Page 2019 - Week 06 - Tuesday, 4 June 2019
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The ACT’s first large fire of the season occurred at Pierces Creek on 1 November 2018. An incident management team was established at the ACT Emergency Services Agency’s headquarters to allow for strategic and operational planning and remained in place 24/7 for the next six days. The emergency coordination centre and public information centre were also activated and provided important information, support and links to other stakeholders and the community.
Two large air tankers, LATs, were utilised, with both conducting two bombing runs. The Pierces Creek fire was declared out on Monday, 12 November 2018 with no further hotspots or fire activity identified. A forward-looking infrared camera mounted to a helicopter helped identify hotspots in the final days of the incident. The collective work from all ESA business units, the ACT parks and conservation service and other ACT government directorates demonstrated a professional, collaborative approach to incident management and response.
This season the ESA has access to approximately 450 ACT Rural Fire Service members, over 300 paid ACT Fire & Rescue firefighters, nearly 200 firefighters in the ACT parks and conservation service and 13 ACT Rural Fire Service staff. This season saw a transition to a flexible membership model for ACT Fire & Rescue Service volunteers who are unable to conduct front-line operations but still wish to continue in a support role. This is a significant step towards an inclusion of people of all abilities who wish to support the ACT community during emergencies.
In support of crews on the fire ground the ESA has five weather analysts, media liaison officers, mapping specialists, communication specialists and a wider logistical and support capability which supports emergency women and men in the field. Furthermore, ESA delivered a program to train additional volunteers and staff in a variety of disciplines to manage level 2 incidents. The training resulted in an increased number of volunteers and staff qualified in incident control, operations, logistics and planning functions.
ESA’s capability is widely recognised and held in high regard internationally and amongst our fellow states and territories. For this reason the 2018-19 season also provided several opportunities for ACT personnel to assist firefighting forces on a national and international front. ACT crews were deployed to assist in firefighting efforts in Bega, New South Wales in late August 2018; Gladstone, Queensland from January to March 2019; Gippsland, Victoria from February to March 2019; and several areas of Tasmania from January to March 2019.
Personnel from the ESA and the ACT parks and conservation service were also deployed to Canada and the United States for the third consecutive fire season. They performed roles of divisional commanders, task force leaders and IMT specialists. These deployments provided an important opportunity for ACT personnel to bring back additional capabilities, experience and skills.
This season ACT Rural Fire Service firefighters were able to utilise the 25 heavy tankers, of which six are compressed air foam tankers, 16 medium tankers, 13 light units, one bulk water carrier, 14 pumpers, seven pump trailers, one small retardant
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