WORKING WITH FIRE AGENCIES AT BUSHFIRES

Protocols for Volunteers Involved in Wildlife Rescue Operations

October 2010

Version 4.1

Working with Fire Agencies at Bushfires

Protocols for Volunteers involved in Wildlife Rescue Operations

DSE developed this document to guide the working relationship between the Country Fire Authority (CFA), the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) and independent wildlife shelters, foster carers, wildlife rehabilitation and rescueorganisations, and other individuals and groups undertaking wildlife rescue activities during bushfire events.

© The State of Victoria, Department of Sustainability and Environment, 2010

This publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced, copied, transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical or graphic) without the prior written permission of the State of Victoria, Department of Sustainability and Environment.

Disclaimer

This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information this publication.

Version Control

Version / Date / Prepared by / Reviewed/Edited by
1.0 / Nov 2007 / Rinske Poulier
Mark Cairns / Louise Salter
Brett Donaldson
2.0 / August 2009 / Mark Cairns / Cain Trist Scott Lawrence
Wayne Buckman Alicia Houston
Kirsty Greengrass Tim Wearne
Annelise Peyton Jacqui Papworth
3.0 / September 2009 / Scott Lawrence
Kirsty Greengrass
Annelise Peyton
Jacqui Papworth
Cain Trist / CFA Legal and OH&S
DSE Legal and Risk and Insurnace
4.0 / November 2009 / Cain Trist / Cain Trist
4.1 / October 2010 / Jacqui Papworth / Cain Trist Scott Lawrence
Kirsty Greengrass Jacqui Papworth
Caitlin Barry Stewart McGlashan
DSE Risk and Insurance

Acknowledgments

These guidelines have been developed with the assistance of Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE), Country Fire Authority (CFA), Parks Victoria (PV), Department of Primary Industries (DPI), Australian Vets Association (AVA), Wildlife Victoria (WV), Help for Wildlife(HFW), Ballarat and District Greendale Animal Rescue (BADGAR), Wildlife Rescue Information Network (WRIN), Royal Society for Protection and Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), Wildlife Rescue and Protection (WRAP), Wildlife Help On the Mornington Peninsula (WHOMP) International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), State-wide Wildlife Rescue Emergency Service (SWRES), Zoo’s Victoria (ZV), and the Snowy Mountains Engineering Company Pty. Ltd. (SMEC)

Cover Page Photography Credits

Images courtesy of Mark Cairns ©2007- Controlled Burn 2007 (Main image)and Insets:Koala Phascolarctos cinereus (centre right) and Bushfire Aftermath 2009 (far right); and the Department of Sustainability and Environment ©DSE 2008- Insets: Vet Triage February 2009 (centre left), and Mountain Pygmy PossumBurramys parvus (far left).

Executive Summary

  • Under the Emergency Management Act 1986 and the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004, the fire agencies, through the Incident Controller, are at all times legally responsible for the safety, health and welfare of all incident personnel, including volunteers involved in wildlife rescue. The safety of all personnel is paramount during emergency activities.
  • The Emergency Management Manual Victoria (EMMV) nominates DSE as the responsible agency for wildlife rehabilitation. Incident Controllers MUST consider wildlife issues, and identify and request appropriate supportwhen wildlife rescue operations are required.
  • All wildlife rescue volunteers andincident personnel involved in wildlife rescue operationsmustoperate under a chain of command and reporting arrangements established by the Australasian Inter-service Incident Management System (AIIMS) structure.
  • If required on the fireground, wildlife volunteers will be formally requested by the Incident Controller. It is prohibited for any persons, including volunteers involved in wildlife rescue operations, to access the fireground without the prior approval of the Incident Controller.
  • In order to work with fire agencies at bushfire, all volunteers involved in wildlife rescue operations must:
  • Hold current accreditation in either DSE’s ‘Basic Wildfire Awareness’orCFA’s ‘Maintain Safety at an Incident Scene’.
  • If driving a 4x4 vehicle off road, all staff or volunteers must have 4WD Accreditation.
  • Wear approvedPersonal Protective Equipment (PPE)
  • Participate in only one incident role at any given time, for example, a wildlife volunteer deployed to the fireground cannot in addition perform the role of a fire-fighter during that deployment;
  • Be briefed and debriefed prior to the commencement and completion of their tasks / shift following the Situation, Mission, Execution, Administration, Command, Safety, Questions(SMEACSQ) format,and
  • Read and understand these protocols, register their attendanceat the beginning and end of each shift, and sign the Self Declared Health Checklist.
  • Abide by the restrictions and legal requirements for the use of firearms, tranquilising equipment and scheduled drugs on the fireground.
  • These protocols provide a framework toensure that fire agencies and wildlife organisations operate together in a safe and respectful manner. Observance of the protocols will help to achieve a safer working environment for volunteers and result in better wildlife welfare outcomes.

Table of Contents

1Purpose and Intent

2Application

3Document structure

4Review

5Activation Triggers for Wildlife Rescue Operations

6Animal and Wildlife Rescue Organisations and Resources

6.1Wildlife

6.2Companion Animals/Pets

6.3Agricultural Stock

6.4Veterinarian and Triage Resources

6.5Hunting Organisations

6.6Requesting Resources

PART ONE

7Protocols for staff and volunteers involved in wildlife rescue operations

All staff and Volunteers

Wildlife Welfare Officer

Wildlife Field Operations Coordinator

Wildlife Rescue Team Leader

Volunteer Wildlife Rescuers

Triage Veterinarians

Volunteer Vet Nurses, Triage Assistants and Record Keepers

8.Registration requirements

9.Tasking volunteers to roles

10.Reporting arrangements

11.Briefings

12.Access to the fireground

13.Traffic Management Points

14.Working Arrangements

General Requirements

Communications

Volunteer Wildlife Rescuers involved in wildlife rescue operations

Fatigue management

Working at night

Establishment of Triage Areas

Assessment of Animals

Working with DPI Incident Management Team

Wildlife Release Strategy

Movement of animals to shelters

Record keeping

15.Restrictions

Requirements for the use of firearms on a fireground

Requirements for the use of tranquilising equipment on a fireground

Use of vehicles

The use of chainsaws

Tree climbing

Media

16.Financial Arrangements

17.Deactivation Arrangements

18.Non Compliance

19.Issues and Dispute Resolution

PART TWO

20.Role Statements and Responsibilities

20.1Wildlife Welfare Officer

20.2Wildlife Field Operations Coordinator

20.3Wildlife Rescue Team Leader

20.4Volunteer Wildlife Rescuer

20.5Triage Veterinarian

20.6Volunteer Vet Nurse and Triage Assistant

20.7Volunteer Triage Record Keeper

Appendix 1List of Key Contacts for Wildlife Groups and Organisations

Appendix 2Minimum requirements for Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment for Volunteer Wildlife Rescuers

Appendix 3Self-Declared Health Checklist

Appendix 4Attendance, Contact Details, and Sign In/Out Sheet

Appendix 5Volunteer Requirements: Wildlife Rescue Operations during Bushfire Incidents - Checklist

Appendix 6Operational Structure for Level 1 Incidents

Appendix 7Operational Structure for Level 2 and 3 Incident

Appendix 8Wildlife Welfare Officer

Appendix 8Wildlife Welfare Officer

Role Statement

Appendix 9Wildlife Field Operations Coordinator

Role Statement

Appendix 10Wildlife Rescue Team Leader

Role Statement

Appendix 11Volunteer Wildlife Rescuer

Role Statement

Appendix 12Triage Veterinarian

Role Statement

Appendix 13Volunteer Vet Nurse and Triage Assistant

Role Statement

Appendix 14Volunteer Triage Record Keeper

Role Statement

Appendix 15Animal Rescue Record

Appendix 16

Appendix 17 Animal Record Collation: Bushfire Incident (remember to staple all Animal Rescue Records and Animal Triage Records to thisAnimal Record Collation sheet)

Appendix 18Guidelines: Working Hours and Fatigue Related Risk Fire Management

Appendix 19Requirements for the use of firearms on a fireground

Appendix 20Requirements and conditions for the use of tranquilising equipment on a fireground and; Conditions around scheduled veterinarian drugs and controlled substances

Appendix 21 Firearms Flow Diagram

Appendix 22 Glossary

1Purpose and Intent

These protocols guide the working relationship between the Country Fire Authority (CFA), the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) and independent wildlife shelters, foster carers, wildlife rehabilitation and rescue organisations, and other groups and individuals undertaking wildlife rescue activitiesduring bushfire events.

It is the intent of DSE and the CFA (the fire agencies) to work in partnership with individuals and organisations during fire events for the purpose of identifying, retrieving, transporting, treating and rehabilitating injured wildlife.The fire agencies, individuals, and organisations undertaking wildlife rescue will have a partnership characterised by understanding, safety, cooperation and goodwill.

It is the intent of these protocols to clarify when, and under what conditions, wildlife rescue personnel are authorised access to the fireground. Acknowledging that the success of wildlife rescue is contingent on early access, fireground access will only be permitted when declared safe to do so by the Incident Controller. Access timing to the fireground by Wildlife Rescuers is different to those of firefighters.Volunteers involved in wildlife rescue operations are not permitted to be engaged in fire suppression activities, or operate in proximity to active fire at any stage.

Under the Emergency Management Act 1986and the OH&S Act 2004, the fire agencies, through the Incident Controller, are at all times legally responsible for the safety, health and welfare of all incident personnel, including firefighters, volunteers involved in wildlife rescue, media representatives and other emergency workers operating on the fireground. DSE also has responsibilities under the Wildlife Act 1975 for wildlife.

The safety, health and welfare of incident personnel including wildlife rescue volunteers, is the overarching priority at all times for the fire agencies and will be the overarching priority for anyone entering the fireground during and followingbushfire events.

All fire agency operations are conducted in accordance with the DSE and CFA’s State Fire Control Priorities, which are described in descending order:

  1. Safety of personnel tasked to the incident;
  2. Protection of members of the community;
  3. Protection of critical infrastructure and community assets;
  4. Aggressive first attack on new outbreaks; and
  5. Protection of conservation and environmental values.

2Application

These protocols apply to all Level 1, 2 and 3 bushfire incidents(see Section 5 for further information on incident levels) on public and/or private land. Application of these protocols toplanned burns is at the discretion of the burn controller.

These protocols apply primarily to native wildlife rescue operations during a fire incident,however it is recognised that rescue teams may come across domestic animals (livestock or companion animals) that are injured by bushfire and in need of assistance.DPI is responsible for agricultural and companion animals (pets). These protocols provide guidance to theworking relationship between the government agencies responsible for wildlife and domestic animal rescue activities during bushfires.

These protocols are specifically designed for bushfire emergencies; however, they may be used for planned burning operations where appropriate.

3Document structure

The following document is written in two parts:

Part One- Outlines the operation and minimum standards for Volunteers wishing to participate in wildlife rescue operations during bushfire events.

Part Two- Details the role statements and reporting relationships for roles associated with wildlife rescue operations within a DSE and/or CFA incident management structure.

4Review

The implementation of this Protocol will be subject to review by the fire agencies and relevant volunteer organisations involved in wildlife rescue operations at the conclusion of the 2011/2012 fire season (approximately May - June 2012).

5Activation Triggers for Wildlife Rescue Operations

The Incident Controller of a bushfire emergency classify fire incidents as follows:

  • Level 1 Incident -This is a small, simple fire (or group of fires) which is controlled with local resources. The incident may include other agencies. A second shift to manage the fire is unlikely to be required.
  • Level 2 Incident - This is a developing, or developed fire of medium size or complexity. It is expected that the incident will be controlled within 24 hours. Resources from other locations are involved. The fire size is typically between 5 to 20 hectares (or much larger if there is little complexity).
  • Level 3 Incident - This is a large or complex fire where resources from a range of locations are involved. In most circumstancesa Level 3 fire will involve several agencies. The fire would normally be expected to exceed 24 hours.

Depending on the level of the incident, the Incident Controller via his/her Incident Management Team (IMT) will activate a request for wildlife rescue teams and associated resources (e.g. Triage, vets, etc) at different times during the incident.

Volunteers wishing to be involved in bushfire wildlife rescue operations MUST NOT self deploy. They must be formally requested by the Incident Management Team.

For volunteers involved in wildlife rescue operations their first point of contact is with the Wildlife Welfare Officer or the Wildlife Field Operations Coordinatorwithin the Planning team within the IMT.

The Incident Controller is responsible for managing and controlling the incident, including developing and implementing strategies, and ordering the deployment and release of resources.

Wildlife Rescue Teams wishingto entera fire ground must have received authorisation from theIncident Controllervia his/her delegate (e.g. theWildlife Welfare Officer or Wildlife Field Operations Coordinator) before doing so.

Failure to receive authorisation may result in the suspension of all wildlife rescue operations on the fire ground. The Incident Controller must have confidence that he/she, for safety reasons, knows where every individual has been tasked to.

Incident Controllers and their Incident Management Teams may be guided by the activation triggers listed below in Table 1 for the activation of wildlife rescue operations.

Table 1 – Activation triggers for Incident Management Teams to request wildlife rescue resources.

Level 1 Incident# / Level 2 Incident# / Level 3 Incident#
Considerations /
  • These fires will not normally require aWildlife Welfare Officer to be present.
  • Typically only a small numbers of wildlife are expected to be injured and require treatment.
/
  • It would be anticipated that a reasonable number of wildlife are injured and require treatment.
/
  • It would be anticipated that a significant number of wildlife would be injured and require treatment.

Triggers /
  • DSE’s local knowledge of a particular area indicates that the rescue of wildlife will need to be considered as one of the priorities throughout the management of the bushfire.
  • Firefighting crews have seen an injured animal (or several) on the fireground that requires treatment.
  • Weather forecasts indicate that Volunteers may be required on standby, as per local arrangements.
/
  • DSE’s local knowledge of a particular area indicates that the rescue of wildlife will need to be considered as one of the priorities throughout the management of the bushfire.
  • Firefighting crews have seen an injured animal (or several) on the fire ground that requires treatment.
  • A Level 1 fire is upgraded to a Level 2 fire.
  • Weather forecasts indicate that Volunteers may be required on standby, as per local arrangements.
/
  • DSE’s local knowledge of a particular area indicates that the rescue of wildlife will need to be considered as one of the priorities throughout the management of the bushfire.
  • Firefighting crews have seen an injured animal (or several) on the fire ground that requires treatment.
  • A Level 2 fire is upgraded to a Level 3 fire.
  • Weather forecasts indicate that Volunteers may be required on standby, as per local arrangements.

Activation /
  • For DSE, these triggers result in the Planning Officer requesting approval from the Incident Controller to fill the Wildlife Field Operations Coordinatorrole. Upon the Incident Controllers’ approval, the appropriate persons will be contacted to attend the incident.
  • For CFA, these triggers result in the Planning Officer requesting approval from the Incident Controller to ask an appropriate agency to provide an appropriately skilled person to fill the Wildlife Field Operations Coordinator. Upon the Incident Controllers’ approval, the appropriate persons will be contacted to attend the incident.
/
  • For DSE, these triggers result in the Planning Officer requesting the Incident Controllerapproval to fill the Wildlife Field Operations Coordinator role and/or the Wildlife Welfare Officer role. Upon the Incident Controllers’ approval, the appropriate persons will be contacted to attend the incident.
  • For the CFA, these triggers result in the Planning Officer requesting approval from the Incident Controller to ask an appropriate agency to provide an appropriately skilled person to fill the Wildlife Field Operations Coordinator role and/or the Wildlife Welfare Officer role. Upon the Incident Controllers’ approval, the appropriate persons will be contacted to attend the incident.
/
  • For DSE, these triggers result in the Planning Officer requesting the Incident Controllerto fill the Wildlife Field Operations Coordinator and/or the Wildlife Welfare Officer role. Upon the Incident Controllers’ approval, the appropriate persons will be contacted to attend the incident.
  • For the CFA, these triggers result in the Planning Officer requestingapproval from the Incident Controller to ask an appropriate agency to provide an appropriately skilled person to fill the Wildlife Field Operations Coordinator role and/or theWildlife Welfare Officer role. Upon the Incident Controllers’ approval, the appropriate persons will be contacted to attend the incident.

#Definitions for Level 1, 2 and 3 Incidents can be found in Appendix 22 – Glossary.

6Animal and Wildlife Rescue Organisations and Resources

A list of key contacts and available resources for wildlife groups and organisations can be found in Appendix 1.

6.1Wildlife

There are a number of individualsand volunteer wildlife rescue organisations operating in Victoria that can provide assistance with the rescue, treatment, shelter, and rehabilitation of wildlife (this includes non-indigenous species that are listed under the Wildlife Act 1975). In addition,a number of these organisations have access to facilities for triage and transport of injured wildlife. They may also have access to vets experienced in native wildlife treatment.