ACT BUSHFIRE COUNCIL
Meeting 5/2005
24th November 2005 - 3.00pm-6.00pm
Executive Conference Room 1
Emergency Services Authority
123 Carruthers Street, Curtin ACT 2605
Attendees
Dave BroderickChair
Dee WatsonSecretariat
Simon KatzMember
Stephen WiseMember
Michael LonerganMember
Bruce LeaverMember
Kevin JefferyMember
Geoff ButlerMember
Peter KanowskiMember
Michael Rossex-Officio
Tony BartlettMember
Apologies
David Princeex-Officio
Peter Dunnex-Officio
Jo MatthewsMember
1. Opening and Introduction by Chairman
Dave Broderick opened the meeting at 3:05pm.
The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed.
The table of Actions was reviewed.
Business Arising:
Namadgi Plan
A discussion ensued with regard to the draft of the Namadgi Plan. It was stated that there are still a couple of items that could be contentious from an environmental and a financial standpoint, particularly in relation to a link road at Corin. This road has been identified in the Bushfire Management Plan, but was always noted by some community sectors as a contentious proposal for a variety of reasons
Peter Kanowski asked about the Stockyard Spur Road in particular its design and fire management effect, limitations and purpose. A general discussion ensued. Council agreed that any Stockyard Spur road needed only to provide appropriate access for bushfire management and firefighting vehicles, and must be engineered to appropriate environmental standards."
It was stressed that, where practical, the old tracks should be reopened, rather than cutting new ones within the National Parks.
Kevin Jeffery undertook to provide an updated copy of the Plan and email it to Dee Watson to be printed on BFC letterhead. Any further comment to Kevin by 12pm on Monday.
Action:
Council Members to provide final comments to Kevin Jeffery by 12noon on Monday 28 November, for inclusion in the Namadgi Plan.
Kevin Jeffery to update plan and provide to Dee Watson for printing on Council letterhead.
Environment Australia Presentation:
Julie Crawford and Steve Horsley from the Department of Environment and Conservation presented an update on the work of the Department since the 2003 fires.
Some of the work includes:
- Fire trails – close to $1m spent on upgrades and rehabilitation of trails including river crossings.
- Reviewing MOU between National Parks and the ACT.
- Brindabella National Park – removal of dangerous trees
- Hazard Reduction burning
Emerging Issues:
Development of Fire Management Plan for Brindabella National Park and Kosciusko National Park
New Agenda Items:
None identified
Correspondence:
The only correspondence received was a brochure from ACTPLA entitled “Shape”.
Bushfire Operations Plans:
General comments were made in relation the Bushfire Operations Plans Presentation given at the last meeting.
Commissioners Report:
No report as the Commissioner was not present at the meeting.
Rural Fire Service:
Hazard Reduction in WA & Victorian Catchments:
Michael Ross discussed a tour he had undertaken with the Commissioner and other ACT CEO’s, of catchment areas around Perth and Melbourne to examine the use of fire in these catchments.
Essentially the tour outlined the enormous benefit of regular & strategic hazard reduction programs in catchment areas and the benefit of having reduced fuel areas over a mosaic across the landscape.
CAF’s Update:
Three Isuzu 1800 litre CAF’s (Compressed Air Foam) units were commissioned yesterday by the Minister. A further three 3,000L units have been ordered and are due for arrival in February 2006.
Training Upcoming:
Over the next few weeks the RFS are holding hover exit and working around aircraft, fitness for remote area fire-fighting and culminating in a major remote area exercise based at Namadgi on December 10th.
Aircraft Arrival:
Both the squirrel and the Bell 212 helicopters arrive on November 25th for a 12-week stay.
Wangary Report:
A synopsis of the finding of the Wangary fire in SA was distributed and will be addressed at a future meeting.
Stromlo ICC:
The flyaway kit (comprising computers, printers, faxes and phones) used for Incident Control Centres will be trialled at the Stromlo depot on Monday November 28th.
Other RFS:
Michael Ross distributed a document in relation to Workcover report.
Tony Bartlett asked what would be done this year in relation to grass growth. RFS are currently looking at roadside burning rather than roadside slashing. A proposal will go to departments next week.
Dave Broderick asked about Rick McRae’s Risk Assessment and asked for patterns on the likelihood of the arsonist striking this year on either Christmas Day or New Year’s Day.
Tony Bartlett raised the question of whether or not aerial patrols could be done with publicity to try to discourage arsonists. Michael stated that he had had talks with experts in this field who state that this would only encourage certain personality types.
RFS Report on Vehicles:
Dave Broderick asked about the problems with air intake in the new trucks, which is the same as the air intake in the older vehicles.
Dave asked that an Engineer look over the older vehicles in order to establish whether or not they were safe to keep in the fleet.
Tony Bartlett enquired about the use of the 5 large tankers with petrol pumps on grass fires. Michael Ross confirmed that these tankers would be available for first response to grassfires during 05/06 but only for mop up at forest fires.
Fire Brigade
No report was available as David Prince was unavailable to attend the meeting.
Kevin Jeffery
Kevin Jeffery stated that the Volunteer Brigade Association had recently held their AGM, Kevin was not able to attend.
Kevin advised that Barricade Gel had been trialled at Tharwa and that he would be arranging a presentation and possibly a short demonstration at a later date.
Action:
Kevin Jeffery to arrange a presentation and possibly a short demonstration of Barricade Gel at a future meeting.
Michael Lonergan
Michael Lonergan raised his concerns regarding door lining/ door cavities, which become toxic in extreme heat. The RFS are doing tests on this. Michael advised that he has found a company in WA who makes aluminium linings for certain types of vehicles.
A third trial of Barricade Gel was held at Tharwa last week to great effect. A number of pine pallets were covered and also a vehicle. Michael strongly suggested that one vehicle in each brigade be equipped with the Gel allowing the vehicles to be covered in the Gel if caught in a fire.
Michael Ross stated although this is the only non-petrochemical product on the market that this product has not yet been approved by the US. It is also necessary to not be seen to be endorsing a specific product.
Confirmation of Next Meeting:
The next meeting of the Bushfire Council is scheduled for December 22nd. The meeting will be held at Legislative Assembly with Minister Hargreaves.
The meeting closed at 5:40pm
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Meeting 5/2005 – 24th November, 2005 - Action Items:
Meeting No: / Action Item: / Action Officer: / Outcome:2005/05 / Arrange a presentation and possibly a short demonstration of Barricade Gel at a future meeting. / Kevin Jeffery
2005/05 / Provide final comments to Kevin Jeffery by 12noon on Monday 28 November, for inclusion in the Namadgi Plan. / All Members / Completed
2005/05 / Provide final document to Dee Watson for printing on Council letterhead. / Kevin Jeffery / Done
2005/05 / Print Namadgi Plan on Bushfire Council Letterhead / Dee Watson / Completed and sent via email and post
2005/04 / Report back to Council when CSIRO report in relation to foam testing is received. / David Prince
2005/04 / Members to report back to Council at the December meeting in relation to the “Bushfire Operational Plans 2004 – 05, Report on Activities” which was distributed. / All / Completed
2005/04 / Namadgi Plan – comments need to be incorporated into document and distributed to Members, prior to being made into a submission. / Completed by Kevin Jeffery
2005/04 / Brindabella Fire Management Plan – Julie Crawford to be invited to the November meeting. / Geoff Butler / Attending November meeting
2005/03 / Go through the Wangary report to see if the ACT can answer all questions, then report back to Council. / Michael Ross / Distributed to Members
2005/03 / Supply TRN coverage diagrams to Council. / Rod Shaw
2005/03 / Find out the timeline for NSW building a site at Cooma for their TRN. / Rod Shaw
2005/03 / Speak with Brian Parry regarding the pump and trolley unit made specifically for use with swimming pools. / Kevin Jeffery / Completed
2005/03 / Investigate what procedures could be put into place in order to manage the older vehicles in the field. / Michael Ross / Completed
2005/03 / Investigate the cost for replacement of:
1)Engine
2)Pump
3)Whole vehicle / Michael Ross / Completed
2005/03 / Seek advice from OH & S people within ESA in relation to using older vehicles as first strike vehicles for this season, whilst waiting for the new vehicles to arrive. / Michael Ross / Report given to Council
2005/03 / Provide information to the Minister in relation to the fleet vehicles that need to be replaced. / Council
2005/03 / Confirm venue of next meeting. / Dee Watson / Completed
2005/02 / Discuss Forward Planning / All / Progressive
2005/02 / Formally invite the Head of Parks to address the meeting. / Michael Ross / Invited
2005/02 / Update on roll out of the TRN – Presentation to the Council in October
2005/02 / Update of Asset Management Plan for Vehicles at next meeting for advice from Council. / Peter Dunn / Report Supplied
2005/02 / Provide comment on “Lessons from the 2003 Bushfires” to Dee Watson via email. / All / Ongoing
2005/02 / Provide a report in relation to the Bushfire Management School at the next meeting. / Peter Dunn / Ongoing
2005/01 / Brief Council on the response provided by the RFS in response to a request made by ActewAGL in relation the implications of implementing a “Zero Fire” policy within the Cotter Catchment area. / Nick Lhuede (RFS) / Done
2005/01 / Kevin Jeffery asked that a status report be given at the next meeting in relation to new radios. / Peter Dunn / Done
2005/01 / Tony Bartlett raised the need to discuss the implications of the Civil Actions being taken as a result of the 2003 Bushfires. / All / Discussed
2005/01 / Letters of appreciation to be sent to past Members of Council. / Peter Dunn/ Minister / Agreed by the Minister
2005/01 / Ensure that a letter of appreciation was sent to the Flint family. / Dave Broderick / Sent
2005/01 / Peter Dunn suggested inviting relevant people from NSW RFS or NSW National Parks to attend a Bushfire Council Meeting to discuss fuel management. / Michael Ross / In train
2005/01 / Documentation to be supplied at the next meeting in relation to “keeping tracks open”. / Bruce Leaver / Distributed
2005/01 / Tony Bartlett offered to provide a copy of Urban Services Risk Assessment. / Tony Bartlett / Given to Michael Ross
2005/01 / Review Key Lessons From the 2003 Fires, for further discussion next meeting. / All / Progressive
Dave Broderick to invite Government Solicitor to attend meeting. / Dave Broderick / Agreed
2005/01 / Send out Induction Packs to new Members not present at the meeting. / Dee Watson / Packs posted.
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