❓ Hon Martin Aldridge questions DFES's use of administrative regions for disseminating Total Fire Ban information, citing potential public confusion. DFES acknowledges the issue and outlines plans for a more localised approach through the Next Generation Warnings Project.
AnsweredQoN 1244Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the confusion being created by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) by utilising references to DFES administrative regions when disseminating important public information, and I ask: (a) why is DFES persisting with the use of their administrative regions when broadcasting information such as Total Fire Bans; (b) does DFES understand and appreciate that their administrative regions are not well understood and may result in community confusion; and (c) will DFES adopt, as was the case throughout the COVID-19 State Government response, regional boundaries as defined by the Regional Development Commissions Act 1993 ?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
15 March 2023
Responded by
Minister for Emergency Services
Response time
6 days
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) advises:
(a) The Emergency WA website displays Total Fire Bans without reference to DFES regions and is organised by local government authorities. However, DFES regions are mentioned in social media posts, on the 13 DFES (133 337) information line, and automatically generated emails that are sent to relevant stakeholders, such as media outlets, to inform them of Total Fire Ban declarations. This assists media and other stakeholders in effectively communicate Total Fire Bans to the appropriate regional audiences.
(b) Through the Next Generation Warnings Project, DFES is redesigning the Emergency WA platform to deliver faster, more targeted, and personalised emergency information to the community – the scope of which includes Total Fire Bans. Feedback on this aspect of the platform will be taken into account.
(c) DFES regions serve an important purpose for effective incident management. DFES is cognisant that members of the public are not always familiar with these regions. Through the Next Generation Warnings Project, DFES is moving towards a more localised and targeted approach which should see a reduction in the use of administrative boundaries for public information purposes.
(a) The Emergency WA website displays Total Fire Bans without reference to DFES regions and is organised by local government authorities. However, DFES regions are mentioned in social media posts, on the 13 DFES (133 337) information line, and automatically generated emails that are sent to relevant stakeholders, such as media outlets, to inform them of Total Fire Ban declarations. This assists media and other stakeholders in effectively communicate Total Fire Bans to the appropriate regional audiences.
(b) Through the Next Generation Warnings Project, DFES is redesigning the Emergency WA platform to deliver faster, more targeted, and personalised emergency information to the community – the scope of which includes Total Fire Bans. Feedback on this aspect of the platform will be taken into account.
(c) DFES regions serve an important purpose for effective incident management. DFES is cognisant that members of the public are not always familiar with these regions. Through the Next Generation Warnings Project, DFES is moving towards a more localised and targeted approach which should see a reduction in the use of administrative boundaries for public information purposes.
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