Legislative Council, 1 November 2023

Ms FORREST question to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT

With regard to the resourcing of SES regional units to ensure these units have appropriate and suitable equipment and vehicles;

(1) How is the replacement of redundant vehicles managed;

(2) What is the time frame and/or criteria for replacement of such vehicles; and

(3) What equipment/vehicle shortfalls exist in regional units in the North-West, by broken down by area:

i. Burnie
ii. Central Coast
iii. Circular Head
iv. Kentish
v. King Island
vi. Mersey
vii. Queenstown
viii. Rosebery
ix. Waratah
x. Wynyard
xi. Zeehan

ANSWER:

(1) Under the Emergency Management Act 2006, councils are responsible for the provision and maintenance of resources for volunteer SES units.

The SES monitors and flags the need to replace vehicles with the relevant council based on pre-established criteria and maintains a prioritised vehicle remediation plan.

Negotiation between the SES and the council then occurs regarding funding of new vehicles.

In most cases, once an agreement is reached with the council, SES will manage the acquisition, fabrication, and commissioning process on behalf of the LGA to ensure consistency of the design and fit out.

(2) The timeframe for the replacement of individual vehicles is dependent on funding availability, including capital availability from councils and a willingness to contribute additional funding outside the normal MOU financial arrangements.

The criteria for replacement is based on operational requirements, aiming for compliance with the requirements of the Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council (AFAC) fleet doctrine standards.

(3)

i. Burnie
a. Primary Storm and Flood vehicle 2005 – requires replacement
b. Secondary Storm and Flood vehicle 1992 – requires replacement
c. Support vehicle 2005 – requires replacement

ii. Central Coast
a. Primary Road Crash Rescue (RCR) vehicle 2014 cab chassis, refitted body – requires upgrade
b. Secondary RCR and storm vehicle 1995 – requires replacement
c. Support Vehicle 2009 – requires replacement (reduced occupancy)

iii. Circular Head
a. Secondary support 2008 - requires replacement

NOTE: Circular Head are deficient in a rapid RCR capability, this is a necessity and is prioritised as an additional vehicle

iv. Kentish
a. Secondary loan vehicle from Mersey 2008 – requires a new vehicle (scheduled for delivery in June 2024)

v. King Island
a. Secondary RCR 2006 – requires replacement

vi. Mersey
a. Primary flood and storm vehicle 1997 – requires replacement
b. Secondary flood and storm vehicle 1996 – requires replacement
c. Secondary support vehicle 2007 – requires replacement

vii. Queenstown
a. Secondary RCR vehicle 2005 – requires replacement

viii. Rosebery
a. Secondary RCR vehicle 2005 – requires replacement

ix. Waratah
a. Primary RCR vehicle 1995 – requires replacement
b. Secondary RCR vehicle 2007 – requires replacement

x. Wynyard
a. Primary RCR vehicle 1993 – requires replacement
b. Secondary RCR vehicle 2005 – requires replacement
c. Storm and Flood vehicle 2007 – requires replacement.

xi. Zeehan
a. Primary RCR vehicle 2005 – requires replacement
b. Secondary RCR vehicle 2008 – requires replacement

NOTE: Zeehan do not have a Heavy RCR capability