Design an Interagency Resource Sharing Model

The Need

Current resource sharing arrangements between AFAC member agencies are ad-hoc and unstructured, posing a number of risks.  As climate change and financial constraints increasingly impact on emergency service delivery the ability of agencies to maintain sufficient capacity for times of peak demand diminishes so there is a need for a coordinated national approach to resource sharing at times of peak demand. 

AFAC has the opportunity to take the lead by creating a cooperative, synergistic interagency resource sharing model that retains the benefits of local control. This will enable member agencies to maintain control of their resources, manage their risks and continue to provide mutual aid.

Coordination of international deployments is also needed as international deployments to northern hemisphere emergency service agencies now occur most winters.

Benefits and Strategic Alignment

Member agencies that need a surge capacity beyond their own resource capability will benefit from this project. A national approach to interagency resource sharing arrangements will reduce duplication of effort and minimise risk.

Timely matching of resource requests with resources available will streamline the current ad hoc arrangements. Implementation of the project outcomes are expected to grow the demand for NAFC services, which will increase its viability and long term sustainability.

The project has been approved by Council through the Strategic Plan.

Proposal

This project involves the design and development of a model that facilitates a coordinated approach to resource sharing by AFAC member agencies.

This will be achieved by the formation of an Interagency Resource Sharing (IRS) Working Group that is tasked with:

• reaching consensus on the scope of the project
• developing a draft Interagency Resource Sharing Agreement
• developing associated processes, procedures, protocols, operating arrangements, risk management strategies and funding models.

The Group will also be tasked with identifying potential sub projects, for allocation to existing AFAC Groups, relating to:

• mutual recognition of resources
• standards of accreditation
• common resource descriptors
• definitions of fitness for purpose

The project will also produce a proposed set of actions required to establish and support the resource sharing capacity of National Aerial Firefighting Centre (NAFC).

Depending on when permission is granted to proceed, a draft plan for the creation and implementation of a resource sharing centre would be presented for consideration by Council by December 2010. Other consultative documents will be produced periodically in the interim period.

Consultation

Broad ranging consultation will be required if the goal of creating an all hazards resource sharing centre is to be achieved.
AFAC member agency consultation will be facilitated via the proposed IRS Working Group which will comprise of:

• Senior AFAC member agency representatives
• Relevant federal agency representatives
• NAFC representatives
• All relevant AFAC Groups
• The Attorney General's Department National Security Capability Development Division
• Other identified stakeholders

Governance

Project Owner: Naomi Brown
Project Manager: Arthur Tindall SACFS
Project Team:

• Arthur Tindall, SACFS
• Gary Featherston, AFAC Manager Rural and Land Management
• Richard Alder, NAFC General Manager
• Ewan Waller, Chief Fire Officer DSE
• Steve Rothwell, Assistant Commissioner QFRS
• Shane Wiseman, DEHSA
• Rob Rogers, Assistant Commissioner NSWRFS
• A representative from the Attorney General's Department National Security Capability Development Division

This project will report to the AFAC Committee of Management. The NAFC Board will be advised of progress and will also act as an advisory group.

Fore more information on this project contact Gary Featherston, AFAC Manager Rural and Land Management.