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VICTORIA’S EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT MAGAZINE

WINTER www.oesc.vic.gov.au 2010 Community radio boosts Victoria’s emergency broadcasting

IN a first for Victoria and Australia, UGFM – broadcasters in Victoria, inviting them to enter into Radio Murrindindi has become the first community emergency broadcasting MOUs – subject to their broadcaster to have official emergency broadcaster capabilities. UGFM was the first community status in Victoria. broadcaster to submit an application for official On 23 April, representatives from Upper emergency broadcaster status. Goulburn FM (UGFM) signed a formal Memorandum “UGFM demonstrated their ability to help the of Understanding (MOU) with the State Government community by broadcasting emergency information for emergency broadcasting in a further bid to boost to the community in February last year, and this emergency messaging for communities in times agreement recognises and strengthens their work of need. in emergency broadcasting,” Emergency Services “By including community broadcasters, the State Commissioner Bruce Esplin said. Government is extending the reach of emergency The station has broadcast warnings ranging warnings and information – taking another step from local fires, road accidents, weather warnings forward in ensuring the public is informed during through to road closures due to extreme weather. bushfires and other emergencies,” said Minister for It has provided direct and indirect support of Police and Emergency Services Bob Cameron, at emergency broadcasts during the 2006-07 the MOU signing in UGFM’s Alexandra studios. bushfires, the 2008 Alpine fires and the 2009 During emergencies, UGFM and other February bushfires, during which it continued community broadcasters in Victoria, have played uninterrupted broadcasts despite the loss of an important role in keeping their communities two transmitters due to fire impact. More recently, informed about unfolding emergencies. it broadcast vital information during the floods IN THIS In early 2010, the Office of the Emergency and storms experienced in the shire last New ISSUE Services Commissioner wrote to all community Year’s day. (continued on page 21)

From the Desk

Across the Sector News

State Government Announcements

EM Events and Awards

EM Movements

Minister for Police and Emergency Services Bob Cameron formalises UGFM as an emergency broadcaster with Emergency Services Commissioner Bruce Esplin (right) and UGFM Station Manager Peter Weeks. 2 WINTER 2010 ISSUE 25 3

From the Desk Commissioner’s Across the View Sector News From an all hazards view, emergency management in Victoria has been a very active space. Over summer, the fire agencies were very busy but thankfully Mother Nature spared Victoria from any sustained catastrophic weather. Autumn brought with it storms with damage in the millions. Winter A prototype Easy To Deploy tsunameter buoy is deployed for operational testing in the Tasman Sea. The buoy is the first in the Bureau of Meteorology’s campaigns continue to raise the level of community Deep-ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunamis (DART) system. preparedness and work continues on policies introduced over the last year and to aid recovery in fire-affected areas. As we near the release of the Royal Commission’s final report, all eyes will be on Victoria. This is an Tsunami awareness project important and emotional time for survivors, AN ARTICLE BY THE AGD communities and families. We must support our volunteers and staff, be mindful of emotions and AN innovative tsunami education and awareness resource aims and television announcements as well as messages through maintain the trust built with communities over many to help the general public and surf lifesavers better prepare emergency service workers, lifeguards and surf lifesavers. years. It is a good time to remind ourselves why we and respond to tsunami warnings. The Australian Government, through the Federal Attorney- ( ) do what we do. Change will come and that change After the devastating effects of the Boxing Day tsunami in General’s Department AGD , the Bureau of Meteorology and can be challenging, but it can also be an opportunity 2004, the Australian Government’s Taskforce, Australian Tsunami Geoscience Australia, has been working with state and territory ( ) to do what emergency management does best: help Warning System ATWS , was formed as part of an increased governments and other relevant agencies to develop various make Victorian communities safer. national effort to monitor, plan and warn of tsunami. protocols and procedures that incorporates all emergency I have been concerned to hear of key people An initiative of the ATWS project, the tsunami education and services agencies and state authorities in the event of a tsunami. questioning their future involvement in bushfire awareness program prepared by the Australian Government in “The recent apparent indifference to these warnings is a prevention and response. Victoria cannot afford partnership with Surf Life Saving Australia and in conjunction concern given that on some beaches, surfers and swimmers to lose such people – I would plead with people with the states and territories, has been developed to assist life stayed in the water and many people even drove to potentially to rethink – embrace the need for change and savers and other beach management personnel deal with the risky areas to try and see a wave,” Minister McClelland said. stay involved. general public in the event of a tsunami warning. With the Royal Commission’s final report will On Sunday 28 February, the ATWS was activated, after an 8.8 “The earthquake in Chile and come a new set of challenges. Government and magnitude earthquake hit Southern Chile. Surf Life Saving services agencies will have to work together to create an and local government authorities around Australia followed the subsequent issue of tsunami environment where collaboration occurs naturally procedure and closed beaches which could have potentially warnings for the east coast of and will have to continue to focus on community been affected by the tsunami along the east coast of Australia. engagement and genuine partnerships. We will “The earthquake in Chile and the subsequent issue of tsunami Australia demonstrated that while need to encourage the community to re-examine warnings for the east coast of Australia demonstrated that while the tsunami warning system worked the tsunami warning system worked well, sections of the public prevailing attitudes to risk for all hazards and all well, sections of the public chose stages of preparedness, planning, response and chose to ignore the warnings,” Federal Attorney-General Robert recovery. Though some of the suggestions for McClelland said. to ignore the warnings.” necessary behaviour change may be challenging, The awareness program, prepared in conjunction with the states arguing for a focus on mitigation and prevention is and territories, includes a new interactive online resource. Distribution a debate in which we have to engage. of the resource has included all 306 surf life saving clubs in Australia For this reason, the Federal Attorney-General has written The most important outcome I hope to see from aiming to provide an overview of tsunami and response to tsunami for to relevant emergency services ministers and surf life saving the Royal Commission’s final report is a consistent lifeguards, surf lifesavers and other beach management personnel. organisations, requesting a review of the public response to ‘all year – every year’ approach to bushfire risk Education materials will also be provided for school children tsunami warnings and highlight the need to ensure that warnings “I would plead with management embraced by all Victorians. This won’t and recreational boaters, fishers and other marine users about are followed. happen overnight; we need experience to guide the nature of tsunamis, what to look out for and basic actions that The review will be conducted with state and territory people... embrace new initiatives and temper new ideas with wisdom. should be taken in the event of a warning, including: emergency services agencies, local governments, surf Fire historian Professor Tom Griffiths said, “There • not travelling to the coast or headlands to watch the tsunami life saving organisations and other stakeholders and will the need for change is a dangerous mismatch between the cyclic nature • the importance of moving inland or to higher ground focus on: of fire and the short-term memory of communities.” • returning and securing boats that are in shallow water • ways to better educate and prepare the public for, and stay involved.” We can no longer afford such a short term • moving vessels already at sea to deep water, well offshore. and improve its response to, future tsunami warnings memory – we must learn from past – not relive it! Since the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami, Australia has • mechanisms for the effective distribution of tsunami made significant advances in the coordination of responses warnings to the public. to advise and alert the public of tsunami warnings. “It is vital that the public understand the warnings and Tsunami warnings are provided through the ATWS, are aware of the actions that should be taken in the event which is jointly operated by the Bureau of Meteorology of a potential emergency,” Minister McClelland said. and Geoscience Australia, and is provided through the “Surf lifesavers and lifeguards have a unique role in Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Centre which operates protecting people on Australian beaches. This review and 24-hours a day, seven days a week to detect and verify the awareness program aims to assist them by making sure tsunami threats to Australia. the public is responsive to the warnings they provide,” Minister The centre uses sea surface buoys and undersea sensors McClelland said. to measure earthquake activity and the likelihood of a tsunami For information on tsunami safety visit www.ses.vic.gov.au affecting Australia. In the event of a tsunami threat to Australia, To access the tsunami educational and awareness resource, warnings are issued through the media, including local radio visit www.beachsafe.org.au/tsunami 4 WINTER 2010 ISSUE 25 5

provided officers as observers as well as additional safety officers and also managing security arrangements on the day. As the firefighting operations got underway, the ship’s officers evacuated approximately 200 of their crew to the pier. Other MFB appliances soon ‘responded’, including pumpers and a ladder platform aerial appliance, which continued to apply boundary cooling,

Through the combined firefighting effort, the crews were able to ‘extinguish’ the fire, as well as affect the rescue of a casualty trapped in the mooring deck.

while the ultra large pumper obtained water from Port Phillip Bay to supply other appliances. MFB’s Water Emergency Responders provided personal flotation devices and safety officers, while the breathing apparatus bus was also called in to establish a full breathing apparatus service for several crews who boarded the ship using breathing apparatus to assist with on board firefighting. The oncoming crews were requested to report to the gangway of the ship, where they were met and escorted to forward control. The first MFB officer on board worked with the ship’s officers to develop a combined plan for crews to enter the fire compartment and fight the fire. Additional hose lines were run from the pumpers on the pier, which were used firefighting, in addition to those run from the ship’s system. As access to the All aboard for MS Volendam training drill international coupling became available AN ARTICLE BY MFB (which was located in the forward mooring deck) the ship’s internal system was able to be boosted from the shore. During the drill incident control was METROPOLITAN Fire and Emergency invited MFB, Victoria Police and Ambulance MFB was assisted by Port of Melbourne MFB Central Zone Acting Commander The drill commenced with the MS relocated from the pier to the bridge of the Services Board (MFB) crews from Eastern Victoria on board to familiarise themselves Corporation to ensure that all relevant Barry Gray took charge on the day, with Volendam’s crews responding to a ship, in order to maintain communications Hill, West Melbourne, South Melbourne with the ship’s environment. stakeholders were notified about the drill the objectives of the training drill to: reported fire alarm in the forward with firefighters operating on board and Port Melbourne C Platoon, together Being offered the opportunity to taking place, including Harbour Control, • implement greater alarm response mooring deck. They investigated and the ship. with Victoria Police and Port of Melbourne participate in a live training drill is the Department of Transport, City of Port system procedures commenced firefighting operations, Through the combined firefighting Corporation took advantage of a rare culmination of MFB officers developing Phillip and local residents, who received • allocate and carry out Incident quickly determining that they would effort, the crews were able to ‘extinguish’ training opportunity on 5 February, and strengthening their relationship a mail drop from the Port of Melbourne Management System functional positions require assistance. the fire, as well as affect the rescue of a with the invitation to participate in an with MS Volendam crew over time. Corporation the week before the drill. • implement Breathing Apparatus Upon receiving the call, MFB crews casualty trapped in the mooring deck. emergency drill aboard the MS Volendam, The drill was organised by MFB The basic scenario entailed a fire in the Stage 2 procedures initiated a staged response, to simulate All participating crews then attended docked at Melbourne’s Station Pier. Central Zone Acting Commander Barry forecastle mooring deck, which required • test the effectiveness of Metropolitan the delay experienced when appliances a full debrief at the Port of Melbourne The Dutch registered MS Volendam Gray through a relationship developed land based resources to assist the ship’s Mobile Radios (MMR) during ship respond from different stations. education facility in Lorimer Street, to cruises Australia, New Zealand and the with emergency management authorities firefighting capability. The mooring deck board operations The first crew on scene established discuss what worked well and where South Pacific, carrying approximately 1,500 within the Port of Melbourne Corporation. was filled with smoke and land crews • practice ship firefighting tactics boundary cooling to the ship’s exterior, improvements could be made. vacationing passengers and 700 crew. The Preparations for the drill commenced in were to work with ship crews in attacking and entry procedures (including while the officer reported to the bridge At the end of the day, all crews ship was only berthed in Melbourne for one the weeks prior to the exercise. A planning a simulated fire. international ship to shore coupling) to liaise with the ship’s officers. involved were able to take away some day, and was full of passengers. meeting took place on board the ship on In a typical display of Melbourne • strengthen the relationship between An MFB command post was very valuable learnings as well as practical MS Volendam officers proactively 3 January involving officers from the MFB, weather, the day started out drizzly, MFB and MS Volendam crews. established on the pier. Victoria Police experience, which will ensure they are sought involvement with the emergency MS Volendam, Port of Melbourne however the rain cleared at about The operation started with control of officers also participated as observers, better prepared for a similar emergency, services in Melbourne and have previously Corporation and Port Security. 10am, enabling the drill to continue. the incident on the pier. while Port of Melbourne Corporation should it ever occur. 6 WINTER 2010 ISSUE 25 7

Labour Day storms – the sector responds

AUTUMN hit Victoria suddenly and The storm left a path of destruction ferociously this year bringing with it a affecting properties across Victoria, with series of violent storms from 5 to 7 March latest insurance reports indicating 103,000 2010. At the centre of these storms was a claims (and counting) for an estimated super cell that produced one of the worst damage bill of $880 million. In addition hailstorm events ever recorded in the to the damage to private, public and state’s history, with media reporting business assets, significant interruptions hailstones measuring up to 10 centimetres to critical services were also experienced, in diameter throughout the Melbourne with numerous road closures, traffic signal metropolitan area. The regional centre failures, public transport disruptions and of Shepparton was also severely hit power outages. There were also impacts with winds of up to 156 kilometres per to several Melbourne tourist destinations Floods on the corner of Chapel Street hour and rainfall of 3 millimetres per including the National Gallery of Victoria, and Commercial Road, in the inner minute recorded during the peak of the Shrine of Remembrance, Botanical Melbourne suburb of Prahran, 6 March. violent storm. Gardens and Etihad Stadium. SES volunteers put in a Understanding impact improves mammoth clean up effort AN ARTICLE BY VICSES response and recovery strategies VICTORIA State Emergency Service “Events such as those super cell For information on volunteering with THE management of significantemergencies were deployed to various suburbs of sources, capturing all available impact (VICSES) responded to more than 7,600 thunderstorms highlight the dedication, VICSES, visit www.ses.vic.gov.au within Victoria requires a multi-agency across Melbourne to collect on-ground intelligence thereby providing key requests for assistance in the week care and commitment our volunteers have or call 1300 VIC SES (1300 742 737) approach. All agencies rely on each other impact intelligence. government decision-makers with a following the dangerous storm event that for their fellow Victorians and again show and as a whole contribute towards the safety Rapid Impact Assessment Coordinators single source of impact information. struck the state over the Labour Day what a strong community we are,” Minister and protection of Victoria and its community. were also deployed to Incident Control RIA relies and builds upon the Weekend, 5 – 7 March. Cameron said. Agencies also rely on real time, accurate Centres to facilitate and coordinate the information available to various key agencies “More than a thousand Victorian “Had it not been for the hard work of information to provide situational awareness gathered intelligence. to provide a comprehensive picture of the volunteers put in a tremendous effort, SES volunteers from across the state to and a common operating picture from which At the State Control Centre (formerly impacts. The collaborative approach under clearing up and repairing property damage lead the clean up, it would have taken Severe storms can occur to effectively plan for response to and the iECC), personnel from the Office of pinning RIA demonstrates the importance after this significant event that resulted in a lot longer for communities to get back throughout the year and it is recovery from emergencies. Rapid Impact the Emergency Services Commissioner of commitment to ongoing collaboration damage to thousands of properties,” said on their feet,” Minister Cameron said. important to be prepared – Assessment (RIA) contributes to this. (OESC), the Department of Human and partnerships existing within Victoria’s Victoria State Emergency Service Director The majority of impact related to be StormSafe and FloodSafe RIA is a standard process for collecting, Services (DHS), VICSES and the emergency management sector. of Operations, Trevor White. building damage (69 per cent), flash For emergency SES assistance analysing, validating and distributing impact Municipal Association of Victoria OESC and DHS introduced RIA in On Sunday, a series of thunderstorms flooding (18 per cent), trees down in a flood or storm call 132 500. information within 24 to 48 hours of an sourced and coordinated this impact August 2007, with the highest level of developed in the north of the state then (9 per cent) and other (4 per cent). emergency event. It provides critical intelligence to develop the Preliminary support from key emergency service moved southerly across metropolitan information for improved response and Impact Statement. agencies throughout its development and Melbourne, resulting in further damage. recovery strategies, as well as crucial This brought the total number of requests information for government and the for assistance to the greater Melbourne community. The ability for government The collaborative approach under pinning RIA metropolitan area to more than 6,300. to have a thorough understanding of demonstrates the importance of commitment to The operation required a commitment by community impact also leads to greater 1,200 Victorian SES volunteers supported by public confidence in the state’s response. ongoing collaboration and partnerships existing some 220 SES volunteers from New South The RIA process draws from a multitude within Victoria’s emergency management sector. Wales, South Australia, Tasmania and of real time intelligence sources which exist Western Australia. VICSES also received across the emergency management sector strong support from the Country Fire and brings them together to provide a The RIA Preliminary Impact Statement pilot phase. It continues to develop and Authority (CFA), Department of Sustainability comprehensive understanding of the provides comprehensive information on the progress from experience gained through and Environment, and Metropolitan Fire emergency impact. effects of the event based on four key areas emergency events. and Emergency Services Board (MFB). Under the state’s emergency of impact: The RIA principles employed within “The cooperation between emergency management arrangements, VICSES • social Victoria are consistent with the United service volunteers and staff from across is the ‘control agency’ for storms in • health and community Nations Disaster Assessment and Australia was fantastic and I’m proud Victoria and is assigned to control the • economic Coordination Guidelines and the Queensland to be a member of such an important response activities for the event. During • natural environment and Disaster Loss Assessment Guidelines. organisation,” Mr White said. this particular storm event, the need to the built environment. For further information on Rapid Impact Minister for Police and Emergency understand the extent of storm’s impact The Preliminary Impact Statement Assessment, contact Kalpana Narain SES volunteers responding to one of Services Bob Cameron thanked the the many thousands of requests for was identified in its early stages. Together is a unique document developed through and Helen Kelly in the Office of the hundreds of SES volunteers who worked assistance with property damage. with members of the MFB and CFA, a active collection, and continuous update, Emergency Services Commissioner, tirelessly to help Victorian communities. large number of VICSES personnel of impact intelligence from a wide range by email [email protected] 8 WINTER 2010 ISSUE 25 9

allowed it to burn up to the retardant, to test its ability to halt a moving grass fire. Vicki spreads her wings “This allowed the researchers to collect International deployments AN ARTICLE BY DSE some very important data on grassland fire behaviour, as opposed to the fire behaviour boost state preparedness AN ARTICLE BY DSE found in a typical forest environment. “Thankfully, we’ve had only one fire this A new program designed to bring “This included skills in aviation season that required the use of the DC-10 international fire experts to Victoria to management, community risk assessment, (in the Murray Sunset National Park on increase the state’s level of preparedness planned burn management, community 31 January), which has been great news and knowledge was run for the first time engagement and training that we could for Victorian communities and our fire during the 2009-10 fire season. readily use in the Victorian environment. agencies,” Mr Waller said. Sponsored by the Department of “DSE, CFA and their partner agencies Following the completion of the 10 IN an Australian first, Victoria has trialled forest area as part of our current autumn Sustainability and Environment (DSE), have fire fighting skills which are recognised week trial, Victoria bid farewell to ‘Vicki’ the effectiveness of a Very Large Aerial planned burning program to reduce forest 32 personnel from the United States and around the world and this exchange program the VLAT in mid-March as she returned Tanker (VLAT) for future firefighting. The fuel loads. Canada made the trip to Australia in two is adding to those technical abilities as well as to the United States. DC-10 tanker, dubbed ‘Vicki’, and her “This allowed the researchers from the deployments as part of the International increasing the state’s level of preparedness. crew based at Avalon Airport, carried out Bushfire Cooperative Research Centre to Forest Fire Experts Program. “The knowledge, experience and operational trials over the past fire season. see exactly what happens when a forest The deployments arrived in January technical know-how that the US and ‘Vicki’ could be seen spreading her fire reaches a line of retardant dropped by DC-10 facts and February, joining the 700 seasonal fire Canadian personnel brought to Victoria considerable wings for a series of fire the VLAT. fighters, 2700 DSE fire staff and 59,000 will also improve future fire management ( ) retardant drops on forests and grassland “During the trial of the VLAT, we were • The DC-10 can hold Country Fire Authority CFA volunteers operations by providing excellent mentoring, in Victoria in the early part of the year. also working to protect local communities approximately 42,000 litres already working through the fire season. development and learning opportunities for Department of Sustainability and from the threat of more severe and intense of retardant or approximately Each group underwent induction training our own people during this fire season. Environment’s (DSE) Chief Fire Officer bushfires next summer,” Mr Waller said. 45,000 litres of water. This is before members spent a month working at “The personnel we had in the state Ewan Waller said the trials included In addition to the trials over heavily more than four times as much various locations across the state including this year have worked incredibly hard and the DC-10 dropping a 42,000 litre forested areas, the VLAT flew to a site in as some of the other helicopters Orbost, Traralgon, Woori Yallock, Colac, we see it as a really valuable program to load of retardant into a heavily-treed Western Victoria to drop two half-loads of currently used for fire suppression Bendigo, Ballarat and Alexandra. continually develop our knowledge and area of the Enfield State Forest, south- retardant at different coverage levels along in Victoria. Members were also based in Melbourne our people,” Mr Waller said. west of Ballarat. a large flat paddock of stubble trash. • The DC-10 and its crew are as part of the team in the State Control Members of the deployments fulfilled ( ) “This drop was similar to an earlier “After both drops, the researchers usually based in Victorville, Centre SCC working on coordination a diverse range of roles including Incident test we did over the Wombat Forest to see again went onto the test site to accurately California but came to Victoria for the firefighting effort across Victoria. Management Team roles at incidents across how much retardant actually penetrates a measure the drop spread and for this fire season, hence her DSE Chief Fire Officer Ewan Waller said the state, including Incident Controller, forest canopy to reach the floor of a dense concentration levels,” Mr Waller said. nickname “Vicki”. the program had been a resounding success. Planning Officer and Information Officer area of tall eucalypts,” Mr Waller said. “Then as part of a carefully supervised • The DC-10 was based “What we’ve been able to do is bring at the Cann River fires. The program also complements existing “The main difference was that after simulated emergency, Country Fire at Avalon Airport over the some highly skilled personnel to Victoria They also filled vital roles in pre- international agreements in place for general this drop, we ignited the 415 hectare Authority crews ignited the stubble and 2009–10 Victorian fire season. and get the most out of their knowledge positioned teams during days of Code Red fire fighting personnel that Victorian agencies • The DC-10 can drop water, and skills,” Mr Waller said. Fire Danger Rating in northern Victoria. will continue to call upon if necessary. foam and retardant. It cannot Mr Hatton has lived in and around use sea water, but reclaimed US bushfire collaboration AN ARTICLE BY DSE virtually every aspect of aviation, and water has been used whenever Profile: now he is focused on the business of possible in Victoria. AS part of the Very Large Aerial Based in Los Angeles, California, Mr establish enhanced evaluation cooperation aerial firefighting – in a big way. • The DC-10 can land, refuel, Tanker (VLAT) effectiveness research, Becker is the US Forest Service project between Australia, the United States and Rick Hatton Mr Hatton is managing partner of 10 reload and be ready for take- the project has gained additional leader in aerial delivery systems and has Canada,” Mr Becker said. Tanker Air Carrier, the company contracted off again in about 30 minutes. expertise from the United States more than ten years experience dealing The US Forest Service was by the Victorian Government to supply • The DC-10 has a minimum flying Forest Service. with the testing and qualification of fixed established in 1905 and is an agency “Vicki” the DC-10 aircraft to run a series of altitude of 300 feet in Australia, Ryan Becker a mechanical engineer wing and rotor aerial tankers. of the US Department of Agriculture. The trials to evaluate the potential for future use and a minimum speed of with the US Forest Service, has been “Here in Victoria, the forests seem to US Forest Service manages public lands of a Very Large Aerial Tanker (VLAT) in approximately 150 knots. working with the Bushfire Cooperative have more fuel and are more volatile than in national forests and grasslands, which Victoria’s firefighting arsenal. • The DC-10 can fly anywhere Research Centre in evaluating the those in the United States,” Mr Becker said. encompass approximately 78 million In December 2009, Mr Hatton and in Victoria within one hour. effectiveness of the use of VLATs in “After visiting and working on the hectares, or 193 million acres, of land his team of US-based aerial fire fighting Victoria’s bushfire prone areas. evaluation, I can see the opportunity to – an area equivalent to the size of Texas. experts landed at Avalon Airport, near Geelong, to carry out a series of trials “The DC-10 fire attack system provides during Victoria’s summer fire season. speed and reach and an enhanced drop The aim was to assess the benefits of volume over conventional forms of aerial Profile: Kim Christensen a VLAT for fighting fires across the state, fire fighting,” Mr Hatton said. Since beginning assisting the Federal Emergency “In my current position I work for the done with a series of scientifically measured “We’ve taken considerable time and her firefighting Management Agency. national fire directors and provide daily retardant drops across grassland and areas effort to make sure our DC-10 is the most career in 1978, Ms Christensen is the centre manager briefings and information regarding the of dense eucalypt coverage. appropriate aircraft for the task. Kim Christensen at the National Interagency Coordination current fire situation, resource status and Rick Hatton has been passionate about Mr Hatton says that US firefighting “Its large external tank system carries has worked in a Centre in Boise, Idaho, and she is chiefly undertake strategic planning such as aircraft all his life, starting with his first authorities, particularly in California, have around 42,000 litres of retardant and variety of roles responsible for resource mobilisation and potential resource requirements,” flight at only 14 years of age. already been using very large firefighting permits the ‘constant flow’ application including initial allocation on a national level. Ms Christensen said. From his early years flying in the aircraft, such as the DC-10 to fight – which is highly desired by ground attack dispatcher and emergency During her time in Victoria, Ms “There are many similarities between United States to his tour of duty with bushfires there. based firefighters. operations coordinator for the Bureau Christensen was based primarily at Australia and the US. Some of the roles here the US Marines in Vietnam, Mr Hatton’s According to Mr Hatton, Victoria’s “US Federal Aviation Administration of Land Management and the US the State Control Centre (SCC) and at the SCC regarding situation reporting and passion for aviation has now flowed firefighting agencies are showing a and Forest Service approvals ensure Forest Service. said a lot can be learned from both resource allocation from areas of low to high into years spent in commercial aviation progressive approach to attacking the that our modifications meet international Ms Christensen has also worked countries sharing their similarities risk are the same as how we operate at finance and modifications. bushfire threat by trialing the DC-10 here. aviation standards,” Mr Hatton said. on multiple all hazard assignments and differences. home,” Ms Christensen said. 10 WINTER 2010 ISSUE 25 11 I heard it on the radio AN ARTICLE BY KRR “You’re listening to KR radio, 94.5FM, serving the Kinglake goal. It is community in the true sense of the word,” Vice Ranges. Coming up, we will have all the latest news from our President KRR Committee of Management, Kathy Stewart said. emergency services...” Funding for the establishment of the station has been Shortly after the immediate impact of the 2009 February received from the Foundation for Regional and Rural Renewal bushfires, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation( ABC) through the Collie Foundation (managed by ANZ Trustees), established a temporary radio station broadcasting from Kinglake Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority and in the heart of the devastated area of the Murrindindi Shire. Rotary, along with support and sponsorship from radio station Testament to this community’s ongoing resilience, a dedicated UGFM, Salvation Army, Bendigo Bank and Kinglake Football Celebrating diversity group of community members has seen Kinglake Ranges Netball Club. and raising awareness Radio (KRR) permanently on the airwaves. Diversity celebrated of emergency services ABC Kinglake Ranges 94.5 FM was set up by emergency at the Uniformed broadcaster radio 774 ABC Melbourne and broadcast from Services in Your at St Albans Community Expo. what was one of the few remaining community buildings in Kinglake – the Kinglake Neighbourhood House. ABC’s mobile transmitter was installed in an extended cherry-picker near the THE second Uniformed Services in Your Community Expo was as and an educational DVD with Auslan interpreter and open captions, Neighbourhood House enabling the service to reach Kinglake colourful and popular as the day was hot. Presented by Metropolitan staff from the Office of the Emergency Services Commissioner and parts of Kinglake West, and the surrounding communities Fire and Emergency Services Board (MFB) and Brimbank City were kept busy with the level of interest in the new system from of Dixons Creek, Flowerdale and Strathewen. Council, the outdoor expo proved again, why it offers a winning students, teachers and local community members alike. Simon Rogers and Louise Fitzroy became the ABC’s team combination for community and emergency services sector. “To be able offer expo visitors information on this vital at Kinglake. This venture proved highly successful and popular Emergencies do not discriminate on background or culture and community warning system in their preferred language, and within the community, and aided community recovery from the equally, emergency service organisations recognise that Victoria’s see their appreciation, was an absolute highlight,” Office devastation of Black Saturday. Soon people had something else diverse communities may face challenges in understanding, of the Emergency Services Commissioner’s Community to talk about and focus on. There began constant discussion preparing for and responding to emergency events. Engagement Manager, Anne Leadbeater said. about the radio – who had been on, what had been heard – and Aimed at newly arrived communities and international students, Key CFA bushfire safety publications – FireReady Kit locals gradually began to smile again. The community began to the 16 March expo was the second of the highly successful annual and Can I, Can’t I? which educate about the need to plan and regain its sense of identity and there were growing requests from events, promoting greater awareness and understanding of the role prepare for bushfire if living and travelling throughout Victoria, groups and individuals to be a part of the radio broadcasts. of various uniformed services in the community. In 2009, the and rules around Fire Danger Periods and days of Total Fire Initially, the key role of the new community radio station inaugural Uniformed Services in Your Community Expo was Ban – were on offer in 32 languages, as part of its overall was to improve the channels of communication and keep the recognised with an Australian Safer Communities Award, winning strategy to increase bushfire risk awareness for Victoria’s community informed about recovery efforts and avenues of the State Agencies award category in Victoria. culturally and linguistically diverse communities. assistance. The radio station became a much-sought-after Held as part of Victoria’s Cultural Diversity Week, this year’s “This event gave people an opportunity to chat one-on-one source of information. The establishment of the station so quickly highlights included catwalk parades showcasing the various with CFA members and ask questions. It was a really good turnout after the fires contributed in a crucial way to the resurgence uniforms worn by a range of emergency service organisations and everyone had a good day,” CFA Community Safety Project of hope within a community that was severely traumatised. including Country Fire Authority (CFA), Department of Sustainability Officer and uniform model, Jo Richards said. The radio station also provided a means by which the and Environment, Life Saving Victoria, Victoria Police, and “We’re aware that many people are not familiar with the community became more aware of the talents of its vibrant Victoria State Emergency Service. In addition, more than 20 emergency and uniformed service organisations in Australia, musical community, and offered a way for these artists to agencies hosted information booths spread around the Errington and in some countries people may have even developed a express their creativity. More than twenty local musicians Reserve, in the Melbourne suburb of St Albans. negative association with these organisations. The uniformed performed “live to air” as part of the Morning Show when Simon Rogers, ABC presenter, at Kinglake Ranges Radio 94.5FM. This year’s expo provided an ideal opportunity for students services expo was a fantastic way for us to introduce ourselves Kinglake Ranges Radio was first on air – no mean feat and adults to learn about the diversity of career options and and the work we do,” Ms Richards said. considering the “shoe-box” size of the studio. volunteering opportunities available within the emergency The day’s proceedings also included the launch of the Another unique feature of the morning broadcast show ABC deserving winners services sector. second edition of the popular Workers in Uniform – Community with Simon Rogers was a dedicated fortnightly half-hour MFB Chief Fire Officer Tony Murphy said that he was Guide by Emergency Services Commissioner Bruce Esplin. segment, during which children from the local primary at 54th Walkley Awards pleased to see such a vibrant display of emergency services The publication is a practical guide to the different roles of schools produced their own show Primary Presenters. and community safety organisations. men and women in the emergency services, how to access The students presented news, stories, sports results, music In 2009, ABC’s Louise Fitzroy, Steve Kyte, Kon MFB has been a driving force in instigating and the services they provide and make sensible decisions and chat in their own show. The Primary Presenters initiative Karamountzos and Simon Rogers, were recognised organising this expo. based on their advice. The second edition also includes provided a much-needed avenue for the children to share with a Walkley Award in the category, All Media: “As an organisation, we are committed to building closer valuable information on how communities can find out their experiences, allowing them to develop their resilience Coverage of Community and Regional Affairs for relationships with diverse communities. Today was a great about emergency events which may affect them, such as and hope, and to take positive steps towards recovery. ABC Kinglake Ranges 94.5 FM, “A New Voice”. opportunity to progress this relationship,” Mr Murphy said. the Emergency Alert warning system and emergency In late July 2009, Queensland’s impending cyclone season The award judges described the achievement Expo attendance was estimated in excess of 1,000 visitors broadcasters in Victoria. brought with it the need for the transmitters to be returned for as ‘an example of journalism encompassing an entire representing close to 30 nationalities. Among visitors surveyed on “You can help others in your community understand who wider emergency situations, taking ABC Kinglake Ranges off community spirit. It was achieved under very trying the day, at least 24 languages, other than English, were spoken to turn to in an emergency,” Mr Esplin said, “and I hope this the air. Eleven months and much hard work later, on 29 January circumstances and has had a real impact on the local and 71 per cent of those surveyed considered English as their innovative community guide will encourage people to make 2010, Kinglake Ranges Radio was once again, officially on-air, community. They came into the makeshift studio and second language. emergency plans for themselves and help them encourage broadcasting to local communities. sat on the lounge chairs – they took total ownership For many agencies the expo was a fantastic opportunity to family and friends to do the same.” Continuing to broadcast on frequency 94.5 FM, the of the station. There was a real element of a healing celebrate diversity and the richness that diversity brings through To download a copy of Workers in Uniform, station provides an avenue for all community groups across process as they really told the people’s story.’ the many languages in the Victorian community, providing visit www.oesc.vic.gov.au the Kinglake Ranges region to share their news, information Each year, more than 1,300 entries are submitted translated safety and preparedness information to help and To access CFA’s translated bushfire safety and and activities, presented by a team of dedicated and aspiring in the prestigious Walkley Awards for Excellence in protect the community not only when emergencies occur, but preparedness materials or an audio version of the local presenters familiar with everything from broadcast law Journalism. The awards are the culmination of a year- also to help communities plan ahead for possible emergencies. FireReady Kit, visit www.cfa.vic.gov to equipment use. long process with 34 awards presented every November, With information on Emergency Alert, the national telephone To access information on Emergency Alert, “The station is the product of a lot of hard work and dedication including the coveted Gold Walkley. based warning system, now available in more than 30 languages, visit www.emergencyalert.gov.au of many people who have worked together to achieve a common 12 WINTER 2010 ISSUE 25 13

“Music and storytelling are great ways for people to connect with positive ideas and feelings, and reduce anxiety by sharing some of the common reactions to trauma that young people might experience after an emergency.”

The radio show is pre-loaded onto MP3 players The MP3 files and players were distributed to (like iPods), which also have FM radio and USB schools and youth groups in fire-affected areas functions. Australian artists Lisa Mitchell, Bluejuice, in February and will continue to be used following Chance Waters and Blue King Brown feature on major emergencies across the country – handed the show, which is hosted by Triple J’s Zan Rowe. out at evacuation or relief centres or for use by The web space at www.redcross.org.au/ schools and youth groups in affected areas. aftertheemergency features video stories for and The resources cover floods and storms, as well about young people affected by emergencies and as fires. Some MP3 files, including music, will be links to information and materials from Red Cross available on the website. The site will be updated and other agencies. The videos have provided a regularly into the future, with news, chat forum great opportunity for young people across the capability, updates on services available following country to tell their story about the impact an future emergencies and new video and audio stories. emergency has had on their lives and how they By sharing stories, coping tips and messages of have dealt with it. The stories also raise some hope and support, young people can validate their interesting points for adults to consider, such as experience as well as help others who go through how some teenagers felt ‘useless’ during an similar events in the future. emergency – they wanted to help, but either did “The most exciting thing about these resources not know how or were not given the opportunity. is that we know that they will be relevant to young Adolescent Psychotherapist Bronwyn Tarrant people because they are entirely based on what provided advice on the resources as they were young people have told us is relevant to them,” developed. She says the files and the web space Mr Dent said. reinforce to young people that they are not alone. “The reality is that emergencies will continue to Music and stories “Music and storytelling are great ways for people occur and will affect more people, so these resources to connect with positive ideas and feelings, and will be helping young people well into the future.” assist healing for young reduce anxiety by sharing some of the common Red Cross is currently developing an information reactions to trauma that young people might resource for parents and carers of young people AN ARTICLE BY AUSTRALIAN RED CROSS experience after an emergency,” Ms Tarrant said. affected by disasters. “The format of music files on an MP3 player and To access the After the Emergency resource, a web space with stories and tips for coping give visit www.redcross.org.au/aftertheemergency AUSSIE artists are helping young people across the recovering from the 2009 fires, but would also be young people the opportunity to work through their or for more information about the Red Cross country recover from emergencies as part of a Red relevant, useful and available for future emergencies feelings in a format that’s familiar to them, in their youth recovery project, contact Loren Hackett, Cross youth project launched on the anniversary of – fires, floods and storms,” said Mr Dent. own space and in their own time,” Ms Tarrant said. Australian Red Cross on 03 8327 7805 the devastating Black Saturday bushfires in Victoria. Mr Dent highlighted that the two most common The project includes an MP3 player featuring a responses they observed during focus groups were 45-minute radio program of information, music and “is what I am feeling normal?” and “how are other interviews with Australian musicians, actors and people dealing with this?”. Red Cross staff also After the emergency sporting stars, as well as an online space where liaised with students, agencies working in the youth young people can share their stories, validate their space, government representatives, youth workers for kids experiences and help others. in bushfire-affected communities and the Australian Australian Red Cross State Manager Emergency Child and Adolescent Trauma, Loss and Grief In December 2009, Australian Red Cross Services Adam Dent said the project, an Australian- Network throughout the development phase of received a High Commendation for a project first for the emergency sector, was developed to fill the project. of National Significance at the Australian a gap identified by communities affected by the “We identified that young people often feel Safer Communities Award, for its After the Victorian bushfires. isolated in their experience and reactions to Emergency children’s book. “Our staff and volunteers have spent the last emergencies,” Mr Dent said. “They tend to feel After the Emergency children’s book year working with community members, schools as though no one feels the way they do, or that was developed in February 2009 to assist and youth agencies across Victoria,” Mr Dent said. no one understands. children impacted by the Victorian bushfires “The gap that kept coming up throughout these “The aim of the project was to offer young and the Queensland floods. After the discussions was the absence of a guide or resource people the opportunity to validate their feelings Emergency will continue to be distributed that’s relevant to 12 to 25-year-olds recovering from through other people’s experiences. to assist children recovering from disaster. an emergency. “The idea of using music on the recordings The resource encourages children to reflect “Australian Red Cross has resources that came directly from the young people we talked on what has happened and to be aware of address the recovery needs of children, adults, to. They thought music would make the resources and to better cope with their feelings in the families, people with a disability and seniors, but more accessible and interesting to young people. days and months that follow an emergency. we didn’t have a resource that spoke directly to “We also learned from talking to trauma experts To download a copy of After the young adults in a language and format that was and psychologists that music is a great way for Emergency, visit www.redcross.org.au For information on the 2010 Australian appropriate and accessible. people to connect with positive ideas and feelings. ‘Anywhere you go, there can be emergency events… knowing “We set to work with young people, as well as The files include music for every mood and are what to do relieves the stress...’ Sam Montague shares his Safer Communities Awards visit youth-focused agencies and organisations to create intended to be a reassuring, relaxing and motivating story to help others understand their own experiences. www.oesc.vic.gov.au something that would not only be useful to people experience,” Mr Dent said. 14 WINTER 2010 ISSUE 25 15

Bushfire safety and preparedness for all communities AN ARTICLE BY CFA

THE Country Fire Authority (CFA) is working across access, language and cultural barriers to deliver targeted In collaboration with VicDeaf, a brief video Extending the reach of information to Victorian communities. community bushfire CFA has extended its bushfire safety clip produced in Auslan, now helps to education in the Barwon and preparedness tools and information raise awareness of bushfire safety and Corangamite area. by developing resources for people with a print disability, people who are blind or preparedness, and direct people to the have low vision, people who are deaf or CFA website for further information. have a hearing impairment and people Pilot program boosts safety who come from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. poor internet access by providing The FireReady Kit and Can I, Can’t I? Working with Vision Australia, CFA significantly reduced-size files. publications educate about the need to of elderly and vulnerable offers its FireReady Kit – which helps Seven additional CFA bushfire safety plan and prepare for bushfire if living and AN ARTICLE BY CFA people understand their bushfire risk, publications that complement the travelling throughout Victoria, and rules prepare their property and develop a FireReady Kit have also been developed around Fire Danger Periods and days of AN innovative program to address the safety “While the CFA has made a concerted emergency management because it brings bushfire survival plan – in four different in CD, MP3 and plain text formats. Total Fire Ban. needs of vulnerable people and to increase effort to make its bushfire education a range of agencies together to work with audio formats: These provide information on key “We’ve had an overwhelming their capability of responding during an meetings accessible to the community, vulnerable groups and individuals to • audio CD – which can be played from bushfire safety messages, grassfires, response from communities grateful emergency is underway across Victoria’s there are many people who can not address their individual needs. any device you would use for listening total fire ban districts, rules for total fire that information is now available in their Surf Coast and Colac-Otway districts. attend. This may be due to hearing, vision, “Scope has played a major part by to regular CDs (for example, a car ban days, warnings and information, and language,” CFA Programs for Diverse A first for Victoria, the Community Safety mobility or other issues. This program translating FireReady Kits into accessible CD player or portable CD player) what to do with horses and smaller pets. Populations Project Manager, Christine and Inclusion Partnership Project, funded endeavours to reach those people rather ‘Easy English’, helping people who have • DAISY – a single CD, produced in a To access the CFA web pages Elliott said. through the Commonwealth Government’s than them having to come to us.” difficulty reading written English as part of format designed specifically for people specifically created for these audio “Understanding Victoria’s environmental Victorian Emergency Management Grants Community Development Coordinator CFA’s Programs for Diverse Populations. who use digital playback devices that materials, visit http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/ conditions is important for new Australians, Program administered by the Office of the Sharon Rawlings said Home and This version is going through final stages are capable of speed control and residents/summer/firereadykit_audio.htm and CFA will continue to make fire safety Emergency Services Commissioner, brings Community Care (HAAC) services from and should be available soon.” advanced navigation and http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/publications/ information accessible through ethnic together the Country Fire Authority (CFA), both shires, district nurses and other health The program’s success in the Surf • MP3 audio files – downloadable with audiobrochures.htm. broadcasters such as SBS and 3ZZZ SCOPE, Surf Coast and Colac Otway and community service agencies have Coast and Colac Otway region has seen minimum file sizes allowing increased CD versions are available from CFA radio, at community events and in the shires, and community service agencies partnered with the CFA to extend bushfire the vulnerable awareness training extended accessibility for people who live in and the Victorian Bushfire Information online space where people may seek who are working with vulnerable people survival planning to vulnerable people. to all CFA community education facilitators regional or rural areas, who may only Line (1800 240 667) on request. assistance,” Ms Elliott said. including the frail and elderly to help them “The program has involved meeting across the state, with interest received from have dial-up, slow broadband or In collaboration with VicDeaf, a brief Translated bushfire information can develop bushfire survival plans and actions. with groups and individuals one-on- other high bushfire risk areas. generally poor internet access video clip produced in Auslan, now helps be accessed from the CFA website and CFA Community Safety Manager, John one, and going through their individual In the cooler months, the program will • electronic text / plain text – ‘E-text’ to raise awareness of bushfire safety and is available in: Arabic, Chin, Chinese Mealia, said the events of Black Saturday circumstances to develop plans suited shift its focus to house fires to increase improves accessibility for people preparedness, and direct people to the (simplified), Chinese (traditional), highlighted the complex needs of vulnerable to them. Some elderly people have been awareness and safety of vulnerable groups. who use screen reader technology CFA website for further information. The Croatian, Dari, Fijian, French, German, people not only in bushfire survival planning, concerned about how to leave or where For more information on Community – an application enabling an audio video is available from http://www.vicdeaf. Greek, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, but also in reaching these people and to go on days categorised with Severe, Safety and Inclusion Partnership synthesiser to ‘read’ a webpage out loud. com.au/cfa-fireready-kit-information and Japanese, Karen, Khmer, Korean, making sure the information and support Extreme and Code Red Fire Danger Ratings. Project contact Birgitte Hutchens, It is controlled with keyboard ‘short cut’ VicDeaf’s facebook page. Macedonian, Malay, Maltese, Persian, is appropriate for them. By having someone sit down and talk with CFA on 0408 052 689. strokes (to enable the user to do without In addition to these, the CFA has also Polish, Punjabi, Russian, Serbian, “We have considerably different them, has enabled many people to develop For information on CFA fire education the need for a mouse, and therefore the added a key bushfire safety tool in 32 Sinhalese, Somali, Spanish, Sudanese, communities within the Surf Coast and practical options that they may not have program or information booklets contact need to see where a cursor is on the languages, as part of an overall strategy Tongan, Turkish and Vietnamese. Colac Otway region and we are working previously considered,” Ms Rawlings said. CFA Geelong office 03 5240 2700 or screen). Plain text not only eliminates the to increase bushfire risk awareness for For more information and resources to tailor programs to meet specific needs,” Ms Rawlings said the pilot project takes Colac office on 03 5232 1923 or visit inaccessibility barrier of documents in Victoria’s culturally and linguistically on bushfire safety and preparedness, Mr Mealia said. a big leap forward in community safety and www.cfa.vic.gov.au PDF format, it also assists people with diverse communities. visit www.cfa.vic.gov.au 16 WINTER 2010 ISSUE 25 17 Doors open for a hot day out AN ARTICLE BY MACEDON RANGES SHIRE COUNCIL This summer, Macedon Ranges Shire provided places for minutes from most homes, where residents could have a chat, people to go on days when they felt threatened by fire danger. a coffee, tea or water, and some respite from the anxiety of The 2009 Black Saturday fires caused enormous anxiety sitting at home. for residents of Macedon Ranges. Many felt it was only a matter While the centres may not have been air-conditioned or of time before communities would be impacted and while the a home-away-from-home, they provided the option of a place Redesdale fire did destroy 14 dwellings in the shire in 2009, to go for those who were not able to visit family, friends, fortunately no lives were lost. shopping centres, or movie theatres. Open from 9am to 9pm, Shortly following that event, then Mayor of Macedon Ranges the volunteers from the Victorian Council of Churches and Shire Council, Councillor John Letchford said, “On separate council staff helped users by providing company and a occasions, we experienced bushfire on the outskirts of Woodend, comfortable place to visit. and to the shire’s north – around Redesdale, Baynton and Potential users were reminded to plan ahead – for example, Sidonia and neighbouring areas, and on the shire’s western if bringing children, to bring with them ‘things to do’ and anyone boundary near Malmsbury. On those occasions council activated taking regular medications, would need to bring those too. The its emergency plans and worked closely with neighbouring February 2009 experience also showed the need for the centres municipalities and local emergency services to respond to to be able to accommodate small domestic animals, so each needs as they arose.” venue was equipped with provisions including enclosed and Following a feasibility study in 2006 and in response shaded areas, cages and leads. to Macedon, Mt Macedon and Woodend being three of the Opening Hot Day Out centres gave community members Country Fire Authority’s 52 identified high risk bushfire locations some comfort in knowing there was somewhere for them to go in Victoria, ‘Hot Day Out’ centres were made available in three when they felt threatened by weather conditions, where they did of the shire’s major towns – Gisborne, Kyneton, and Romsey. not need to spend money and where they knew there would On days when the Fire Danger Rating was Extreme or Code be someone to talk to. The initiative was an example of a local Parks Victoria response Red, the Hot Day Out centres provided a place to go, within 20 community providing for its more vulnerable members. to Fire Danger Ratings AN ARTICLE BY PARKS VICTORIA AT four million hectares (or 17 per cent of Victoria), All parks and reserves managed by Parks Parks Victoria manages around half of the state’s Victoria have been assessed for their inherent public land in national, state and metropolitan bushfire risk using a number of different factors parks as well as marine parks and sanctuaries. including vegetation type and levels and proximity Given the significant environmental and historical to the 52 townships recognised by the Country values of these areas, Parks Victoria staff work Fire Authority as ‘high risk’. constantly to balance the needs of conservation On days of forecast Code Red (Catastrophic) and recreation. Fire Danger Rating, DSE and Parks Victoria will Fire is also a key aspect of land management. close parks and forests (including State Forests Seventy per cent of Parks Victoria staff have a fire and National Parks) in the bushfire prone areas role forming part of the Networked Emergency of the relevant weather district for public safety. Organisations (NEO) working with the Department Park areas not considered to have a high bushfire of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) to prepare risk will remain open. A list of parks that are for, fight and recover from fire on public land. Parks open/closed is available to view on the Parks Victoria also supports DSE in delivering the annual Victoria website at www.parkweb.vic.gov.au. planned burning program. On days that the Fire Danger Rating is Severe Parks Victoria’s role in fire management is led or Extreme the majority of parks will remain open, by Director Fire and Emergency Services, David however there are some exceptions regarding Nugent. Mr Nugent and his team work closely with Total Fire Bans. The public will be advised to Parks Victoria Regions, DSE Areas and Senior remain vigilant during the period of Severe/ Management, Senior Country Fire Authority Officers, Extreme fire danger. MFB and other emergency services to ensure that As many parks are large, open landscapes Parks Victoria fulfils its fire and emergency obligations. surrounding roads and towns, restricting access “Given the scale of land we manage and that is difficult. Physical closure of gates will be many parks are by their very nature prone to undertaken wherever possible and closure bushfire it is critical that we provide appropriate signage will be erected at key sites. Visitors warnings when people visit our parks and reserves already in these park or forest areas are around the state,” Mr Nugent said. encouraged to contact local tourism operators Parks Victoria (in partnership with DSE) has or the Visitor Information Centre to find out developed operating guidelines in response to about other tourism opportunities in lower the new national system of Fire Danger Ratings. risk areas. “These guidelines have been developed to provide “All park visitors need to be aware of the risks information and warnings to our visitors of the during the warmer months and include any travel potential risks they take when visiting parks, in in their bushfire survival plans,” Mr Nugent said. particular, the risk and potential impact of fire in For more information on Parks Victoria parks on days of Severe, Extreme and Code Red and the state’s parks and reserves, visit Doors open at Gisborne’s Fire Danger Ratings,” Mr Nugent said. www.parkweb.vic.gov.au Hot Day Out centre. 18 WINTER 2010 ISSUE 25 19 A new systematic approach to protecting community assets AN ARTICLE BY CFA PLANNING to protect community assets Safer Places – Places of Last Resort noted the value of the risk registers from bushfire is becoming more methodical and treatment of vegetation on road during local fire planning. as a result of cross agency collaboration corridors,” said CFA Chief Executive “The VFRR products are providing throughout Victorian municipalities. Officer, Mick Bourke. information in an easy to access format Using a new systematic approach to VFRR implementation in a municipality that was never previously available,” Mr risk management, municipalities and their requires four consultation workshops Spence said. local agencies are working with the Country with agency representatives from CFA, VFRR has been implemented Fire Authority’s Victorian Fire Risk Register Department of Sustainability and in 24 Victorian municipalities and (VFRR) team to decide which assets are Environment, Parks Victoria, VicRoads implementation is well underway most at risk from bushfire and what needs and Victoria Police, as well as key municipal in a further 21 municipalities. to be done to protect them. representatives and participation from private The VFRR has been implemented The VFRR is based on the award- utilities and other community stakeholders. in the following municipalities: Ballarat, winning risk assessment and mapping “The VFRR uses a methodical Cardinia, Central Goldfields, Colac Otway, application originally developed by the NSW approach while capitalising on effective East Gippsland, Glenelg, Hepburn, Latrobe, Rural Fire Service, and provides agencies community consultation and localised Macedon Ranges, Manningham, Mansfield, and municipalities with evidence-based data knowledge,” Mr Bourke said. Mornington Peninsula, Moyne, Northern to better inform fire management planning. The process is conducted in Grampians, South Gippsland, Southern Combining cutting edge mapping accordance with Australian Risk Grampians, Surf Coast, Warrnambool, Planning to reduce bushfire risk software with knowledge from local Management Standard ISO 31000, Ararat, Corangamite, Golden Plains, Greater experts, the process is receiving great and outputs are presented to each Geelong, Moorabool and Queenscliffe. AN ARTICLE BY THE CFA feedback from municipalities and municipality as a series of large maps A risk register is underway for the agencies with responsibilities for which display assets at risk and risk following municipalities: Greater Bendigo, supporting communities to prepare, mitigation treatments, as well as a Alpine, Campaspe, Casey, Frankston, ACCORDING to a recent Country Fire Authority The catastrophic February 2009 bushfires respond or recover from bushfire. ‘wildfire document’ which explains Gannawarra, Hindmarsh, Horsham, Indigo, (CFA) and University of Melbourne study*, houses affected approximately 430,000 hectares of “One of the reasons the VFRR has the risk register and data included. Loddon, Mildura, Mitchell, Pyrenees, that met Wildfire Management Overlay( WMO) public and private land and destroyed more than been received so well is because it makes “Each municipality involved will have Swan Hill, West Wimmera Yarra Ranges, standards were three times more likely to survive 2,000 homes and 61 commercial premises. In this it possible to quantify and visualise a risk register at their disposal to use in Mt Alexander, Strathbogie, Bass Coast, the catastrophic February 2009 bushfires. context, these fires provided an opportunity to vulnerabilities such as lack of existing fire informing their fire management plan and Wellington and Wangaratta. Based on a geospatial and statistical analysis quantitatively review the effectiveness of the WMO mitigation measures, poor road access or future decisions about bushfire mitigation For more information about the into five of the major fires in February 2009, the in a more robust way than was ever possible with new developments that haven’t yet been works and identifying knowledge gaps,” VFRR contact, Jude Kennedy, CFA results show a significant reduction in house loss smaller events. exposed to bushfire. This then allows us Mr Bourke said. Project Manager (Victorian Fire Risk where planning referral to CFA had occurred and The WMO requirements were developed around to plan mitigation treatments such as Municipal Association of Victoria Register) on (03) 9262 8346 or email WMO principles were applied. a Fire Danger Index (FDI) of 120, the environmental community education, Neighbourhood Chief Executive Officer, Mr Rob Spence to [email protected] Within the area impacted by these five fires conditions broadly experienced on Ash Wednesday there was a 38 per cent chance of a dwelling being in 1983. The FDI on 7 February 2009 reached levels destroyed, while the chance of a dwelling being considerably higher than this. Further, active defence Bushfire detection cameras being trialled destroyed where a planning referral to CFA had is a key requirement of the current WMO methodology. AN ARTICLE BY THE BUSHFIRE CRC occurred was reduced to 11.8 per cent. A review of whether occupants actively defended, or The WMO is a planning control within the Victoria permit conditions were maintained, was not part of THIS summer, bushfire detection cameras systems and processes, including Planning Provisions which identifies areas where the this study. were trialled on Victoria’s south-west coast warnings to the community. intensity of a bushfire is likely to be significant and Based on the results of this study it is appropriate and in New South Wales. Dr Richard Thornton, Research pose a substantial threat to life and property. to conclude that the combination of defendable The trial conducted by the Bushfire Director of the Bushfire CRC, said the The purpose of this control is to ensure that any space through vegetation management, water Cooperative Research Centre (CRC), the trial would provide useful baseline data development likely to increase the number of people supply and access, coupled with bushfire sensitive Federal Attorney-General’s Department, on the cameras. in the overlay area satisfies specified fire protection design of the structure, assisted in protecting these Victoria’s Office of Emergency Services “Technology such as fire detection objectives and does not intensify the risk of bushfire. houses from bushfires. Commissioner (in conjunction with other cameras can be of great assistance to The WMO principles focus on creating Land use planning seeks to guide present actions Victorian agencies) and Forests NSW, fire managers but we need to better defendable space. This creates a cleared and and establish appropriate processes and decision involved placement of cameras in strategic understand their strengths and their maintained area around your property that will rules in order to achieve better outcomes in the positions around the Otway Ranges in limitations before deciding to adopt them assist to protect the structure from ember attack future. Although in practical terms land use planning Victoria and on a fire tower in Tumut, New on a broader scale,” Dr Thornton said. “We Bushfire detection camera stationed on Mount if there is a bushfire, and reduce the likely radiant has minimal scope for reducing impact to existing South Wales. are looking at how accurately and quickly Porndon near Camperdown in western Victoria. heat should the fire front come close to the property. settlement, it has tremendous potential to prevent The cameras were evaluated by the they can detect when a fire starts and Radiant heat is the deadly killer in bushfires. The the risks associated with natural disasters from Bushfire CRC on their performance in then comparing this with other methods Winchelsea South. The systems include WMO stipulates fire protection requirements for increasing in future developments. detecting fire starts. While a research trial, such as fire towers, spotter planes and video, still images, and heat and other buildings and works, water supply, access and For further information on this research the data will be made available to local fire satellites, and reports made by the public detection methods. defendable space. contact Mark Holland, CFA Community Safety incident control centres and the central on the ground. All these methods are still The trial which concluded in early Defendable space is achieved through selecting on 9262 8373 operations of the state’s fire services. important so the fire detection cameras May, included detection of fires under the most appropriate house site and then managing For more information about Wildfire The main aim of the trial was to would need to be able to work in well with ‘real conditions’ as well as ‘controlled the vegetation around the house to reduce fuel Management Overlay standards visit: compare the performance of different fire the current fire management operations.” conditions.’ The work, coordinated by loads. A water supply is required to enable www.cfa.vic.gov.au or contact your local detection camera systems from three In Victoria, three different types of Dr Stuart Matthews of CSIRO Sustainable occupants or fire fighters to actively defend, CFA brigade. vendors on their ability to detect fire fire detection camera systems have Ecosystems, involved research trials while driveways need to be designed to enable starts, exclude false detections of fire been spread throughout the region from only, not to be confused with trials of safe access and egress for emergency services *Footnote: March, A, Holland, M (2010) “Building on the Wildfire starts, and integrate into fire service Anglesea on the coast and inland to operational readiness or implementation. and occupants. Management Overlays Success” (Unpublished) Minister for Police and Emergency Services Bob 20 WINTER 2010 ISSUE 25 Cameron on air with 2121 UGFM’s Peter Rice AFSM.

The duty to warn ‘Emergency warnings’ is not just a Warnings are an essential tool in The protocol ensures that all technology or the issuance of a warning emergency management and can be agencies use consistent and approved message – it is an end to end system just as important as the deployment processes and methods of warnings Timely warnings save lives. The of fire or rescue resources. The objective to communicate to communities for all community expects and depends on of a warning is to inform the community hazards. The chart below outlines the detailed and high quality information of an impending or actual emergency end to end system and subsequent Additional prior to and after bushfires. The and empower them to make the right considerations that form the foundation Community radio boosts Victoria’s community is also entitled to receive decisions for their own safety and for the protocol. timely and accurate bushfire warnings well-being. For further information contact Joe emergency broadcasting resources whenever possible, based on the In parallel with the development Buffone, Deputy Emergency Services (continued from page 1) intelligence available to control and implementation of the national Commissioner Policy and Planning for summer agencies. (2009 Victorian Bushfires Emergency Alert telephone warning by email to [email protected] Royal Commission – Interim Report) system in 2009, National Telephony “Community radio can play a vital role Marysville studios, It broadcasts 24 hours Resilient communities are informed Guidelines were established which later at a local level, to help save lives and per day, 7 days per week with programs water safety communities. Warnings therefore contribute informed the development of the Victorian property in this state during emergency overnight provided by CRN – Community $290,000 to to community resilience, and can be Warning Protocol. The Victorian protocols, events. We are committed to this now Radio Network and local neighbouring considered as a first defence against underpinned by National Warning Principles, “An early warning system and will continue to be into the future”, community stations MCR FM Mansfield Life Saving Clubs a variety of hazards. provide for an end to end systems approach is made up of several President, Upper Goulburn Community and soon, Kinglake Ranges Radio. components and is not well A holistic emergency warning system to warning the community. Radio Inc, and UGFM Station Manager, The agreement with the community ON 4 January 2010 the Acting Premier represented as being only the (EWS) includes the formulation of the The Victorian Warning Protocol was Peter Weeks said. station is similar to existing memoranda Rob Hulls and the Minster for Police issuance of a warning”. Heads warning, the issuance of the warning, developed by a multi-agency working UGFM broadcasts across the Shire of of understanding in place between the and Emergency Services Bob Up! Early Warning Systems the reception of and response to the group and approved by the operational Murrindindi from four transmitters. Its main emergency services and ABC Radio, Cameron announced a $5,000 boost for Climate-, Water- and warning by agencies and communities, head of each agency in November 2009. transmitter is located at Mt Eildon, servicing commercial radio and Sky News TV in to each of Victoria’s 58 life saving Weather-Related Hazards and finally feedback to those who The protocol outlines the key principles Alexandra, Eildon, Lake Eildon, Taggerty, Victoria, which results in the distribution, clubs as part of a renewed call for (United Nations University developed and issued the warning. and processes to be utilised by Thornton, Buxton, Molesworth and Yarck. dissemination and broadcast of emergency Victorians to play it safe by the water Press, 2009). A weakness in any part of this chain emergency management agencies Supplementary transmitters are located at: warnings in Victoria via radio, TV, telephone during summer. can render the system ineffective. to warn the community. Mt Broughton servicing Yea, Highlands and and the internet. The additional funding assisted Strath Creek; Mt Gordon servicing Buxton, “Giving emergency warnings to with the clubs’ administration and Marysville and Narbethong; and Hazeldene the community as quickly as possible running costs, equipment and servicing Flowerdale, Hazeldene, Kinglake is critical to saving lives,” Mr Esplin said. important local needs, freeing up Emergency Warning Protocol West and Strath Creek. To read the memorandum other resources to enhance the With a pool of more than 45 volunteers, of understanding with UGFM lifesaving capabilities of the clubs. UGFM currently produces programs up to – Radio Murrindindi visit Approximately 23,000 Life Saving Underpinned by 16 hours each day from Alexandra and www.oesc.vic.gov.au/agreements Consistent and Accessible and Compliant with Victoria volunteers, drawn from a base Coordinated Multi-modal Targeted education and standard-based responsive relevant legislation awareness initiatives of 58 patrolling clubs, supported by 112 paid lifeguards are responsible for Authoritative and Complete All hazards Interoperable Verifiable Compatible Integrated Principles accountable patrolling 65 beaches across Victoria. Volunteer support program During 2008-09 over 2.6 million funding boosted AN ARTICLE BY DOJ people visited Victoria’s patrolled beaches. Club statistics from start Situational Message Management Community Real-time Real-time On 16 February 2010, the Minister for The 2010-11 CSESP round of funding awareness construction and of warning of the water safety season in mid preparedness monitoring closure and analysis dissemination consequences Police and Emergency Services Bob will enable local emergency services November 2009 through to 25 Likely or actual Decision to warn Cameron launched the 2010-11 round volunteer groups to buy additional February 2010 show that there were emergency/incident The state must ensure: (or threat of) Information channels: Considerations: Warning content/format: Occurs concurrent ■ Real-time ■ Advising the of funding under the Community Safety equipment ranging from light, medium and already in excess of 1 million beach ■ effective and ongoing ■ As per ■ personal ■ type of emergency, ■ simple to other activity: monitoring community when of warning the threat has Emergency Support Program (CSESP). heavy tankers, lighting trailers, search and visitations, with lifesavers conducting community education jurisdictional observations incident or threat ■ arresting ■ ensure and preparedness legislation and/ arrangements effectiveness eased or ended ■ monitoring systems ■ communities at risk ■ brief Since 2001 the CSESP has delivered rescue equipment, as well as updating 16,755 preventative actions and a total programs or emergency in place to ■ Adherence to ■ word of mouth ■ urgency/timeliness ■ ■ ■ community-agency arrangements suited to the needs accommodate instructions relayed $24 million in grants to Victoria’s existing equipment and improving facilities. of 1,423 first aid actions. ■ ■ collaboration. forecasts impact and threat to of the affected outcomes: ■ Escalation ■ lives and livelihood community emergency services volunteers, CSESP brochures and application packs Life Saving Victoria report that over predictions ➤ website information ■ De-escalation ■ ■ ■ community consequences worded in ➤ additional resources contributing to the purchase of $52.7 were made available to agencies including Communities should: of information accordance with 10,000 lives have been saved through ■ media to manage increased ■ understand risks and warnings advice from the call volumes on million in additional emergency the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard rescues on Victorian beaches over in environment ■ agencies. relevant agency ■ authorisation information lines equipment and assets. Association, Country Fire Authority, Life the past 11 years of the Play it Safe ■ respect warnings ■ post impact ■ utilises appropriate ➤ relief centre templates. ■ know how to react. ■ community behaviour activation Victoria’s volunteer emergency Saving Victoria, Victoria State Emergency by the Water campaign. and perceptions ➤ relief centre access Warning mediums services groups have done a remarkable Service and other eligible volunteer The government is strongly ■ call to action. ➤ include: provide warning message to job in what has been an incredibly emergency services groups. committed to the integration of ■ official warning media outlets. agencies challenging year. In recognition of the Successful agency applications Life Saving Victoria into the state’s ■ official media commitment of local volunteer emergency will be announced in mid-2010. emergency services arrangements ■ telephony-based ■ radio-based services groups and the unprecedented The CSESP is a Victorian Government as volunteer lifesavers provide an ■ tv-based number of grant applications last year, initiative funded by the Community Support invaluable service in ensuring public ■ official web-based the Victorian Government has more than Fund. The program is managed by the ■ person-to-person. safety at Victorian beaches over the doubled this year’s CSESP funding to Department of Justice’s Emergency summer months.

Produced by the Office of the Emergency Services $6.8 million. This funding boost is in Services Policy and Support unit. For more information on the Play it Commissioner (Victoria), June 2010. ORGANISATIONAL ACTIONS recognition of their ongoing efforts to For more information on CSESP, Safe by the Water campaign visit For further information, email: [email protected] • Governance • Authorising environment • Accountability • Responsibility protect the community. visit www.justice.vic.gov.au www.watersafety.vic.gov.au

Authorised by the Emergency Services Commissioner, 121 Exhibition Street, Melbourne. Printed by Vega Press. 274 Ferntree Gully Road, Notting Hill, Victoria 3168.

flow chart A1.indd 1 8/07/10 3:59 PM 22 WINTER 2010 ISSUE 25 23

Planning for emergencies Privacy around protects privacy the use of AN ARTICLE BY PRIVACY VICTORIA Emergency

PRIVACY Victoria has released guidance In an emergency context, the Act Alert Tourists learn about ‘Summer Sense’ for Victorian Public Sector organisations to contains four main provisions permitting AN ARTICLE BY CITY OF MELBOURNE ensure that privacy concerns do not hinder disclosure of personal information: Emergency Alert is the national telephone based emergency proper responses in an emergency event, • primary purpose of collection DURING Melbourne’s searing hot summer Melbourne staff spending four days at the warning system that sends such as a bushfire or other natural disaster. • disclosures necessary to prevent days, it is often the visitors to Melbourne Melbourne Visitor Centre in Federation messages via landlines based Agencies may hold a wide variety of imminent threats to life/health/safety most at risk because they do not know Square, engaging directly with tourists. on the location of the handset personal information relating to individuals of an individual or public safety, public how to cope with the city heat. Tourists were offered complimentary and mobile phones based on and may collect information for a wide health or public welfare This summer, the City of Melbourne Summer Sense water bottles, along with the subscriber’s billing address. variety of purposes. Personal information • use/disclosure required/authorised tackled this issue head on, developing information brochures on the best ways to A legislative amendment to can be almost any information linked under law the ‘Summer Sense’ campaign. cope with hot weather and maps showing the Telecommunications Act 1997 to an individual, including name, • a reasonably expected secondary The Summer Sense campaign, locations of water fountains in the city. (Cth) (the Act) was required to address, sex, age, financial details, related purpose. partly funded through the Commonwealth The Summer Sense team’s presence enable access for emergency marital status, education, criminal The Emergencies and Privacy Government’s Victorian Emergency at the Melbourne Visitor Centre coincided warning purposes to the Integrated record or employment history, and information sheet describes the legal Management Grants Program administered with distribution of water bottles and Public Number Database (IPND), encompasses recorded information framework for the sharing of information by the Office of the Emergency Services brochures through Traveller’s Aid an industry-wide database of all or opinion – whether accurate or not during and after an emergency. Commissioner, aimed to educate visitors locations, railway station information The City of Melbourne’s city centre listed and unlisted public telephone – about an identifiable individual. The Privacy Commissioner and other at-risk groups on the best ways centres and community centres covers 37.6 square kilometres and numbers. The amendment Such information can be of significant recommends that organisation implement to deal with the city heat. throughout the city. has a residential population of imposes ongoing controls against use and benefit for other agencies and an “emergency data policy” and set of The campaign, timed to coincide with For further more information about around 89,759. Each day, around potential misuse of sensitive organisations that must deal with protocols to let an organisation and its Melbourne’s hot weather, as well as busy the City of Melbourne’s commitment 771,000 people use the city, and personal information taken from emergency situations. staff quickly and confidently handle tourist periods in the city – before Christmas to heatwave education and emergency Melbourne hosts over a million the IPND. and during the Australian Open tennis management visit www.melbourne.vic. international visitors each year. States and territories will tournament in January – included City of gov.au/emergencymanagement use the warning system when “When developing the Information Privacy Act 2000, appropriate and will determine the Victorian Parliament recognised that in an which geographic area to warn, when to warn and at what time emergency situation, the public interest in safety the warning is sent. While the Driving development in will override the privacy requirements of the Act.” jurisdictions have control over the warning system, the AN ARTICLE BY DOJ Commonwealth retains control sector strategy and policy of the database, called the Location THE first meeting of the newly formed Minister Cameron further outlined the Emergency Services Communications “By being prepared, by anticipating requests for information in an emergency Based Number Store (LBNS), that Emergency Services Heads of Agency broader challenges for the sector that lay Strategic Framework which replaces the types of situations where the sharing situation. The information sheet also will hold numbers drawn form the Committee was held on 11 February 2010 ahead including: the Statewide Integrated Public Safety of people’s personal information may stresses the need for organisations to take IPND and geographically identify at the Department of Justice. • the release of the final report of the Communications Strategy. The sector assist an organisation deal with an steps to ensure data quality and security. them. The feed from the IPND to The new committee is an emergency 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal wide strategy has been developed emergency, and by putting in place “Advance planning and training the LBNS removes the names services sector wide forum for consultation, Commission in July in consultation with all relevant appropriate systems and protocols before of staff in anticipation of emergencies associated with the phone numbers advice and decision making. While replacing • the expiration of some existing agencies and within the context an emergency happens, public sector should include the way in which personal and addresses. This ensures that, the State Emergency Telecommunications contracts for emergency services of state government strategic organisations can ensure people and information will be handled and shared. at no stage, will states or territories and Technology Steering Committee, the communications networks within priorities, including the recently emergency response organisations can Development of policies and procedures have access to the customer name new body will not overlap with the role of the next few years endorsed Integrated Emergency get the help they need while still ensuring for an emergency context will allow staff details of the telephone number. the Victorian Emergency Management • the updated strategic framework, which Services Framework. that this information is protected from to readily assess and respond to requests This arrangement between the Council or address matters already dealt articulates the greater strategic role For more information contact misuse or loss,” Privacy Commissioner in a high-pressure emergency situation. Commonwealth and the states and with in the State Emergency Response communications will play for agencies Craig Lloyd, Director Emergency Helen Versey said. Most people will accept the use and territories works to safeguard the Plan, and will carry a broader focus than in the future. Services Policy and Support The Victorian Information Privacy disclosure, without consent, of their public’s personal privacy and their just communications. One of the committee’s first at the Department of Justice Act 2000 (the Act) sets standards for the personal information to serve the public personal safety in potential The committee, chaired by the achievements is the completion of the on 8685 1301. way Victorian government organisations, interest in dealing with an emergency”. emergency situations. Department of Justice’s Executive Director, statutory bodies and local councils collect “But misuse of the information for other Since Emergency Alert became Police, Emergency Services and Corrections and handle personal information. purposes, or lack of care in protecting operational on 1 December 2009 it and reporting to the Minister for Police and The committee membership comprises the Minister for Police and Emergency “When developing the Act, the personal information, will in the long run has been used 37 times and issued Emergency Services, will be a significant Services, Chief Executive Officer of: Ambulance Victoria, Metropolitan Fire Victorian Parliament recognised that harm the reputations of organisations that in excess of 258,000 messages. The arrangement to drive policy coordination, and Emergency Services Board, Victoria State Emergency Service, Country in an emergency situation, the public engage in such misuse or sloppiness. system has been used in New South communications improvements and sector Fire Authority, the Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority and interest in safety will override the privacy Worse, it may sap public confidence in Wales, Victoria, South Australia and wide strategy and understanding. Life Saving Victoria, with the Emergency Services Commissioner and the requirements of the Act – even where services that rely on people to co-operate Queensland for flood, tsunami, Opening the inaugural committee Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police, the directors of Emergency Services emergency response was not the with them readily and quickly when public bushfire, chemical incident and meeting, Minister for Police and Emergency Policy and Support, Infringement Management and Enforcement Services primary reason for the collection of safety is threatened” Ms Versey said. missing child emergencies. Services Bob Cameron observed, “This in the Department of Justice, the General Manager, Office of Land and Fire personal information. Privacy law does For more information and to For information on new committee will play a pivotal role in Management in the Department of Sustainability and Environment, and not stand in the way of responding download a copy of Emergencies Emergency Alert, visit driving the many emergency services representatives from both the Department of Premier and Cabinet and the to legitimate emergencies,” the and Privacy information sheet, www.emergencyalert.gov.au communications developments occurring Department of Treasury and Finance. Commissioner emphasised. visit www.privacy.vic.gov.au over the next few years.“ 24 WINTER 2010 ISSUE 25 25 Beyond the old and the young: Smoke alarms: are they enough what is it with middle aged men? An examination of burn-related injuries and fatalities to save those most vulnerable? among middle-aged males in victorian house fires The role of smoke alarms in RESEARCH into those most at risk of dying in a house fire has been contributing to fire and death. While 20 per cent of these deaths did dominated by a focus on the very young and the old. While these not have a smoke alarm installed, over one-third did have a smoke residential fire fatalities in Victoria groups continue to be a high risk of being involved in a fatal house alarm findings suggest that despite warning of fire, these males did VICTORIANS are heeding the message that ‘Smoke half of those whose smoke alarm activated did not fire or one which results in serious injury new research conducted not effectively respond and escape the house. Alarms Save Lives’. The Victorian Household attempt to escape in response to warning of fire. by the Office of the Emergency Services Commissioner( OESC) Burn-related injuries findings suggest similar, however, injuries Preparedness Survey showed that 97 per cent of One in four tried to escape the fire in response to highlights young to middle aged males as being at increased risk of males in this age group is characterised by at-risk behaviour and households had a smoke alarm in 2007, an increase the warning but failed to do so. A further 20 per of dying or being injured in house fires. low socio-economic status contributing to burn-related injuries. cent successfully escaped the home because of Existing house fire prevention campaigns and education from 32 per cent in 1992 when smoke alarms were warning but re-entered the burning building and centre around children under four years, those over 65 years, and not compulsory. A study of over 1,500 house fires in If vulnerability to house fire for the very young and the subsequently died. risks around domestic causes of house fire and risk within the the Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Services Board very old are characterised by reduced physical and mental Nearly half of victims who made some attempt home such as deadlocks, access and egress, and combustibility fire district found 96 per cent of households indicated capacity to respond to house fire, then what has made young to escape did not have a working smoke alarm. of homes. The research by OESC supports the need to address they had a smoke alarm at the time of a house fire. to middle aged males at increasing risk of being injured or dying They may have survived if an alarm was working those behaviours and contributing factors that results in more Half of these operated at the time of the fire and 41 per in house fires? Is it the influence of alcohol? Is psychological illness at the time of the fatal fire. young/middle aged males dying than any other group within the cent said the alarm alerted occupants to smoke or fire. contributing to an increase in the susceptibility of males to fire? People who died in fires caused by smoking Victorian population. Further, the influence of alcohol, prescription If the installation of smoke alarms has been Or are middle aged males more prone to living in dwellings or some other heat source and where the house medication, psychological illness and disability and at-risk so effective in Victoria, then what factors have that have more physical environment risks and therefore had a working smoke alarm made up the highest behaviours that lead to fire and death or burn-related injuries contributed to smoke alarms not preventing 196 more unpreventable fires resulting in death or injury? percentage of those who did not react to a working highlights the need for a holistic approach that not only addresses deaths in house fires between 1996 and 2007. smoke alarm. fire prevention but does so through health related programs. How many of these homes had smoke alarms? Did the alarms activate? If they did, how did Alcohol and prescription medication was a Findings into 196 residential fire fatalities and burn-related injuries More importantly, these findings highlight the need for research occupants respond to their warning of fire? significant factor reducing the occupants’ ability not for the ten years to 2007 highlight a significant proportion of these to to be conducted into these individuals’ behaviours that lead to An examination of these 196 residential fire just to wake up, but to effectively escape a house be young/middle aged males. For deaths, this age group made up 37 burn-related injuries. While an examination of death provides some fatalities showed that alarms were present in 114 fire. Those victims with a form of physical or sensory per cent of all deaths and nearly half (49 per cent) of all burn-related evidence of human behaviour in residential fires, the circumstances of these cases. Over half had a smoke alarm disability were more likely to have an working smoke injuries in Victoria. around burn-related injuries still remain unclear and needs further installed at the time of the fatal fire. Males and alarm and respond to the warning of fire. Characteristics of these deaths and burn-related injuries shows examination to assist in building fire prevention programs that the middle-aged were more likely to have a Research into residential fire deaths in Victoria that young/middle aged males were more prone to dying in house address those factors that contribute to injury. smoke alarm installed. Those with disability highlights that the capacity of people to wake and fires caused by smoking and injured from the use of flammable For more information about this research, contact and psychological illness or disability were also respond effectively to warning may have greater liquids/materials. Inherent in these deaths is the use of alcohol, Debbie Smith, Research Officer, OESC on (03) 8684 7934 more likely to have a smoke alarm installed. influence over survivability than a working smoke influence of prescription medication and habitual behaviours or by email [email protected] 41 per cent of smoke alarms were installed alarm. The influence of inhibitors such as alcohol correctly. One in three correctly installed smoke and medication makes a working smoke alarm alarms activated at the time of the fatal. alone insufficient to save lives. Climate change and the emergency management sector If their smoke alarms activated when the fatal fire occurred, how did occupants react and CLIMATE change is one of the most significant challenges facing The research also demonstrated the absence of a shared respond, which lead to their ultimate death? Nearly the emergency management sector. understanding by the sector, of the Victorian Government’s The February 2009 bushfires in Victoria demonstrated the scale approach to climate change and of climate change itself. This of emergencies that may become typical with increased temperature is relevant as the government’s defined approach enables and dryness associated with climate change. The predicted impacts organisations to be responsive. of climate change – which includes more severe weather, more It was also evident from the findings that due to the highly Self-extinguishing floods and increased high fire danger days – has the potential to individualistic nature of attitudes towards climate change, the affect all the emergency services and the manner in which the sector emergency management sector needs to research issues of conducts operational response, develops policy, supports volunteers, climate change systemically. This method will facilitate research cigarettes to reduce fires career staff and much more. to be conducted across the sector using individual agency Country Fire Authority Deputy Chief Officer Deputy Chief Officer Warrington said that In 2008 and 2009, the Office of the Emergency Services champions rather than relying on these champions to carry Steven Warrington has welcomed new regulations carelessly discarded cigarettes also started grassfires. Commissioner (OESC) conducted an environmental scan of the the bulk of work in their agency on their own. that mean only cigarettes designed to be self- “This preventative measure will also minimise emergency management sector and all relevant stakeholders, The OESC with the support of the Victorian Government, extinguishing can be manufactured or imported the damage cigarettes do the Australian bush, including government and emergency agencies, of climate change is planning a research program that will examine: into Australia. reducing the risk of grass fires being ignited by projects and the inclusion of climate change elements in strategic • the capacity of emergency services to deal with the expected Deputy Chief Officer Warrington said the people who discard their cigarette butts outdoors,” business plans. increase in severe weather events in urban areas and the regulations would help to significantly reduce the “Too often, our brigades are called to needless The scan demonstrated that climate change is a complex issue effect these events will have on urban populations number of fires and fire fatalities across Victoria. fires started from cigarettes,” Deputy Chief Officer that requires more attention than specific projects or inclusion of • the changing pressures and risks to the state’s privatised “People involved in cigarette related fires are Warrington said. climate change into business plans. Qualitative interviews with all the essential services, especially energy, and the associated over-represented in fire fatality statistics, with Self-extinguishing cigarettes need to be major emergency services and government departments provided risks for emergency services fires often caused by smokers falling asleep and actively smoked to stay alight and are designed further insight into organisational awareness and attitudes. • the impacts on rural emergency services provision dropping their cigarette,” to extinguish when dropped, which reduces the From the interviews, it became evident that there are a number of and volunteerism. “The cigarettes smoulder in furniture such as risk of household furniture being ignited by ways that information agencies, such as Bureau of Meteorology, can For more information on climate change and beds and couches and can quickly turn into serious smouldering cigarettes. support the emergency management sector. For example, agencies the emergency management sector or the research house fires.” Tobacco retailers have been given until seek palatable information and data, not only to prove the case of program, contact Loriana Bethune, Research Every year, more than 4,500 fires across September 2010 to sell their stocks of non- climate change, but also to provide insight into the impact it may have Officer, OESC by phone: (03) 8684 7937 or by Australia are caused by cigarettes and at least 77 compliant cigarettes. on the intensity and frequency of emergencies that Victoria will be email [email protected] people lost their lives in fires started by cigarettes This article was first published on CFA Connect likely to experience. between 2000 and 2005. www.cfaconnect.net.au 26 WINTER 2010 ISSUE 25 27

State Government Announcements Events & Awards

Messages of thanks for Victoria’s vital, valued volunteers – National Volunteer Week 2010.

11 fire drums representing 11 project locations bring light to the Illuminated Art and the bushfire landscape by Fire launch. 4 January – Acting Premier Rob Hulls 16 March – Bushfire defences on 4 May – Victorians will be supported to THROUGHOUT recent history, art has interpret diverse stories, images and Emergency Services Minister Bob the Mornington Peninsula received prepare for future bushfire seasons with played an important outlet of expression and artefacts, the project will assist Cameron announced a $5000 State a major boost with the State $136.6 million in the 2010 State Budget which not only enforces the notion of the communities to understand the role Government boost to every Life Saving Government opening the $267,000 to back emergency services and boost bushfire as an ever present element in the of fire within their environment. Victoria club across the state as part of upgrade of the Moorooduc Incident the fire preparation effort. Australian landscape, but one which seeks Delivered in partnership with the a renewed call for Victorians to play it Control Centre. 9 May – Premier John Brumby announced to find an understanding of fire itself, and Neighbourhood House and Learning safe by the water this summer. 26 March – Kinglake marked another a new statewide 12 month volunteer community response to and from the Centre (NHLC) network, the project 6 January – New water supply points milestone in rebuilding the community awareness campaign – I can do that impact of bushfires. will embed an artist-in-residence in 11 along the Sugarloaf Pipeline will better with the State Government unveiling – at the 2010 Premier’s Community Severe bushfire events have prompted locations across regional Victoria. A local protect local families, farms and homes the site for a new joint CFA and Volunteering Awards. art exhibitions, often carrying themes of workshop program will engage participants from bushfires by providing firefighters VICSES headquarters. 11 May – Emergency Services respect, fear and loss, and art projects through a staged process beginning with with easy access to a secure water supply. 26 March – State Government officially Minister Bob Cameron thanked the involving artists in the recovery process the sharing and development of stories 13 January – Premier John Brumby today opened the new $650,000 VICSES unit state’s 90,000 emergency services after the event. The 2003 exhibition, the in relation to fire and resilience. welcomed an expert team of 15 forest in Whittlesea. volunteers for their efforts in keeping Bushfire, Our Community Responds, at The project was officially launched by firefighters from the United States and 31 March – State Emergency Services Victorians safe at an event to mark the National Gallery of Victoria was the Governor of Victoria, Professor David Canada who arrived in Victoria to boost volunteers will hand out more than National Volunteer Week. curated in recognition of bushfire events de Kretser AC on 29 May. the state’s firefighting capacity. 200,000 cups of tea and coffee across 12 May – Hepburn Shire’s emergency which collectively resulted in over three Speaking at the launch in Flowerdale, 3 February – The 2009 Victorian Victoria to encourage motorist to stay services received a $1.85 million funding million hectares, seven lives and around Minister for the Arts, Peter Batchelor said Bushfire Message Book Collection safe on the roads in the Easter Driver boost with the opening of a new VICSES 600 homes lost in Victoria, New South “The arts bring people together, building will be permanently kept at the State Reviver Program. unit headquarters and ambulance branch Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. community spirit and supporting the Library of Victoria to commemorate 9 April – The Kangaroo Ground at Daylesford. In August 2009, the Black Saturday healing process. Illuminated by Fire will February 2009 bushfires. fire-spotting tower will continue to 13 May – The Premier John Brumby Gallery at the Victorian Bushfires Royal take this further, empowering communities 4 February – Premier John Brumby play a frontline role in protecting thanks government, businesses and Commission was established to give to respond creatively together to the announced new partnerships between Melbourne’s northern suburbs from Australian expatriates in the United artists from Victoria’s fire-affected areas phenomenon of bushfires and help Artist: Alex Emmins the Victorian Government and major bushfire after the opening of a Arab Emirates who raised funds after an opportunity to display their works. them to plan and build for the future”. Australian businesses – Westpac and $294,000 refurbishment. the 2009 February bushfires. Many of the artists who have contributed Emergency Services Commissioner Toll Holdings – for new fire equipment, 11 April – Premier John Brumby 13 May – Premier John Brumby to the Black Saturday Gallery were directly Exhibited under the theme Regrowth Bruce Esplin, who has been a strong in a further boost to the state’s largest- announced entry to all of Victoria’s thanks Victorian troops in United affected by the fires and art has been an and Rejuvenation, the work focus supporter of the project from its start, ever fire-fighting effort. national parks and metropolitan parks Arab Emirates for their support to important part of the healing process. encouraged the young artists, many said it would help the emergency services 15 February – Fire crews to take will be made free of charge to encourage Victorian communities after the The images shown here are from the of who are still deeply affected by the sector learn from the field of community advantage of mild February weather people to get active in the great outdoors. February 2009 Victorian bushfires. third exhibition comprising 155 individual fires of 7 February, to look ahead, rather arts practice to more effectively engage conditions to start planned burning this 14 April – Victoria’s iconic river red 17 May – A milestone in the history of pieces of children’s art drawn from 10 schools than to dwell on the past. Some of the with regional communities. “I strongly week in what will be the earliest launch gum trees will be protected and the North Warrandyte CFA marked with the of the autumn burns program in five years. health of floodplains and woodlands turning of the first sod on the site of the Artist: Darcy French 16 February – Victoria’s volunteer will be improved with the establishment brigade’s new $693,000 fire station. “I strongly believe in using the arts as a part of emergency services have access to of four new national parks. 18 May – Emergency Services Minister $6.8 million in equipment funding this year 18 April – Premier John Brumby opened Bob Cameron unveiled plans to build community and personal recovery after emergencies. under the State Government’s Community the Country Fire Authority’s new $8.9 a new $475,000 CFA fire station at St It can be a powerful coping mechanism and helps Safety Emergency Support fund. million headquarters in Geelong, the Andrews. 2 March – Construction of the new largest CFA station to be built in 20 May – Regional VICSES units across build resilience” $982,000 Emerald Fire Station well Victoria’s history. the state gain $11.6 million state budget underway as part of ongoing efforts 23 April – Minister for Police and funding for upgrade of rescue vehicles by the State Government to work with Emergency Services Bob Cameron and safety equipment. that were impacted by the 7 February fires. works included their own descriptions believe in using the arts as a part of emergency agencies and communities announced UGFM – Radio Murrindindi 6 June – Emergency Services Minister The contributing schools were Kinglake of the impact of the fires on them, their community and personal recovery after to help protect communities from future as the first Australian community Bob Cameron handed over a new Primary School, Middle Kinglake Primary families and their communities. emergencies. It can be a powerful coping bushfire threat. broadcaster to have official emergency heavy-rescue truck to Sunbury VICSES School, Whittlesea Primary School, Seymour Illuminated by Fire, a two-year mechanism and helps build resilience,” 12 March – State Government thanked the broadcaster status. and a $120,000 ultra light tanker to Special School, Specimen Hill Primary project initiated by Regional Arts Mr Esplin said. hundreds of State Emergency Services 23 April – Small projects will be able Wildwood CFA in Sunbury. School, Redesdale Mia Mia Primary School, Victoria, will use a creative approach The project will conclude in late 2011 with volunteers who worked tirelessly helping to have a big impact on climate change 11 June – A major boost for emergency Strathewen Primary School, St Andrews to provoke discussion about living a major multimedia installation in Melbourne. the Victorian community after damaging thanks to $10 million made available services across the state with graduation Primary School and the after-school arts sustainably in one of the world’s For more information on the hailstorms left a trail of destruction over through the State Government’s $23 of 20 recruits from CFA’s Training College program involving pupils from Marysville most bushfire prone regions. Using Illuminated by Fire project, visit 5 – 7 March. million Climate Communities Program. at Fiskville. Primary School and Buxton Primary School. community-based arts processes to www.rav.net.au 28 WINTER 2010 ISSUE 25 29 Emergency Alert receives national award THE Office of the Emergency Services Commissioner was system has the capability to send 500 text messages per recently recognised with a national award for its leadership of the second and 1,000 voice messages per minute. development of the Emergency Alert telephone warning system. “One of the most important things to remember is that a Deputy Emergency Services Commissioner, Policy and telephone alert is just one way to warn someone in an emergency Championships live up Planning, Joe Buffone, proudly accepted the Association of and a person must know how to access information in other Public-Safety Communications Officials( APCO) Australasia ways. You still must prepare yourselves and have an action Lifesavers take to the award for Outstanding Commitment to the Protection of the plan,” Mr Buffone said. water at the 2010 Victorian to exciting expectations Australian Community, on behalf of the emergency services The award was presented during the 2010 APCO Australasia Lifesaving Championships, AN ARTICLE BY LSV East Gippsland. organisations, emergency management agencies and the Conference and Exhibition held at the Melbourne Conference community, acknowledging the dedication of the national Exhibition Centre, 15 – 17 March. Emergency Alert project team. The event showcased the latest innovations and technologies EAST Gippsland lived up to expectations as For many competitors this was the last Hosting the state championships “Emergency Alert is a valuable community safety project in emergency services, providing networking opportunities the 2010 Victorian Lifesaving Championships chance to pit themselves against the best the for the second consecutive year, Surf that has resulted after several years of perseverance to keep and discussion on matters affecting public safety and proving to be ‘naturally magic’. state has to offer before competing in the Life Saving Lakes Entrance has proven it on the national agenda,” Mr Buffone said. emergency management. In March, more than 2,000 competitive 2010 Where Is® Australian Surf Life Saving to be capable of holding such a large “The Office was thrilled to receive the award as a lot of hard lifesavers took to the sand and water at Championships returning to Kurrawa on the scale event and the club is looking work has gone into this initiative from our Office, participating Lakes Entrance, with the dream of winning Gold Coast, Queensland later that month. forward to putting on another two jurisdictions and the strong partnership we have with Telstra who gold at the most anticipated event on the In early June, Life Saving Victoria, days of action-packed surf sport on have been instrumental in its development and implementation,” Victorian surf sport calendar. together with Surf Life Saving Lakes 12 – 13 March 2011. Mr Buffone said. Breaking away from tradition, 2010 Entrance and East Gippsland Shire Council For more information on Life Saving Emergency Alert is the national emergency telephone marked a new direction for Life Saving proudly announced that the 2011 Victorian Victoria and the 2011 Victorian warning system that emergency services can use to send alerts Victoria (LSV) by combining the two biggest Lifesaving Championships will return to Lifesaving Championships, visit to communities via landline telephones based on the location of events of the state’s surf sport season. For Lakes Entrance. www.lifesavingvictoria.com.au the handset, and to mobile phones, based on the billing address. the first time in Victorian lifesaving history, The alert provides official and authorised emergency both senior and junior championships were Teams draw for first time in Wieland Shield history information on the current situation and will tell you what Joe Buffone held over the one weekend. actions need to be taken, giving you a reference to get further accepting the Proudly hosted by Surf Life Saving THIS year Victoria played host to for the Californians and caught up to the 2010 APCO information or advice from another source for example a website Australasian ( Lakes Entrance, the club was the perfect the Californian Lifeguards as part Victorians who needed a Californian or radio station. Public Safety choice to help turn this vision into a of a long standing tradition with the disqualification to win!). Alerts are sent to specific areas based on the need to warn Innovation Award reality and make these championships Californian Lifeguards association Life Saving Victoria’s Manager – a community in the event of a life-threatening emergency. In for outstanding commitment to the best yet. – the Wieland Shield. Aquatic Sports Drew Urlichs said with Victoria people are trained to use the system and will decide Competition for the Wieland Shield “tough conditions on the second day, it the protection of “Lakes Entrance and the East if a telephone alert needs to be issued to a community. the Australian Gippsland Shire Council went above between American LA County Lifeguard came down to the last event with Victoria Individuals do not have to pay for the alert and importantly, community. and beyond in helping LSV create such surf lifesaving team and Victorian Life needing a disqualification from California they cannot opt out of receiving the emergency alerts. The an exciting and memorable championship,” Saving teams was conceived during for them to win.” Life Saving Victoria’s President Mike Melbourne’s 1956 Olympic Games “In the end it was a draw for the Martin said. and first officially held in 1967. The first time in the event’s history,” Mr “It was always going to be a huge ask competition takes place each two years Urlichs said. OESC research seminar series having both junior and senior competition rotating between California and Victoria. The competition came to an end on the one weekend but it worked and In 2008, the Victorian team toured with both teams equal on 65 points and ON 23 April, OESC hosted its first research seminar for 2010. The high attendance at the seminar emphasised the turned out to be two full days of exciting California with the Victorian’s taking out Victoria not only retaining the Wieland The Post-Black Saturday Bushfire Research seminar attracted strong interest in bushfire research available to sector and lifesaving action,” Mr Martin said. the shield in Hermosa Beach, California. Shield, but keeping their unbeaten strong, statewide attendance from the emergency management local government, particularly for those local governments With predicted forecasts of In 2010, Victoria was trying to keep its record on home soil. sector and particularly local government. in locations where the bushfire risk is most significant. thunderstorms, it was a great surprise unbeaten record at home against a very There are significant differences Presentations from Robyn Betts (OESC), Lyndsey Wright In order to address this issue, the OESC is considering for everyone involved when day one determined California, who were out to in the way lifesaving systems worked (Bushfire CRC), Tom Lowe (Department of Sustainability and taking the seminars on the road, and anticipates holding its brought blue skies and beaming hot take home the title which has eluded in Australia and the United States. For Environment) and Terry Hayes (Country Fire Authority) provided next seminar in the state’s northeast region to provide those sunshine. However, as day two got them for more than 10 years. example, in the United States, lifeguards insight into current organisational approaches to bushfire working in the sector with findings from current bushfire research underway the heavens decided to unleash. At the end of day one’s competitions, are recruited through the fire brigade, research and what research organisations are exploring thus enabling local emergency management personal to make Life Saving Victoria’s Manager – Victoria was on top with a handy lead are considered part of the emergency in the post-Black Saturday environment. informed, evidence based decisions. Aquatic Sports Drew Urlichs believes “the of four points after six events, which services and are paid. Robyn Betts discussed the Where are they are going? For more information on the seminar series or for a copy 2010 Victorian Lifesaving Championships included Surf Teams, Ski, Board, Surf The beaches of LA attract about 60 research, providing essential information to the audience on of the Post-Black Saturday Bushfire Research seminar DVD, will go down in the history books as the Rescue and Iron. million visitors per year, and in summer people’s intended movements on days with Fire Danger Rating contact Loriana Bethune, Research Officer, OESC by phone: biggest lifesaving carnival the state has Day two was always going to be a they are “bumper-to-bumper” with Code Red and also during bushfire events. (03) 8684 7937 or by email [email protected] ever put on for its competitors.” testing one for both teams, especially the people – many of whom have no idea Lyndsey Wright explained the Bushfire CRC research “Lakes was fantastic and the weekend Californians who had to catch that four how to swim. commissioned by Victoria’s emergency agencies. This lived up to expectations with explosive point deficit. Heavy rain and winds were Because so many people attended substantial piece of work involved 1,500 interviews with The OESC’s Research and Knowledge action in the sand and on the water – from forecast for the early afternoon and it did the LA beaches, flags are used only to bushfire survivors and collection of fire evidence in bushfire Management Unit would like to know more both our junior and senior competitors,” Mr not disappoint. separate surfers and swimmers. affected areas. about research needs related to emergency Urlichs said. Rain postponed the event for 30 The Wieland Shield is as much about Tom Lowe presented a forward thinking piece that described management and welcome your comments. Overall club point scores (junior and minutes and the aftermath left conditions camaraderie and sharing ideas through DSE’s approach to social research and community engagement. Contact Loriana Bethune, Research Officer, senior combined) resulted in Torquay choppy and difficult to swim in. As a differences as it is a long standing, and Terry Hayes gave the audience an overview of the CFA OESC by phone: (03) 8684 7937 or by email SLSC claiming first place, Point Leo SLSC result, this seemed to be an advantage highly contested, tradition. research and community safety program and the various [email protected] taking second and Anglesea SLSC in third. projects that exist within that program. 30 WINTER 2010 ISSUE 25 31 Professional development 2010 Fire Awareness Awards opportunities for recovery – focusing on communities practitioners AN ARTICLE BY DSE AN ARTICLE BY AEMI

ENTRIES are now invited for the annual Achievement, Recovery, Multicultural, Winners of awards and grants AUSTRALIAN Emergency Management Institute Information Systems at the University of Adelaide, Fire Awareness Awards. Youth and Aged/Disability. will be recognised for their work (AEMI) offered the first of a series of professional invited practitioners to consider the hypothetical A collaborative venture between Consistent with the previous five years, and publicly promoted through fire development activities for experienced recovery ‘recovery-scape’, drawing on his significant research Victoria’s three fire agencies – Country grants are also on offer including the awareness networks, lifting their managers and recovery practitioners on 16 and into demographics. Fire Authority (CFA), Department of $10,000 RACV Insurance Fire Safety profile within the community. 17 February. For example, in Australia: Sustainability and Environment (DSE) and Recovery management is the coordinated • every year 17.0 per cent of the population Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Services process of supporting disaster-affected communities move house Board (MFB) – the Fire Awareness Awards Winners of awards and grants will be recognised for in the reconstruction of the physical infrastructure • every five years 42.3 per cent of the population recognise and reward the hard work of their work and publicly promoted through fire awareness and the restoration of emotional, social, economic move house individuals, groups and organisations who and physical wellbeing. Recovery can provide an • over the next 25 years the number of people have carried out a wide variety of projects networks, lifting their profile within the community. opportunity to improve these aspects beyond aged 65 years and over will double. that reduce the number of fires, or the previous conditions, by enhancing social and Just these three statistics above demonstrate the effects of fires, anywhere in Victoria. natural environments, infrastructure and economies significant implications for emergency management, Recognising the great projects Grant and Special Incentive Grants of up For further information on the awards – contributing to a more resilient community. particularly for recovery management. Professor carried out by members of the community, to $2,000 to develop and undertake a fire visit www.fireawarenessawards.com.au Disaster recovery is part of emergency Hugo highlighted the need for policy and service eight new Community Award categories project, or further an existing fire project in or contact the 2010 Fire Awareness management, which includes the broader providers to use readily available research to develop have been introduced for this year’s Victoria - helping fund community-based Awards coordinator by phone components of prevention, preparedness and a broad range of emergency management strategies awards program including Community individuals or groups to turn their great fire (03) 9412 4465 or by email response. Planning for recovery is integral to appropriate for their community. Preparedness, Volunteer, Individual safety ideas into reality. [email protected] emergency preparation and mitigation actions Professor Mark Creamer, Department of may often be initiated as part of recovery. Psychiatry at the University of Melbourne, spoke Using a hypothetical scenario, 39 practitioners about the psychological response to trauma and looked at Australia and the story of Jo and Joanne best practice interventions. Citizen, examining who they were, where they were In addition to providing an invaluable networking located, and in this context – how likely they were opportunity, the two day professional development to be affected by an emergency event and if so, activity provided opportunities to discuss and reflect what their approach to recovery might likely be. on current practices and plan future strategies for Presenters, including Professor Graeme recovery practitioners and affected communities. Resilient communities Hugo of the Department of Geographical and For more information about AEMI’s 2010 Emergency Management Environmental Studies and Director of the National professional development programs, Conference, 20 – 22 July Centre for Social Applications of Geographic visit www.ema.gov.au

The Emergency Management Conference (EMC) is Blakely’s career includes the 2007 appointment by the annual conference presented by the Emergency the Mayor of New Orleans as Executive Director for Services Foundation to provide a forum for the Recovery – a post which included coordinating all ‘ALIES’ in resilience exchange of the valuable information gained by aspects of the city and parish’s recovery from the AN ARTICLE BY ALIES emergency services workers in the line of duty, effects of Hurricane Katrina. and in research. With diversity an integral part of the future for RESILIENCE was the theme of eighth annual ALIES In excess of 40 ALIES members attended Recognising extraordinary state, national emergency services, EMC runs in conjunction with Conference held at the Australian Emergency the three day conference which explored the and international emergency events, this year’s the Diversity in Emergency Services Conference. Management Institute, Mt Macedon. “resilience” theme through three streams: conference focuses on Resilient Communities Attracting in excess of 300 delegates from all ALIES is the Australasian Libraries in the community resilience, information resilience emergency services, federal, state and local Emergency Sector library network which collaborates and library resilience. Guest speakers examining government departments and community groups, to fulfil the information needs of the emergency and these topics included Andrew Coghlan from EMC is the premier Victorian the conference is the premier Victorian event on national security sector in Australia and New Zealand Australian Red Cross, Alan Hampson from the event on the emergency the emergency management sector calendar for by exchanging and sharing knowledge, skills and Influenza Specialist Group and Lyn Gunter, former professional development, information exchange resources; maintaining a distributed Australasian Mayor of Murrindindi Shire Council. management sector calendar and networking. emergency management collection, and providing ALIES members include state and territory fire, for professional development, The annual conference is also the Emergency an expert information service. police, forensics, emergency services and justice Services Foundation’s fundraising event to ensure In opening the conference, Martin Studdert libraries; federal agency libraries such Attorney- information exchange it can continue to provide support to families of AM, First Assistant Secretary of the Federal General’s Department, Australian Institute of and networking. emergency service workers and scholarships for Attorney-General’s National Security Capability Criminology, Bureau of Meteorology, CSIRO, emergency services personnel to assist them Development Division highlighted the concept Customs and Border Protection, Australian Federal to undertake advanced studies in Australia or of resilience across the national security and Police and Geoscience Australia; state and territory through a dynamic, inspiring and insightful program overseas, to further their educational and emergency management sectors, and the strong departments of primary industry and environment; of speakers including keynote address by Dr. Edward professional standards. links between the concept of resilience and the and state and territory departments of health. J. Blakely, Professor of Urban Policy at the United For more information on the Emergency work of the ALIES network, as information is For further information on ALIES, States Studies Centre, Sydney, Australia. Professor Services Foundation, visit www.esf.com.au a core component for resilience. visit www.ema.gov.au/alies 32 WINTER 2010 ISSUE 25

EM Movements

MFB appoints new CEO Appointments

ON 25 February the Metropolitan Fire implemented the best current DAVID HARRIS joins Department of and Emergency Services Board (MFB) practices in finance, planning and Primary Industries as Executive Director announced Graham Fountain as the new governance. Mr Fountain has also Emergency & Security Planning Chief Executive Officer and Chief Officer undertaken work assignments of the Metropolitan Fire and Emergency with the Victorian, Australian and Superintendent Malcolm (Jock) Services Board. UK governments. Menzel, Victoria Police appointed State Mr Fountain joins MFB with over His comprehensive knowledge Emergency Response Officer 20 years experience with the Country and experience in the emergency Fire Authority in a diverse range of management sector will be greatly MELANIE MILLS appointed Director, senior operation and management beneficial to the Board as it enters a Communities and Media Relations, Office positions, including Deputy Chief challenging and exciting time ahead. of the Emergency Services Commissioner Officer where he was responsible Mr Fountain builds on a strong for managing the Emergency foundation established by Ken Latta, TONY PEARCE joins Department of Management portfolio. former CEO and Chief Officer, Transport as Executive Director, Security In his most recent role, Mr Fountain respecting the work already done & Emergency Management was the CEO of the Confederation of to maintain the MFB’s standing Australian Motor Sport where over the as a leading fire, emergency and REBEL TALBERT joins Office of the past three years he has seen and community service organisation. Emergency Services Commissioner as Deputy Director, Communities and Searching the EMMV made easy Media Relations Finding what you need in the Emergency of interest with one click. Search Tell us about EM Info Management Manual Victoria (EMMV) results are easily visible, allowing online has become easier, with the users to see the number of times DID you know EM Info was first addition of an eManual. and the context a particular area published in 2001? The EMMV contains policy and of interest is referred to. Whether you have been reading planning information for emergency The Office of the Emergency EM Info since the first issue or 21st management in Victoria, and provides Services Commissioner maintains the issue, we want to know your view details about the roles different EMMV, in collaboration with emergency on the format, content and fit of the organisations play in the emergency management agencies. Should any magazine with your involvement in management arrangements. updates be required, all versions of the the emergency management sector. The new eManual contains the EMMV will be updated simultaneously. Look out for information on how to same content as the hard copy EMMV The EMMV will continue to be provide your feedback through the EM and now features a search function. available in hard copy and Acrobat PDF. Info survey, and how you can be in the Web users can find all information To access the EMMV (PDF) running for fabulous prize, in the next relating to a particular emergency and eManual, visit edition – issue 26. management topic, agency or area www.oesc.vic.gov.au/emergencymanual

Victoria’s emergency management magazine The Office of Emergency Services Commissioner OESC thanks Australian Red Cross, Kim Bennett, BOM, ISSN 1836 – 5450 (OESC) works with communities and Bushfire CRC, CFA, DSE, Sam Hall,K RR Committee Authorised by the Emergency Services Commissioner, government to enhance the state’s emergency of Management, LSV, Macedon Ranges Shire Council, 121 Exhibition Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000 management arrangements. Parks Victoria, and the 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Printed by Big Print - Print Mint, OESC hopes you have enjoyed EM Info magazine. For Commission for photographs appearing in this issue. 45 Buckhurst Street, South Melbourne, more information on articles in this issue, to contribute Image page 2 – Bureau of Meterology, copyright Victoria 3205 a story or to provide feedback, please contact the editor Commonwealth of Australia, reproduced by permission. EM Info is printed on ReArt stock containing on (03) 8684 7900 or email [email protected] Image page 6 – Sebastian Costanzo/Fairfaxphotos. 100% recycled fibre with a minimum of 90% To receive this publication in an accessible format post consumer waste. such as large print or audio, please contact OESC on Published by Office of the Emergency (03) 8684 7900 or email [email protected] Services Commissioner EM Info is also published on www.oesc.vic.gov.au