Fire Ready Victoria Framework 2008-12 Project Update

FRV is a joint agency initiative involving strategies for community development, communication, education and empowerment in relation to fire and planned burning in Victoria.

In the last two months there has been a lot happening with the Fire Ready Victoria (FRV) 08-12 project.

Firstly, in developing the new FRV strategy, it was identified that the scope of the project has been broadened significantly. The FRV 08-12 project will now be developed as a broad Framework with several strategies sitting under it. The Framework will detail and describe the way agencies work together to provide a range of community engagement, education, awareness and information programs and activities in relation to wildfire/bushfire.

Secondly, multi agency workshops were held across the state in Sale, Melbourne, Bendigo, Wangaratta and Colac during May and June 2008. These workshops brought together agency personnel from CFA, MFB, DSE, DHS and DOJ to share ideas and suggestions for the new Framework. The workshops highlighted the strong support for a partnership approach between agencies for the new Framework.

Melbourne FRV workshop

Thirdly, the regional workshops identified the need to clarify branding of the Framework, its strategies and all the implementation activities and programs under it. A draft branding solution has been proposed and is currently being tested in a survey of agency personnel. The draft branding solution links all programs under a common banner and takes into consideration concerns over a name change to the current FRV programs.

Finally, for the 08/09 season there will be three to five key programs/products that will be launched under the new Framework that will build on our existing programs and products.

Over the next five years, programs, products and activities will be updated, created and launched prior to each season. This phased approach will allow agencies time to develop new or updated programs or products.

The FRV Framework project is on track for completion in late September 2008. For further information or to provide input into the FRV project, please email the project team at frvfeedback@cfa.vic.gov.au.