13-government-services-2013-chapter9

All jurisdictions have mandated the introduction of smoke detectors into residential
structures. Nationally consistent data for all jurisdictions are not available.
However, recent Queensland and WA survey data indicate that 94.7 per cent and
92.0 per cent of households, respectively, had an installed smoke alarm/detector in
2011-12, an increase from below 80 per cent a decade ago (table 9A.23).
Fire service organisations have also implemented policies encouraging households
to regularly test their smoke detector/alarm to ensure that they are operational. In
2011-12, 87.0 per cent of households in Queensland had a smoke alarm that had
been tested in the previous 12 months (table 9A.23).
Equity and effectiveness — preparedness
The equity dimension of preparedness indicators relates to whether specific parts of
the community with special needs or difficulties in accessing government services
benefit from fire services’ activities — this chapter provides data on services
provided in remote locations, but not other special needs groups. The effectiveness
dimension of preparedness indicators relates to fire service organisations’ ability to
prepare, and assist the community to prepare, for fire events.
Level of safe fire practices in the community
‘Level of safe fire practices in the community’ is an indicator of governments’
objective to reduce the adverse effects of fires on the community and manage the
risk of fires (box 9.4).
Box 9.4 Level of safe fire practices in the community
‘Level of safe fire practices in the community’ is defined by the measure:
• Households with fire safety measures, defined as the number of households with
household fire safety measures installed or prevention procedures followed, divided
by the total number of households.
The higher the proportion of households with a fire safety measure installed or
prevention measure followed, the less likely fires will occur or cause excessive
damage.
This indicator does not provide information on the degree to which practices under
consideration contribute to fire prevention and mitigation.
Data quality information for this indicator is under development.
9.18 REPORT ON
GOVERNMENT
SERVICES 2013