❓ A parliamentary question regarding potential chemical contamination at the Forrestfield Training Centre, prompted by revelations at Fiskville, Victoria. The response details historical chemical use, health monitoring programs, and environmental assessments indicating no current health risks.
AnsweredQoN 8779Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the recent revelations about fire fighter training at Fiskville ,Victoria, concerning the use of chemicals in that training between 1971 and 1999, and I ask:
(a) can the Minister advise as to whether similar practices occurred at Forrestfield Training Centre in Western Australia;
(b) if so, over what time were these practices engaged in;
(c) what measures, if any, are being taken to assess those potentially exposed to toxic and/or carcinogenic substances whilst undergoing training;
(d) if none, why not;
(e) has the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) consulted with the Fire and Emergency Services Authority at any stage about remediation of whole or part of the Forrestfield site; and
(f) if so, what were the EPA findings or recommendations?
(a) can the Minister advise as to whether similar practices occurred at Forrestfield Training Centre in Western Australia;
(b) if so, over what time were these practices engaged in;
(c) what measures, if any, are being taken to assess those potentially exposed to toxic and/or carcinogenic substances whilst undergoing training;
(d) if none, why not;
(e) has the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) consulted with the Fire and Emergency Services Authority at any stage about remediation of whole or part of the Forrestfield site; and
(f) if so, what were the EPA findings or recommendations?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
15 November 2012
Responded by
Minister for Emergency Services
Response time
50 days
The
Fire and Emergency Services Authority
advises:
(a) It is uncertain whether the practices employed at the Forrestfield Training Centre (FTC) are similar to those at Fiskville, however, the WA Fire Brigades Board, prior to the creation of FESA, did use chemicals as part of fire services training.
(b) From the early 1980's until 1993, when the facility was closed for refurbishment.
(c) In the past, as is the case today, all personnel undertaking fire training at the FTC were/are required to wear Personal Protective Clothing. FESA is implementing a fire fighter health monitoring program for all fire fighting personnel who may be at risk as a result of chemical exposure at FTC during the period up to 1993. This program will be part of the voluntary fire fighting health monitoring program which includes monitoring past exposures such as the Bellevue fire in 2001. To date approximately 270 fire fighters participate in the program.
(d) Not applicable
(e) There has been no contact from the Environmental Protection Authority regarding remediation of the site. However, the first environmental assessments on the site were conducted in 2003 and since that time a series of detailed studies, including sampling and monitoring, have taken place. The Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) appointed LandCorp to oversee the project management of the site assessment. A detailed site investigation (DSI) was conducted by environmental consultants, Golder Associates Pty Ltd (Golder) commencing in 2008. Following the completion of the detailed site study in 2012 Golder prepared a Site Management Plan (SMP) which sets out procedures and practices for the site. The SMP does not detail any requirement for remediation of the site. The key outcome of the DSI is that there are no potential health risks to people using the site under current practices.
(f) Not applicable
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
Fire and Emergency Services Authority
advises:
(a) It is uncertain whether the practices employed at the Forrestfield Training Centre (FTC) are similar to those at Fiskville, however, the WA Fire Brigades Board, prior to the creation of FESA, did use chemicals as part of fire services training.
(b) From the early 1980's until 1993, when the facility was closed for refurbishment.
(c) In the past, as is the case today, all personnel undertaking fire training at the FTC were/are required to wear Personal Protective Clothing. FESA is implementing a fire fighter health monitoring program for all fire fighting personnel who may be at risk as a result of chemical exposure at FTC during the period up to 1993. This program will be part of the voluntary fire fighting health monitoring program which includes monitoring past exposures such as the Bellevue fire in 2001. To date approximately 270 fire fighters participate in the program.
(d) Not applicable
(e) There has been no contact from the Environmental Protection Authority regarding remediation of the site. However, the first environmental assessments on the site were conducted in 2003 and since that time a series of detailed studies, including sampling and monitoring, have taken place. The Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) appointed LandCorp to oversee the project management of the site assessment. A detailed site investigation (DSI) was conducted by environmental consultants, Golder Associates Pty Ltd (Golder) commencing in 2008. Following the completion of the detailed site study in 2012 Golder prepared a Site Management Plan (SMP) which sets out procedures and practices for the site. The SMP does not detail any requirement for remediation of the site. The key outcome of the DSI is that there are no potential health risks to people using the site under current practices.
(f) Not applicable
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
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.