Page 3661 - Week 10 - Wednesday, 26 August 2009
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Given these failings, I have sought to develop a model for the management of emergency services that is effective, efficient and maintains the highest possible standards. I have consulted widely in preparing this bill and have also considered models that have been implemented in other jurisdictions, particularly the approach that has been adopted in South Australia where the South Australian Fire and Emergency Commission, better known as SAFECOM, is in place.
The model for the provision of emergency services that is set out in my bill is essentially very simple. There will be an authority established to manage emergency services. That authority will have a governing board. This board will comprise the chief officers of each of the four emergency services. To that will be added the chief police officer because, as we all know, in times of emergencies the police play a critical role.
There will be two other members with appropriate expertise appointed by the minister, one of whom shall be the chair of the board. The administration of the authority shall be managed by the chief executive officer of the authority. This person will be a non-voting member of the board. The executive of the day will appoint the chief officers of the four emergency services.
This structure of the senior management of the authority provides clear lines of communication from each emergency service to the relevant minister in the same way that the chief police officer has direct access to the minister. This access is important if the ACT is to have fully effective and properly resourced emergency services. At the same time, these arrangements will ensure that there is effective management of each of the emergency services.
The chief officer of each emergency service will be able to exercise appropriate management of their particular service, whether it be the fire brigade, the ambulance service, the state emergency service or the rural fire service. This is an essential requirement for the provision of emergency services. Moreover, these arrangements will ensure that there is effective collaboration between the services, as this is necessary, and that the services use common management and administrative processes where this is possible.
The functions for the authority are generally self-explanatory. One set of functions that I would highlight relates to education programs. There are various aspects to education. An essential component of education about emergencies is set out in proposed subsection (q). This relates to educating the public on their personal preparedness to cope with an emergency and on their responsibilities in responding to emergency situations.
Our community demands the most effective management services that are possible within the constraints of availability of funding and other resources. My bill provides a structure that will enable the community needs to be met as effectively and efficiently as possible while being mindful of the pressures that always exist on budgets. I commend this bill to the Assembly
Debate (on motion by Mr Corbell) adjourned to the next sitting.
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