Shiel Fire Review
Published Date: 22 Mar 2013
Summary
Below is a summary of the Shiel Fire debrief.
WHAT WE SET OUT TO DO
Rapid response
Protect assets
Extinguish early
Minimise losses
Protect people/community
Ensure cohesion
Manage the fireground – locally
Safety
Resource heavily
Heightened level of awareness
Inform the public
WHAT WENT WELL
Put the fire out
No major injuries
Forward planning – done
Pre-planning by FCC very good
Fireground management – Peter Johnstone – local and authoritive
Fireground management remained on the fireground
Mopping up and patrol
Rostered teams arranged
Awareness of task
Crew and Brigade management excellent
Teamwork cohesion excellent
Information from air to ground (broadcast)
Cleared paddocks assisted in halting fire
Steered fire towards advantage
Great co-operation between ground and air
Weather remained consistent
Equipment up to scratch
Private vehicles assisted
Co-operation / co-ordination - fireground FCC
Group Captain had offsider
Plant – use (graders) worked well
WHAT COULD BE BETTER
Firebreaks. Not as prevalent
Local knowledge of police
Shire road map in tankers
Vulnerable residents list?
Early tankers short crewed
Comms – advice on site – initial Channel 6 - bad
Use of Dept group / succession planning
Road closures –
not just highway
Walli Road not closed (north)
Needs staff to monitor (Council)
Safety on fireground:
Could be better
Awareness of trees
Use of foam needs education
Food on site:
Clarification of numbers to ensure constant provision
Distribution at a staging area.
Powerlines – status of poles etc.
Line up tankers for grasslands fight
Private / farm vehicles – lack of PPE, tanks unsecured etc.
RFS spend more $$$ on programs to reduce hazards and engage community – less $$$$ on media
Council representatives to these debrief(s)
