2012-13 Regional Briefing Survey Follow Up

January 2013

2012-13 Regional Briefing Survey Follow Up

Regional Briefing Survey Follow Up

1331 people participated in the Regional Briefings in 2012. Over 300 of these people completed the online post briefing survey and were asked 23 true/false questions relating to the content of the presentation and scenario workshop to determine how well the content of the briefings was understood. While the responses to most of the questions showed an understanding of the briefing content, the questions relating to Transfer of Control, Evacuation and Warnings and Advice (questions 9.1, 9.2, 10.2, 10.3, 10.5 and 11.5) require further clarification to ensure they are understood.

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This document provides the correct response to each question. Please read and discuss the responses with your peers.

Correct Answers and Explanations

Q 7.1 FBANs only work at the SCC and do not work within IMTs. True or False? The correct response is False. FBANS primarily work from the State Control Centre (SCC) providing State level products but they may be dispatched to an Incident Control Centre (ICC) to provide local predictive fire behaviour products to the Incident Management Team (IMT) if required. Q 7.2 Fire behaviour estimates describe expected fire behaviour for an established fire of over 10 hectares in a standard fuel type for the region. True or False? The correct response is True. Fire behaviour estimates describe expected fire behaviour for an established fire. These estimates are based on the gridded weather data from the Bureau of Meteorology. Forest / Grassland Fire Danger Indices (FDI) are calculated using gridded weather data for a seven day period. Grassland FDI is calculated using curing % which is updated weekly. Severe and Extreme Fire Dangers result in high levels of suppression difficulty, except for very early in the development of a fire (about 20 minutes from ignition) or in very low fuels levels (moderate or low). Fires can be expected to spread overnight if the Fire Danger Rating (FDR) does not become low. Other variables, such as slope, are predetermined for a regional area based on the most common slope characteristic for each of the 10 estimate sample locations. Fire behaviour can vary outside these estimate locations and it is important to remember that these are estimates based on forecast conditions and assumptions about fuel and slope; and may vary to experienced localised conditions. Q 7.3 Head Fire Intensity images show the potential headfire intensity of an established fire. True or False? The correct response is True. Again these estimates are developed using the data applied to the fire behaviour estimates and will show variations over time in hourly intervals.

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2012-13 Regional Briefing Survey Follow Up

Q 7.4 Phoenix Rapidfire Fire Spread Prediction is generated automatically for all fire starts at the time of fire report. True or False? The correct response is True. For all those fires which are recorded in CFA and DSEs incident management systems. The predictive mapping is then available on Emergency Map (eMap) on FireWeb. Q 7.5 Fire behaviour predictions do not rely on field observations to make them more accurate. True or False? The correct answer is False. In the case of any predictive services, the more accurate the local weather and fuel information, the more accurate the predictions for fire behaviour will be. Therefore, it is important to validate the ignition location and local weather information and provide this to FBANs as soon as possible. Q 8.1 An incident can have more than one Incident Controller at one time. True or False? The correct answer is False. For safety and efficiency reasons it is essential that an incident only ever has one clearly identified Incident Controller (IC). However, more than one Deputy IC can be appointed. (Reference: Joint SOP 3.08 - Appointment of Incident Controllers). Q8.2 Effective communication is crucial for enabling an integrated initial attack. True or False? The correct answer is True. For safety and efficiency reasons it is essential that an incident has effective communications and cooperation from all agencies involved. Initially this will be through default communications plans (found in the Local Mutual Aid Plan) until the IC authorises an Incident Communications Plan. (Reference: Joint SOP 2.01 - Local Mutual Aid Plans & Joint SOP 2.02 Incident Communications Plans) Q9.1 The need to issue warnings and advice to the community is a trigger that will drive transfer of control from the fireground. True or False? The correct answer is True. The need to issue warnings and advice to the community is one of several indicators to trigger transfer of control from the fireground. It may not always be possible at that time, and the task should be referred up the chain of command/line of control until local transfer of control can be safely achieved if still required. (Reference: Victorian Fire Agency Bushfire Handbook 2012-13 page 38) Q9.2 The potential for evacuation is not a trigger to drive transfer of control. True or False? The correct answer is False. The potential need for an evacuation is one of several indicators to trigger the need for transfer of control and will most likely effect it sooner than later. (Reference: Victorian Fire Agency Bushfire Handbook 2012-13 page 38) Q9.3 An incident must move from Level 1 to Level 2 before it can become a Level 3 incident. True or False? The correct answer is False. Within AIIMS, incident classification is entirely flexible. An incident starting on a day of extreme fire danger, for example, with immediate implications for community or other assets, is already likely to be a Level 3 from first report. On the other hand, a small grass fire in a secluded valley on the same day might always stay a Level 1 if local resources feel they can control it at first attack and this proves to be the case. Incident Level is normally assigned by the IC, either unilaterally or following consultation with
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2012-13 Regional Briefing Survey Follow Up

chain of command/line of control. (Reference: Victorian Fire Agency Bushfire Handbook 2012-13 page 35). Q9.4 Transfer of control at joint incidents may be initiated by the first attack IC only. True or False? The correct response is False. Transfer of control may be initiated by any of the following persons: first attack IC, Rostered Duty Officer (RDO) - CFA control agency, Regional Agency Commander (RAC) - DSE control agency, or Regional Controller (major fires and potential major fires). (Reference: Victorian Fire Agency Bushfire Handbook 2012-13 page 36). Q9.5 Before transfer occurs, the first attack IC and new IC must agree on the process to transfer control. True or False? The correct answer is True. This is essential to affecting this transfer, otherwise the transfer may be untidy or fail at a critical time in the incident management escalation process. Thus, the sooner this is considered, the better the chance of success. (Reference: Victorian Fire Agency Bushfire Handbook 2012-13 page 36) Q10.1 As soon as the fire starts everyone should be considering issuing warnings and advice, including personnel involved in initial attack. True or False? The correct answer is True. The sooner appropriate warnings and advice are considered and issued, the more likely they are to also be timely, tailored and relevant, giving potentially affected communities the chance to decide and implement their response. This is consistent with the State Controllers Intent, strategic control priorities. (Reference: Victorian Fire Agency Bushfire Handbook 2012-13 page 2). Q10.2. There are four levels of warnings and advice. True or False? The correct answer is False. There are officially only three levels of warnings and advice 1: Advice, 2: Watch and Act, and 3: Emergency Warning. An All Clear message is to be issued when incident activity in an area has subsided this is not deemed to a level of Warnings and Advice. (Reference: Victorian Fire Agency Bushfire Handbook 2012-13 page 51). Q10.3 A Watch and Act message updates the community with general information to keep them up-to-date with developments. True or False? The correct answer is False. A Watch and Act message advises the community that conditions are changing and they need to start taking action now to protect their life and family. (Reference: Victorian Fire Agency Bushfire Handbook 2012-13 page 51). Q10.4 One Source One Message (OSOM) and the Victorian Bushfire Information Line (VBIL) are important tools for providing information and warnings to the community. True or False? The correct answer is True. Combined with other tools such as Emergency Alert, Standard Emergency Warning Signal (SEWS) and the general media. (Reference: Victorian Fire Agency Handbook 2012-13 page 52). Q10.5 An IC may not call the ABC Radio directly whilst the warning is being drafted to give a quick update to the community. True or False? The correct answer is False. The IC may call ABC Radio, particularly whilst an Emergency Warning is being drafted to give a quick heads-up to potentially affected community and to urge them to listen for more details and

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2012-13 Regional Briefing Survey Follow Up

prepare to respond accordingly as soon as they are released. (References: Victorian Fire Agency Handbook 2012-13 page 52, Emergency Broadcaster Practice Note version 4). Q10.6 An Emergency Warning should also use the SEWS and EA tools to assist dissemination of the message. True or False? The correct answer is True. Using SEWS and EA tools are key tools in the dissemination of an emergency warning. (Reference: Victorian Fire Agency Bushfire Handbook 2012-13 page 52). Q11.1 The Incident Controller is not responsible for recommending evacuation. True or False? The correct answer is False. The IC (after working through relevant considerations and discussion with Victoria Police, if possible) is responsible for recommending evacuation. (Reference: Victorian Fire Agency Bushfire Handbook 2012-13 page 54). Q11.2 It is compulsory for people to evacuate. True or False? The correct answer is False. It is not compulsory for people to evacuate. Generally there is no power for forced evacuation in Victoria (Reference: Victoria Police Evacuation Guidance Card August 2012). Q11.3 The Incident Controller is responsible for warning those at risk. True or False? The correct answer is True. An IC will generally only recommend evacuation when this is expected to provide a higher level of protection for members of the public than other options and can be achieved without endangering response agency personnel. Once decided, the IC must advise the Victoria Police Commander (for implementation) up the line of control and agency chain of command, the IMT and those on the fireground. (Reference: Victorian Fire Agency Bushfire Handbook 2012-13 page 54). Q11.4 Victoria Police are responsible for getting those at risk to safety. True or False? The correct answer is True. Victoria Police are responsible for managing the withdrawal of persons from the affected area, but while they will do their best to do this safely, their responsibility is to manage the evacuation process and to see that those evacuated are appropriately sheltered at a safe location. The appointed Victorian Police Evacuation Manager oversees this process in conjunction with other emergency and community services (e.g. Ambulance Victoria and support agencies). (Reference: Victorian Fire Agency Bushfire Handbook 2012-13 pages 54 - 57). Q11.5 The Incident Controller is responsible for the return of affected persons. True or False? The correct answer is False. The IC is responsible for advising and authorising when the area is safe for the return of affected persons. Victoria Police is responsible for moving affected persons, in conjunction with other emergency and community service (e.g. Ambulance Victoria and support agencies). (Reference: Victorian Fire Agency Bushfire Handbook 2012-13 pages 54 - 57).

January 2013