Paul Tangey Community Education Coordinator Loddon Mallee Region

1. Paul TangeyCommunity Education CoordinatorLoddon Mallee Region

2. Overview • Fire Danger Ratings • Total Fire Ban Districts • Identifying bushfire risks • Duty of care • Vulnerability of participants • Additional considerations • Defer, cancel or relocate an event • Going ahead • Further information • Questions

3. Fire Danger Rating Scale

4. What fire danger ratings mean for events • The Fire Danger Rating predicts how a fire would behave if one started, including how difficult it would be to put out. The higher the rating, the more dangerous the conditions. • Fire Danger Ratings are forecast by the Bureau of Meteorology during the fire season based on weather and other environmental conditions and forecast up to four days in advance. • CFA advice for event organisers where the fire danger ratings outlined apply to areas where they have planned an event…

5. Code Red Fire Danger Rating • Worst case scenario conditions for a bushfires (including grass fires). • Catastrophic outcomes are most likely if a bushfire starts and takes hold. • Beyond design & construction of most buildings to withstand fires in these conditions. • Safest place is away from high risk bushfire areas. Avoid forested areas, thick bush or long, dry grass • CFA recommends that events planned for Code Red days be cancelled, deferred or relocated

6. Extreme Fire Danger Rating • Typically extremely hot, dry and windy conditions. • Fire starts that take hold will be uncontrollable, unpredictable and fast moving. Spot fires will start, move quickly and come from many directions. • CFA recommends that any person or body planning an event on a day of extreme fire danger rating have a carefully thought out fire emergency plan that is location and event specific. • Depending upon the size and nature of the event, there should be consideration given to cancellation, deferment or relocation

7. Severe Fire Danger Rating • Expect hot, dry and possibly windy conditions. If a fire starts and takes hold, it may be uncontrollable. • CFA recommends that any person or body planning an event on a day of severe fire danger have a carefully thought out fire emergency plan that is location and event specific. • Depending on the size and nature of the event, there should be consideration given to cancellation, deferment or relocation.

9. Identifying bushfire risks • Intended site in an area of bushfire risk? • DPCD website - within a designated Bushfire Prone Area (moderate bushfire risk) or A Bushfire Management Overlay (area of highest bushfire risk) • Landscape surrounding venue • Potential bushfire impacts on the roads/access into and out of the proposed event site • How might the premises/ site might be impacted by a bushfire

10. Duty of care? • Organiser to provide for the health and safety of those participating by identifying and assessing potential risks, and implementing actions to reduce those risks to an acceptable level • Event organisers require: • A clear understanding of duty of care to clients under common law and any specific legislation • Detailed understanding of public liability and any relevant professional indemnity insurance cover • OH&S considerations for staff and other persons under their supervision/direction

11. Vulnerability of participants Vulnerability for variety of reasons: • Little or no education or knowledge in relation to bushfire • Lack of familiarity with the site and surrounding area • Reduced capacity through age, disability, health or other impediment : • Organisational difficulties for evacuation and/or management; • Vulnerable to physical stresses and anxiety arising from the bushfire threat, including heat and smoke; • Communication barriers

12. Additional considerations • Does the venue/premises have a Bushfire Emergency Plan? • Are your staff familiar with it? Is it current? Practiced? • Managing language or cultural issues • Where is it practical for attendees to go to be safe? On site? Off site?

13. Making the decision to defer, cancel or relocate? • Resources to inform decision: • The Bureau of Meteorology website can provide information about weather forecasts a few days ahead; • www.cfa.vic.gov.au can provide general information such as ignition controls and permit requirements on naked flames in Fire Danger Period/TFB • Can I or Can’t I? • Fire restrictions in particular municipality • Victorian Bushfire Information Line – 1800 240667; • Warnings from fire authorities via radio and print media;

14. Going ahead on severe or higher days • Make sure that essential details such as times, numbers and types of people, are included as part of the implementation of the plan • Receiving emergency warnings – • Message types • Location • Emergency Alert • What to do if an Incident Controller orders evacuation?

15. Further Information • CFA website – www.cfa.vic.gov.au • Media outlets • Victorian Bushfire Information Line • Social Media • Local CFA Brigade or District HQ

16. Questions????