State Government discussion paper reveals WA is experiencing an unacceptable level of arson

27/7/99

Almost half of all fires attended by firefighters in Western Australia in the past three years were suspicious or deliberately lit and caused damage estimated at more than $54 million, a State Government discussion paper has revealed.
Emergency Services Minister Kevin Prince said today it was extremely disturbing that more than 19,000 of the 39,633 fires attended by the Fire and Rescue and Bush Fire Services and the Department of Conservation and Land Management between 1995 and 1998, were suspicious or deliberately lit.
"WA, like every other Australian State, is experiencing an unacceptable level of arson driven by criminal or emotional motives which involve complex behaviours that are difficult, if not impossible to fully pre-empt and counter," the Minister said.
"It is also a disturbing fact that children are considered responsible for more than 50 per cent of all fires lit.
"While this State already has in place a wide range of strategies to combat arson, with the co-operation of the community we can further reduce the number of deaths, injury and property losses resulting from this irresponsible act."
The Minister today released for public comment, a discussion paper prepared by the Arson Task Force, a committee established by former Emergency Services Minister Bob Wiese which includes senior representatives from a range of Government and non-Government agencies.
The paper "Flame Out" - Combating Arson in Western Australia outlines a number of current and future interagency and community-based strategies designed to reduce the number of suspicious and deliberately lit fires in the State.
Close working relationships between the WA Police Service and the Fire Services division of the Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA) are a vital component.
Other current strategies include detailed analysis on arson incidents, the arson reward scheme and various community fire prevention programs such as the Juvenile and Family Fire Awareness (JAFFA) initiative which helps identified juvenile fire lighters to understand the ramifications of their actions.
Arson Task Force chairman Bill Forbes, who is Executive Director of Fire Services for FESA, said there was a need in WA for a comprehensive Arson Strategic Plan which engaged stakeholders from the community and the private and public sectors in the fight against arson.
"Only through sustained effort and commitment by the community as a whole, working in partnership with key agencies, will the problem of arson be minimised," Mr Forbes said.
"While the Task Force has identified new strategies, no single strategy will achieve our ultimate aim of reducing the incidence and prevalence of arson.
"That is why the Task Force is seeking comments and suggestions from the community on ways to reduce the incidence of arson in our State."
Commander Murray Lampard (Crime Investigations Support) said it was difficult, for a variety of reasons, for authorities to accurately determine the full extent of deliberate fire lighting or the real extent of arson in WA.
"We as a police service have come a long way in the field of arson investigation," Commander Lampard said.
"Technology, training, procedures and partnerships now mean that the skill base of a number of agencies is focused on the successful investigation of arson crimes.
"We need the community to be vigilant and pass on information to the police and fire services if they see a fire being deliberately lit or someone acting suspiciously in their area. The Arson Reward Scheme offers informants rewards of up to $25,000 for information leading to the conviction of arsonists."
Copies of the Arson Task Force discussion paper can be obtained by writing to the Executive Officer, Arson Task Force c/- Fire and Emergency Services Authority, 480 Hay Street Perth 6000.
Public submissions close on September 1, 1999.
The agencies represented on the Arson Taskforce are: The Fire Services Division of the Fire and Emergency Services Authority; Western Australia Police Service; Ministry of Justice; Department of Conservation and Land Management; Department of Contract and Management Services; Education Department; RAC Insurance.
Media contact: Kirsten Stoney 9220 5000
Kristine Smith 9323 9329 (FESA)