❓ Question regarding rejected offers of assistance from fire units during the Waroona-Yarloop bushfires and the authority behind those rejections. The answer acknowledges assistance received but cannot confirm if offers were declined due to time constraints and operational complexities.
AnsweredQoN 371Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
WAROONA–YARLOOP BUSHFIRES —
ASSISTANCE
371. Hon SALLY TALBOT to the Attorney General
representing the Minister for Emergency Services:
(1) Were offers
of assistance from fire units from Boddington, Northcliffe, Leschenault and
Manjimup rejected during the Waroona–Yarloop bushfire?
(2) If yes to (1), on whose
authority were these offers of assistance rejected?
ASSISTANCE
371. Hon SALLY TALBOT to the Attorney General
representing the Minister for Emergency Services:
(1) Were offers
of assistance from fire units from Boddington, Northcliffe, Leschenault and
Manjimup rejected during the Waroona–Yarloop bushfire?
(2) If yes to (1), on whose
authority were these offers of assistance rejected?
AnswerView source ↗
On behalf of the Minister for
Emergency Services, I thank the honourable member for some notice of the
question. The Department of Fire and Emergency Services advises —
(1)–(2) Bush
fire brigades from the Shires of Northcliffe, Harvey—Leschenault bush
fire brigade—and Manjimup attended the Waroona complex fire incident in
some capacity over the extended duration of this incident. However, it is not
possible in the time frame given to determine whether offers of assistance from
these bush fire brigades may have been declined at various times, as the
Waroona complex fire was a significant, extended bushfire with multiple
agencies and brigades involved from different regions. Bush fire brigades
frequently offer their assistance; however, these offers must be balanced
against the operational needs at a given moment. Considerations may include
whether sufficient resources were available at the time of the offer, the need
to leave sufficient resources within a region in the event of an incident
occurring in that region and whether the bush fire brigades were being fatigue
managed. Although bush fire brigades are always willing to assist, this is
sometimes to their own detriment. The Department of Fire and Emergency Services
must ensure their safety and wellbeing.
Emergency Services, I thank the honourable member for some notice of the
question. The Department of Fire and Emergency Services advises —
(1)–(2) Bush
fire brigades from the Shires of Northcliffe, Harvey—Leschenault bush
fire brigade—and Manjimup attended the Waroona complex fire incident in
some capacity over the extended duration of this incident. However, it is not
possible in the time frame given to determine whether offers of assistance from
these bush fire brigades may have been declined at various times, as the
Waroona complex fire was a significant, extended bushfire with multiple
agencies and brigades involved from different regions. Bush fire brigades
frequently offer their assistance; however, these offers must be balanced
against the operational needs at a given moment. Considerations may include
whether sufficient resources were available at the time of the offer, the need
to leave sufficient resources within a region in the event of an incident
occurring in that region and whether the bush fire brigades were being fatigue
managed. Although bush fire brigades are always willing to assist, this is
sometimes to their own detriment. The Department of Fire and Emergency Services
must ensure their safety and wellbeing.
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