s44 Incident Controller Letter

Scope

This Operational Guideline covers the requirement and issuing of an Incident Controller (IC) Letter, when an incident is declared under section 44 (s44) of the Rural Fires Act (1997).

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

• Pursuant to s44 of the Rural Fires Act (1997), the Commissioner may take charge of bush firefighting operations and bush fire prevention in any part of the State. When this occurs, a ‘section 44 Declaration Instrument’ is issued by the Commissioner formally appointing an IC and outlining the area of the declaration.
• The s44 Declaration Instrument confirms the functions and area delegated under section 45A(1) of the Rural Fires Act (1997) to the IC.
• The ‘s44 Incident Controller Letter’ outlines further details of the functions delegated including responsibilities, authority and expectations of the appointed IC (Appendix A).
• The letter will be issued directly to the appointed s44 IC at the time of the declaration and is required to be formally acknowledged.

Special Considerations

• State Operations will manage all aspects associated with the formal declaration of an event under s44 of the Rural Fires Act (1997) including the s44 Declaration Instrument and the s44 IC Letter.
• The attached template can be edited and signed, and then issued by State Operations.

Related Information

• RFS OPG - s44 Incident Controller's Report
• Rural Fires Act 1997
• s44 Incident Controller Letter - Template