Page 320 - Week 01 - Thursday, 27 February 2014
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The government’s submission is a considered and measured response to the Auditor-General’s report. The government has agreed, or agreed in part, to the 24 audit report recommendations. Six of these were considered as a high priority by the Auditor-General. The ESA, in consultation and cooperation with other ACT government directorates, agencies and local organisations with roles defined within the Emergencies Act, such as the Territory and Municipal Services Directorate, has already commenced action in the areas recommended for improvement.
I can advise members of the Assembly that seven of the recommendations have already been addressed. Recommendation 2 was that the ESA should comply with the Emergencies Act requirements for the SBMP by including in this plan an explicit statement of all resources needed to meet the objectives of the plan. I tabled this statement of resources in the Assembly in November last year.
Recommendation 4 related to a review of the SBMP implementation working group. I am advised the implementation working group terms of reference were reviewed and finalised in September last year and that group has been meeting regularly.
Recommendation 10 related to a review of the ACT Bushfire Council within two years against its terms of reference. The terms of reference were endorsed by the Bushfire Council and a review of the council will occur by mid-2015.
Recommendation 18 was that the ESA and TAMS Directorate should continue to improve working relationships between the ACT RFS, parks brigade and ACT RFS headquarters. An MOU between the ESA and TAMS has been reviewed, finalised and signed off as of October last year. An annual review is built into this MOU.
Recommendation 22 was that the ESA and TAMS should clarify the timing of the requirement for meeting firefighter fitness requirements as set out in the ACT RFS operating procedures. The ACT RFS standard operating procedures for rural firefighter fitness have been updated and revised wording has been included in the draft TAMS enterprise agreement which is yet to be finalised.
Recommendation 23 was that the ACT RFS headquarters should implement a system to provide assurance to the Chief Officer, ACT RFS, that personnel and equipment readiness meet requirements. I understand that equipment checks were finalised in November last year, and the results recorded and endorsed by the Chief Officer of ACT RFS. Fire readiness assurance is part of the annual business and pre-season preparations for the RFS.
Recommendation 24 was that the ESA should develop and test administrative procedures for the communications systems used for the distribution of public warning and emergency alerts. I am advised that the procedures are in place, and the process for the regular testing of the backup system has been implemented.
As members can see, the Assembly can be assured today that the ESA, JACS, TAMS and the Environment and Sustainable Development directorates are actioning the
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