Issues of Interest

Royal Commission Interim Report Welcomed – Now To Preparing For Summer 2010

ROYAL COMMISSION INTERIM REPORT WELCOMED – NOW TO PREPARING FOR SUMMER 2010

Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria (VFBV) today welcomed the Royal Commission’s Interim Report into the 2009 Bushfires, but said it was critical to turn attention now to preparing for Summer 2010.

Andrew Ford, CEO of the VFBV, said: “Many of the recommendations have been floated during the inquiry and come as no surprise.

“We agree with the majority of the recommendations made by the Royal Commission and look forward to further consultation with the CFA and Government on the implementation, which will not be achieved without volunteers’ involvement.”

“What is absolutely critical now is to prepare well for summer 2010, use the new initiatives money allocated by the Government appropriately and begin to act on the many recommendations.”

VFBV represents Victoria’s 60,000 CFA volunteers and their local brigades.

Mr Ford said that it was now time for the CFA, State Government and the public to work together before the 2010 bushfire season.

“Our highly trained and skilled volunteers want to get on and do the best job they can do this summer,” said Mr Ford.

“Victoria cannot afford to keep volunteers out of the debate about the future of bushfire services in the state.”

He said the CFA and Government had to listen to the volunteers as they will largely be responsible for implementing the changes recommended by both the Royal Commission and the State Government.”

“Our members must be briefed properly about the changes in crystal clear language; they need to be resourced properly and given strong support to get on with the job,” said Mr Ford.

Mr Ford said it was critical for the public to also assume responsibility for having a fire plan and attending local bushfire safety meetings.

“As we saw on Black Saturday, it is not always possible to get a timely warning: the public has to share the responsibility for their safety and the security of their assets.”

“This is not an attempt to shift the blame but a realistic recognition that the CFA cannot be expected to have a tanker there to protect every house in the state.”

“Life is paramount, that is the bottom line.”

In its submission to the Royal Commission, the VFBV called for:

• The CFA to be better resourced and to provide improved training, communications and additional resources to its volunteers to enable improved arrangements for control and gathering information.
   
• CFA volunteers to be consulted and provided with training to increase community participation in bushfire safety programs
   
• The CFA Act to be amended to provide the Chief Officer with the responsibility for issuing community bushfire warnings.
   
• The CFA to be the lead agency responsible for protecting life and property during bushfires in Victoria.

Warnings

• A public bushfire warning system similar to the system used for cyclones, which uses a numerical scale (Category One to Five) to indicate danger levels.

Communications

• Known deficiencies in communications, such as pager messaging, to be improved to cope with worst case events.

Bushfire Information

• A single, accurate and timely web based source of bushfire information for the public, fire fighters and emergency services, in addition to greater capacity for callers to the Victorian Bushfire Information Line (VBIL) to receive timely advice and warnings.
   
• Information to the community to be kept simple, direct and unambiguous.

The VFBV represents the 60,000 CFA qualified and highly skilled fire fighters and emergency services volunteers who respond each year to thousands of house and industrial fires, grass fires and bushfires, car accidents and many other emergencies.

“Unpaid, these men and women provide Victoria with emergency services valued at nearly $1 billion each year, and add untold value to community capacity building and leadership.”

Media inquiries:

Peter Beaton, VFBV, (03) 9886 1141

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