Analysis: 2009 Black Saturday Bushfires & Emergency Management Changes

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires and their lasting impact on the emergency management industry in Victoria. It begins with an introduction outlining the background, rationale, aims, objectives, and significance of the research. The literature review explores the scenario of the bushfires, the role of emergency management, and the changes implemented after the disaster. The research methodology section details the research philosophy, design, approach, strategy, data collection, and analysis methods. The report examines the events of Black Saturday, the pre-existing emergency management practices, and the subsequent changes in policies, procedures, and infrastructure. It discusses the recommendations made by the Royal Commission and their implementation. The report aims to assess the scenario of the bushfires, analyze pre-incident management aspects, evaluate post-incident changes, and provide recommendations for future improvements in emergency management within Victoria. The findings highlight the importance of prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery in mitigating the impact of future disasters.

How the 2009 Black
Saturday bush fires changed
the emergency management
industry in Victoria over th

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Background of the research.........................................................................................................1
Rationale of investigation............................................................................................................1
Rationale of investigation............................................................................................................1
Aims of the research....................................................................................................................2
Objectives of the study................................................................................................................2
Research questions.......................................................................................................................2
Significance of the research.........................................................................................................3
Dissertation Structure..................................................................................................................3
LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................................4
Scenario of 2009 Black Saturday Bushfires................................................................................4
Role of emergency management in controlling disasters............................................................6
Emergency management aspects before the incident of 2009 Black Saturday bush fires...........7
Changes that have been brought to emergency management industry in Victoria after 2009
Black Saturday bush fires............................................................................................................8
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY....................................................................................................9
Introduction..................................................................................................................................9
Research Philosophy....................................................................................................................9
Research design.........................................................................................................................10
Research Approach....................................................................................................................10
Research strategy.......................................................................................................................11
Data Collection..........................................................................................................................11
Data Analysis.............................................................................................................................12
Ethical consideration.................................................................................................................13
TIMESCALE.................................................................................................................................13
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................15

INTRODUCTION
Background of the research
Black Saturday bush fires was a series of bushfires that were ignited in the Australian State
of Victoria on around 7th February 2009, Saturday. It is considered to be one of the worst
Australian Bush fires which turned out to be a disaster for the state. It took place at the extreme
bushfire weather which resulted in loss of various lives. Reports stated that approximately 173
people died with 414 got injured as a result of fire. It is after that incident that took place in
Australia that the day is known as Black Saturday.
Various communities had to suffer extensive loss of life and property damage. Around
19000 CFA personnel were deployed to battle with fire and bring the condition under control.
Controlling actions were also taken by Victorian department of Sustainable Communities.
Around $30 million were distributed to injured people by the Australian government as Disaster
Recovery Payments. Grants amounting to $10,000 was given to grieving families, $7500 were
distributed to families who got seriously injured in the disaster and around $5000 grants were
given to the ones who lost their homes (Laat, Stein Zweers and Boers, 2012). Government also
initiated to establish a Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund in partnership with Common wealth and
Victorian governments and also the Australian red Cross. It got closed on17th April 2009, which
was able to raise an amount of $379 million. As per the estimates made by insurance council; the
damage was amounted to $1070 million with normalised cost of 2011 which was $1266 million.
In this scenario, emergency management plays an important role in it, where risk
management and mitigation aspects are considered when any type of human or natural disaster
tends to arise in Australia. The present research aims at “To analyse how 2009 Black Saturday
bush fires has changed the emergency management industry in Victoria over the least 10 years”
which can help in analysing the change that has been brought to emergency management so as to
cope up with any type of bushfire that may crop up in the territory.
Rationale of investigation
Rationale of investigation
It is important for any research that it holds certain amount of relevance.The present aim is
related to Black Saturday Bushfires and its impact on emergency management industry of
Victoria. It can be stated that a state holds adequate policies which can help in managing disaster.
In this scenario, it is important to analyse various possibilities of adversity to which a location is
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prone. It helps in preparing the assessment in such a manner that its impact can then be reduced
to minimum.
The present research will help in understanding overall scenario that took place in
Victoria on Black Saturday Bushfires. Key rationale behind selection of this topic is to analyse
the steps that were used to be taken by emergency department of the country earlier and how
changes have been brought to it after the incident took place. There are only few researches that
have been conducted on the stated topic which has generated the requirement of studying it
further and come up with new concepts and strategies. Continuous development in this field can
help in coping up with the disasters that can arise in Victoria in the coming period.
Aims of the research
The aim of present research is “To analyse how 2009 Black Saturday bush fires has
changed the emergency management industry in Victoria over the least 10 years”
Objectives of the study
Based on the above aim, following objectives can be framed for the research:
 To assess the scenario of 2009 Black Saturday bushfires.
 To analyse emergency management aspects before the incident of 2009 Black Saturday bush
fires.
 To assess the changes that have been brought to emergency management industry in Victoria
after 2009 Black Saturday bush fires.
 To recommend on improvements that can be brought to emergency management industry.
Research questions
Based on the above objectives, following research questions can be framed:
 What was the scenario of 2009 Black Saturday Bushfires?
 What are the emergency management aspects before the incident of 2009 Black Saturday
bush fires?
 What are the changes that have been brought to emergency management industry in Victoria
after 2009 Black Saturday bush fires?
 What are recommendations on improvements that can be brought to emergency management
industry?
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Significance of the research
It is important for any type of research to hold certain amount of significance so that its
implementation in real world can be performed. The present study will be considering various
changes in operational practices of emergency management in Victoria. Thus, as per the changes
in plans and policies, it can lead to bring impact on this department of the country. Study will
help in analysing the trend of changes with the help of analysis of issues and framing new
procedures. The main benefit of this research will be that emergency management of Victoria
will be enhanced thereby creating ability to manage disasters in well-defined manner.
Dissertation Structure
It is important that research must flow in a specific format so that readers can gain adequate
knowledge and understanding out of it. Hence, structure of present dissertation will be as
follows: Chapter 1: Introduction: It is one of the most important chapters of dissertation which
helps in discussing aims and objectives being framed for the same. It also helps in discussing
background of the research so that reader can gather appropriate ideas regarding what exactly
will be discussed in the overall dissertation. Chapter 2: Literature Review: After introduction, another important chapter of dissertation
is Literature Review which helps in gathering data of other researchers who have already
conducted the research on stated topic. Literature is generally collected through books,
journals, websites, newspapers, publication and online sources. Chapter 3: Research Methodology: This chapter helps in discussing regarding methods of
research that have been opted to conduct the research. Hence, all the information regarding
research approach, design and philosophy is discussed in this chapter. It is also responsible
for discussing sampling, data collection and analyse methods. Chapter 4: Analysis And Discussion: All the data that has been collected by the researcher
will then be analysed in this chapter. It will help in giving overall view of subject matter and
analyse various aspects with the help of comparing and contrasting methods. Chapter 5: Conclusion And Recommendations: It is the last and most important chapter of
dissertation which helps in concluding various arguments that must have been presented in
the overall dissertation. It will also assist in giving recommendations to concerned authorities
so that it can bring positive change in the real world.
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LITERATURE REVIEW
Scenario of 2009 Black Saturday Bushfires
According to Whittaker and et.al., (2013) Black Saturday Bushfires was a series of
bushfires that got ignited in the Australian sty ate of Victoria. It took place on and around 7th
February 2009. It is considered to be one of the worst bushfires that took place in the sate leading
to affect various lives and property. It was the result of weather condition as two weeks
preceding Black Saturday, Victoria experienced a severe heat wave. Temperature reached to
more t 43 degree Celsius for continuously three days. The risk was combined to the effect of
long term drought. Extreme risk of fire condition was experienced when the temperature reached
to 46 degrees Celsius on 7th February 2009. The wind was blowing with more that 100 km per
hour which changed its direction in the day, creating unpredictable fire paths in the state.
Bushfires affected 78 towns in Victoria. The disaster led to impact more than 1000 people in
Victorian fire which resulted in loosing lives of 173 people with more than 400 people got
injured. There were around 2100 homes which got destroyed due to this. However, in
comparison to this, as per the views of Bryant and et.al., (2014) apart from loss of lives and
property, it has been analysed that people in Victorian community still tends to experience
serious mental health issues. Hence, it affected both physical as well as mental health well being
of individuals. The major life stressor areas were, change in income level and accommodation,
change in personal relationship and biggest drop was experienced in personal disposable income
of people. Individuals, who experienced the suffering, are not able to cope up with mental
trauma. Some also experienced Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) where they used to
experience intensive as well as explosive anger for 3 to 4 years later, when the incident actually
took place.
According to Ranse and Lenson, (2012) temperature was the biggest concern that led to
generate bushfires in the state. Background temperature of 46 degree Celsius with winds
reaching to 100 km / hour which led to precipitation of intense heat with no rain from nearly 2
months. However, on 7th February 2009, the speed of wind reached to 120 km / hour. Change in
direction of wind caused fire eastern flanks to turn into massive fire. The burning was with
massive speed that it became uncontrollable and reached towards town which was thought to be
safe. The extreme weather condition was the reason of the impact on bushes of Victoria.
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Figure 1Minimum and maximum temperature of Melbourne city
(Source: Paton-Walsh, Emmons and Wiedinmyer, 2012)
However, in comparison to this, in the opinion of Whittaker, Eriksen and Haynes, (2016)
rescue efforts were made by thousands of volunteers by providing victims with shelter and
financial support to the families of survivors. Government also immediately announced to form
Royal Commission to particularly look into the disaster that took place in Victoria. As per the
360-degree report issued by Royal Commission in August 2009 critically analysed the services
issued by emergency service agencies. It was then issued by the Victorian government that Royal
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Commission interim recommendations were initiated in the fire season of next year. Further,
royal commission also recommended changes in building codes of homes and building of
fireproof bunkers was also installed in bush fire prone areas of the state. The team also indulged
in improving fire evacuation plan and training people so that they can evacuate without any type
of injury in future bushfires.
Role of emergency management in controlling disasters
According to McLennan and Handmer, (2012) emergency management aims to
incorporate and initiate wide range of measures in order to manage various risks that crops up in
communities and environment. There are four basic elements on which it actually focusses.
These are, prevention, preparedness, response and recovery. The approach and formation of
whole new team especially focussing on emergencies, have developed overtime. In the initial
duration, emergency management was largely reactive and used to concentrate only on external
factors. Hence, the overall focus was only on civil defences rather than focussing on the area of
natural disaster and its relief. It is due to the reason that as potential shift of objectives was
performed so that issues generated within the territorial boundaries can also be resolved by the
team. From the year 1970s, the focus of team has broadened to encompass natural disaster relief
and also to deal with the threats that tends to arise due to terrorism. Hence, emergency
management work on “all hazard” philosophy which helps in taking care of both human and
natural issues that come up in the territory. Strategies and mechanisms have also been
introduced. However, in contrast to this, in the opinion of Cruz and et.al., (2012) Emergency
management Australia is not an Emergency response Agency but rather it is a coordinator of
Australian Government which comes up for assistance when it is requested by Australian
government. It is led by Director General which is then supported by three branch heads, called
as assistant secretaries. Tt has approximately 140 staff members who are responsible for
conducting certain tasks. In 2008, it was able to gather he funds of $30 million for assistance of
states and territories and to cope up with the issue that comes up, which can thereby affect
overall health and well being of people staying in the territories.
According to Parkinson, (2014) Emergency Response Agency (EMA) is responsible to
manage emergencies that may come up to various territories of Australia. It helps in coordinating
the activities that are related to emergency management which helps in bringing the situation
under control. It also helps in coordinating the activities in such a manner that best possible
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practices can be adopted so as to bring the situation under control. Australian state and territory
authorities have the constitutional authorities to coordinate and plan responses to disaster and
civil emergencies. It helps in preparing plans in such a manner that it can help in coping up with
the situation that seeks assistance from Australian government. The Common Wealth
Government Disaster Response Plan (COMDISPLAN)helps in providing the framework in order
to address state as well as territorial requests where physical assistance can be provided at the
time of emergency. It also helps in activating short term recovery plan in response to request of
the team.
Emergency management aspects before the incident of 2009 Black Saturday bush fires
According to Cartmel, (2015) before 2009 Black Saturday bushfires, Emergency
management was responsible to take prompt actions as and when any type of human or natural
issue used to get generated in the territories. The employees were not prepared with any type of
mitigation plan for bush fires that took place in Australian leading to damage of various lives and
property. It was due to mis management and lack of plans by the authorities that they were not
able to meet the expectations of the plan which ultimately led to uncontrollable fire in bushes of
Victoria in Australia. Based on inquiries conducted by government inclusive of
recommendations and discussions of royal commission and other wide variety of bodies,
authorities and other communities so as to ensure that what type of issue was actually faced by
the authorities in mitigating the risk of disaster that took place. However, in contrast to this, as
per the views of Laat, Stein Zweers and Boers, (2012) communication has come up as one of the
most significant aspect. As the climate was hoping towards bushfires from February 7, the same
was not communicated to people. It was analysed that majority of the territories which comes
under metropolitan tends to use digital radio, however, in case of rural police they tend to use
analog radio system to communicate with each other. It makes the communication system
difficult and also passing on clear information to one another also becomes quite a difficult task
for people. It also hinders coordination aspects making understanding of the response quite
harder.
According to Gibbs and et.al., (2015) emergency management was not able to
communicate warning to local communities which did not give any time to them to evacuate
from the place which became prone to fire. Hence, evacuation was one of the major issue and
better policies framed with respect to it could have helped in saving various lives. Auditing the
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issue time to time helps in ensuring that if any type of problem arise in the territory, then
authorities have adequate plan and mitigation action ready which can cope up with it. It must
also be prepared in such a manner that maximum amount of lives and property can then be saved
from disaster. It helps in reducing the risk of communities and promote healthy living. However,
before 2009, there was no evacuation and mitigation plan prepared by the team whose
implementation could have helped in controlling the issue at the initial stage only. However, in
the opinion of Paton-Walsh, Emmons and Wiedinmyer, (2012) it can be stated that, ineffective
plan of actions was the reason due to which condition was not brought under control. Better
planning, controlling and coordination could have helped in coping up with the issue in well
defined manner.
Changes that have been brought to emergency management industry in Victoria after 2009 Black
Saturday bush fires
According to O’Neill and Handmer, (2012) due to major loss of lives and property due to
the incident of bushfire that took place in 2009 in Victoria, Australia, it generated the
requirements of initiating certain changes in policies and procedures of Emergency management
of the country. After 2009, restructuring of federal Attorney general’s Department which is a
responsibility of Australian Emergency management was then taken over by national Security
Capability development Division. The institute is responsible for conducting extensive
emergency management training and education programme in the form of vocational education
and training. It also helps in initiating Public Safety Training package as well. It helps in
delivering various competencies to people so as to handle public safety in well defined manner.
Training is provided with respect to recovery management, exercise management, Emergency
planning, etc. Short courses are linked to development of understanding with respect to business
continuity, planning and emergency management for local government. It has involvement of
various emergency response agencies, such as, ambulance, police, fire, State Emergency
services. However, in comparison to this, as per the views of Walters and Mair, (2012) bushfires
incidence has helped in overall development of safety system so as to ensure that what steps are
taken by the authorities and various individuals when the situation may arise again in Victoria or
different parts of Australia. It has also initiated coordination request so that proper channel of
communication can be maintained with people and with the authorities who are involved in
dealing with the issue. Special team has been introduced by Emergency Department which helps
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in dealing exclusively with prevention of these incidents. It helps in ensuring that steps have
been taken by the authorities so that impact of any type of natural disaster can be reduced to the
minimum beforehand.
According to Paveglio, Boyd and Carroll, (2012) the authorities stated after bushfire
incident that they did not have adequate amount of resources to cope up with the natural disaster.
In order to cope up this issue, resources have been provided by the government to its authorities
so as to ensure that they are able to perform heir practices in a well defined manner. Since a
decade, clear movement in fire agencies and emergency departments have been initiated to
enhance knowledge and understanding with respect to Bushfire so as to reduce the risk of
Bushfire to take place again. Risk management approach have also been adopted by the team
with the help of AS 4360 and ISO 31000 risk management standards with clear focus on
prevention, mitigation and community preparedness. It is assumed that traditional bushfire
approach has been handled in a well-defined manner where, there is response to prepared ness is
quite high in comparison to that of earlier aspects of emergency management. Community safety
approach has also been initiated which helps in ensuring that different paradigm of natural
disaster has been taken into consideration by the team. These determinants are, health education,
medical and first aid, system engineering and public health related aspects. Robust safety
management systems help in developing effective control over the issue that may get generated
in the territory in the upcoming years. However, in contrast to this, as per the views of Pfitzer
and et.al., (2016) analysing the delivery gap and designing and implementing accordingly can
help in dealing with the issue in a well-defined manner. Hence, various interviews and group
discussion sessions were conducted so as to come up with right type of design of plan that can
then be implemented by emergency management team to come up with effective risk
management and mitigation strategies.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Introduction
Research methodology is theoretical analysis tool that assist researcher in finding
accurate results (Žikić, 2016). Scholar has to take support of several criteria in order to resolve
research problems. It is systematic analysis tool that aid in answering unanswered questions.
Researcher has to ensure selection of appropriate tool so that investigation is carried out in
appropriate manner.
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Research Philosophy
It is type of instrument that describes belief of researcher about the way of gathering,
analysing details. It generally deals with nature and development of knowledge so that research
questions can be answered properly. There are several types of philosophies that are applied in
different studies: positivism, interpretivism, realism etc (Anney, 2014). All these have unique
features and are used in different type of studies. Positivism is method that describe research
topic from objective view point. In this tool researcher observe the facts and manipulate reality
through observing facts from different angles. It is generally applies in quantitative type of
researches where scholar has to perform statistical calculations so that each aspect can be viewed
from different prospectives. On other hand interpretivism is another instrument that carrying out
investigation from subjective view point. In this scholar involves theories and models in order to
find out research questions. Realism is the type of method that concentrates on reality (Beard and
Cook, 2017).
In the present dissertation scholar will take support of interpretivism philosophy. This
will help in involving relevant theories and developing in-depth understanding about topic. By
this way individual can answers these questions related to changes in emergency industry after
Bush fires can be answered easily (Billingham, Whitehead and Julious, 2013).
Research design
Research design can be defined as set method or procedure that aids in addressing
research problems effectively. There are various kinds of designs: descriptive, exploratory,
experimental etc. Descriptive research design is instrument that depict participants in appropriate
manner. It describes each small element that ca support in answering research questions. This
method describe view point of respondents those who participant in the study (Lee, 2014).
Exploratory design generates posteriori hypotheses and examine data set so that these questions
can be answered in appropriate manner. It explores variables to discover new facts about the
topic. Experimental designs always work in a direction so that different experiments can change
situation. In such type of method scholar assigns respondents in different conditions and try to
experiment their views. Explanatory design is another instrument that focuses more on why
questions. It explains the reason of each variable that affect entire investigation (Nogueira and
et.al, 2013).
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