Community Engagement …The last frontier “To boldly go where no one has gone before.” 3 rd August 2013 Deputy Chief Officer Steven Warrington

Why are we here?

Country Fire Authority Act SECT 6 6. Appointment of Country Fire Authority (1) For the more effective control of the prevention and suppression of fires in the country area of Victoria there shall be an Authority appointed by the Governor in Council to be called the "Country Fire Authority". Country Fire Authority Act SECT 20 General duty of Authority 20. General duty of Authority The duty of taking superintending and enforcing all necessary steps for the prevention and suppression of fires and for the protection of life and property in case of fire and the general control of all stations and of all brigades and of all groups of brigades shall, subject to the provisions of this Act, so far as relates to the country area of Victoria be vested in the Authority.

2005 Hurricane Katrina: 1836 people were killed

2011 Japan Tsunami: Over 10,000 were killed

2004 Indonesian Tsunami: Over 230,000 people were killed How did they survive?

“….. The fire agencies needed a change in mindset to recognise that the most effective way of protecting communities would not be through fire suppression (which would probably prove ineffective) but by giving much more prominence to timely and accurate warnings. The tragic outcome of the fires brought this need for change in priorities into sharp focus.” (p.82)

Normal Events

Facing the Future (UK) Findings from the review of efficiencies and operations in fire and rescue authorities in England Over all attendance at Incidents is down 40% Attendance at fires is down 48% Building fires down 39% Minor outdoor fires down 44% Road Traffic Collisions down 24% Death from fire has reduced 40% in the last decade Little or no reduction in firefighters “Fire Rescue authorities have transformed themselves from organisations that dealt with fire response to organisations also covering prevention…succeeded in reducing incidents” Sir Ken Knight CBE QFSM FIFireE (2013)

“the southeast of Australia, including many of our largest population centres, stands out as being at increased risk from many extreme weather events – heatwaves, bushfires, heavy rainfall and sea-level rise” Climate Commission The Critical Decade; Extreme Weather (April 2013),p4.

“Many types of climate-related extreme events are expected to increase in frequency and intensity in the future. The heatwaves, drought and bushfires of the past decade provide Victorians with a window into that future” Climate Commission The Critical decade: Victorian climate impacts and opportunities (July 2012)

The Movement has begun…

we’re not there yet… Does every home have a working smoke alarm? Is everyone that is venerable to bushfire prepared to act safely under threat? Will they make an informed decision?

We need you!!

Can you be the “the first follower”?

We’re doing our bit… Fire and Emergency Management- – Lead by the Chief- Core Business The White Paper & FSC reform program Service delivery model – Core Business Brigade Classification paper – Core Business State and Regional conferences

Draft CFA service delivery model “Core” Organisational Functions – Leadership – Build Volunteer Capacity – Enabling Community Capability – Risk analysis, solution development and mitigation – Information and Warning – Incident Response and Recovery System of Service Delivery Brigades –Understand and manage local risk –Execute services to protect life and property in your community Suppression Community resilience –Sustain and maintain Brigade capacity and capability

Brigade Structure & Roles

Building brigade capacity Its not about asking you to do more things… Flexible models Out of the box thinking Pick your team Membership sustainability model

Support is available Training PathwaysSupport toolkit » Role Descriptors

Facts About The Forum 2011, Macedon: 142 members representing 70 brigades 2012, Creswick: 220 members representing 100 brigades 2013, Bendigo: 300+ members representing 164 brigades across all 20 CFA districts Next brigade magazine: Look out for the article!

General Sir John Monash Born in 1865 Immigrant from Germany, the country you were going to war against. He was Jewish at this time when most of the residents in Australia were Christian. He was a leader in the Army Reserve, or militia and consequently considered a second rate soldier. Even though he was faced with these adversities, he was credited as the leader within the allied forces that lead to the end of World War One in 1918.

We've done it before!!

Our journey continues We all have a role to play… Are you with us?