Minister releases independent DEC fire review

Environment Minister Donna Faragher has released an independent review of the Department of Environment and Conservation's (DEC) ability to manage major bushfires.

Mrs Faragher instigated the review in February following a recommendation from the Coroner's inquest into the deaths of three truck drivers during a bushfire in Boorabbin National Park in December 2007.

The review was conducted by Euan Ferguson AFSM, chief officer of the Country Fire Service of South Australia with the assistance of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet.

"While the review's overall conclusion was that DEC has a sound capability and capacity for managing fire on the State's 25 million hectares of conservation lands, it did note 17 areas where improvements to DEC and its systems of work can be made," the Minister said.

"In particular, a new reference document setting out policy, doctrine and key work systems is already being developed by DEC and will be carried by all senior staff and fire management personnel in time for the coming bushfire season."

Other key points include:

·          conducting a pre-fire season exercise for Incident Management teams that could be used to 're-accredit' each team on an annual basis

·          the development of a summary Incident Action Plan to allow an Incident Controller to more quickly appreciate the situation and articulate a plan early in an incident

·          the development of a three-year aerial firefighting strategy for Western Australia to ensure optimal development of a joint air capability

·          a DEC fire management staff succession plan to minimise the loss of core fire management skills and experience in the future and provide a planned approach to development of prospective fire management staff.

Mrs Faragher said she accepts the review's observations and had asked the department to implement the matters identified in the review.

"The review states that the value of DEC staff at every level in delivering fire management in the South-West forests must not be underestimated," she said.

"Forest firefighting, incident management and fuel reduction burning are all specialised and technically challenging skills.

"The review further states that the specialist skills within DEC are in the 'best class' or 'best in class' nationally and internationally.

"I thank Mr Ferguson for his efforts in completing a thorough and comprehensive review of DECs abilities in this most important area."

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