Transcript Fire – How to manage in our Natural Environment

David Allen
Manager Community Safety
Country Fire Authority
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Government Authority under CFA Act 1958
CFA is a volunteer and community –based fire
and emergency services organisation.
Vision – to work together with communities to
keep Victorians safe from fire and other
emergencies.
Mission – To protect lives and property
Coverage – All the “country area” of Victoria
excluding the Metropolitan Fire District and
Crown Lands.
58,000 volunteers supported by 500 career
fighters, 1000 support staff
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Currently 8 Regions across the State (soon to be 5pizza model), 20 Districts
Main Departments –
◦ Fire and Emergency Management (Operations and
Community Preparedness
◦ Finance / administration
◦ Training
◦ Human Resources
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Brigades
◦ 1220 Fire Brigades
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Response
◦ Activity 2012/13 –
 Response
 43,084 Incidents
 Community Engagement
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805 Fire Ready Victoria (18,981attendees)
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98 Bushfire Planning workshops
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567 Community Fire Guard meetings
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2,224 Home Bushfire Advice Service
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1540 Structural Referrals
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7500 Land use planning referrals-BMO .
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257 Community events
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Fire Triangle
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Prevention◦ reduction in combustible fuel either native or man
made across the landscape
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Preparedness-
◦ Preparing the community, have a fire plan – stay
and defend or leave early
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Response
◦ Brigade preparation and capability
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Recovery
◦ Work to reinstate life back to normal after an event.
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Government Policy--protection of life is fundamentally No 1 importance
 Variety of Government Legislation/ Policies to address this
Planning And Environment Act
 Bushfire Management Overlay- BMO
 Land use planning – subdivisions that create a road
 Fire related referrals – non mandatory
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Building Act
 Bushfire Prone Area Mapping
 Regulation 309/ 1003
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CFA Act
 Municipal Fire Management Planning Committees MFMPC
 Fire Prevention Notices
 Declared Fire Danger Period
 Various Policies/Recommendations
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Residential Tenancies Legislation
 Caravan Parks/ Residential Villages
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Dangerous Goods Act
 DG approvals/ inspections
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Other associated Legislation –
 Water Industry Act, Subdivision Act,
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CFA Referral Authority –
◦ Section 55 -Subdivision that creates a road
◦ Section 55- BMO
◦ Section 52 – Any other issue that a Regulatory
Authority (Council) considers has a fire implication.
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Municipal Fire Management Planning Committee –
establishment of a plan to address fire risk within
Municipality
◦ Identification of Risk –Victorian Fire risk Register
 Agency Actions include
 Roadsides
 Parks/Gardens
 Communications
Education
Maintenance of assets
Development of annual work plan
◦ Designation of Primary/ Secondary Fire Breaks
 Roadsides slashed/ maintained during the FDP
 Assessment treatment of hazardous trees
 Neighbourhood Safer Places
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Community Expectations-
◦ Know what the Government policy is!
◦ Know what your community expects!
 Fire safety/environment balance ???
- but they can be complimentary
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Risk based approach –identify, analyse, treat ,review
Implementation of all works prior to FDP
Issue of Notices to landholders
Community awareness- keep them informed!
Build strong relationships - work together
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Strategic siting of “deemed open space”- parks, gardens, ovals
walkways- no back fences onto parklands
“Boulevard effect”
Full slashing of reserves/parks or
Slashing/ maintenance of buffers
◦ Theory based on AS3959
 Flat grassland
 500 mm high -25m buffer 100mm high
 1000 mm high – 35 m buffer 100mm high
 10 degree slope
 500mm grass 35 m buffer
 1000mm grass 45m buffer
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Access – tracks, creek crossings, gates(keys)
Have an effective Emergency Management Plan
Water supply points
FDP patrols
Signage – fire safety
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Good use of open space!
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Boulevard Effect
Unmanaged /managed vegetation
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Increased fuel reduction burning
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Planning and engagement – multi agency and
with the community
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Working with the community!
Questions