Post-Incident Reporting
Foundational
Scope
This Operational Guideline is to be considered for the reports to be provided after a fire or incident attended by the RFS.
Fundamental Protocols underpin the actions of all NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) members and must be adhered to at all times. They outline the Principles of being an RFS member and provide guidance on conduct to support the safety and wellbeing of members.
Guiding Principles
- A report shall be submitted for all incidents attended by the RFS.
- The report shall be submitted as soon as possible after the incident. Reports for small incidents should normally be provided within 24 hours of the end of the incident.
- The Brigade Incident Reporting System (BIRS) is the method for RFS post-incident reporting. The system captures data mapped to the relevant components of the Australian Incident Reporting System (AIRS).
- The person submitting the primary report should normally be the Officer in Charge (OIC)/Incident Controller (IC) at the time when the highest number of units were allocated to the incident. The officers in charge of other units should submit a support report to record their attendance and activities at the incident.
- Incident reports may be submitted, using the standard form, via the Fire Control Centre (FCC) or to the RFS Operational Communications Centre (OCC). Alternatively, submitted by direct entry into BIRS online or via the Mobile Data Terminal (MDT) where available.
Special Considerations
- Nil.
Related Information
- Nil.
Definitions
Term | Definition |
---|---|
AIRS | Australian Incident Reporting System - A mechanism for fire services to collect consistent data as to the incidence of fire and is used to identify trends in fires and incidents. |
BIRS | Brigade Incident Reporting System - the method for RFS post-incident reporting |
FCC | Fire Control Centre - Forms the administrative and operational base of the rural fire district or zone; and coordinates local brigade responses to fire and other incidents. |
IC | Incident Controller - The individual responsible for the management of all incident control activities across a whole incident. |
MDT | Mobile Data Terminal - A terminal installed in an appliance for the display of live operational and location information. |
OCC | Operational Communications Centre - Centralised dispatch and communications located at RFS Headquarters. |
OIC | Officer in Charge - The officer present with the authority to command a brigade. |
units | A small cell of people working within one of the sections undertaking a designated set of activities at an incident. |
Content Owner:
Area Operations
Date Approved:
26 Mar 2024
Review Required:
26 Mar 2027
Version:
1.0
If you have any questions or feedback on Operational Doctrine, please email Ops.Performance@rfs.nsw.gov.au.