FORWARD FOR FIREYS

those objectives, and provides a mechanism for executive decisionmakers from TFS, PWS and STT to come together and agree objectives and resourcing levels that will then be operationalised by whole-of-state control structures. TFS, PWS and STT should establish a State Air Desk, to be staffed by specialist staff year-round, with responsibility for managing both preparatory and contractual issues out of season as well as aircraft management when fires or other emergency events are occurring. The proposed Tasmania State Air Desk should have a finance officer attached to its staff. TFS, PWS and STT should jointly reach a decision on whether a winch-capable remote area firefighting capability should be maintained in Tasmania; which agency or agencies should be responsible for that program; and how a winch-capable remote area firefighting capability can be safely trained and kept current, to include consideration of the availability of winching aircraft. If the decision is taken not to maintain this capability in the state, TFS, PWS and STT should identify how the gap in capability that this represents should be filled in future fire seasons. TFS, PWS and STT should jointly carry out work to identify acceptable shift lengths and patterns — including requirements for rest days — for all personnel working on emergency operations. Once these have been identified, systems should be put in place to ensure that HR rostering practices follow these fatigue management guidelines. And senior staff should lead by example and ensure that they, as well as the people working under them, take adequate rest breaks. TFS should engage in discussions with government about the construction of purpose-built State Control Centre facilities for emergency management in Tasmania.