❓ WA Parliament Question on Notice regarding the National Review of the Australian Fire Danger Rating System (AFDRS). The Minister clarifies DFES's involvement in the review process and addresses concerns about forecasting inaccuracies and burn permit suspensions.
AnsweredQoN 1652Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the National review of the Australian Fire Danger Rating System(AFDRS) and question without notice 1028 asked on 13 September 2023, and I ask: (a) has the Minister been provided with a copy of the Australian Fire Authorities Council national review of the AFDRS; (b) if yes to (a), on what date was this provided; (c) has the Department of Fire and Emergency Services been provided with a copy of the Australian Fire Authorities Council national review on the AFDRS; (d) if yes to (c), on what date was this provided; (e) please table the reports or any findings of the AFAC review; (f) what feedback did the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) contribute to the national review process through the review workshop process; (g) why did your media statement of 31 May 2023 state "DFES will also undertake their own review" when this did not occur; and (h) what issues with the AFDRS were identified as a result of DFES 'ongoing continuous improvement process' and what actions are being taken to address these issues?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
7 November 2023
Responded by
Minister for Emergency Services
Response time
7 days
a) No.
b) Not applicable.
c) The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) was provided with an early version of a draft of the AFAC National Review for comment along with all other states and territories jurisdictions.
d) 11 August 2023.
e) The timing of the release of the National Review is a matter for AFAC.
f) DFES contributed the following feedback through the review workshop process by way of case study investigating of the performance of the AFDRS across the state, conducting a systems evaluation highlighting system performance, limitations and opportunities for improvement and by stakeholder and community communication surveys.
g) DFES has undertaken several review activities after the first AFDRS fire season as part of a continuous improvement process.
h) Feedback received through community and stakeholder surveys and other feedback channels has identified concerns related to perceived forecasting inaccuracies in some areas across the state and the number of burn permit suspensions during the restricted burning period. To date several system updates and workflow improvements have been made to the AFDRS.
b) Not applicable.
c) The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) was provided with an early version of a draft of the AFAC National Review for comment along with all other states and territories jurisdictions.
d) 11 August 2023.
e) The timing of the release of the National Review is a matter for AFAC.
f) DFES contributed the following feedback through the review workshop process by way of case study investigating of the performance of the AFDRS across the state, conducting a systems evaluation highlighting system performance, limitations and opportunities for improvement and by stakeholder and community communication surveys.
g) DFES has undertaken several review activities after the first AFDRS fire season as part of a continuous improvement process.
h) Feedback received through community and stakeholder surveys and other feedback channels has identified concerns related to perceived forecasting inaccuracies in some areas across the state and the number of burn permit suspensions during the restricted burning period. To date several system updates and workflow improvements have been made to the AFDRS.
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