Strathbogie gets proactive for 2009 / 2010 Fire Season
With the pending fire season, Strathbogie Shire Council has begun proactively reviewing its Emergency Response to such threatening disasters. This is not limited to response activities but, just as important, also the recovery phase of any such issue.
Various activities taken to date include:
- Reviewing the initial report from the Royal Commission into the Black Saturday Fires
- The Acting Municipal Emergency Response Officers conducting an update to the Mayor and relevant Shire officers on the Shire's current Municipal Emergency Management Plan and the response to Pre and Post a disaster
- Discussions on how Council's Municipal Emergency Command Centre operates and is best suited to respond
- Reviewing and updating from the last fire season the Township Response Plans for Ruffy, Strathbogie and Mt Wombat communication towers in coordination with the CFA
The State Government has announced it will develop Enhanced Township Protection Plans for the 52 'at risk' towns listed in the Interim Report, however, it is noted that no townships within Strathbogie Shire meet criteria for development of such plans.
The State Government has allocated $500,000 funding to the Municipal Association of Victoria Shire to assist with Township Response Plans for other communities.
Mayor of Strathbogie Shire Council, Howard Myers said, "Council will advocate for assistance for developing plans for townships within Strathbogie Shire. Township response plans for Ruffy, Strathbogie and protection for Mt Wombat communication towers are a priority and will be done in consultation with the CFA, and followed up with community information meetings."
Council attended a workshop in early September conducted by the Department of Human Services in relation to Emergency Response and dealing with disasters. This is another step in ensuring the Shire has the necessary processes in place to deal with the Response Phase of any Disaster.
To ensure further preparedness for the upcoming fire season, a desktop exercise (with emergency services) will be conducted at the Shire offices late September to test, review and enhance, where needed, the Shire's MEMP.
Further details in relation to actions which can be undertaken by community members in relation to land clearance, etc., is available from Council's website www.strathbogie.vic.gov.au - under Bushfire Recovery Information) 'Making Victoria Fire Ready' published by the Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and environment, which provides information on Preparing for Bushfire, Managing Erosion and Landslip Risk, and Frequently Asked Questions.
For more information: Marli Kelly 0409 410 178