Notifiable Incidents

Scope

This Operational Guideline outlines considerations relating to specific incidents and events that are subject to additional reporting requirements, known as Notifiable Incidents.

Fundamental Protocols underpin the actions of all RFS members and must be adhered to at all times. They outline the Principles of being an RFS member and provide guidance on conduct to support the safety and wellbeing of members.

Guiding Principles

• A Notifiable Incident includes the following:
  • The death or injury of a RFS member while undertaking RFS official duties.
  • The death or critical injury of a RFS member, or a member of their immediate family, in an incident which is attended by the RFS.
  • An accident involving a RFS vehicle, boat or aircraft.
  • The death or injury of a non-RFS member (including member of the public) as a direct result of actions taken by the RFS in the management or suppression of a fire or operational incident.
  • Damage, destruction, or negative impacts to the community, environment or property as a direct result of actions taken by the RFS in the management or suppression of a fire or operational incident.
  • A fatal motor vehicle accident (MVA).
  • An incident where a RFS Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) is used.
  • An incident where the RFS is involved in a rescue activity including Search and Rescue (SAR) operations, Road Crash Rescue (RCR), or Down the Wire (DTW) operations.
  • A complex structure fire.
  • Any incident on a national highway in which multiple lanes are blocked or closed.
  • Any incident where the Alert Level is escalated to Watch and Act or Emergency Warning, prior to the Situation Report (Sitrep) being authorised.
  • Any incident de-escalating from Emergency Warning to Watch and Act, prior to the Sitrep being authorised.
  • To advise of a request to issue a Harvest Safety Alert.
  • A decision to suspend fire permits.
  • The arrest or charging of a member of the RFS by the NSW Police Force (NSWPF) or other agency.
  • A fire or other operational activity likely to attract state wide media attention.
  • Any other matter that may bring members of the RFS or the RFS to the attention of the Commissioner, the Minister or the media.
  • Any incident where the nature of the incident or event is complex, involves significant interaction with other agencies or is likely to attract media interest.
• All Notifiable Incidents must be reported to the Operational Communications Centre (OCC) by telephone on 1300 677 737 as soon as it is safe and practicable to do so.

Special Considerations

• An appropriately ranked staff officer must attend any incident involving:
  • The death or critical injury of a RFS member while undertaking RFS official duties.
  • The death or critical injury of a RFS member, or a member of their immediate family, in an incident which is attended by the member’s brigade.
  • A collision or other accident involving a RFS vehicle, boat or aircraft during a response to or while operating at an incident where the following has occurred:
    • The death or injury of any person;
    • A vehicle or boat involved in the collision or accident requires towing as a result of the collision or accident; and/or
    • There is significant damage to any property, other than a vehicle or boat, as result of the collision or accident.
  • The death or critical injury of a non-RFS member (including member of the public) as a direct result of actions taken by the RFS in the management or suppression of a fire or operational incident.
• The need for an appropriately ranked staff officer to attend the following incidents must be assessed by the OCC Response Coordinator following consultation with the Officer in Charge (OIC) on scene, and where relevant, the District Manager (DM):
  • Any incident on the M1, M4, or M7 Motorways in a Rural Fire District (RFD) and whereby all lanes in any one direction are blocked or closed due to a fire hazard.
  • A complex structure fire.
  • Any incident at the request of the OIC on scene.
• All incidents which the RFS investigates or attends must be reported in Incident Control Online (ICON).
• ‘Death’ includes confirmed and unconfirmed.
• ‘Injury’ is any injury requiring treatment by a health professional such as a paramedic, nurse, or doctor (includes needle-stick/sharps injuries and/or any contamination by human blood or body fluid).
• ‘Critical injury’ is any injury sustained where life expectancy is unlikely.
• ‘Immediate family’ refers to a member's parents, spouse/partner and children.
• ‘Complex structure fire’ refers to any structure fire in a RFD involving a habitable, commercial or industrial  structure where persons are reported missing, critically injured or deceased, where offensive firefighting operations are being conducted, or involving a structure which is a significant community asset.

Related Information

• Service Standard 3.1.8 Critical Incidents