Part 3FUNCTIONS OF BRIGADE OFFICERS

PART 3—FUNCTIONS OF BRIGADE OFFICERS 3.1 Chain of command during fire fighting activities Subject to the Act and the local law, the command procedures to apply during fire fighting activities are as detailed in the Bush Fires Act 1954 and Shire of Dumbleyung Bush Fire Risk Management Plan. 3.2 Captain The Captain assumes the role of the most senior operational member of the brigade and is to— (a) subject to subclause (b) below, preside at all meetings; (b) in the absence of the President, the meeting may elect another person to preside at the meeting; (c) promote the objectives of the Brigade; (d) demonstrate positive leadership and mentor members; (e) attend meetings as requested by the local government; (f) in the absence of a Bush Fire Control Officer take overall charge of fire suppression activities, and/or ensure the principles of the Incident Management System are boing adhered to during wildfire suppression or during hazard reduction programs; (g) provide leadership for the Brigade and related administration; (h) ultimately undertake responsibility for the proper management and maintenance of Brigade property and equipment; (i) deputise for the Bush Fire Control Officer at Bushfire Advisory Committee meetings when require; (j) advise the Brigade on administrative matters;

2716 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 4 August 2023 (k) ensure Brigade members are adequately trained to carry out their functions in accordance with the Brigade standards; (l) in the absence of a Bush Fire Control Officer conduct brigade briefings and post incident analysis of any incident involving fire fighting; (m) conduct Brigade briefings and post incident analysis of any management issues; (n) to ensure that the incident reports are submitted to the local government within 14 days of the occurrence; and (o) ensure the behaviour of members is in accordance with the local government's code of conduct. 3.3 Lieutenants (1) The Brigade may increase or decrease the number of Lieutenants to meet their specific operational requirements, up to a maximum of four. (2) All Lieutenants shall be ranked numerically according to seniority. (3) The first Lieutenant assumes the role of the second most senior operational member of the Brigade, and so on. (4) The duties of the Lieutenant are to— (a) provide support to the Captain; (b) command and manage members during emergencies and other Brigade related activities; (c) demonstrate positive leadership and mentor members; (d) maintain open lines of communication and encourage positive interaction and teamwork between members; (e) ensure Bush Fire Operating Procedures are adhered to during Brigade activities; (f) ensure members engaged in fire fighting activities hold competencies relevant to the task; (g) work cohesively with the Brigade Training Officer and conduct training activities for members; and (h) ensure the behaviour of members is in accordance with the Local Government's code of conduct. 3.4 Fire Control Officer (FCO) (1) FCOs are nominated by the brigade to the Bush Fire Advisory Committee and forwarded to the local government for consideration and ratification. (2) Duties and responsibilities of the FCO include— (a) authorise permits for hazard reduction burns within the local government in accordance with the Act; (b) identify and conduct risk assessments of fire hazards within the local government; (c) perform duties prescribed by the Act and authorised by the local government; (d) may take overall control of fire suppression activities or operational incidents where the local government is the Controlling Agency; (e) maintain a personal incident diary to include a record of events and decisions during an incident; and (f) conduct brigade briefings and post incident analysis of any incident involving fire fighting or management issues. 3.5 Secretary The Secretary is to— (a) keep a correct minute and account of the proceedings of all meetings of the brigade and the Executive Committee which shall be open for inspection by brigade members at any reasonable time; (b) answer all correspondence or direct it appropriately, and keep a record of the same; (c) prepare and send out all necessary notices of meetings; (d) maintain a register of all current brigade members which includes each brigade member's contact details and type of membership; and (e) provide the local government a copy of the AGM minutes within 14 days of the meeting being held. 3.6 Treasurer The Treasurer is to— (a) receive donations and monies on behalf of the brigade and deposit all monies to the credit of the brigade's bank account; (b) pay accounts as authorised by the Executive Committee; (c) keep a record of all monies received and payments made, maintain the accounts and prepare the balance sheet for each financial year; (d) be the custodian of all monies of the brigade; and (e) report on the financial position at meetings of the brigade or Executive Committee; (f) prepare requests for funding for submission to the local government;