6.4 of the Fire Management Manual 10.1: Planned Burning were considered in developing the Terms of Reference for the independent investigation. Appendix 1: Terms of reference Commencement: Week commencing 11 October 2015 Investigators: Lead investigator: Mr Murray Carter, Director WA Office of Bushfire Management Investigation team: Trevor Howard (Senior Fire Operations Officer, Department of Parks and Wildlife, WA) Kevin Haylock (Director, Sandalwest Forest Management Consultants) Vivien Philpotts (Coordinator, Lancefield Neighbourhood House) Jo Richards (Director Regional Operations, Parks Victoria) Investigate and provide a written report that: Establishes the facts and the circumstances relating to the Lancefield - Cobaw fire, including making findings in relation to: the adequacy of planning and resourcing of the - Cobaw Croziers Track’ planned burn ‘Lancefield (the planned burn); the appropriateness of the weather and other conditions for conduct of the planned burn on 30 September 2015; what caused the planned burn to break containment lines on 3 October 2015 and on 6 October 2015; decision making, management and control of the planned burn, including the adequacy of the patrol strategy adopted following its ignition; and the adequacy of communication with the community in the lead up to the planned burn and after it broke containment lines. Based on the findings, make any recommendations for improvement to the Secretary. The investigation is to focus on the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning. Delivery of final report: The final report is to be delivered to the Secretary of the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning within 3 weeks of the commencement of the investigation.
6.4 of the Fire Management Manual 10.1: Planned Burning were considered in developing the Terms of Reference for the independent investigation. Appendix 1: Terms of reference Commencement: Week commencing 11 October 2015 Investigators: Lead investigator: Mr Murray Carter, Director WA Office of Bushfire Management Investigation team: Trevor Howard (Senior Fire Operations Officer, Department of Parks and Wildlife, WA) Kevin Haylock (Director, Sandalwest Forest Management Consultants) Vivien Philpotts (Coordinator, Lancefield Neighbourhood House) Jo Richards (Director Regional Operations, Parks Victoria) Investigate and provide a written report that: Establishes the facts and the circumstances relating to the Lancefield - Cobaw fire, including making findings in relation to: the adequacy of planning and resourcing of the ‘Lancefield - Cobaw Croziers Track’ planned burn (the planned burn); the appropriateness of the weather and other conditions for conduct of the planned burn on 30 September 2015; what caused the planned burn to break containment lines on 3 October 2015 and on 6 October 2015; decision making, management and control of the planned burn, including the adequacy of the patrol strategy adopted following its ignition; and the adequacy of communication with the community in the lead up to the planned burn and after it broke containment lines. Based on the findings, make any recommendations for improvement to the Secretary. The investigation is to focus on the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning. Delivery of final report: The final report is to be delivered to the Secretary of the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning within 3 weeks of the commencement of the investigation.
DELWP-response-to-independent-investigation.docx