In fact, what everyone is really talking about is the OSOM or ‘One Source, One Message’ project. The project delivered a new web-based messaging system, which went live on Sunday, 1 November. The web-based messaging system is the system that CFA and DSE now use to deliver timely and accurate warnings.
Local Information Officers will use the system to author and publish warnings from Incident Control Centres (ICCs) directly to the CFA and DSE websites with approval from the Incident Controller.
The warnings will appear on the websites within five minutes of being authorised.
At the same time that warnings are published simultaneously on the CFA and DSE websites, support organisations, the Victorian Bushfire Information Line (VBIL) and emergency broadcasters, such as ABC Radio will receive the warnings.
This ensures that the community, emergency services and support organisations all get the same information at the same time, from the same source.
Messages can be uploaded wherever there is internet, meaning the system can be used even if a designated Incident Control Centre is not accessible.
Warning messages are created from a set of templates that contain drop-down boxes to speed the writing process, and use clear, simple language to convey the extent of the threat and what people should do to ensure their safety.
The content is derived from the nationally-agreed Framework for Scaled Advice and Warnings to the Community, and has been based on international common alert protocols that have been adapted for Australian needs.
With the new focus on local Information Officers, the State Control Centre (SCC) Information Unit will play a support and monitoring role, in addition to a 24 hour support line which will provide technical support.
The web-based messaging system is one of a range of improvements to ensure warnings are more timely and accurate.
Other improvements include more trained and better equipped ground observers who, along with firefighters and air observers, will provide situation updates from the fireground and more trained fire behaviour analysts.
As well as upgrades to all Level 3 Incident Control Centres to ensure that Incident Management Teams have the right resources and technology to manage a level 3 fire, including issuing warnings.
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