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Fire – How to manage in the Natural Environment

Fire – How to manage in the Natural Environment. David Allen Manager Community Safety Country Fire Authority . CFA- Facts . Government Authority under CFA Act 1958 CFA is a volunteer and community –based fire and emergency services organisation.

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Fire – How to manage in the Natural Environment

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  1. Fire – How to manage in the Natural Environment David Allen Manager Community Safety Country Fire Authority

  2. CFA- Facts • 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

  3. CFA • Currently 8 Regions across the State (soon to be 5- pizza model), 20 Districts • Main Departments – • Fire and Emergency Management (Operations and Community Preparedness • Finance / administration • Training • Human Resources • Brigades • 1220 Fire Brigades

  4. Fire in Victoria- CFA • Response • Activity 2012/13 – • Response • 43,084 Incidents • Community Engagement • 805 Fire Ready Victoria (18,981attendees) • 98 Bushfire Planning workshops • 567 Community Fire Guard meetings • 2,224 Home Bushfire Advice Service • 1540 Structural Referrals • 7500 Land use planning referrals-BMO . • 257 Community events

  5. Fire Science • Fire Triangle

  6. 4 key activities • Prevention- • reduction in combustible fuel either native or man made across the landscape • Preparedness- • Preparing the community, have a fire plan – stay and defend or leave early • Response • Brigade preparation and capability • Recovery • Work to reinstate life back to normal after an event.

  7. Prevention practices-how does CFA implement fire prevention in Victoria • 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 • Building Act • Bushfire Prone Area Mapping • Regulation 309/ 1003 • CFA Act • Municipal Fire Management Planning Committees MFMPC • Fire Prevention Notices • Declared Fire Danger Period • Various Policies/Recommendations • Residential Tenancies Legislation • Caravan Parks/ Residential Villages • Dangerous Goods Act • DG approvals/ inspections • Other associated Legislation – • Water Industry Act, Subdivision Act,

  8. Planning/ Environment Act • 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.

  9. Practical Implications • 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 Education • Parks/Gardens Maintenance of assets • Communications 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

  10. Implementation • Community Expectations- • Know what the Government policy is! • Know what your community expects! • Fire safety/environment balance ??? - but they can be complimentary • 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

  11. Treatments in Parks • 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 • Access – tracks, creek crossings, gates(keys) • Have an effective Emergency Management Plan • Water supply points • FDP patrols • Signage – fire safety

  12. Treatments • Good use of open space!

  13. Treatments • Boulevard Effect

  14. Treatments Unmanaged /managed vegetation

  15. Treatments • Increased fuel reduction burning

  16. Treatments • Planning and engagement – multi agency and with the community

  17. Treatments

  18. Treatments • Working with the community!

  19. Thank You • Questions

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