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❓ Mr Zempilas inquires about DFES operational doctrine for utility-scale solar farms and BESS incidents. DFES provides a list of relevant documents and their last updated dates, confirming adoption of national guidance but declining to table the documents.

AnsweredQoN 721Legislative Assembly

Asked

9 September 2025

Member

Mr Basil Zempilas

Portfolio

Emergency Services; Corrective Services; Defence Industries; Veterans; Racing and Gaming

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to the fire risks associated with utility-scale solar farms, including co-located battery energy storage systems (BESS), and I ask: (a) what Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) operational doctrine or guidance is currently in force for utility-scale solar farms and BESS incidents; (b) when was it last updated; (c) has DFES adopted or adapted any national guidance for these incidents; (d) what additional WA-specific instructions have been issued to Career Brigades, Volunteer Bush Fire Brigades and Volunteer Fire & Rescue Services; and (e) will the Minister table the current doctrine/guidance and any updates issued since 1 January 2021?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered

14 October 2025

Responded by

Minister for Emergency Services; Corrective Services; Defence Industries; Veterans; Racing and Gaming

Response time

6 days

a-b and d) The Department of Fire and Emergency Services advises:
DOCTRINE TITLE
LAST UPDATED
Lithium-Ion Battery (LiB) Response
2024
Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) – Large Scale and Residential
2024
Photovoltaic Systems (PV)
2025
Special Operations Response – Guidance Note: BESS Incidents
2022
Special Operations Response – Guidance Note: PV
2020
c) Yes
e) No, as these are operational documents for internal use.

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