VPRS 16491 Case Management System - Fire-Related Deaths Inquiry

Full description

This series contains the records of the fire related deaths inquiry undertaken by the 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission. In its final report, the Commission explained the inquiry was intended to provide an understanding of how the ‘prepare, stay and defend or leave early’ policy (‘stay or go’) had been perceived and applied by those who died, particularly since the majority of the people in question died inside or close to structures, rather than on the road, which had been the case in previous fires.

The inquiry was not intended to replace examination of the deaths by the State Coroner. According to the Commission’s final report, this would occur once processes such as the Royal Commission and court proceedings were completed. This was given as another reason to hold the inquiry – to give families and friends of the deceased information they may not otherwise have received for some time.

The series includes documents received from Victoria Police and the State Coroner in relation to the deaths. It includes information relating to victim identification, medical investigations into the deaths, statements made in relation to victims of the fires, event overviews provided by Victoria Police, summaries of circumstances surrounding deaths, forensic reports, photographs of event sites, and so forth.

The Commission’s final report contains further information related to the nature and operation of the inquiry (VPRS 16295).