roof fully alight, and battled to contain it. it later collapsed completely.” called in to check the structural integrity 24seven. and it will be seamless and successful. of the main building. Incident Controller Darren Martin Darren said the strategy was to focus WAYNE GREGSON APM said the firefighting effort had been A structural engineer also attended, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER on cutting off the fire and protecting exceptionally good. exposures. and the area was cordoned off to ensure the fire ground was safe for both “A deliberately lit fire of this nature is “We achieved our objective and FESA and WA Police Arson Squad fire always going to be difficult to combat, although 85 percent of the old school investigators to enter. Contents Cover photo: Canning/South Perth State Emergency Service Unit but firefighters worked hard to save was lost, crews managed to save the volunteer Luke Van Baaren as much of the remaining structure as remainder that was on fire, as well as Fire Investigation Officer Gillian Managing Editor: Michelle Neil possible,” Darren said. buildings sited slightly away from the Humphreys said initial investigations Editor: Kristine Smith main structure. revealed indicators that it was an Operational Incidents.......... 3 – 13 Contributors: Lauren Emmerson, Allen Gale, Lauren Gardiner, “There was a huge amount of interest Johanna Garnett, Elena Kane, Glenn Knight, Natasha Thorson from parents and children associated “Two combined ladder platform incendiary or deliberately lit fire. Design: Jemma Williams with the school, as well as bystanders, appliances were used to help suppress General News .................. 14 – 33 “A joint scene investigation was and many were in tears as they took in the blaze and reduce smoke levels.” Magazine articles are welcome – please email 24seven Editor at the level of destruction. conducted by FESA and WA Police, Training and Resources .... 34 – 44 FESA Media and Public Affairs: [email protected] Officers from the Department of who confirmed that the fire was caused Stories should be up to 500 words in length and submitted with “Firefighters who were at the school on Environment and Conservation Pollution by arson,” Gillian said. accompanying images wherever possible. Digital photographs are Monday ensuring any hot spots were Response Unit attended the scene to required at high resolution (300dpi) to ensure acceptable quality Awards and Recognition ... 45 – 50 The WA Police Arson Squad recently for printing. extinguished, made a point of stopping monitor air quality in the vicinity of the charged three juveniles in relation to For permission to use material in this publication, please contact to talk to the young students who were fire, and found that the smoke was of Youth .............................. 51 – 52 the Editor on (08) 9323 9570. there looking at the site.” potential irritant level only. the $9 million fire. 2 24seven Issue 2, 2012 24seven Issue 2, 2012 3 OPERATIONAL INCIDENTS Regional Operations Centres (ROC) were established at the SES in Rockingham-Kwinana and Canning- South Perth, as well as the Bunker in Belmont, and Bunbury and Manjimup FESA offices. Local South West crews were busy attending more than 400 requests for assistance, while nearby Australind, Harvey, Waroona, Pinjarra and Collie SES units collectively responded to 140 additional incidents. A total of 65 calls were received by the SES Lower South West, with seven local units activated. The Rockingham ROC received the Above: Storm damaged flats in Tuart Hill. Photo courtesy of The West Australian. majority of requests for help over the storm period, taking 1,000 calls. June winter storms pack a punch Storm impact widespread The impact of the June storms was widespread, with reports of major and Wild winter weather and its “The storm caused more than a million being assisted to find alternative The affected area stretched from away damage and debris, and help minor structural damage, and utilities destructive aftermath meant a dollars damage to around 100 homes, accommodation. Kalbarri to Kalgoorlie in the east, residents and businesses recover from and railway boom gates also affected. several businesses and road, gas and and Israelite Bay on the south coast. the storms,” Lloyd said. busy start to the storm season, local infrastructure. A church building lost its entire roof, Strong winds lifted the roof off a block with the State Emergency and a Walter Road video rental store The Perth coastal suburbs of Cockburn, “The pressure was unrelenting, but the of units in suburban Tuart Hill, requiring “Most of the destruction occurred in a sustained roof, wall and window Rockingham and Mandurah, as well dedication and determination of our residents to be evacuated. Service (SES) answering four kilometre east-west strip about one as the South West and in particular people across the board, and the help damage. The new Coventry Markets Bunbury Regional Hospital sustained kilometre wide, stretching from Morley Bunbury, bore the brunt of the storms. received from Defence Force and South more than 1,500 calls for help and a real estate office in Morley also damage to windows in the paediatric Drive in Dianella towards the Morley Australian SES volunteers, ensured that between 7 and 12 June. sustained damage. On Sunday a significant storm surge wing, but the hospital continued to shopping precinct.” the job was done well.” The high voltage transmission line that was reported along the south west operate normally. People in Morley and Dianella were Teams of State Emergency Service follows Morley Drive and other lines coast, as sea levels rose over a metre Statewide, more than 650 SES Western Power reported that shaken by the roar and ripping volunteers, career Fire and Rescue in residential areas was damaged in above the normal high tide mark in volunteers, career and volunteer unprecedented damage had apart of buildings when damaging Service firefighters, Bush Fire Brigades the storm, causing more than 30,000 Geographe Bay.