Vol 25 May 2009

FirePlan Update

Vol. 25 – May 2009

Milestones in Integrated Fire Management Planning Executive endorses IFMP State Strategy

Loddon Mallee holds first full meeting

The State Fire Management Planning Executive Committee met on Thursday 30 April, to discuss the IFMP State Strategy.

Representatives from 21 organisations were appointed to the Loddon Mallee Regional Strategic Fire Management Planning Committee on Tuesday, 28 April at Kerang.

The strategy, which aims to provide vision and direction to the state and regional committees, was endorsed by the executive and will be sent to regional and state committee members for feedback shortly. A number of other topics were discussed at the meeting, with the following outcomes; • • • •

The IFMP Risk Management Guidelines were endorsed and will be sent to state and regional committees for feedback. A communication process between the state, regional and municipal committees was approved. The IAP2 Community Engagement Framework was endorsed as the community engagement model for IFMP. Three municipal community engagement trials will now take place using the IAP2 Framework.

The committee discussed IFMP in the region and committed to participate in four working groups to progress the project. Pat O’Brien, CFA General Manager, North West Area was appointed chair. “This committee gives us an opportunity to share information and make a real improvement in the way we go about business,” he said. “Our primary focus is on achieving the best possible fire safety outcomes for the Loddon Mallee community. Our initial step is to build a cooperative and effective team environment which allows all stakeholders to contribute their expertise and knowledge.”

What is the State Fire Management Planning Executive? The executive can endorse documents for the state committee to approve and make non-strategic decisions for the IFMP project. Meetings are held bi-monthly, in alternate months to the state committee meetings. The executive consists of state committee members from MAV, DHS, CFA, DPCD, MFB and DSE.

Representatives from a wide range of agencies discuss IFMP in the Loddon Mallee region.

For further information: Email [email protected] Phone: (03) 9262 8469 Produced by Sophie Jackson

Hume committee meets for first time after fires devastate the region

Agencies in Focus - VicRoads During the recent Victorian Bushfires, many of you would have seen flashing signs on major roads and freeways warning drivers on extreme fire danger days and total fire bans. VicRoads and emergency services worked cooperatively to coordinate the signs, making it the first time they were used so extensively. This is one of many examples where VicRoads can bring knowledge and resources to the table at regional and state IFMP committees. VicRoads representative’s knowledge of the road network, roadside management and roadside fire hazard management will be an essential component for developing regional fire management plans.

The Hume Regional Strategic Fire Management Planning Committee met on Thursday 23 April, the first time after fires devastated several towns in the region, including Kinglake, Marysville and Beechworth. During the meeting, participants discussed their expectations of the regional committee and the way forward. Participants also had the opportunity to discuss their experience and learnings from the recent fires. Although all of the agencies and organisations in the region have been extremely busy over the past months, they are committed to working together to develop a Regional Strategic Fire Management Plan.

There is also an opportunity to better integrate VicRoads’ role responding to fires, coordinating and communicating road closures, reissuing documents such as registrations and licenses and sharing resources, such as the road signs. “We really look forward to working with a wide range of agencies and bringing our knowledge and resources to the table to work towards a better outcome for the community,” said Dean Zabrieszach, the SFMPC member for VicRoads. This article is the first of a series that will outline the role of different agencies and organisations in the IFMP process.

A working group at the meeting discuss their expectations of IFMP.

Regional chairs and executive to meet On June 12, regional committee chairs and the state executive will meet to discuss learnings and progress so far. Topics will include the state strategy, risk management approach and communications between the state, regional and municipal committees.

“This plan should define the way we work. It should be the way we do business.” James Stewart from DSE describes his hopes for the regional plan during the Hume committee meeting

For further information: Email [email protected] Phone: (03) 9262 8469 Produced by Sophie Jackson