News 
Issue 11: December 2014
Quick snapshot of the priority issues and actions worked through at the most recent Joint Committee meeting between CFA and VFBV. (Meeting held 29/11/14)
VOLUNTARY GRAIN HARVESTING GUIDE – TRIAL 2014/15
A Voluntary Grain Harvesting Guide has been developed by the Victorian Farmers Federation and CFA. Whilst there was limited time for volunteers to provide feedback and comment to the draft guide, volunteers and VFBV did make a wide range of suggestions and comments to the draft materials. CFA have advised the majority of these suggestions have been supported. The guide will be trialled by several groups in District 17 this season, with results to be evaluated to inform a final guide. Whilst supportive of the initiative, volunteers have expressed a concern that whilst the guide is promoted as being voluntary, insurance companies may see this as regulation and expect strict adherence with evidence of compliance being required when assessing insurance claims. The committee will monitor feedback following this year’s trial.
CAN I – CAN’T I ADVICE FOR BEE KEEPERS
The committee has reviewed and provided comment on a simple brochure that CFA is developing for apiarists. (Bee Keepers) The brochure is in response to frequent concerns and confusion raised by apiarists during Fire Danger Periods and on days of Total Fire Ban. The brochure provides specific advice and interpretations of the legislation contained within Section 43 of the CFA Act within the context of what bee keepers routinely do to manage their colonies. Advice on bee smokers, smoker fuel and vegetation planning controls is all covered in an easy to read bullet point format.
TYRE STOCKPILING
CFA and MFB have jointly developed a fire risk assessment framework for tyre stockpiling. The framework is specifically designed to assess the fire risk of indoor and outdoor storage of new and used tyres. While tyres are not considered to be a hazardous material, once there is a fire, the tyre product breaks down into hazardous compounds including gases, heavy metals, and oil, generating a great deal of smoke. The average passenger car tyre is estimated to produce more than 7.5 litres of oil, which can be a significant environmental pollutant that can get into ground water and contaminate well water. The new framework will be used to provide advice and to make recommendations for the safe storage of new or used rubber tyres, and to assist fire fighters to be aware of issues involving tyre stockpiles and fire.
FIRE MANAGEMENT PLANNING HANDBOOK
The committee is reviewing and providing comment to a new Fire Management Planning Handbook. The guide intends to be a once stop shop, and is an amalgamation of information from a multitude of sources, aimed to empower CFA representatives participating within the Integrated Fire Management Planning Framework with the knowledge, tools and avenues to enhance this base information. It is intended to enable and support the successful participation in fire management planning at various levels. The committee believes the guide will be particularly welcomed by those involved in IFMP, and will assist brigades and groups be better engaged and empowered at these forums.
SUMMER CAMPAIGN UPDATE
CFA briefed the committee on this year’s summer campaign. This year’s TV campaign will feature Emergency Management Commissioner Craig Lapsley. Whilst VFBV’s view that localized messaging via local identities and local Captains is essential to promoting the mutual obligation culture the sector is seeking from community members, the committee acknowledged that CFA is no longer as greatly involved in decision making over the summer campaign, with EMV and Department of Justice increasingly managing this aspect of the campaign. The biggest barrier still remains that people believe that a major bushfire will not happen to them. The committee continues to advocate for a multi-faceted, localized and layered approach to seasonal messaging, to combat high public apathy with agency and government messaging.
