Managing wildfires |
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The Department of Environment and Conservation uses the Australian Inter-service Incident Management System (AIIMS) to manage wildfire events. This management system is used across Australia by emergency services to manage emergency incidents such as earthquakes, search and rescue, storms, floods and fires. AIIMS is a robust incident management system that enables the seamless integration of activities and resources of multiple agencies when applied to the resolution of any emergency situation. AIIMS achieves this by providing a common management framework for organisations working in emergency management roles that assists the more effective and efficient control of incidents. The framework can be applied to any size incident as it provides the basis for an expanded response as an incident grows in size and complexity.  The control system of AIIMS consists of four functional areas: Control, Planning, Operations and Logistics. It brings together personnel, procedures, facilities, equipment, and communications to facilitate the efficient management of an incident. A common organisational structure defines the responsibilities for managing the allocated resources so that stated incident objectives and outcomes are accomplished effectively. The system prescribes delegation to ensure that all vital management and information functions are adequately performed.
AIIMS is based on three key principles:
Management by objectiveManagement by objective is a process of consultative management where the Incident Controller, in consultation with the Incident Management Team, determines the desired outcomes of the incident. These outcomes, or incident objectives, are then communicated to everyone involved, so that they know and understand the direction being taken during the operation. At any point in time, each incident can only have one set of objectives and one incident action plan for achieving these objectives. 
Functional managementAIIMS utilises the following four functions:
Span of controlSpan of control is a concept that relates to the number of groups or individuals that can be successfully supervised by one person. Up to five reporting groups or individuals is considered desirable, as this maintains a supervisor's ability to effectively task, monitor and evaluate performance. 
AIIMS Structure
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Fire Management Documents
- Head of agreement between DEC and FESA
- A review of the ability of the DEC WA to manage major fires
- Bridgetown Complex Post Incident Analysis
- Burning The Bush - to prevent big fires
- Bushfire CRC 2008-09 Fire Outlook
- Guidelines for People in Cars During Bushfires
- FMS Code of Practice
- Managing Fire Brochure
- Managing a Fiery Change
- Fighting Fire With Fire Brochure
