Mr BURKE - 1994-10-05
Many dry season fires which blazed across the Top End recently apparently were deliberately lit. Could the minister clarify that perception and inform the House of the level of training and expertise in the Northern Territory Fire Service to help officers detect the source of a fire and consequently any possible arson activities?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, unfortunately, I must inform honourable members that there have been occasions when fires have been lit deliberately. It is an activity that does not seem to be on the increase in the Top End, but it is becoming more of a problem in other areas of Australia. All honourable members would be aware of the fires that are presently burning in south-east Queensland and north-east New South Wales, a number of which, it has been reported, have been lit deliberately by teenagers. It is quite disappointing that young Australians believe that it is okay to light fires. When we grew up, people had a healthy respect for the damage that fire can do in the bush and we were made very aware at a very early age that a fire is a no-no in summer months or in the bush among dry materials.
As a result of this problem, the Police and Fire Services have commenced training to improve skills related to fire investigation. A training course was commenced in 1991. It was a combined Police and Fire Services course and it was designed to upgrade skills. Apparently, that was the first time that that approach had been adopted in Australia. In December 1991, the first course was run, involving both police and fire officers. Apparently, after a post-mortem on the course, changes were designed for other courses and, as a result, 2 specific courses are available today - namely, Fire Investigation Course 1 and Fire Investigation Course 2.
I have been advised that course 1 is designed primarily to examine the behaviour and chemistry of the fire and covers determining the point of origin, accidental fires, electrical fires, fire scenes, security, fatal fires and vehicle fires. Course 2 is more in the nature of an arson investigation course and relates to the laws of evidence, arson, criminal damage, interview techniques and courtroom procedures. I have been very reliably informed that the Fire Investigation Courses, conducted primarily by the Fire Service, are considered by many to be the best in Australia. Apparently, Tasmania is only one other place in Australia that operates courses. As a result of the Territory courses, interstate organisations are looking now at the Territory in relation to training in this very specialised area. This year, a member of the Western Australian Police Force and 2 members of the insurance industry were participants in
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the Northern Territory Fire Investigation Courses. Obviously, if this trend continues, other outside bodies will come to the Territory to gain that expertise.
Mrs Padgham-Purich interjecting.
Mr MANZIE: That is an interesting question. Firstly, you need to be able to investigate and determine whether the fire was lit deliberately, was accidental or resulted from natural causes and then you need to obtain evidence that may lead to a successful conviction. That requires training. We have courses in the Territory that are recognised as being among the best in Australia. They are attracting people from other parts of Australia and interest in them has been expressed from parts of Asia. I am told that the Kalimantan region has expressed interest in training being provided in relation to shipboard fires and port evacuation.
Special facilities have been built at the fire station. A concrete building there, known as the 'burn house', was used recently. The NT News carried an informative article with a number of photographs that covered some of the activity in this area. The burn house is set up with bedrooms, kitchen etc. I have been shown a bedroom that exactly replicated a bedroom located elsewhere in Australia where a fire had resulted in a fatality. The room was set in the same way and a fire was caused in the same manner. This was done by putting a newspaper near a lamp. The investigators had to determine subsequently how and where the fire started.
It is quite an interesting science and it is very pleasing to note that our training methods are being upgraded. We have had expressions of interest from other parts of Australia and the world and it augurs well for the professionalism of our fire service. Hopefully, it will go some way towards enabling the apprehension of the foolish people who deliberately light fires and will deter others from that kind of behaviour.
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ANSWER
Mr Speaker, unfortunately, I must inform honourable members that there have been occasions when fires have been lit deliberately. It is an activity that does not seem to be on the increase in the Top End, but it is becoming more of a problem in other areas of Australia. All honourable members would be aware of the fires that are presently burning in south-east Queensland and north-east New South Wales, a number of which, it has been reported, have been lit deliberately by teenagers. It is quite disappointing that young Australians believe that it is okay to light fires. When we grew up, people had a healthy respect for the damage that fire can do in the bush and we were made very aware at a very early age that a fire is a no-no in summer months or in the bush among dry materials.
As a result of this problem, the Police and Fire Services have commenced training to improve skills related to fire investigation. A training course was commenced in 1991. It was a combined Police and Fire Services course and it was designed to upgrade skills. Apparently, that was the first time that that approach had been adopted in Australia. In December 1991, the first course was run, involving both police and fire officers. Apparently, after a post-mortem on the course, changes were designed for other courses and, as a result, 2 specific courses are available today - namely, Fire Investigation Course 1 and Fire Investigation Course 2.
I have been advised that course 1 is designed primarily to examine the behaviour and chemistry of the fire and covers determining the point of origin, accidental fires, electrical fires, fire scenes, security, fatal fires and vehicle fires. Course 2 is more in the nature of an arson investigation course and relates to the laws of evidence, arson, criminal damage, interview techniques and courtroom procedures. I have been very reliably informed that the Fire Investigation Courses, conducted primarily by the Fire Service, are considered by many to be the best in Australia. Apparently, Tasmania is only one other place in Australia that operates courses. As a result of the Territory courses, interstate organisations are looking now at the Territory in relation to training in this very specialised area. This year, a member of the Western Australian Police Force and 2 members of the insurance industry were participants in
Page 178
the Northern Territory Fire Investigation Courses. Obviously, if this trend continues, other outside bodies will come to the Territory to gain that expertise.
Mrs Padgham-Purich interjecting.
Mr MANZIE: That is an interesting question. Firstly, you need to be able to investigate and determine whether the fire was lit deliberately, was accidental or resulted from natural causes and then you need to obtain evidence that may lead to a successful conviction. That requires training. We have courses in the Territory that are recognised as being among the best in Australia. They are attracting people from other parts of Australia and interest in them has been expressed from parts of Asia. I am told that the Kalimantan region has expressed interest in training being provided in relation to shipboard fires and port evacuation.
Special facilities have been built at the fire station. A concrete building there, known as the 'burn house', was used recently. The NT News carried an informative article with a number of photographs that covered some of the activity in this area. The burn house is set up with bedrooms, kitchen etc. I have been shown a bedroom that exactly replicated a bedroom located elsewhere in Australia where a fire had resulted in a fatality. The room was set in the same way and a fire was caused in the same manner. This was done by putting a newspaper near a lamp. The investigators had to determine subsequently how and where the fire started.
It is quite an interesting science and it is very pleasing to note that our training methods are being upgraded. We have had expressions of interest from other parts of Australia and the world and it augurs well for the professionalism of our fire service. Hopefully, it will go some way towards enabling the apprehension of the foolish people who deliberately light fires and will deter others from that kind of behaviour.
Page 179
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016