Community Engagement Best Practice: Sharing Between Emergency Services

In late May, the Ministry for Police and Emergency Services (MPES) launched the Case Study Library for Community Engagement.

This case study library provides examples of community engagement projects and practices undertaken by agencies within the NSW emergency management sector. It is hoped that the library will raise awareness and promote information sharing on ways to effectively engage communities in disaster planning, preparedness, response and recovery. 

NSW Rural Fire Service leading from the front

The case study library has been launched with a small number of case studies selected from Natural Disaster Resilience Program (NDRP) funded projects and Resilient Australia Award winners (applications for 2013 Awards are now open). 

The NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) is well recognised for our work in community engagement, and this is clear to see by the number of successful case studies about NSW RFS programs/initiatives available from the library. Below is a summary of NSW RFS initiatives available from the library.

Wollombi Community FireWise Program
The Wollombi Community FireWise Program has been developed over the past 9 years, and in response to community feedback, evolved into the delivery of an integrated program of community engagement initiatives including:

• Community Bush Fire Safety Forums and Presentations
• Bush Fire survival Planning Workshops, Pile Burn Workshops, FireWise Cafe
• Property Inspections - Bush Fire Risk Assessment and Preparation Advice

For more information about the program click here.

Bush Fire Resilience Project for Aboriginal Communities (BRAC)

The Bush Fire Resilience Project for Aboriginal Communities (BRAC) was a project involving the NSW Rural Fire Service, Aboriginal groups and communities, Fire and Rescue NSW and Bush Fire Management Committees. Bush fire risk assessments and mitigation strategies were developed for 34 remote aboriginal communities across NSW. Visits by NSW RFS and local Bush Fire Control facilitated valuable outreach strengthening the cooperative relationship members of the community have with NSW combat agencies.

For more information about this program click here.

Women's Fire Awareness Program

The Women's Fire Awareness Program is a one day program with follow-up property visits to assist with property protection ideas and follow-up Bush Fire Survival Plan discussions after the property visits (face-to-face or via email). The program, developed by an adult educator and brigade members, is run at the Canyonleigh Fire Station with a combination of indoor and outdoor activities.

The program provides knowledge and practical experience to help Canyonleigh women make better decisions in the event of a fire, and to write their own personal Bush Fire Survival Plan's. The program empowered women in the area to change their behaviour and prepare them to make positive, life saving decisions in the event of a bush fire.

For more information about this program click here.

Do you have a program/initiative you would like to share?

It is anticipated that over time the library will grow to house more case studies, illustrating a diverse range of approaches, target groups and levels of community involvement. The Community Engagement Team is always eager to support and hear from brigades and districts with their innovative approaches to community engagement and encourage you all to share your programs with us. So why not send us through the details, as well as some photos, of your program to community.engagement@rfs.nsw.gov.au so that we can submit your case study for publication.