Inquiry into the 2019-20 Victorian Fire Season

Inspector-General for the Emergency Department, 17 June 2020

The examination of Victoria’s preparedness, response, relief and recovery concerning the 2019-20 fire season.

On 14 January 2020 the government announced an independent inquiry into the 2019-2020 Victorian fire season would be conducted by the Inspector-General for Emergency Management (IGEM).

Through this Inquiry, IGEM will examine Victoria’s preparedness for the fire season, response to fires in large parts of Victoria's North East, Gippsland, and Alpine regions, and will review relief and recovery efforts.

The Inquiry is being conducted over two phases:

• Phase 1: The Inquiry concluded its information collection focusing on Victoria’s preparedness for and response to the 2019-20 fire season on 30 April, to allow their consideration in the first report. Submissions relating to Phase 1 of the inquiry can continue to be provided, however these will inform an addendum to the Phase 2 report.

• Phase 2: The second report will focus on relief and recovery, and submissions on these topics will be considered until April 2021.

Views and experiences may change over time, particularly as communities recover from the impacts of last summer’s fires. For this reason individuals and organisations are welcome to make more than one submission throughout the Inquiry.

Community participation - sharing your views

To ensure the Inquiry considers the views and experiences of the Victorian community before, during and after the fires, the Inspector-General will offer communities opportunities contribute. The more views and experiences the Inspector-General hears, the more informed he will be to make recommendations that - if implemented - will bring better outcomes for Victorians. Click here for more information and/or to make a submission