40
3.4 Capability and capacity for impact assessment Finding 7 The Inspector-General for Emergency Management finds that: •
there is a high level of capability for initial impact assessment (IIA) in Class 1 emergencies particularly among responder agencies.
•
capability for secondary impact assessment and IIA in Class 2 emergencies is less consistent across the sector, but individual organisations were well placed to collect and analyse the impact assessment data relevant to their recovery responsibilities and business as usual requirements.
Impact assessment relies on the accurate and reliable collection of information describing the effects of an emergency. The technical expertise, equipment and contextual knowledge required to collect data varies. Some impacts can be easily assessed by observing the damage or collating reports. Other impacts require technical expertise or specialised equipment to accurately measure and report. Stakeholders’ feedback and a review of sector doctrine did not provide any specific methodology for impact assessment. Internationally, Damage and Loss Assessment (DaLA) is used in multiple jurisdictions [63, 64] and the Queensland Reconstruction Authority use DaLA to underpin its impact assessment processes. The DaLA methodology outlines triggers for data collection, baseline data sources, data collection practices and assembly of the data collection team. The United Nations and World Bank have produced comprehensive guides for using the DaLA methodology [63, 64]. While the methodology does not differ substantially from the impact assessment practices undertaken in Victoria, the process and associated capabilities required is well documented.
Parks Victoria aerial capacity during the 2009 Cathedral Fire, Wilsons Promontory (Image: Parks Victoria)
