A Community Protection Plan for Guerilla Bay

Thank you to Kelwyn White, Community Protection Planning Officer, Batemans Bay for writing this article and doing all the consultation work

In October 2011, I began work on the Guerilla Bay Community Protection Plan (CPP) as one of four initial trial locations in NSW. Working in the Customer Service Centre in an area that wasn’t familiar to me was a huge change to doing community engagement at a District/Zone/Team office. With that in mind I knew that unless I built rapport with the community, local Brigades and the District, and developed those trust networks, consultation with the community would not be successful.

The Guerilla Bay community are familiar with the CPP concept as they had a Village Bushfire Mitigation Plan implemented about five years ago. I made contact with a community member that lives in Guerilla Bay, who was heavily involved with the development of the Village Bushfire Mitigation Plan and also contacted a member of the Malua Bay Rural Fire Brigade. These meetings were a great starting point. These two people introduced me to the Guerilla Bay community and provided me with contacts in the community I could consult about the CPP.

I then made contact with the President of the Guerilla Bay Association, giving them written information on what a CPP was and what it would provide for the Guerilla Bay Community. I asked the Association to promote the CPP to residents and arrange a community meeting. The Association set the meeting date and forwarded invites to all members. From there I was in regular contact with the President of the Association as we prepared to take the CPP to the community. Making contacts and getting some background information on the community was an important step to take before doing any other consultation.



Bush Fire Preparation Map, Guerilla Bay

The next step was to meet with the local Malua Bay Rural Fire Brigade. I introduced the concept of CPPs and discussed the existing Village Bushfire Mitigation Plan, and examples of the Survival, Preparation and Operational Maps. I asked the Brigade to:

• highlight any concerns they had with operations in the Guerilla Bay area

• explain what they would like to see on the Operational Map

• provide comment on the existing mitigation measures in Guerilla Bay

• highlight any additional work they would recommend.

This meeting was also an opportunity to encourage the Brigade to attend the community meeting in Guerilla Bay, to show their support for the community and to continue building rapport between the Brigade and residents. The Brigade was really supportive of the planning process and looked forward to seeing the finished product and how they could put the maps to use operationally, for training and for community engagement activities. They were keen to be involved in the development and to work closely with the community.

The Brigade felt that one of the big advantages of the plan was that it would provide essential local information to Brigades assisting from other areas during a bush fire. The visitors would be able to get information on asset protection zones, bush fire risk, available access etc on a far more localised map than the current Village Bushfire Mitigation Plan.

My next port of call was the Eurobodalla Bush Fire Management Committee (BFMC). I introduced the process to all the members, gave them information on the development of the Guerilla Bay CPP and most importantly collected BFMC knowledge on Guerilla Bay.

The community meeting was held in January 2012 with 60-80 residents attending. Consulting the residents is the most vital part of the planning process, increasing their understanding of their bush fire risk, providing them information that will assist in the preparation of personal Bush Fire Survival Plans and giving them the opportunity to contribute to the development of the CPP.

As residents arrived, they were asked to put a sticker on the map to identify their property. Besides allowing us to see where people were from, it gave the residents an idea of the risk to their property.

The meeting was started with a quick survey to determine the resident’s thoughts, which had interesting results:

• 97.44 % believed they were at risk from bush fires in Guerilla Bay

• 79.49% already had a Bush Fire Survival Plan

• 92.31% had taken steps to prepare their homes

• 12.82% were members of the Guerilla Bay FireWise Group

• 64.10% were familiar with the existing Village Bushfire Mitigation Plan.

We then discussed the development of the CPP. The community had experienced a fire event in September 2009. We discussed how things could have been different had the fire been at a different time of year or started in a different location. We also talked about fire behaviour, Neighbourhood Safer Places and other safer locations.

We presented the community with examples of the Bush Fire Survival Map and Preparation Map, and invited the community to come up and view the maps, draw ideas on them and write questions for us. As the community had previously been involved in the development of a Mitigation Plan, they were keen to interact and take part in the discussion. Guerilla Bay is a very informed and educated community. This twenty minute exercise encouraged robust debate and clarified resident queries. The community really appreciated the lengths we went to consult with the majority of them over the holiday period.



Bush Fire Survival Map, Guerilla Bay

Residents were very interested in safer places, as Guerilla Bay only has one access road and no Neighbourhood Safer Place. They were also very interested in warning systems, because there is poor mobile phone reception in the area. They discussed the feasibility of having some sort of formal signal, such as a flag on their letter box, to let fire fighters know that they were home and defending their property. Residents’ concerns about large logs and fallen timber that remained after hazard reductions was reduced after we explained that they weren’t a significant fire hazard on their own. Another concern was the reliability of mains water supplies during a fire.



Through this process, we learnt more about community demographics and the community’s informal plans for action during fire events. When asked about the location of vulnerable residents, everyone agreed that they didn’t want to be considered as ‘vulnerable’. It was understood that everyone knows who they are and where they live, and it was generally felt they would be looked after if a fire occurred. Following the meeting we discussed the option of mapping where vulnerable residents live, but question whether this then means that we are then accepting the responsibility to help them, which may not be possible during a fire and isn’t really the job of the Brigades.

The meeting was concluded with a post meeting survey to determine if the information presented had changed the resident’s ideas:

• 12.82% now believed they were at greater risk of bush fire than before the meeting

• 79.49% were going to review or develop their Bush Fire Survival plan

• 69.23% were going to take additional steps to prepare their homes for bush fire

• 33.33% wanted more information on FireWise Groups

• 92.31% believed that the CPP was going to enhance their own planning

• 15.38% asked for specific follow up from the Rural Fire Service.

 

After the meeting we have continued to have regular contact with the Association to distribute clarification on queries raised at the meeting, and to update them on changes to the CPP. The BFMC endorsed the CPP on 1 March 2012. We can now start promoting and implementing the plan!

Community Protection Plans FAQs

At the beginning of February we introduced you to NSW Rural Fire Service Community Protection Plans. Patrick Schell has answered some common questions about the plans...

What is a Community Protection Plan?
A Community Protection Plan (CPP) is a tactical level bush fire planning document that is being developed in response to the 2009 Victorian Bush Fires Royal Commission. A CPP presents an overview of bush fire threat for the area, the protection options available to the community as well as the current and proposed risk treatment work. This information is presented via the following three maps:

1. Bush Fire Survival Map - will include information on the potential bush fire threat, the safety of access / egress provisions, early relocation options and contingency shelter options.

2. Bush Fire Preparation Map – will provide information for land managers, fire agencies and community members on details of the existing and proposed bush fire risk treatment work for the community.

3. Brigade Operations Map - provides brigades and other fire fighting agencies with important data relevant to the community to be used for operational purposes only.

What can we use a CPP for?
The three maps produced when developing a CPP can be used for a number of purposes. The intended purpose of each map is outlined below:

 1. Bush Fire Survival Map – Can be used for engaging and educating the community on their bush fire exposure, where they can go should they decide to leave early and potential shelter options that can be used as a last resort. Information contained on this map should promote action from the community and inform the preparation of personal Bush Fire Survival Plans.


2. Bush Fire Preparation Map – A work program that will assist districts/teams/zones (D/T/Z), brigades, agencies and land managers in planning mitigation activities for a community. It should also be used to inform residents on specific risk treatment work that is being implemented to protect the community.

3. Brigade Operations Map – Can be used by brigades to inform new or out of area fire fighters on important aspects of a community that may affect fire fighting operations. Data collected during the preparation of this map could also be used when developing pre-incident plans.

Why do we need CPPs?
CPPs are being developed in response to recommendations 1-5 of the final report 2009 Victorian Bush Fires Royal Commission. These recommendations relate to bush fire safety policy and provide the impetus for the creation of the CPP framework.

There is a need to integrate and standardise the format and content of current community level plans that have been developed across NSW. There is also a need to provide guidelines, tools and resources to facilitate a consistent approach to community level bush fire planning.

What is being done in other Australian states to address this issue?
The Country Fire Authority (CFA) Victoria has developed a similar concept to CPPs known as Township Protection Plans, which can be found at www.cfa.vic.gov.au. To the best of our knowledge, none of the other states or territories have developed an equivalent to the CPP program at this stage.

How is a CPP different from a Bush Fire Risk Management Plan?
A Bush Fire Risk Management Plan (BFRMP) involves an assessment of the bush fire risk across a Bush Fire Management Committee area and establishes treatment strategies to address these risks. A CPP is a tactical document that is prepared at a much finer scale than the BFRMP and assesses the bush fire threat/exposure as well as access/egress provisions, shelter options and risk treatments for a community. CPPs will operate as the work program for an area and will also capture important information such as vulnerable communities, which can be used by local brigades and emergency services during pre-incident planning exercises and fire fighting operations.

What is the difference between a CPP and a Village Protection Plan?
In developing the framework for the CPP initiative, the content and layout of Village Protection Plans (VPPs) and other similar plans that had been prepared throughout the State were reviewed with the key principles incorporated into the guidelines. This was done to avoid potential conflicts between existing plans and ensure that the work carried out by D/T/Z and Bush Fire Management Committees in the past could be readily utilised when developing a CPP. Existing VPPs can be incorporated into the CPP and will typically form the Bush Fire Preparation Map.

CPPs, VPPs and other similar plans are all tactical bush fire planning documents that are prepared at the community level and essentially serve the same purpose. In addition, a CPP will also address matters such as the bush fire threat to communities, shelter options, access/egress provisions and provide for the collection of important data that can feed into brigade operational planning.

What are the benefits of a CPP for local brigades?
The CPP will capture important information such as water supply, location of vulnerable communities and fire history for a community. This information can then be used by local brigades and emergency services during pre-incident planning exercises and fire fighting operations. A CPP will help the brigade plan their activities and will also be a useful tool to encourage and help members of the community to take action and be better prepared for bush fires.

Who should be involved internally within the RFS when developing the CPP?
A CPP is developed by staff from the Customer Service Centres (CSCs), the district/team/zone (D/T/Z) office and members of local brigades. It is important to note that local knowledge and information will be vital to the development of the CPP and D/T/Z staff and local brigade member involvement in the preparation and implementation phase is essential. It is intended that CSC staff will act as a resource to assist the D/T/Z in preparing a CPP for communities within their area.

Who in the community should we consult when developing a CPP?
Members of the community that should be consulted during the preparation of a CPP will be identified in the CPP communication strategy. Typical groups who should be involved in the development of a CPP will include neighbourhood associations, local bush care groups and the general public. In addition, it is vital that consultation occur with other fire authorities, land managers and agencies relevant to the area through the Bush Fire Management Committee and Local Emergency Management Committee.

How long will it take to prepare a CPP?
There is no set time frame, but a Plan could be developed within a 3 month period. However, the time taken to develop the plan will depend on the specific circumstances of the subject community. The scheduling of CPPs throughout the State will be done in consultation between D/T/Z, Region and Customer Service Centres. 

What assistance is available when developing the Plan?
Generally, a CPP will be mostly prepared by Customer Service Centre (CSC) staff in close consultation with the D/T/Z office and local brigades. The role of the CSC staff is to assist the D/T/Z in developing a plan for communities within their area. The Community Planning, Community Engagement and GIS sections at headquarters can help develop and implement a CPP.

Is anyone already using a CPP?
A number of CPP pilot studies are currently occurring throughout NSW. The purpose of these studies is to trial the draft guidelines, tools and framework that have been developed for the initiative. Some of these pilots are now nearing completion and the experiences gained through these studies will inform the further development of CPPs. It is intended that a final version of the guidelines, tools and framework will be made available in coming months. However, as the CPP concept evolves, it is likely that the enhancements and modifications will occur, particularly over the initial 12 month period.

Who will be responsible for the additional work identified in the CPP and who will resource it?
The land owner/manager or relevant agency will ultimately be responsible for implementing and maintaining additional work identified through the CPP. Where possible, the NSW Rural Fire Service may help with initial implementation of this work e.g. utilising the State Mitigation Service crews to implement an Asset Protection Zone. Opportunities to link current funding programs with CPPs are being investigated.

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.