Bushfire Preparedness Program 2009/10

An Intense Effort

A new six-tiered fire danger rating system, a new national telephone based warning system and a new online self assessment tool are among key measures the Victorian Government and agencies will deliver to prepare the State for the approaching fire season.

Implementation plan

The Implementation Plan of the State of Victoria in response to the recommendations of the Interim Report has been tabled in the Royal Commission.

Bushfire Preparedness Page

CFA Volunteers and Staff around the state have been sent a page directing them to CFA Connect for the latest updates on the Bushfire Preparedness Program.

New Fire Danger Rating

 Victoria has adopted the new nationally agreed Fire Danger Rating scale to help communities understand information about fire danger. This new scale recognises the significant increase in severe bushfire conditions over the past decade and the subsequent greater level of danger to the community, and potential loss of life, as experienced by Victorians on Saturday 7 February 2009.

New Bushfire Survival Kit

The Bushfire Survival Kit is a new publication, being developed by community safety to help residents prepare their bushfire survival plan.

Informing staff and brigades

The Bushfire Preparedness Program is working to ensure that all CFA staff, volunteers and stakeholders are informed of the projects taking place and any changes before the fire season.

Bushfire Preparedness Page

CFA Volunteers and Staff around the state have been sent a page directing them to CFA Connect for the latest updates on the Bushfire Preparedness Program.

Telstra to build NEWS

Work will begin immediately to build the infrastructure for a new national telephony-based warning system that will alert Australians in the event of a life-threatening emergency, following Telstra signing the contract to provide this new system, Police and Emergency Services Minister Bob Cameron announced yesterday.

Information Officer refresher training

BackgroundThere have been a number of amendments to the training previously delivered to Information Officers as a result of addressing the outcomes of the Royal Commission around information flow and warnings to communities. In order to address the changes each Information Officer will need to attend an Information Officer (refresher) program prior to this summer. Based on the current numbers of people we have identified a number of locations to deliver the refresher programs. The program schedule is outlined below.

Community Information and Warnings

The Community Information and Warnings Project has two main aspects, the Warnings themselves and the enhancement of the Information Unit.