13-government-services-2013-chapter9

Non-fire incidents — Calls to floods, storm and tempest and other natural disasters
In coordination with other emergency services, fire service organisations responded
to 23 149 incidents where an actual or imminent natural disaster, endangered or
threatened to endanger life, property or the environment (table 9A.12).
Further information on government services in the event of natural disasters are
available in the Emergency management sector overview (sector overview D).
Non-fire incidents — Hazardous materials incidents
Fire service organisations attended 23 842 incidents where materials that have
hazardous properties must be controlled or contained (table 9A.12). Of these, 5734
incidents (or 25.5 incidents per 100 000 households) were categorised as having the
potential to endanger, damage or destroy the health or safety of people, their
property or the environment on or beyond the incident site (figure 9.8). Hazardous
materials include paints, solvents, pharmaceuticals, chemicals (such as, industrial,
farm household chemicals), explosives, gases, fuels, acids, and many others.
Figure 9.8 Number of hazardous materials incidents attended to by
fire service organisations, per 100 000 peoplea, b, c, d
Incidents/100 000 people
100
80
60
40
20
0
a Data represent incidents attended by FSOs. FSOs may not be notified of all hazardous materials incidents
occurring in the community. b Coding of hazardous materials incidents is based on the judgment of the
reporting fire officer shortly after the time of the incident. Some coding of incidents may be inaccurate due to
the information available at the time of reporting. c Changes to hazardous materials incident reporting were
accepted and ratified by the AFAC SIMSG in November 2005 for implementation from July 2006. However,
each fire service may have implemented these changes at different times, with implementation complete in the
2009-10 year. d Accurate identification of incidents attended by QFRS Rural brigades is not possible at this
stage due to incomplete voluntary reporting procedures.
Source: State and Territory governments (unpublished); table 9A.17.
9.16 REPORT ON
GOVERNMENT
SERVICES 2013
2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12
NSW Vic Qld WA SA Tas ACT NT Aust