Skip to main content
Home
  • The Legislative Assembly meets on 16/04/2024 (01:00 PM)
    Assembly sit 16/04/2024
  • The Legislative Council meets on 16/04/2024 (01:00 PM)
    Council sit 16/04/2024
  • The Public Administration meets on 08/04/2024 (10:00 AM)
    Committee meet 08/04/2024

Parliamentary Questions


Question Without Notice No. 648 asked in the Legislative Council on 11 August 2022 by Hon Martin Aldridge

Parliament: 41 Session: 1

FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES — FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE

648. Hon MARTIN ALDRIDGE to the Minister for Emergency Services:

I refer to foot-and-mouth disease and reports that up to 750 additional personnel would be required to manage an outbreak in WA, the majority of which will come from the Department of Fire and Emergency Services and the Western Australia Police Force.

(1) How many DFES staff in total are expected to be required in the event of an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease or lumpy skin disease in WA?

Hon Alannah MacTiernan: This is just verbal. No-one ever said that.

Hon Nick Goiran: I'd like to hear the question!

The PRESIDENT: And I would like some order, thank you very much.

Hon MARTIN ALDRIDGE: I can always start again. I continue.

(2) What duties will DFES staff be undertaking to manage an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease?

(3) What planning and preparation has been undertaken to ensure DFES operations and community safety is not significantly impacted by staff redeployments?

Hon STEPHEN DAWSON replied:

I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question.

The premise of the honourable member's question is incorrect. The Minister for Agriculture and Food has made clear that the majority of additional personnel required to manage a potential outbreak would be resourced from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and not from the Department of Fire and Emergency Services or WA police. DFES is ready to actively engage and support in any way necessary.

(1) DFES has provided details of its nominated agency liaison officer to DPIRD, with any additional staff subject to a request for assistance from the hazard management agency.

(2) Duties will be subject to the magnitude of the emergency. When requested by the HMA and in accordance with the state emergency management arrangements, DFES may: provide liaison officers and other trained staff as required and appropriate; facilitate resources and telecommunications as required; provide and/or assist in the acquisition of appropriate protective equipment and personnel to assist with detection, sampling or surveillance activities where the use of self-contained breathing apparatus is required; and facilitate DFES personnel and volunteers to assist with operational activities during the response, as necessary.

(3) DFES regularly supports other agencies with emergency management and continually analyses risks and readiness to ensure a timely and effective response. DFES is working closely with DPIRD and other agencies to determine what type of support might be required.