TOBAN Declaration and Revocation Procedures

Scope

This Operational Guideline covers the process for declaring and revoking a Total Fire Ban (TOBAN).

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

• Pursuant to section 99 Rural Fires Act 1997 (NSW), the Commissioner may implement a TOBAN Order prohibiting the lighting, maintenance, and use of fires in the open air, where it is deemed necessary or expedient in the interests of public safety to do so.
• A TOBAN is declared for Fire Areas across the State on either forecast or actual weather conditions.
• It is the Operational Communications Centre (OCC) role to disseminate forecast and actual weather conditions and bring to the attention of the State Duty Operations Officer (SDOO) conditions that may necessitate a TOBAN being declared.

Declaring a TOBAN

• On receipt of the Preliminary NSW Fire Weather Forecast (ratings), the OCC will notify the SDOO.
• The SDOO will consult with the affected areas, the Director State Operations (DSO), Deputy Commissioners, and the Commissioner to determine the need for a TOBAN Declaration/s.
• On confirmation from the SDOO, the OCC will carry out the TOBAN Declaration process using the s99 TOBAN Declaration Checklist.

Revoking a TOBAN

• On receipt of revised ratings or weather not meeting forecast conditions, the OCC will notify the SDOO.
• The SDOO will consult with the affected areas, the Director State Operations (DSO), Deputy Commissioners, and the Commissioner to determine if a TOBAN should be revoked.
• On confirmation from the SDOO, the OCC will carry out the TOBAN Revocation process using the s99 TOBAN Revocation Checklist .

Special Considerations

• Nil.

Related Information

• AFDRS
• s99 TOBAN Declaration Checklist
• s99 TOBAN Declaration Instrument - Template
• s99 TOBAN Revocation Checklist
• s99 TOBAN Revocation Instrument - Template
• TOBAN OCC Reference Guide