Founded in 2012, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) is a vital force in safeguarding Western Australia, coordinating swift and effective responses to natural disasters and emergencies.
With a dedicated team of more than 1800 staff and 26,000 passionate volunteers, DFES works hand in hand with government agencies to
- carry out search and rescue operations on land and sea
- provide life-saving support during road and traffic emergencies
- deliver expert emergency management guidance to local, state, and national partners.
KPMG was appointed to enhance its ability to respond to emergencies and better support affected communities.
About the Client
Client: Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES)
Project: Enhancing emergency response capabilitis in WA.
Location: Western Australia
Sector: Infrastructure, Government, and Healthcare, Emergency Services
Services: Operational Efficiency, Product Development & Marketing
What was needed
In FY24, we were engaged to conduct a comprehensive review of the 2023 Kimberley Regional Flood Event, one of the most devastating natural disasters in the region’s history. The floods severed transport links, caused disruptions to vital services like water and electricity, as well as widespread property damage.
The disaster also led to significant economic losses, particularly in business and agriculture, leaving large numbers of residents displaced and triggering lengthy recovery efforts. Our support was crucial in assessing the response and identifying key opportunities for improvement in future emergency management.
What we did
The incident review aimed to strengthen DFES’s ability to respond to emergencies and better support affected communities. Our approach involved gathering critical insights and feedback from both internal and external stakeholders, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the flood’s impact.
Through detailed data analysis, we uncovered valuable lessons and actionable insights, pinpointing gaps in operational capabilities across the preparedness, response and recovery phases.
This review laid the foundation for more robust, futureproof strategies to enhance DFES’s overall effectiveness in managing similar crises.
What we delivered
Following the incident review, we delivered DFES a set of actionable recommendations designed to revolutionise their approach to managing natural disasters in the future. These insights not only addressed current gaps but also outlined strategic improvements to ensure more effective, efficient responses during critical emergencies.
Our continued partnership with DFES is focused on helping them strengthen their operational capabilities, with the ultimate goal of safeguarding both emergency responders and the Western Australian community. Through this ongoing collaboration, we are committed to equipping DFES with the tools and strategies they need to enhance preparedness, mitigate risks, and ensure a faster, more coordinated response to future crises.
Find out more
Talk to us to find out how KPMG can enhance the capabilities of your organisation.