WA:Short term fire chief to guide WA changes

AAP General News (Australia)
08-24-2011
WA:Short term fire chief to guide WA changes

PERTH, Aug 24 AAP - A new chief for Western Australia's main firefighting agency will
be appointed for 12 months while a new position of fire commissioner is being created,
Premier Colin Barnett says.

The new commissioner role is a recommendation of former Australian Federal Police commissioner
Mick Keelty, contained in his scathing report into February's Perth Hills bushfires in
which 71 homes were destroyed.

Mr Barnett on Wednesday continued to defend his embattled Police and Emergency Services
Minister Rob Johnson, who is facing calls for his sacking following Mr Keelty's report.

The report found the Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA) failed to comply
with its own procedures and policies.

It said FESA also had a poor relationship with other agencies, including the Department
of Environment and Conservation and volunteer firefighters, that led to a lack of coordination
and cooperation during the fires.

FESA head Jo Harrison-Ward was sacked last week in the wake of the Keelty report.

Mr Barnett said a new chief executive officer would be appointed within two weeks,
probably on a 12-month contract, to implement recommended changes within FESA.

The CEO position has been a five-year contract.

The premier said the government would meanwhile introduce legislation to make FESA
a government department and create a Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner who would
oversee all the state's firefighting agencies.

He told Fairfax Radio he thought it "a bit unfair" to say that FESA became a mess under
Mr Johnson.

The dysfunction within FESA and its relationship with other firefighting agencies had
not been seen to be as bad as it was, the premier said.

"I think there have been troubles brewing there and obviously they had got to a point
that was not recognised.

"The Keelty report has flushed that out and we will act on it."

Mr Barnett said Mr Johnson was responsible as a minister in having to accept what had
happened and play a role in fixing things.

"He can't walk away from that, nor can I.

"Rob's the minister, he's got my support, he and I will work on that and an appointment
will be made in the next couple of weeks."

Mr Barnett said there was a running debate about Mr Johnson's position "because he's
in the crosshairs".

"Ministers at times come under a lot of pressure.

"Rob's under a lot of pressure over this because a fire happened, 70 houses were lost,
thankfully no lives were lost, and a report was commissioned that showed some serious
weaknesses within FESA.

"That is not something that can be pointed at any one person, including Rob Johnson,"

Mr Barnett said.

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KEYWORD: BUSHFIRES WA

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