1 / 19

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.

levia
Download Presentation

Fire – How to manage in the Natural Environment

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  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

More Related