Presentation Transcript

1. Consultation and Development of a new Emergency Services Act Michelle Smith 4 November 2012 Review of the Emergency Services Acts Regional Roadshow February – April 2013 WA Fire and Emergency Services Conference 2012 Government of Western Australia Department of Fire and Emergency Services
2. Consultation and Development of a new Emergency Services Act Michelle Smith 4 November 2012 Agenda: History of the legislation Reasons for review Background Review process General categories to consider Making a submission WA Fire and Emergency Services Conference 2012 Government of Western Australia Department of Fire and Emergency Services
3. Emergency Services Legislation Currently: Fire Brigades Act 1942 Bush Fires Act 1954 Fire and Emergency Services Act 1998(formerly the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia Act 1998) Government of Western Australia Department of Fire and Emergency Services
4. 1942
5. 1942 Government of Western Australia Department of Fire and Emergency Services
6. 1942 courtesy DFES Heritage Collection Government of Western Australia Department of Fire and Emergency Services
7. Fire Brigades Act 1942 Government of Western Australia Department of Fire and Emergency Services
8. 1954
9. 1954 courtesy DFES Heritage Collection Government of Western Australia Department of Fire and Emergency Services
10. Bush Fires Act 1954 Government of Western Australia Department of Fire and Emergency Services
11. 1998
12. Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia Act 1998 (now renamed the Fire and Emergency Services Act 1998) Government of Western Australia Department of Fire and Emergency Services
13. Emergency Services Legislation Reason for review: Our current legislation is complex It does not reflect the vital ways our emergency services organisations interact and rely on each other Our aim is to make it simpler and more reflective of how we serve our communities today Government of Western Australia Department of Fire and Emergency Services
14. Emergency Services Legislation Reason for review: Recent major incidents have highlighted problems with the legislation Example: handover of control at the most critical point of an incident management of communications and evacuations Government of Western Australia Department of Fire and Emergency Services
15. Emergency Services Legislation Background: October 2006 – CDJSC’s Report on the Inquiry into Fire and Emergency Services Legislation Since this report… Government of Western Australia Department of Fire and Emergency Services
16. Emergency Services Legislation Background: Cyclones George & Jacob – March 2007 Boorabbin Fire – December 2007 Toodyay Fire – December 2009 Perth Hail Storm – March 2010 Kalgoorlie Earthquake – April 2010 Perth Hills & Lake Clifton Fires – February 2011 Margaret River Fire – November 2011 Government of Western Australia Department of Fire and Emergency Services
17. Emergency Services Legislation Review process: Preliminary Consultation (this phase) Development of Draft Options Paper Consultation of Draft Options Paper Parliamentary Drafting Process Expected completion date: December 2015 Government of Western Australia Department of Fire and Emergency Services
18. Emergency Services Legislation Preliminary Consultation: This is truly a blank slate – information gathering We are working with associations and agencies to coordinate submissions Road shows, meetings, conference calls, emails Six month timeframe – November 2012 to April 2013 Government of Western Australia Department of Fire and Emergency Services
19. Hot Topics Talking points Some General Categories to Consider: Functions (who does what and when) Powers (tools to help us do our jobs) Incident Control (first on scene to escalation) Government of Western Australia Department of Fire and Emergency Services
20. Hot Topics Talking points Some General Categories to Consider: Career and volunteer protection Training (cost, delivery, standards) Fuel load management and enforcement (across the different land types) Government of Western Australia Department of Fire and Emergency Services
21. Hot Topics Talking points Functions: Clearly sets out agency functions to ensure that overlaps and potential conflicts can be recognised and managed Government of Western Australia Department of Fire and Emergency Services
22. Hot Topics Talking points Powers: Identify and provide appropriate powers for agencies such as: Emergency prevention powers Emergency response powers (including evacuation) Investigative powers Inspection powers Enforcement and compliance powers Government of Western Australia Department of Fire and Emergency Services
23. Hot Topics Talking points Incident control: Primary control of emergencies Handover of control of bushfire All forms of emergency – structure fire, road crash rescue, cyclone, marine rescue, etc. Government of Western Australia Department of Fire and Emergency Services
24. Hot Topics Talking points How do we look after our volunteers? What are the challenges and opportunities that arise within the changing landscape? Government of Western Australia Department of Fire and Emergency Services
25. Hot Topics Talking points Training: How do we address challenges and opportunities with regard to training career and volunteer personnel? Government of Western Australia Department of Fire and Emergency Services
26. Hot Topics Talking points Fuel load management and enforcement: Gazetted districts DEC-managed lands Unallocated Crown Land Remote Indigenous Communities Government of Western Australia Department of Fire and Emergency Services
27. Emergency Services Legislation We need and value your knowledge: What do we mean by a submission? Brief context – How did it arise? Main issue/challenge/success Comment/suggestion/solution What are the ways you can make a submission? Government of Western Australia Department of Fire and Emergency Services
28. Emergency Services Legislation Government of Western Australia Department of Fire and Emergency Services
29. Emergency Services Legislation Contact us: Michelle Smith A/Project Manager (08) 9395 9763 Taryn Boot Administration Officer (08) 9395 9596 legislation@dfes.wa.gov.au DFES Legislation Review Emergency Services Complex 20 Stockton Bend Cockburn Central PERTH WA 6164 PO Box P1174 PERTH WA 6844 Government of Western Australia Department of Fire and Emergency Services
30. Emergency Services Legislation How do we keep you informed: What are the best ways to keep you updated? Government of Western Australia Department of Fire and Emergency Services