1. North West Metro Regional Pre Season Briefing 2015-2016 Exercise

2. Exercise objectives Practice or demonstrate the management of multiple emergencies. Practice or demonstrate relocation of an IMT in accordance with JSOP 3.15. Practice or demonstrate the formation of EMT’s and communication channels in accordance with the State Emergency Response Plan (SERP) and EMT arrangements (Dec 2014).

3. The date is Tuesday 26 th January February 2016 (Australia Day). A heatwave has been declared due to the consecutive hot days above the (day & night) average of 30 degrees Celsius. The hot weather is expected to continue through today. The expected temperature for today is 42 degrees Celsius. Winds are expected to be 60km/h N/NW in the afternoon. A change is expected at 6pm with winds shifting to SW 80km/h gusting to 110km/h. The temperature is not expected to drop below 25 degrees Celsius overnight. The maximum expected FDI is 78. Scenario

4. Scenario – Task 1 ICC a) Discuss and detail the actions taken by the ICC for the injects above. RCC b) Discuss and detail the actions taken by the RCC/REMT on the day prior (25 th Jan). c) Discuss and detail what if any changes are made at the RCC based on the above injects on the day (26 th Jan).

5. Considerations for ICC – Task 1 (a) ICC established according to JSOP 2.03 - core level I/C brief IMT to ensure situational awareness Test capacity / confidence to manage multiple events Ensure required resources are in attendance Consider holding IEMT with EMLO's to ensure situational awareness & create networks - ensure contacts for agencies not in attendance are obtained & accessible I/C to liaise with RC Consider small IMT exercise at commencement of duty

6. Considerations for ICC – Task 1 (a) SES: Pre-identification of incident issues such as staging areas, public information/meeting and possibly evacuation/relief centres. Identify and brief SES volunteer to act as IAC and Support Member(s) and to attend the ICC VICPOL: EMLO's on duty and in attendance at the Gisborne and Kangaroo Ground ICC Co-ordinators in attendance at ICC's IPOC's established at Broadmeadows (Gisborne ICC) and Diamond Creek (Kangaroo Ground ICC) Police Commander at IPOC identified as 'Deputy Incident Controller' due to heatwave event and will link in with I/C.

7. Considerations for RCC – Task 1 (b) REMT Members & REMT MERO's to liaise via teleconference 2-4 days out, and again at 1030hrs on the day. Communication of readiness, response, recovery activities provided to REMT Member, MERO & Contact groups. RCT / REMT to consider the management of multiple incidents across different hazards (fire, heat, storm etc). Ensure community messaging is appropriate in line with EMJPIC. Obtain from REMT updated list of public / major events for 26/01

8. Considerations for RCC – Task 1 (b) Ensure District readiness arrangements are in place Confirm resourcing arrangements for ICC's & RCC as per rosters & plans & plan for night shifts for 26/01 Confirm readiness arrangements with neighbouring regions SES: Rostered RC to convene meeting with REMT to discuss emerging situation- consideration to be given to possible fire activity, heatwave conditions and also possible storm activity VICSES RAC will provide notification to agency resources, including business continuity planning, heat health alerts and readiness for storm response/fire ops support Identify staff member to act as RAC and attend RCC

9. Considerations for RCC – Task 1 (b) SES: Participate in RCC/ REMT teleconferences or meetings Brief SES RDO and RM RAC ensure RDO has given SES units a heads-up re the expected WX and has hot weather procedures in place for member safety and response activities

10. Considerations for RCC – Task 1 (b) VICPOL: Police Commander to assume role as Deputy Regional controller (Heatwave event) Teleconference to be convened with a specific Heatwave Agenda discussed. Linked in to local government and other agencies. What are they doing. Complying with 'readiness matrix'. Identification and discussion with event organisers. Risk assessment. Should events continue as planned or be cancelled.

11. Considerations for RCC – Task 1 (c) Confirm with IC's their teams capacity to manage multiple incidents ensure planned arrangements are in place hold REMT - adjust resourcing or planning as requried based on agency feedback regarding their readiness Confirm readiness reporting & daily schedule. Discuss possible requirement for night shift RAC and IAC Addition of specific Heatwave Agenda.

12. Scenario Update AV notifies the SEMT that there has been a noticeable increase in heat related deaths/illness across Victoria. Additionally, a bushfire starts in Kangaroo Ground and the initial wordback requests the number of responding tankers is increased to 10.

13. Scenario – Task 2 ICC a) Discuss and detail (on supplied paper) the actions taken by the ICC for the injects above. RCC b) Discuss and detail the actions taken by the RCC/REMT on the day prior (25 Jan) c) Discuss and detail what if any changes are made at the RCC based on the above injects on the day (26 th Jan).

14. Considerations for ICC – Task 2 (a) Begin shadowing event at KG ICC from commencement. Maintain situational awareness I/C to liaise with RC ensure warnings & advice messages are published as required commence process to understand potential impact of event CFA resources respond to event as per standard protocols reference local response plans / Municipal plans etc raise awareness within IEMT of potential event.

15. Considerations for ICC – Task 2 (a) SES: ICC activate relief centres for members of the public affected by heat issues. Monitor hospital/ambulance attendance levels due to heat issues. Public messaging/media advising heat issues. Consider requests for strike teams to augment bushfire response

16. Considerations for ICC – Task 2 (a) VICPOL: Coordinator to ensure effective control EMLO's in attendance at KG ICC Warnings and messaging Deputy I/C communicating with AV (Health Commander) to establish impact on Region

17. Considerations for RCC – Task 2 (b) Maintain Control of emerging situation- pre-identify additional ICC resources if required

18. Considerations for RCC – Task 2 (c) Maintain situational awareness of REMT & ensure identified activities within Heat Plan are being actioned. Maintain situational awareness of KG fire & liaise with ICC to ensure they are shadowing. RCC activation level will need to increase due to increased complexity and consequences.

19. Scenario Update The State Response Controller advises the RC that the number of heat related deaths in Melbourne is at 200% to the previous 2 days. VicPol & AV notify the SEMT that there is a high level of disturbance and illness / injury resulting from the overconsumption of alcohol at public events & in public places. The KG fire is developing and control has transferred to KG ICC. One house has been confirmed as destroyed by the fire.

20. Scenario – Task 3 ICC a) Discuss and detail the priorities for the ICC. b) Discuss and detail tasking for the IEMT. RCC c) Discuss and detail the priorities for the RCC & associated tasking of REMT. d) Discuss and detail how Vicpol will deal with the heatwave and how the RCC will deal with different incident types.

21. Considerations for ICC – Task 3 (a) Assume control - establish objectives - choose appropriate strategies & tactics - apply state strategic control priorities Produce initial IAP (JSOP 3.03) & plan out minimum 4 hours Warnings & advice messages published (JSOP 4.01) Communications plan enacted Fireground safety issues - identify major assets / risks - consider TMP's Ensure appropriate fireground command structure is in place - review resource requirements gain situational awareness via aircraft / ground observers plan for IEMT - consider impact assessment needs. incoprorate local knowledge (JSOP 3.04)

22. Considerations for ICC – Task 3 (a) Preservation of lives, through establishing capacity to deal with heatwave illnesses. Public messaging will be critical, especially to vulnerable members of the community. Deputy I/C (Heatwave) Events in area previously identified. Patrols of same. messaging/warnings? communicating with AV (Health Commander) to establish impact on Region. Coordinator Ensure effective control. EMLO's in attendance at KG. Warnings and messaging.

23. Considerations for ICC – Task 3 (b) KG incident - TMP's (JSOP 3.10) Investigation into cause (JSOP 11.01) Supplementary equipment – plant Plan for relief centres - monitor impact on utilities - potential impact on any public events - impact assessment - safety issues (JSOP - 3.04) Liaise with DH and DHHS/ major hospitals to determine capacity for heat health management and look to rerouting to other facilities if needed. Liaise with major events to consider cancellation or contingencies to manage heat issues Coordination - Ensuring effective control. EMLO's - ensuring consideration given to Evacuation and TMP's.

24. Considerations for RCC – Task 3 (c) State strategic control priorities to be applied. Support response to KG fire - consider impact of KG fire & potential for fire to run for some time Initiate relief / recovery & support municipality Monitor impact on utilities - ensure warnings & advice are appropriate - ensure fire services have a co-ordinated response Ensure appropriate resources are dispatched - ensure effective control. PUBLIC EVENTS - REMT to consider the management of public events - municipalities & VicPol consider closing some to reduce demand for service on ESO's & health system Plan for situation to deteriorate as day progresses

25. Considerations for RCC – Task 3 (c) Discuss how to best administer the health & public order issues at the public events. Request updated community messaging from EMJPIC Understand impact on health system from health commander REMT members to consider resource availability going forward & identify shortfalls.

26. Considerations for RCC – Task 3 (d) Deputy RC to be VicPol for heat event Public order sector(s)? Area Of Operations ? Police Agency commander assumes role as Deputy I/C.

27. Scenario Update Numerous houses have been destroyed by the fire and it’s clear the fire will cross the Yarra River with significant loss south of the river. Traffic congestion is significant in the area. The winds strengthen and buildings across Melbourne are reported to be severely impacted. SES has had 1000 calls for assistance with numerous public events impacted. AV is reporting an extremely high case load & resources are stretched.

28. Scenario – Task 4 ICC & RCC a) Discuss and detail how a ‘wind event’ may be managed by SES across the 3 metro regions of Melbourne. b) Discuss and detail what you see as the triggers to transfer control of the fire to another ICC. c) Discuss and detail the reasons why you may delay or reject the transfer of control of the fire to another ICC. d) Discuss and detail how your EMT members would function if the fire was transferred to another ICC and RCC. RCC e) Discuss and detail how the RCC will incorporate the ‘wind event’ into the other emergencies ie fire & heatwave. f) Discuss and detail the agencies that would form your REMT for these events.

29. Considerations for ICC/RCC – Task 4 (a) RCT to consider options for SES to manage as agency business if no significant impacts & report to RCC via SES RAC utilise Sunshine ICC as the control facility for whole wind event across Nth West Metro utilise Sunshine ICC as per flood footprint (problematic as should only report to one regional controller). Utilise Mulgrave (Sth) Sunshine (Nth West) & Burnley (East). Options depend of fire activity within the 3 regions - potential to utilise ICC's that do not currently have fire potential to utilise fire ICC footprints and have IMT's control multiple hazards

30. Considerations for ICC/RCC – Task 4 (a) Question: other than prioritising resources to events, what activities would an IMT be required to undertake to control a wind event? Consider ability to form effective IEMT's for wind event at locations away from fire ICC's that have active fire & IEMT's. A separate ICC may be established across metro regional boundaries for control of storm response specifically. Option 1: Appoint a DIC at the relevant fire ICC to 'run' the wind event eg establish a Storm Division/sector. Option 2: Establish 'Storm ICC (s)' which will run the storm event and report to RCC

31. Considerations for RCC – Task 4 (b) Regional Controller will control all hazards. REMT to consider all hazards (JSOP 3.14). Incorporate wind event impacts into the management of public events & public information. Impacts of wind event to be considered in 7 day action plans, strategic plans, relief & recovery activities. Wind event likely to impact fire behaviour and power supply (during heatwave). Ensure storm response complies with line of control. One of the active RCC will need to be identified as controlling the storm ICC if established, to ensure clarity in the line of control. Ideally, this would be aligned with the area of greatest activity

32. Considerations for ICC/RCC – Task 4 (c) (JSOP 3.15) - if IMT needs have outgrown facility - major impact of fire has moved and will continue for some time - major impact on adjoining region - impact on IEMT & REMT effectiveness - if adjoining ICC can provide more effective control Potential complexity, size and duration. Phoenix modelling data. Risk and consequence. Geographic movement of the fire threat may see the transfer of control. Additionally, increase in the scale of the fire may see escalation to a higher incident level, and thus the level of the ICC controlling the incident

33. Considerations for ICC/RCC – Task 4 (d) (JSOP3.15) ICC / RCC resources are not in a place to accept transfer - number of incidents being currently managed (risk overloading) - will the objectives or strategic priorities be compromised by the transfer - may delay or reject if incident can be controlled in short term (is the transfer really required) Consider ability for IEMT & REMT to be integrated in transfer - Is there a transfer plan in place - will delay due to fire activity (delay til time when low activity) - stagger the change-over of roles / not all functions to transfer at same time - no communications plan in place to support transfer -

34. Considerations for ICC/RCC – Task 4 (d) Fire predictions may indicate new fires/spread of fires into areas- don't want to overcommit resources. Need to ensure transfer is done right not necessarily quickly. Receiving RCC and/or ICC not ready.

35. Considerations for RCC – Task 4 (e) CFA, MFB, DELWP, AV, VICSES, DHHS, DH, VICPOL, SES, Local council, event organisers, LGAs, tourism, education, utilities, caravan parks, transport, VicRoads, Power Companies, DEDJTR, Melbourne Water, DET, Telstra inclusion of Hospital network onto REMT to provide information regarding capacity etc.

36. Considerations for ICC/RCC – Task 4 (f) JSOP 3.15 - To be considered as part of the planning process & each agency to outline how they would do it. Need to ensure adequate coverage of EMT across transferred control/ continuity of operations in boundaries. Ensure effective handover plan clearly articulated and coordinated. Particpate in handover process. Vic Pol would need to consider how to effectively 'command' resources. Consideration to Area of operations.

37. Exercise Evaluation An exercise evaluation form is on your table. Please discuss with members on your table and complete - submit one per table Your feedback is invaluable