Inquiry into the 2019-20 Victorian Fire Season

All hazards

Risks spanning across multiple hazard types and across the emergency management system.

Biosecurity

Exotic animal and plant disease outbreaks and pest incursions can have significant economic, community and environmental impacts.

Bushfire and other fires

Bushfire and other fires have potential consequences including loss of life and property, and damage to infrastructure and environment.

Climate change

Risks include more days of extreme heat, harsher fire weather, less rainfall and rising sea levels.

Communications disruption

Communications services are crucial in keeping communities safe, connected and informed before, during and after emergencies.

Cyber security and ICT systems failure

Risks relating to the confidentiality, availability, integrity of information and data and disruption of services.

Energy supply disruption

Reliable energy supplies are critical to many social and economic activities.

Flood

Major flood events have occurred in Victoria every 10 to 20 years, with much of the increasing risk created by human settlement.

Hazardous material incident

Potential risks relate to many places where Victoria’s hazardous materials are manufactured, stored, transported, used and disposed.

Heatwave

Heatwaves are considered to be the ‘silent killer’ of extreme weather events and are the leading cause of weather-related deaths in Australia.

Public health emergency

Risks may relate to the delivery of public health services, with impacts on community health and wellbeing and potential for loss of life.

Supply chain disruption

Geopolitical, environmental, economic, societal and infrastructure-related shocks can expose supply chains to wide ranging consequences.

Terrorism and extremism

Attacks carried out by individuals or non-state groups with ideological, political or religious goals can result in loss of life, severe injury and/or material damage.

Water supply disruption

Risks include collection, storage, treatment, delivery, availability and allocation of water for consumption and environmental, recreation and cultural uses.

Workforce and resourcing

Risks may relate to human resource supply and skills to support emergency management operations.

Within this section

Terms of Reference

Matters for consideration by the Inquiry

Timing of the Inquiry

The Inquiry has been conducted over two phases spanning 18 months

Inquiry updates

Community updates on the Inquiry's progress

Community participation

How views and experiences were shared with the Inquiry

Inquiry reports

Publications produced by the Fire Season Inquiry

Monitoring implementation of recommendations and actions

Monitoring and reporting on agreed changes from the Inquiry

On 14 January 2020 the government announced an independent inquiry into the 2019-2020 Victorian fire season would be conducted by the Inspector-General for Emergency Management.

Conducted over 18 months, the Inquiry concluded with delivery of the Inspector-General's second and final report to government on 30 July 2021.

Through this Inquiry, IGEM examined Victoria’s preparedness for the fire season, response to fires in large parts of Victoria's North East, Gippsland, and Alpine regions, and reviewed relief and recovery efforts.

Community visits in 2023

The Inquiry identified a range of opportunities for improvement to how Victoria prepares, responds, and recovers from emergencies.

Through March and April 2023 communities are invited to catch up with Inspector-General Tony Pearce to hear and share information about how Victoria is working towards being better prepared for emergencies.

Bruthen Community Meeting
Date:
8 April, 2023
Time:
6.00pm
Location:
Bruthen and District Neighbourhood House
36 Main Street, Bruthen

Within this section

Community visits in 2023

Who we work with