Dr. Pettitt questions the Minister for Emergency Services regarding the lack of readily available waterbombers for a recent fire in north Walpole, particularly concerning contract extensions and deployment times. The Minister deflects, stating the fire was managed by DBCA.

AnsweredQoN 397Legislative Council
Asked
8 May 2024
Portfolio
Emergency Services

QuestionView source ↗

FIRE AND EMERGENCY
SERVICES — WALPOLE FIRE
397. Hon Dr BRAD PETTITT to the Minister for Emergency
Services:
I refer to community reports that
the Department of Fire and Emergency Services did not have waterbombers
available within the district for the recent fire in north Walpole because it
had not extended contracts to keep equipment on the south coast despite the
drought and increased fire risk.
(1) How long did it take to get
aerial support to the fire?
(2) Where did the waterbombers have
to come from?
(3) Why were no waterbombers
stationed in Albany or Manjimup?
(4) If
waterbombers were stationed in Albany or Manjimup on 25 April, why were they
not deployed immediately at first light?
(5) Why was the
waterbomber contract for the south coast not extended given the extended dry
summer, drought and tinderbox conditions we have been experiencing?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
This question relates to a fire
that was managed by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and
Attractions, so it requires information from
DBCA. The member can do one of two things: he can ask the question of the
Minister for Environment or he can place this one on notice and I will
get him an answer through that on-notice process.

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