A recent report from the NSW Auditor-General “assessed the effectiveness of the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) and local councils in planning and managing equipment for bushfire prevention, mitigation, and suppression.” The report focused mainly on the RFS fire fighting fleet, which comprises land vehicles, marine craft and aircraft, all of which are integral to the agency’s overall bushfire risk management.
The report, released on 27 February 2023, notes the confusion of roles between the RFS and local government for the maintenance of certain land-based fleet and that, despite this being raised in local government audits over several years, has not been resolved by legislative amendment. This puts at risk the readiness of the fleet when a fire starts.
The report also notes the substantial progress made by the RFS in modernising its firefighting fleet and making it safer for fire fighters. The report states that the average age of fire fleet has been reduced from 21 years in 2017 to 16 years in 2022 but remains short of the target average age of 15 years.
The report observes that the RFS could not demonstrate a strategic process for acquisition of aviation fleet and early detection technologies to deliver their target of smaller fires, which is to limit 80% of fires to under 10ha in size.
The Audit Office’s highlights summary describes the main concerns under What we found:
- The RFS has focused its fleet development activity on modernising and improving the safety of its firefighting fleet, and on the purchase of new firefighting aircraft.
- There is limited evidence that the RFS has undertaken strategic fleet planning or assessment of the capability of the firefighting fleet to respond to current bushfire events or emerging fire risks.
- The RFS does not have an overarching strategy to guide its planning, procurement, or distribution of the firefighting fleet.
- The RFS does not have effective oversight of fleet maintenance activity across the State, and is not ensuring the accuracy of District Service Agreements with local councils, where maintenance responsibilities are described.
The report goes on to make a number of recommendations to address these issues and improve fleet strategy, assessment, use and maintenance.
IBG comment
- IBG welcomes the modernisation of the RFS firefighting fleet, and the resultant improved safety for fire fighters.
- The lack of a strategic approach to fleet planning, procurement and distribution is concerning, particularly in relation to aircraft. Just as in the military, the composition of the firefighting fleet should follow a strategy based on identified needs and risks.
- IBG has long argued for stronger first response and suppression capability to keep fires small, especially fires remote from vehicle access. Historically, the emphasis for fire fighting resources has been on road-based capability and strategies. Black Summer and previous fire seasons have shown that more emphasis is needed on aerial attack and remote fires.
- Recent aircraft acquisitions (since Black Summer) have included several helicopters, a large air tanker and other fixed-wing aircraft, at substantial cost. While these may be useful for specific purposes, there is no analysis to demonstrate that the aircraft fleet has the best and most cost-efficient mix for current and future fire risks.
- The 2020 Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements noted that independent accountability was important to encourage the best use of resources and the best possible outcomes for communities and firefighters. IBG continues to advocate for an Independent Inspector General for Emergency Management for NSW, as exists in Victoria and Queensland.
- IBG issued a media release on these issues.
Independent Bushfire Group 