Gippsland Regional IFMP Committee

CFA General Manager, Gippsland Area Malcolm McKenzie (right) and Gippsland's IFMP Network Manager David Johnson

The inaugural meeting of the Gippsland Regional Strategic Fire Management Planning Committee (RSFMPC) was held on 26 November 2008. Malcolm McKenzie, CFA General Manager of the Gippsland Area was appointed as Chair. The meeting was attended by the various agencies involved in the integrated fire management process, including representation from the local councils, the Department of Sustainability & Environment and the Department of Planning & Community Development.

“The Gippsland region is a diverse one with many challenges for all of us involved in managing fire risk to our community”, Malcolm said. "I am looking forward to working on the many aspects of the IFMP process and projects and am delighted by the enthusiasm of the committee members involved."

The committee has completed its Terms of Reference and has begun work on an Integrated Regional Strategic Fire Management Plan. The plan will focus on demographic and risk profiles of the Gippsland Area, which will provide a better understanding of the broad risks faced by communities across the region.

On a local level, work has commenced on a pilot project within the East Gippsland Shire. According to David Johnson, Gippsland’s Integrated Fire Management Planning (IFMP) Network Manager, there are a number of IFMP pilots being run across the state that will demonstrate good practice in the area of integrated fire management. "The East Gippsland project will demonstrate the use of risk management tools at a precinct level to help us to better understand and manage risks at a local level.” he said.

The next Gippsland RSFMPC meeting is scheduled for 5 February 2009.