David Allen Manager Community Safety Country Fire Authority

 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

 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

 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

 Fire Triangle

 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.

 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,

 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.

 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  RoadsidesEducation  Parks/GardensMaintenance 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

 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

 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

 Good use of open space!

 Boulevard Effect

Unmanaged /managed vegetation

 Increased fuel reduction burning

 Planning and engagement – multi agency and with the community

 Working with the community!

 Questions