2023-24 Quarter 1 Fire Services Outcomes Framework Progress Report

Country Fire Authority (CFA) and Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) provided their performance updates for the first quarter of the financial year 2023-24 (1 July to 30 September 2023). These updates inform the Fire Services Implementation Monitor's (FSIM) 2023-24 Quarter 1 Fire Services Outcomes Framework Progress Report.

CFA continues to report against its 2022-23 Outcomes Framework and has reported on all quarterly indicators and three annual indicators.

The December 2022 cyber-attack continues to affect FRV's data availability and its ability to fulsomely report on its Outcomes Framework. FRV reported on 12 out of 19 indicators from its Outcomes Framework. FSIM understands that FRV continues to work towards restoring its IT systems and data access for future reporting. FSIM has now published three years of CFA and FRV outcomes framework progress data. FSIM considers it important that the agencies, as far as practicable, explain what actions they are taking that are impacting results, particularly with respect to key public safety indicators and those that demonstrate progress towards longer-term strategies.

In this report, the FSIM reports by exception on the following results:

• FRV continues to meet its target for percentage of emergency medical responses within 9.2 minutes for the 13th consecutive quarter (Q1 2020-21 to Q1 2023-24), and reports that training, appropriately equipped appliances and collaboration with Ambulance Victoria have contributed to this result.
• CFA continues to perform well in its smoke alarm installation and maintenance program for vulnerable people with 72 per cent of its 2023-24 target met in Q1. Smoke alarm maintenance and installations are part of a suite of CFA home fire safety activities scheduled in the winter period. CFA also work with local councils and community networks to reach households at risk.
• CFA has seen a significant decrease in workplace injuries for staff and volunteers this quarter compared to Q4 2022-23. However, CFA reported an increase in WorkCover claims, fifty per cent of which are mental health claims. CFA report that they will investigate whether there are systemic factors influencing this result.
• FRV has reported reduced performance in all measures under the indicator ‘Increase support and maintenance of firefighters’ physical and psychological health’ since Q4 2022-23.
• FRV has not met its target for ‘Percentage of response to structure fire incidents within 7.7 minutes’ since Q2 2020-21 (12 consecutive quarters). FRV advised that travel time can be affected by access to the scene of the incident, location of the nearest FRV station, appliance availability to respond and variation between stations in time it takes to turnout.
• CFA did not meet the baseline for their indicators that measure the average time it takes to suppress structure fires and the time it takes to control bushfires. CFA recognises there are a range of factors that can influence this outcome.

FSIM acknowledges CFA and FRV for their ongoing cooperation and active contribution to FSIM’s monitoring and reporting activities.