Govt to back SA bushfire review recommendations with $20.3m

The 2019-20 bushfire season was one of the worst the state has ever endured, with the devastating loss of lives, homes, properties, livestock and wildlife during blazes in the Adelaide Hills, Kangaroo Island, Yorke Peninsula, Eyre Peninsula and the South East.

In the immediate aftermath, the state government announced an independent review to be conducted by former Australian Federal Police Commissioner Mick Keelty, with the support of the SA Fire and Emergency Services Commission and experts from across the local emergency services sector.

The intent was to look at how the state responded and what lessons could be applied for future bushfire seasons.

The review found that across the emergency services sector the response was remarkable considering the conditions faced were the worst on record.

It also made 15 recommendations, including the need for investment in enhanced technology like Automatic Vehicle Location systems, burnover protection systems, new trucks and a single source of truth and information for community and stakeholders.

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In a press release today, the state government has announced it will allocate $20.3 million towards an action plan to deliver on the recommendations made in the report.

The funding will pay for new trucks and equipment for volunteers, better protection for critical assets, enhanced communications and technology and improved information before and during bushfires.

A further $16.7m in federal and state funding will be invested over five years for the SA Disaster Risk Reduction Grants Program.

The SA Metropolitan Fire Service will also receive $11.5m for new urban appliances - taking the total package for the SA emergency services to $48.5m.

A further response into the remaining actions will be delivered by September 30.

Premier Steven Marshall said it was important to implement change as quickly as possible.

"We were the first jurisdiction in the country to announce a review and we're the first to start implementing the changes needed to ensure a safe and resilient SA," he said.

"It is vital that we take what we can from the trauma we have already lived through and apply any learnings for future bushfire seasons."

Emergency Services Minister Corey Wingard said to be able to get started on an action plan so soon would position the state well ahead of the upcoming bushfire season.

"I received the report from Mr Keelty just over two weeks ago and already we've been able to put together a response for ensuring our state learns from the devastating events of last summer," he said.

"As a government, we're committed to addressing these critical recommendations because there's no point in requesting a report only to leave it sitting in a drawer gathering dust.

"The outcome of a similar review under the previous government resulted in the establishment of SAFECOM - which was a source of criticism in Mr Keelty's review.

"This Government acknowledges the need for change and will seek to amend legislation to appoint an independent chair of the SAFECOM board.

"We will also commence consultation with all our volunteers and emergency services personnel on how SAFECOM as a department could be structured.

"It's important to recognise that the losses in 2019-20 would have been far greater if not for the dedication and courage of our wonderful volunteers."

SAFECOM chief executive Dom Lane thanked the review team for delivering the report on time and has fully accepted the recommendation to review the organisation's governance arrangements.

"Providing clarity of SAFECOM's enabling and support functions to the emergency services sector will be a strong focus going forward," he said.

Action to be implemented for the 2020:21 bushfire season:

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