❓ Question regarding the public release of fuel load information following the Kelmscott Roleystone fires and concerns it may facilitate arson. The response outlines FESA's concerns, lack of specific evidence but reliance on arsonist profiling, and support for controlled release of information to local communities.
AnsweredQoN 7291Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to a recommendation of the Keelty inquiry into the Kelmscott Roleystone fires that fuel load information be made public and to concerns expressed by Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA) that this may facilitate arson, and I ask:
(a) what is the basis of these concerns;
(b) is there any evidence from Western Australia or elsewhere to support these assertions;
(c) have FESA examined any alternatives for release of this information which might minimise this risk; and
(i) if so, what alternative proposals, if any, are being examined?
(a) what is the basis of these concerns;
(b) is there any evidence from Western Australia or elsewhere to support these assertions;
(c) have FESA examined any alternatives for release of this information which might minimise this risk; and
(i) if so, what alternative proposals, if any, are being examined?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
19 March 2012
Responded by
Minister for Emergency Services
Response time
26 days
The
Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia (FESA)
advises:
(a) The concerns expressed by FESA Fire Investigation and Analysis Unit (FIAU) were that if the fuel loads of different areas are made available to the public, arsonists may use this information to maximise the impact of their fire setting activities.
This concern was also supported by WA Police Arson Squad and the Department of Environment and Conservation's representative on the Bushfire Investigation Team (BIT) committee. The BIT meet fortnightly over the fire season to ensure that all deliberate or suspicious fire activity is being passed between agencies and to identify fires across all land tenures.
(b) Although unaware of any specific evidence supporting these assertions, profiling of arsonists has shown that they often research and select their targets to maximise impact.
This is highlighted by the number of deliberate fires occurring in the early afternoon as the sea breeze develops. By providing fuel load information to the public it will potentially allow arsonists to target these areas and combine high fuel loads with strong winds ensuring devastating results.
(c) FESA supports Recommendation 21 of
A Shared Responsibility: The Report of the Perth Hills Bushfire - February 2011
which refers to local communities having access to fuel load information for their locale. FESA will assist the Bushfire Risk Identification and Mitigation Project Team to develop the best model for community consumption with adequate safeguards to prevent arsonists from maliciously using the fuel load data.
(i) The Bushfire Risk Identification and Mitigation Project Team has been tasked with considering these issues at the end of the current bushfire season.
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Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia (FESA)
advises:
(a) The concerns expressed by FESA Fire Investigation and Analysis Unit (FIAU) were that if the fuel loads of different areas are made available to the public, arsonists may use this information to maximise the impact of their fire setting activities.
This concern was also supported by WA Police Arson Squad and the Department of Environment and Conservation's representative on the Bushfire Investigation Team (BIT) committee. The BIT meet fortnightly over the fire season to ensure that all deliberate or suspicious fire activity is being passed between agencies and to identify fires across all land tenures.
(b) Although unaware of any specific evidence supporting these assertions, profiling of arsonists has shown that they often research and select their targets to maximise impact.
This is highlighted by the number of deliberate fires occurring in the early afternoon as the sea breeze develops. By providing fuel load information to the public it will potentially allow arsonists to target these areas and combine high fuel loads with strong winds ensuring devastating results.
(c) FESA supports Recommendation 21 of
A Shared Responsibility: The Report of the Perth Hills Bushfire - February 2011
which refers to local communities having access to fuel load information for their locale. FESA will assist the Bushfire Risk Identification and Mitigation Project Team to develop the best model for community consumption with adequate safeguards to prevent arsonists from maliciously using the fuel load data.
(i) The Bushfire Risk Identification and Mitigation Project Team has been tasked with considering these issues at the end of the current bushfire season.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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