NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into the assets, premises and funding of the Rural Fire Service

This inquiry by the Public Accounts Committee of the Legislative Assembly kicked off in February 2024 with public submissions followed by two hearing days in August and September. Full details, terms of reference, submissions and hearing transcripts are available on the inquiry’s web page.

The inquiry wanted to hear from “…people with first-hand experience, emergency service organisations and their volunteer associations and unions, local councils, bushfire experts, community groups and the public” (Media release, Public Accounts Committee, 20 February 2014).

The inquiry received 78 submissions and heard witnesses from about 26 organisations, mainly local councils but also government agencies, RFS brigades and the IBG. The three main firefighter representative groups made submissions: Rural Fire Service Association (official representative body for RFS volunteers), Volunteer Fire Fighters Association (alternative and independent body for RFS volunteers) and Fire Brigade Employees Union (union representing NSW Fire and Rescue employees).

The inquiry seems to have been prompted mainly by the complicated management arrangements for the ‘red fleet’ (RFS firefighting vehicles) and local bushfire premises (eg. local brigade fire sheds), as highlighted by the local government sector and NSW Audit Office (see their 2023 report: “Planning and managing bushfire equipment” and IBG post of March 20, 2023). The inquiry is also interested in the roles of RFS and local government in bushire management and district bushfire management committees.

Many of these issues go back to legislation which created the Rural Fire Service in 1997, and also reduced the previous major role of local government in bushfire brigades and bushfire management. Many submissions to the inquiry regard the existing arrangements for assets and premises as no longer fit for purpose and in need of reform. Local government in particular is concerned about the administrative and cost burden on their sector, when they have little or no control of assets on their books.

A repeated concern in submissions was the need to reform the Rural Fires Act 1997, which includes artefacts from previous legislation and provisions about assets that are no longer practical. Some submissions called for the oft-cited number of 70,000+ RFS members to be audited, and queried the efficacy of funding the RFS via the NSW emergency services levy on ratepayers.

Given the almost universal concern that ‘red fleet’ management is unnecessarily complex and inconsistent, it seems likely that the inquiry will recommend rationalisation of the ownership and management of these vehicles.

The inquiry will also report on other issues from the terms of reference.

IBG comment

• While some of these ‘administrative’ issues may seem peripheral, they do impact the effectiveness of the state’s bushfire management capability. Efficiency is important.
• The many issues around assets, premises and funding need to be considered within the bigger picture: that is, what is required to achieve clear objectives – putting fires out and protecting people, property and the environment. There is a vital need for more operational analysis, a strong learning culture and financial accountability, coupled with independent oversight.
• NSW lacks an over-arching bushfire strategy. There is no statewide risk analysis to inform prevention and suppression.
• In its submission, IBG urged a full review of RFS functions and the roles of RFS and local government, pointing out that beyond equipment management, local government could be more involved in other aspects of bushfire and especially in building disaster resilience in communities.
• IBG noted the disparity in the standard of bushfire sheds and suggested a statewide audit followed by an upgrade program.
• IBG documented the lack of a strategic approach to aerial assets (aircraft) and the need for better data and analysis.
• IBG called for an audit of RFS volunteer numbers and stressed the need for a recruitment strategy and greater diversity.
• IBG recommended that NSW needs a stronger learning culture in emergency operations, with an Inspector General of Emergency Management to lead this and provide assurance and accountability to the emergency sector.
• On financial accountability, IBG pointed out the paucity of research on bushfire suppression to assist the best decision-making, and urged more analysis of large bushfire operations coupled with evaluation of the effectiveness of past expenditure.
• Submissions can’t be published on this website due to parliamentary inquiry rules. All submissions can be seen on the inquiry’s web page.