Public Safety

There is broad acknowledgement that public safety and protection of assets during bushfires depends to a large extent on the community’s capacity to respond effectively to the risk from bushfire events.

In most circumstances fire agencies will be able to provide sufficient fire-fighting resources to defend threatened properties when bushfire occurs. However, there will be circumstances, such as on days of very high or extreme fire danger, when fire agencies are unable to provide fire-fighting resources in sufficient time and strength to prevent all loss of life and damage to property.

In a bushfire, fire fighting resources are likely to be allocated where they will be most effective, not necessarily where losses are most likely.

It is important therefore that people planning to defend their properties must be prepared to be safe and self-sufficient.

Good Practice

In February 2006 the Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council (AFAC), in collaboration with the Australian State and Territory fire agencies released a position paper designed to provide guidance to house holders in relation to both their individual safety, and the protection of their homes in the event of a bushfire.

The position described good practice in relation to creating and maintaining bushfire-safe communities throughout Australia.  It was based on the best available knowledge and experience at the time.

Following the Black Saturday fires in Victoria in February 2009 and the subsequent Bushfires Royal Commission this position was placed under review.   It is expected that a new interim position will be available in early 2010.  This position will be based on outcomes of the Bushfires Royal Commission, Bushfire CRC research and other evidence from the Black Satruday fires.

The material found in this area of the site represents work relating to the position 'Prepare stay and defend or go ealry' conducted prior to 2009.

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