What I Need to Know
- Increasing development in the iZone, combined with severe fire weather and fuel conditions in some seasons, will increase the likelihood that firefighters and resources will need to be drawn from across the state to manage protracted or complex operations.
- Similar conditions in other states have many times in recent years led to assistance being required from Queensland and it is expected that this interstate cooperation will continue.
- Being a member of a task force can be a very demanding but enjoyable experience. It can be an opportunity to gain personal and professional development at a rapid rate.
- Intra-state and inter-state deployments may also involve an integration of QFRS permanent, auxiliary and volunteer personnel and resources.
- It is therefore essential that procedures are in place well before each fire season to ensure that the process of selecting, resourcing and deploying volunteers can be done in the most efficient manner possible, given the likelihood that most area offices will also be busy with local fires and many other matters.
- Members of a task force will only be selected from the Deployment Register by the Area Director, Rural Operations. It is important that they are competent firefighters in their field, can work as a member of a team, and get along well with other people under adverse conditions.
- People who deliberately cause problems for others on task forces will be sent home. Members of the task force should support each other, especially the leader, when difficulties are experienced during deployment. If the task force members are friendly and helpful to the locals, they will return the friendship with interest.
How I do it
Pre-Deployment
- Firefighting is an arduous activity and it is imperative that personnel who are deployed to intra-state and inter-state operations are capable of performing the tasks required of them without jeopardising their health or the safety of others. While roles are sometimes allocated on the basis of specialist skills or individual capabilities, often crews will be given tactical level jobs to achieve planned incident objectives and strategies without any consultation.
- Individuals have a responsibility to consider their health and fitness and to make known in advance any conditions that might limit sustained operational activity.
- Similarly, competence to perform in the tasks required means that each person selected must have a minimum standard of skills and experience (see the attached checklist for details). In general, FM1 should be considered the minimum level of training for a brigade member to be deployed to another state.
- Members of intra-state and inter-state task forces should ensure that that they have a personal kit containing essentials for the duration of the deployment (see the attached checklist).
- Vehicle preparation is essential and checklists for this purpose are appended. This preparation includes ensuring that all associated equipment is checked and in good working order and that parts and consumables normally required for operations are included.
- Administration is an important part of the process. This includes ensuring that members' names, personal details, next of kin, contacts, etc., are recorded.
- All personnel involved in the deployment will be briefed on the following information:
- Length of deployment and the location of deployment
- Accommodation and contact details
- Name of the person in charge of the task force and contact details (for emergency contact by families only)
- Name of person to whom the members will report on arrival
- Contact details for routine information for families.
Departure and Travel
- A communications plan for the journey will be developed and all personnel will made aware of it.
- Similarly, accommodation, meals and refuelling arrangements will be planned in advance and these arrangements will be communicated to all personnel.
- If driving long distances, a second driver will be allocated to each vehicle and a rotation of drivers must occur every two hours.
Arrival at Operational Centre
- An appointed Liaison Officer will ensure that information about staging areas, briefings, supplies of consumables such as BFFF and other essential information is gathered and passed to personnel.
- In the event that injury or trauma occurs, peer support and Firecare can be activated. Arrangements may need to be made for a member's return home or for the family to travel to the location.
Fatigue Management
- Firefighting is strenuous work and weather conditions are hot when bushfires occur. Fatigue management is the responsibility of every person.
- Individuals should notify their leader if they are fatigued, and outline the circumstances leading up to the physical state. Drinking plenty of water and eating three meals a day are important in managing fatigue. Leaders should ensure that rest periods are taken when circumstances allow it, and should keep a check on the hours of all people under their control.
- Accommodation will be organised so that all people have the opportunity to get eight hours or more sleep per night.
Return to Area
- After being stood down and attending any debriefs, returning from intra-state and inter-state deployments may require careful attention to travel and fatigue management.
- Maintenance of vehicles and equipment is essential and any faults should be reported and rectified.
Reference Materials
- Area Reference Manual - Business Rule: A3.5 - Deploy Task Forces to Intra and Inter State Operations
- Deployment Registration Information and Application Form
Operations Doctrine
- IMS 2.16 Incident Briefings
- IMS 2.17 Strike Team/Task Force Numbering
- SOCC Interstate deployment policy
Other Information
- DES Code of Conduct
Checklists
- Rural appliance service
- Rural appliance firefighting equipment
- Personal kit
- Strike team leaders kit
- Eligibility criteria
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Firefighter
FM1, plus
2 years active fire ground experience
Driver's licence appropriate for appliance type
Introduction to Incident Management Systems (IMS)
Crew Leader
Firefighter prerequisites, plus
Crew Leader training
3 years additional active fire ground experience (5 in total)
2-Day Incident Management Systems (IMS)