A parliamentary question addresses the response to a bushfire originating in the Lancelin Defence Training Area (LDTA), questioning fire service access, Defence's fire prevention measures, and responsibility for adjacent land.

AnsweredQoN 771Legislative Council
Asked
1 April 2003
Portfolio
Federal Affairs

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to a fire that was started by a lightning strike in the Lancelin defence training area on Saturday, 8 March, which was allowed to burn unchecked until it grew into a dangerous wildfire the following day threatening the communities at Lancelin and ocean farms. (1) Are state fire and emergency services permitted to work inside the LDTA to put out fires? (2) What personnel and equipment are maintained by the Department of Defence on the training area to prevent wildfires? (3) What is the response time for the department’s fire-fighting contractors? (4) Does the Premier consider it acceptable to allow bushfires to remain unchecked in areas close to human settlements and the conservation estate? (5) What agency has responsibility for the permissive occupancy area used by the Army adjoining the LDTA? Hon KIM CHANCE

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) During a fire in the LDTA, the Fire and Emergency Services Authority is allowed in. During fires, Defence advises FESA and Defence-contracted fire services to remain outside the Royal Australian Navy impact area - which represents less than five per cent of the LDTA - and to remain on tracks elsewhere in the LDTA. This advice is to reduce the risk of unexploded ordnance to firefighters. (2) Defence has a permanent presence at the LDTA. A caretaker, who is a qualified bushfire controller, conducts initial reporting. Defence maintains a heavy duty 4 x 4 water pumper and a skid-mounted tank capacity to augment a caretaker vehicle to become a fast-attack vehicle. Water storage consists of two large tanks and two operational bores. On standby, Defence maintains contracted fire services capacity at Pearce and Gingin. During the high-risk period, an additional large water tanker is on standby at Bindoon. During higher fire risk defence training activities, at least one fast-attack vehicle and crew is deployed to the LDTA. Defence and FESA have a memorandum of understanding for FESA involvement to respond and fight fires on Defence properties in Western Australia. During the fire that commenced on 8 March, Defence provided engineering plant and operators to assist FESA. The fire was contained within containment lines. (3) Defence has an immediate crewed fire response capacity at the LDTA during defence training activities with a higher fire risk. At other times, Defence’s crewed fire response capacity is two hours. This includes time to concentrate and to travel. Defence’s on-site capacity of a water pumper and fast-attack vehicle remains during this time. (4) No. (5) The Department of Land Administration is responsible for unallocated state crown land. The department delegates responsibility for fire prevention and management to FESA on all unallocated crown land. The State Government makes a contribution to FESA through DOLA for fire management.
(1) Are state fire and emergency services permitted to work inside the LDTA to put out fires? (2) What personnel and equipment are maintained by the Department of Defence on the training area to prevent wildfires? (3) What is the response time for the department’s fire-fighting contractors? (4) Does the Premier consider it acceptable to allow bushfires to remain unchecked in areas close to human settlements and the conservation estate? (5) What agency has responsibility for the permissive occupancy area used by the Army adjoining the LDTA? Hon KIM CHANCE replied : I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) During a fire in the LDTA, the Fire and Emergency Services Authority is allowed in. During fires, Defence advises FESA and Defence-contracted fire services to remain outside the Royal Australian Navy impact area - which represents less than five per cent of the LDTA - and to remain on tracks elsewhere in the LDTA. This advice is to reduce the risk of unexploded ordnance to firefighters. (2) Defence has a permanent presence at the LDTA. A caretaker, who is a qualified bushfire controller, conducts initial reporting. Defence maintains a heavy duty 4 x 4 water pumper and a skid-mounted tank capacity to augment a caretaker vehicle to become a fast-attack vehicle. Water storage consists of two large tanks and two operational bores. On standby, Defence maintains contracted fire services capacity at Pearce and Gingin. During the high-risk period, an additional large water tanker is on standby at Bindoon. During higher fire risk defence training activities, at least one fast-attack vehicle and crew is deployed to the LDTA. Defence and FESA have a memorandum of understanding for FESA involvement to respond and fight fires on Defence properties in Western Australia. During the fire that commenced on 8 March, Defence provided engineering plant and operators to assist FESA. The fire was contained within containment lines. (3) Defence has an immediate crewed fire response capacity at the LDTA during defence training activities with a higher fire risk. At other times, Defence’s crewed fire response capacity is two hours. This includes time to concentrate and to travel. Defence’s on-site capacity of a water pumper and fast-attack vehicle remains during this time. (4) No. (5) The Department of Land Administration is responsible for unallocated state crown land. The department delegates responsibility for fire prevention and management to FESA on all unallocated crown land. The State Government makes a contribution to FESA through DOLA for fire management.
(2) What personnel and equipment are maintained by the Department of Defence on the training area to prevent wildfires? (3) What is the response time for the department’s fire-fighting contractors? (4) Does the Premier consider it acceptable to allow bushfires to remain unchecked in areas close to human settlements and the conservation estate? (5) What agency has responsibility for the permissive occupancy area used by the Army adjoining the LDTA? Hon KIM CHANCE replied : I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) During a fire in the LDTA, the Fire and Emergency Services Authority is allowed in. During fires, Defence advises FESA and Defence-contracted fire services to remain outside the Royal Australian Navy impact area - which represents less than five per cent of the LDTA - and to remain on tracks elsewhere in the LDTA. This advice is to reduce the risk of unexploded ordnance to firefighters. (2) Defence has a permanent presence at the LDTA. A caretaker, who is a qualified bushfire controller, conducts initial reporting. Defence maintains a heavy duty 4 x 4 water pumper and a skid-mounted tank capacity to augment a caretaker vehicle to become a fast-attack vehicle. Water storage consists of two large tanks and two operational bores. On standby, Defence maintains contracted fire services capacity at Pearce and Gingin. During the high-risk period, an additional large water tanker is on standby at Bindoon. During higher fire risk defence training activities, at least one fast-attack vehicle and crew is deployed to the LDTA. Defence and FESA have a memorandum of understanding for FESA involvement to respond and fight fires on Defence properties in Western Australia. During the fire that commenced on 8 March, Defence provided engineering plant and operators to assist FESA. The fire was contained within containment lines. (3) Defence has an immediate crewed fire response capacity at the LDTA during defence training activities with a higher fire risk. At other times, Defence’s crewed fire response capacity is two hours. This includes time to concentrate and to travel. Defence’s on-site capacity of a water pumper and fast-attack vehicle remains during this time. (4) No. (5) The Department of Land Administration is responsible for unallocated state crown land. The department delegates responsibility for fire prevention and management to FESA on all unallocated crown land. The State Government makes a contribution to FESA through DOLA for fire management.
(3) What is the response time for the department’s fire-fighting contractors? (4) Does the Premier consider it acceptable to allow bushfires to remain unchecked in areas close to human settlements and the conservation estate? (5) What agency has responsibility for the permissive occupancy area used by the Army adjoining the LDTA? Hon KIM CHANCE replied : I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) During a fire in the LDTA, the Fire and Emergency Services Authority is allowed in. During fires, Defence advises FESA and Defence-contracted fire services to remain outside the Royal Australian Navy impact area - which represents less than five per cent of the LDTA - and to remain on tracks elsewhere in the LDTA. This advice is to reduce the risk of unexploded ordnance to firefighters. (2) Defence has a permanent presence at the LDTA. A caretaker, who is a qualified bushfire controller, conducts initial reporting. Defence maintains a heavy duty 4 x 4 water pumper and a skid-mounted tank capacity to augment a caretaker vehicle to become a fast-attack vehicle. Water storage consists of two large tanks and two operational bores. On standby, Defence maintains contracted fire services capacity at Pearce and Gingin. During the high-risk period, an additional large water tanker is on standby at Bindoon. During higher fire risk defence training activities, at least one fast-attack vehicle and crew is deployed to the LDTA. Defence and FESA have a memorandum of understanding for FESA involvement to respond and fight fires on Defence properties in Western Australia. During the fire that commenced on 8 March, Defence provided engineering plant and operators to assist FESA. The fire was contained within containment lines. (3) Defence has an immediate crewed fire response capacity at the LDTA during defence training activities with a higher fire risk. At other times, Defence’s crewed fire response capacity is two hours. This includes time to concentrate and to travel. Defence’s on-site capacity of a water pumper and fast-attack vehicle remains during this time. (4) No. (5) The Department of Land Administration is responsible for unallocated state crown land. The department delegates responsibility for fire prevention and management to FESA on all unallocated crown land. The State Government makes a contribution to FESA through DOLA for fire management.
(4) Does the Premier consider it acceptable to allow bushfires to remain unchecked in areas close to human settlements and the conservation estate? (5) What agency has responsibility for the permissive occupancy area used by the Army adjoining the LDTA? Hon KIM CHANCE replied : I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) During a fire in the LDTA, the Fire and Emergency Services Authority is allowed in. During fires, Defence advises FESA and Defence-contracted fire services to remain outside the Royal Australian Navy impact area - which represents less than five per cent of the LDTA - and to remain on tracks elsewhere in the LDTA. This advice is to reduce the risk of unexploded ordnance to firefighters. (2) Defence has a permanent presence at the LDTA. A caretaker, who is a qualified bushfire controller, conducts initial reporting. Defence maintains a heavy duty 4 x 4 water pumper and a skid-mounted tank capacity to augment a caretaker vehicle to become a fast-attack vehicle. Water storage consists of two large tanks and two operational bores. On standby, Defence maintains contracted fire services capacity at Pearce and Gingin. During the high-risk period, an additional large water tanker is on standby at Bindoon. During higher fire risk defence training activities, at least one fast-attack vehicle and crew is deployed to the LDTA. Defence and FESA have a memorandum of understanding for FESA involvement to respond and fight fires on Defence properties in Western Australia. During the fire that commenced on 8 March, Defence provided engineering plant and operators to assist FESA. The fire was contained within containment lines. (3) Defence has an immediate crewed fire response capacity at the LDTA during defence training activities with a higher fire risk. At other times, Defence’s crewed fire response capacity is two hours. This includes time to concentrate and to travel. Defence’s on-site capacity of a water pumper and fast-attack vehicle remains during this time. (4) No. (5) The Department of Land Administration is responsible for unallocated state crown land. The department delegates responsibility for fire prevention and management to FESA on all unallocated crown land. The State Government makes a contribution to FESA through DOLA for fire management.
(5) What agency has responsibility for the permissive occupancy area used by the Army adjoining the LDTA? Hon KIM CHANCE replied : I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) During a fire in the LDTA, the Fire and Emergency Services Authority is allowed in. During fires, Defence advises FESA and Defence-contracted fire services to remain outside the Royal Australian Navy impact area - which represents less than five per cent of the LDTA - and to remain on tracks elsewhere in the LDTA. This advice is to reduce the risk of unexploded ordnance to firefighters. (2) Defence has a permanent presence at the LDTA. A caretaker, who is a qualified bushfire controller, conducts initial reporting. Defence maintains a heavy duty 4 x 4 water pumper and a skid-mounted tank capacity to augment a caretaker vehicle to become a fast-attack vehicle. Water storage consists of two large tanks and two operational bores. On standby, Defence maintains contracted fire services capacity at Pearce and Gingin. During the high-risk period, an additional large water tanker is on standby at Bindoon. During higher fire risk defence training activities, at least one fast-attack vehicle and crew is deployed to the LDTA. Defence and FESA have a memorandum of understanding for FESA involvement to respond and fight fires on Defence properties in Western Australia. During the fire that commenced on 8 March, Defence provided engineering plant and operators to assist FESA. The fire was contained within containment lines. (3) Defence has an immediate crewed fire response capacity at the LDTA during defence training activities with a higher fire risk. At other times, Defence’s crewed fire response capacity is two hours. This includes time to concentrate and to travel. Defence’s on-site capacity of a water pumper and fast-attack vehicle remains during this time. (4) No. (5) The Department of Land Administration is responsible for unallocated state crown land. The department delegates responsibility for fire prevention and management to FESA on all unallocated crown land. The State Government makes a contribution to FESA through DOLA for fire management.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied : I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) During a fire in the LDTA, the Fire and Emergency Services Authority is allowed in. During fires, Defence advises FESA and Defence-contracted fire services to remain outside the Royal Australian Navy impact area - which represents less than five per cent of the LDTA - and to remain on tracks elsewhere in the LDTA. This advice is to reduce the risk of unexploded ordnance to firefighters. (2) Defence has a permanent presence at the LDTA. A caretaker, who is a qualified bushfire controller, conducts initial reporting. Defence maintains a heavy duty 4 x 4 water pumper and a skid-mounted tank capacity to augment a caretaker vehicle to become a fast-attack vehicle. Water storage consists of two large tanks and two operational bores. On standby, Defence maintains contracted fire services capacity at Pearce and Gingin. During the high-risk period, an additional large water tanker is on standby at Bindoon. During higher fire risk defence training activities, at least one fast-attack vehicle and crew is deployed to the LDTA. Defence and FESA have a memorandum of understanding for FESA involvement to respond and fight fires on Defence properties in Western Australia. During the fire that commenced on 8 March, Defence provided engineering plant and operators to assist FESA. The fire was contained within containment lines. (3) Defence has an immediate crewed fire response capacity at the LDTA during defence training activities with a higher fire risk. At other times, Defence’s crewed fire response capacity is two hours. This includes time to concentrate and to travel. Defence’s on-site capacity of a water pumper and fast-attack vehicle remains during this time. (4) No. (5) The Department of Land Administration is responsible for unallocated state crown land. The department delegates responsibility for fire prevention and management to FESA on all unallocated crown land. The State Government makes a contribution to FESA through DOLA for fire management.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) During a fire in the LDTA, the Fire and Emergency Services Authority is allowed in. During fires, Defence advises FESA and Defence-contracted fire services to remain outside the Royal Australian Navy impact area - which represents less than five per cent of the LDTA - and to remain on tracks elsewhere in the LDTA. This advice is to reduce the risk of unexploded ordnance to firefighters. (2) Defence has a permanent presence at the LDTA. A caretaker, who is a qualified bushfire controller, conducts initial reporting. Defence maintains a heavy duty 4 x 4 water pumper and a skid-mounted tank capacity to augment a caretaker vehicle to become a fast-attack vehicle. Water storage consists of two large tanks and two operational bores. On standby, Defence maintains contracted fire services capacity at Pearce and Gingin. During the high-risk period, an additional large water tanker is on standby at Bindoon. During higher fire risk defence training activities, at least one fast-attack vehicle and crew is deployed to the LDTA. Defence and FESA have a memorandum of understanding for FESA involvement to respond and fight fires on Defence properties in Western Australia. During the fire that commenced on 8 March, Defence provided engineering plant and operators to assist FESA. The fire was contained within containment lines. (3) Defence has an immediate crewed fire response capacity at the LDTA during defence training activities with a higher fire risk. At other times, Defence’s crewed fire response capacity is two hours. This includes time to concentrate and to travel. Defence’s on-site capacity of a water pumper and fast-attack vehicle remains during this time. (4) No. (5) The Department of Land Administration is responsible for unallocated state crown land. The department delegates responsibility for fire prevention and management to FESA on all unallocated crown land. The State Government makes a contribution to FESA through DOLA for fire management.
(1) During a fire in the LDTA, the Fire and Emergency Services Authority is allowed in. During fires, Defence advises FESA and Defence-contracted fire services to remain outside the Royal Australian Navy impact area - which represents less than five per cent of the LDTA - and to remain on tracks elsewhere in the LDTA. This advice is to reduce the risk of unexploded ordnance to firefighters. (2) Defence has a permanent presence at the LDTA. A caretaker, who is a qualified bushfire controller, conducts initial reporting. Defence maintains a heavy duty 4 x 4 water pumper and a skid-mounted tank capacity to augment a caretaker vehicle to become a fast-attack vehicle. Water storage consists of two large tanks and two operational bores. On standby, Defence maintains contracted fire services capacity at Pearce and Gingin. During the high-risk period, an additional large water tanker is on standby at Bindoon. During higher fire risk defence training activities, at least one fast-attack vehicle and crew is deployed to the LDTA. Defence and FESA have a memorandum of understanding for FESA involvement to respond and fight fires on Defence properties in Western Australia. During the fire that commenced on 8 March, Defence provided engineering plant and operators to assist FESA. The fire was contained within containment lines. (3) Defence has an immediate crewed fire response capacity at the LDTA during defence training activities with a higher fire risk. At other times, Defence’s crewed fire response capacity is two hours. This includes time to concentrate and to travel. Defence’s on-site capacity of a water pumper and fast-attack vehicle remains during this time. (4) No. (5) The Department of Land Administration is responsible for unallocated state crown land. The department delegates responsibility for fire prevention and management to FESA on all unallocated crown land. The State Government makes a contribution to FESA through DOLA for fire management.
(2) Defence has a permanent presence at the LDTA. A caretaker, who is a qualified bushfire controller, conducts initial reporting. Defence maintains a heavy duty 4 x 4 water pumper and a skid-mounted tank capacity to augment a caretaker vehicle to become a fast-attack vehicle. Water storage consists of two large tanks and two operational bores. On standby, Defence maintains contracted fire services capacity at Pearce and Gingin. During the high-risk period, an additional large water tanker is on standby at Bindoon. During higher fire risk defence training activities, at least one fast-attack vehicle and crew is deployed to the LDTA. Defence and FESA have a memorandum of understanding for FESA involvement to respond and fight fires on Defence properties in Western Australia. During the fire that commenced on 8 March, Defence provided engineering plant and operators to assist FESA. The fire was contained within containment lines. (3) Defence has an immediate crewed fire response capacity at the LDTA during defence training activities with a higher fire risk. At other times, Defence’s crewed fire response capacity is two hours. This includes time to concentrate and to travel. Defence’s on-site capacity of a water pumper and fast-attack vehicle remains during this time. (4) No. (5) The Department of Land Administration is responsible for unallocated state crown land. The department delegates responsibility for fire prevention and management to FESA on all unallocated crown land. The State Government makes a contribution to FESA through DOLA for fire management.
(3) Defence has an immediate crewed fire response capacity at the LDTA during defence training activities with a higher fire risk. At other times, Defence’s crewed fire response capacity is two hours. This includes time to concentrate and to travel. Defence’s on-site capacity of a water pumper and fast-attack vehicle remains during this time. (4) No. (5) The Department of Land Administration is responsible for unallocated state crown land. The department delegates responsibility for fire prevention and management to FESA on all unallocated crown land. The State Government makes a contribution to FESA through DOLA for fire management.
(4) No. (5) The Department of Land Administration is responsible for unallocated state crown land. The department delegates responsibility for fire prevention and management to FESA on all unallocated crown land. The State Government makes a contribution to FESA through DOLA for fire management.
(5) The Department of Land Administration is responsible for unallocated state crown land. The department delegates responsibility for fire prevention and management to FESA on all unallocated crown land. The State Government makes a contribution to FESA through DOLA for fire management.

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