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Fire Ready Victoria 2008-2012 Strategy Development Project

What is Fire Ready Victoria?
Fire Ready Victoria (FRV) is a joint agency initiative, involving strategies for community development, communication, education and empowerment in relation to wildfire and planned burning in Victoria. In this context wildfire is used in place of bushfires, and is defined as uncontrolled vegetation fires that include forest fires, grassfires and scrub fires and relates to fires in rural and remote areas, the rural / urban interface and relevant areas of urban environments. Implementation activities incorporate a range of communication campaigns, educational programs, community development programs and engagement activities across the wildfire PPRR continuum.

Following the large fires of North East Victoria and Gippsland in 2003, the Victorian Bushfire Inquiry (VBI) Report recommended that fire agencies work together more closely to deliver integrated services to communities threatened by fire. The VBI recognised that communities require connected and holistic services and acknowledged that it was no longer acceptable for fire agencies to work in isolation. This recommendation led to the development of Fire Ready Victoria in 2004.

Four agencies, CFA, DSE, MFB and DHS all play a key role in community safety from undertaking prevention and preparedness activities to delivering response and recovery services. Fire Ready Victoria 2008-2012 is being developed to assist these four agencies to work together to deliver wildfire information, education, engagement and empowerment programs and initiatives for people living in, working in and visiting Victoria.

Although CFA has been working steadily in community engagement for a number of years, the cross agency concept of Fire Ready Victoria is a relatively new initiative. There are now many opportunities for the four agencies to identify new projects and initiatives to complement the existing activities such as FRV community meetings and Community Fireguard.

Opportunities for the future - FRV Strategy 2008-12
Although many people are familiar with CFA’s involvement in FRV, the time has come for FRV to evolve into a more strategic and holistic program for people in Victoria at risk from wildfire.

The four agencies, CFA, DSE, MFB and DHS are working closely with the Fire Communications Task Force (FCTF) to develop the new FRV Strategy 2008 – 12 to ensure that together, the agencies can meet the current and future needs of people in Victoria in relation to information and education about fire.

The FRV Strategy 2008-12 will articulate the strategic direction, objectives and scope of FRV. It will also outline the corporate responsibilities, governance structures and accountabilities of the four participating agencies responsible for FRV management and delivery and provide a series of guidelines and policies to support FRV and enhance program delivery.

The FRV Strategy Development Project involves three stages:

  1. Establishment of the Strategic Direction of FRV.
  2. Development of a Management Plan for the Strategy.
  3. Development of Guidelines for Strategy Implementation.
While the FRV Strategy 2008-12 reflects a whole of government approach to dealing with wildfire, it is expected that the Strategy will be supported by a series of practical implementation plans developed by individual agencies and through FRV partnerships with key stakeholders.

The intention is to develop the FRV Strategy for a corporate audience including government agencies and relevant stakeholders. Although the FRV Strategy will be available as a public document, it is not intended to be used as an educational or promotional tool when working with communities.

Key dates for the FRV Strategy Development Project
  • Develop strategy - three key stages 07/02/08- 06/08/08
  • Strategy endorsed and approved by EMC 18/08/08
  • Government approval process complete 03/09/08
  • Project complete 25/09/08
FRV Strategy Development partners
Fire Ready Victoria 2008 -12 is being developed and managed by CFA, DHS, DSE and MFB in collaboration with the Fire Communications Taskforce and identified key stakeholders. The development of the FRV Strategy is being achieved through a three tiered management system, supported by a Strategy Project Team hosted by CFA.

The three tiers are a FRV Executive Management Committee (EMC), established to provide broad strategic direction and leadership in the development of the Strategy. The EMC includes:
  • Lisa Sturzenegger - CFA
  • Alison Stone - DSE
  • Craig Lapsley - DHS
  • Keith Adamson - MFB
  • Louise Martin - Fire Communications Taskforce
The FRV Steering Committee provides ongoing oversight over the strategy development, to ensure that the FRV Strategy meets the requirements of all participating agencies and to ensure the FRV is able to address the information, education and engagement needs of Victorian communities into the
future. The Steering Committee members are:
  • Gwynne Brennan - CFA
  • Sarah Hearn - DSE
  • Genelle Ryan - DHS
  • Rob Taylor - MFB
The FRV Working Party will have responsibility to engage with internal stakeholders to ensure that the views of agency staff are represented during the development of the FRV Strategy. The Working Party will actively consult within their own organisations so they can provide direct input on behalf of their agency.
To find out what your agency is doing in relation to FRV, or to provide your input into the development of the FRV Strategy, contact your Working Party representative:
The FRV Project Team is working in close partnership with these committees to ensure the FRV 08-12 reflects a whole of government approach to dealing with wildfire. For more information about the Fire Ready Victoria strategy development project contact:

Posted Thursday, April 24, 2008

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