In 2008 fire and emergency service agencies from across Australia commenced a review of the AFAC Bushfires and Community Safety Position which incorporates the concept of Prepare, Stay and Defend or Leave Early. The major drivers for the review were the growing intensity and severity of recent bushfire experience and the availability of results of intensive research programs conducted by the Bushfire Cooperative Research Centre.
As the review of the Position was continuing, the bushfires that occurred in Victoria on 7th February 2009 brought into sharp focus the possibility that legislation, systems, practices and processes to support effective community safety outcomes may no longer match the increasing levels of risk and community expectations. Of particular concern was the provision of accurate, timely information, advice and warnings to the community.
On 3, 4, 5th August 2009, AFAC brokered a three-day event to tackle the issue of fire danger ratings, trigger points and warnings to the community. As a result of this effort revised arrangements for bushfire alerts and warnings were drafted and submitted to the Australian Emergency Management Committee (AEMC). AEMC immediately established the National Bushfire Warnings Taskforce whose role was to fine-tune the draft arrangements and broker national agreement.
Executive Summary - Australia's Revised Arrangements for Bushfire Alerts and Warnings - 2009/2010 Fire Season
At its meeting on Friday 25th September, the Ministerial Council for Police and Emergency Management endorsed the revised arrangements.
Each state and territory will implement the national approach consistent with their local requirements and state policies.
- Summary of what has changed
- Fire Danger Ratings
- Prepare. Act. Survive. - alerts and warnings to the community
- Trigger Matrix for messaging
