Community Protection Plan overview

Many of you may have heard about Community Protection Plans and are probably wondering what they're all about, and what it will mean for your area. Patrick Schell has written an overview for us and is working on making the planning and update process as user-friendly as possible. Join us over the coming weeks to hear how the pilot has gone in Region South.

It's been almost nine months since Community Protection Plans (CPP) were initially presented to NSW RFS staff at the Community Safety Directorate Forum in Wollongong last May. Since the Forum, significant work has occurred in the refinement of the concept and development of guidelines and tools to assist in the implementation of CPPs throughout the State.

In October 2011, the draft CPP guidelines were released to Customer Service Centre staff and the pilot process commenced. It was desirable to trial the draft CPP process in a variety of environments including:

• a typical urban interface

• an isolated coastal township

• rural communities west of the great divide surrounded by a mix of vegetation types including grassland.

As such, the following areas were initially selected for a pilot study:

• Terrey Hills (Region East)
• Tingha (Region North)
• Guerilla Bay (Region South)
• Cumnock (Region West).

The above areas also represent a diverse range of community demographics in which to trial the CPP concept.

As the initial areas progressed with their plans, additional areas in which to pilot the CPP process were identified. This included two villages in the Clarence Valley local government area and the township of Dalgety in the Snowy River local government area. We are also investigating implementing a CPP in the Blue Mountains area.


The initial CPP pilots are now approaching completion and a workshop with the CPP Working Group has been scheduled for 14-15 February 2012 to resolve any emerging issues. The CPP Working Group consists of representatives from D/T/Z, Region, Customer Service Centres and Headquarters and this will be the third time that the group has met to discuss and resolve issues associated with the CPP concept.



Consulting the Duffys Forest Rural Fire Brigade about their Community Protection Plan



A key aspect that has been highlighted through the pilot studies is the involvement and input of the local D/T/Z staff and brigade members in the preparation and implementation of the CPP. Local knowledge of the surrounding landscape, community demographics, location of vulnerable communities, infrastructure (e.g. road networks and water supply provisions) and fire history is vital to the development of a CPP that is relevant, practical and addresses the specific issues of the community. Furthermore, effective engagement of residents, BFMCs and LEMCs is also proving to be a critical part of preparing and implementing a CPP.

Without the support of the D/T/Z office and members of the local brigade, a CPP becomes a redundant plan and the intended benefits to community safety will never be realised. Ultimately, a CPP should seek to provide D/T/Z staff and brigade members with tools to assist in engaging residents and increasing the overall preparedness of the community for bush fire.

Finally, it is important to note that the CPP process remains a work in progress and it is envisaged that the program will constantly evolve over time.

For more information regarding CPPs please email Patrick Schell on patrick.schell@rfs.nsw.gov.au.