The Sampson Flat fire in early January 2015 was the largest bushfire in South Australia in 30 years. Fire scar was approximately 12,500 hectares, with a 220-kilometre perimeter. Small, semi-rural communities at Humbug Scrub, One Tree Hill, Upper and Lower Hermitage, Cudlee Creek, Inglewood, Kersbrook, and Gumeracha were affected.

The South Australian State Emergency Management Plan comprises functional services and participating agencies (1). South Australian Veterinary Emergency Management (SAVEM) is a participating agency under Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA), which leads the Agriculture and Animal Services Functional Service. SAVEM is a 100% volunteer organisation of veterinarians, veterinary nurses, wildlife carers and others with specialist skills, and trains to the Australasian Inter-service Incident Management System™ (AIIMS™).

SAVEM’s role is animal assessment, retrieval, triage and treatment. Access to the fireground depends upon permission from the Control Agency (Country Fire Service) and PIRSA’s Chief Veterinary Officer.

During a six-week activation at Sampson Flat, SAVEM rostered 70 volunteers through its triage centre, set up for 14 days in the Kersbrook Football Club, and thereafter in daily field teams. Over 750 calls to assess in excess of 1000 animals of all species resulted. Pre-season planning with other participating agencies, meant that the RSPCA joined SAVEM’s field teams and the Animal Welfare League added logistical support. Veterinary wholesaler ProVet SA, Fauna Rescue, Wireless Institute Civil Emergency Network and Conservation and Wildlife Management (SA) Inc all contributed resources.

Animals treated and stabilised in the triage centre were discharged to veterinary hospitals outside the fireground; those in the field with hopeless prognosis were humanely euthanased.

This experience adds to SAVEM's six years in the sector. Routine After Action Reviews identify where ongoing improvement will enhance continued effective response.