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Bass Coast Fire Prevention ReviewedBass Coast Shire Council has developed a new Strategy examining types of fires and their causes. By Bass Coast Shire Council - 7th August 2009 - Back to News The draft Bass Coast Shire Municipal Fire Prevention Strategy is part of a coordinated approach for identifying fire risks across the municipality. The Country Fire Authority Act requires all shires in Victoria to have a Municipal Fire Prevention Plan.
"Our draft Strategy has been developed by a working party consisting of representatives from Council and the Country Fire Authority (CFA)," explained Community Safety Manager, Peter Laydon.
"The Department of Sustainability and Environment, Parks Victoria and Phillip Island Nature Parks have also had input.
"We have worked closely together on this, to make sure Bass Coast has a clear, workable document that easily identifies the roles and responsibilities of each agency and provides ways to measure the Strategy’s success."
"This Strategy will replace the existing Municipal Fire Prevention Plan which was due for renewal," continued Mr Laydon.
"The plan is audited by the CFA every three years and is due to be audited this year."
As well as identifying the main type of fires and their causes, the Strategy proposes a series of actions.
"We work out with the relevant organisations what actions or treatments will be taken to reduce the chances of fires occurring," said Mr Laydon.
"We also look at ways to reduce the impact of fires if they do occur. For example, we need to make sure there are appropriate fire access roads and fire plugs in place to fight fires.
"Another action would be making sure that advice on fire prevention is provided to home builders through the Building Regulations."
Victoria has a heightened awareness of the need to prepare for the fire season this year, in the wake of the devastating fires of February 2009.
"This Strategy puts in place ways of preventing wildfire by reducing fire fuels," confirmed Mr Laydon.
"There will be inspections of private land which will lead to the issuing of Fire Prevention Notices when required. Inspections of public land will also be carried out and the areas of high fire risk will be targeted to make the best use of fuel reduction resources."
Damien O’Connor, Bass Coast Shire’s CFA Group Officer, has been involved from the beginning of the review process.
"The Strategy identifies ways that the community can address fire risk, through a range of different methods," said Mr O’Connor.
"One of the main things the Strategy identifies in the need for public awareness, to highlight to residents and visitors the ways they can take responsibility for their own fire safety.
"This includes promoting the use of smoke alarms, educating the community on the importance of cleaning up blocks and removing fire fuels, and the establishment of community fireguard groups."
The Municipal Fire Prevention Committee (MFPC) is now examining the draft Strategy. Council is calling on the community for their input as well.
"A copy of the draft Strategy can be viewed on our website at www.basscoast.vic.gov.au and in our Customer Service Centres," said Mr Laydon.
"This important document drives much of our day to day work and we welcome input from the community. We encourage people to fill in one of our Strategy feedback forms.
"The idea of the plan is to clearly set out what Council, CFA and other agencies do to reduce the risks associated with fires across the Shire.
"Any comments we receive will be presented to the group working on the Strategy for consideration."
Feedback forms are available from Council Customer Service Centres or can be downloaded from the website. Forms should be mailed to James Bremner, Emergency Management Coordinator, PO Box 118, Wonthaggi VIC 3995, faxed to 56 71 2222 or handed in at Customer Service Centres no later than 5pm, Tuesday, 28 August 2009.
The Municipal Fire Prevention Committee will review the plan annually to make sure it continues to meet the needs of Bass Coast.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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