Chapter 4 - Warnings - 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission

2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission—Interim Report
4 WARNINGS
Dissemination of BUSHFIRE warnings by the fire agencies
4.75
4.76
4.77
4.78
The evidence before the Commission demonstrates that there were generally two types of material made
available to the public in early February 2009 concerning the bushfire threat in Victoria. First, general
information (including weather and fire risk predictions) was disseminated prior to 7 February. This information
(which is dealt with in more detail from paragraph 4.82) focussed principally on the risk of fire and the
conditions facing Victoria throughout the fire season, particularly during the heatwave between late January
and early February.
Secondly, there were the specific bushfire warnings for each of the fires issued in one of three categories —
awareness, alert, urgent threat — prepared by the CFA or DSE using pre-existing templates. The information
units in each Incident Management Team created information releases at the incident level. The information
releases were provided to the Integrated Emergency Coordination Centre (iECC), Regional Emergency
Coordination Centres, the ABC and local media agencies for broadcast, and to the VBIL. When the iECC
information unit received these messages from the IMT, they were generally uploaded onto the CFA or DSE
websites, albeit with some delay. 87
The evidence reveals that the CFA and DSE websites were a key source of information for the community
and that many people relied on the internet as their principal source of information. 88 Broadcasts by the
ABC, in its role as the emergency broadcaster, were also critical in the flow of information to the public. 89
The role of the ABC is addressed in more detail below.
Mr Rees explained that the CFA has developed standard form information releases to describe fire
situations. Three levels or ‘grades’ of message are created. The standard information releases for fire
situations were presented in his witness statement. 90
Table 4.1: Current CFA types of information releases for fire situations
Title of Message Description Review Time
Awareness Message
– Initial Advice
Alert Message
To be issued when a fire first commences, when there is
not currently a threat to life or property but local interest
may be generating.
To be issued when a heightened level of awareness is
required by people and communities in close proximity to
a fire. There is still no direct threat, but there is the potential
for direct impact should conditions change or escalate.
May include a time parameter within message if known.
It is important not to over exaggerate the risk so that people
in the area do not feel unnecessarily threatened.
Within four hours of issue
depending on conditions.
Within two hours of issue,
depending on conditions.
Urgent Threat Message To be issued when direct impact from a bushfire is imminent. Within 30 minutes of issue,
depending on conditions.
Source: Exhibit 3 – Statement of Rees (WIT.004.001.0001) [201] 91
RADIO Broadcasts by the ABC — the ‘emergency broadcaster’
4.79 On 4 February 2004, the ABC entered into an MOU with the State of Victoria pursuant to which the ABC
has undertaken to broadcast information and warnings provided to it by relevant emergency services
organisations during an emergency. 92
130