Grampians Regional IFMP Committee commences

(l-r): Don Kelly (Chair of the Committee), Rachaele May (Department of Sustainability and Environment), Brian Parry AM, (Chair State Committee), Jeni Taylor (Network Manager), Norm Free (Manager State Fire Management Planning Support Team)

The inaugural meeting of the Grampians Regional Strategic Fire Management Planning Committee was held in Stawell on Thursday 4 December 2008 and was initially chaired by Mr Brian Parry AM, Chair of the State Fire Management Planning Committee. The meeting was well attended by all major stakeholders and followed on from the the Divisional Emergency Response Coordinating committee summer fire season briefing. Mr Don Kelly, CFA General Manager Midlands Wimmera Area was appointed Chair of the committee.

When asked how the committee might contribute to the IFMP aims of reducing fire risk in the region, Mr Kelly said, "My intent is to have the committee work collaboratively with all organisations to create improved community fire safety outcomes, recognising that various aspects IFMP will be new ground for many of us. The benefits of doing so will be evident in improved planning practices and planning outcomes across the organisations. To achieve this across land tenures, the traditional silos of Preparation, Prevention, Response and Recovery (PPRR), local government and risk environments, will mean that we have made huge steps in the advancement of community safety".

"In order to accomplish this, we need to bring the community along with us. By doing this we will promote and foster community ownership, as well as enhance community capacity and connectedness to prevent, prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies."

The next meeting is scheduled for February 2009.