The current bushfire emergency has seen a coordinated response by public sector agencies working in close cooperation with various community based and volunteer organisations. The indications thus far are that this situation could continue for some time and may escalate.

Following the Christmas 2001 Bushfires I wrote asking for your cooperation with the release of staff who wished to be seconded to various support agencies. I propose to put in place similar arrangements for the current bushfire season.

It is proposed that departments and agencies continue to meet the salaries of those staff prepared to offer their services. It will be possible to seek a recoup of all costs from the Treasury under the Natural Disaster Relief Arrangements at the completion of the emergency.

These costs will include the relief staff's wages and any additional costs incurred by the staff member including travel costs over and above the normal costs to the staff member when attending their usual place of work.

The relief staff will not be involved in the fire fighting effort but rather providing support to the professional and volunteer fire fighting personnel. They will provide assistance to those support Agencies such as Community Services, National Parks and State Forests. Some specialist skills such as accounting will be required for particular agencies but by and large a general administrative ability is the only criteria.

If you are agreeable to your organisation assisting in the emergency and thereby enhancing the skill levels of your staff, I would appreciate your bringing details of this communication to the notice of your personnel. Any person wishing to offer their services is invited to contact Mr Vic Widman in the Premier's Department on telephone 9228 4516 or facsimile 9228 4279. Mr Widman's email address is [email protected]

(signed)

C. Gellatly
Director-General