The real cost of building for bushfires - AUSTRALIA - Bushfire & Natural Hazards CRC
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ISSUE TWO 2020
AUSTRALIA
The real cost
of building
for bushfires
How much does a Bushfire Attack
Level house cost to build? To burn or not
to burn?
International
experience
on Australian
firegrounds
Caution
needed
on oxygen
reduction
systems
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ISSUE TWO 2020
CONTENT
TAKING HOLD OF FIRE
PROTECTION’S FUTURE AUSTRALIA
SCOTT On 6 April 2020 fire safety assessment
WILLIAMS changed. From this date, any practitioner
Chief Executive who assesses and endorses measures on
an annual fire safety statement in New South
IN THIS ISSUE
Officer, Fire Protection
Association Australia Wales must hold accreditation as a Fire 14 F ire and culture management at
Protection Accreditation Scheme (FPAS) Fire Savanna Fire Forum 2020
Safety Assessor (FSA). 16 A ustralian fires through the eyes
Likewise, those who endorse plans and
of the United States
specifications for sprinklers, hydrants and hose
18 Friendship forged in fire
20
reels, and fire detection and alarm systems, must
be FPAS Fire Systems Design (FSD) accredited, 20 To burn or not to burn is not the question
unless they hold other accreditation recognised
by the Building Professionals Board. 26 H ow much does it really cost to build
Practitioners accredited under these homes that will survive bushfire?
classifications will be recognised by the NSW Government as
29 Data captures diversity journey
competent fire safety practitioners (CFSP). Anyone without an
accreditation number will henceforth be unable to submit designs or 30 W
hy caution is needed on oxygen
carry out annual assessments. reduction systems
For building owners, this change means a significant reduction
32 A FAC20 keynotes shine a light
in the time and risk involved in finding a CFSP, as required under
NSW legislation. While the requirement for building owners to find a
on past experiences
‘competent’ fire safety practitioner has not been affected, the method of 34 Savanna fire
30
determining that competency has changed.
36 Calculating the losses this fire season
Building owners will no longer need to undertake time-consuming
research into their service providers; they will simply need to verify an 38 F ull throttle for pilots through
accreditation number on a national online register. They can be confident bushfire crisis
that FPAS-accredited practitioners are competent, hold appropriate
insurance, and are held to FPA Australia’s Code of Professional Conduct.
For fire protection practitioners the change is, of course, far more REGULAR FEATURES
significant. With an accreditation scheme developed by industry now
4 News
recognised by the NSW Government, the fire protection industry is, in
many ways, taking hold of its own future by increasing professionalism 40 AFAC Q&A
and delivering higher standards.
42 Blast from the past
The change will allow us to weed out the ‘cowboys’ who are reducing
the professionalism and quality of service provided by the industry. 44 Standards Australia update
The move towards accreditation is matched by a commitment by
FPA Australia to investigate complaints and audit at least ten percent
of practitioners per year—leaving the ‘cowboys’ with nowhere to hide.
38 45 Calendar of events
46 Movers and shakers
This supports practitioners who are doing the right thing and stops
the race to the bottom, as accredited individuals will no longer have OUR COVER
to compete with unscrupulous operators. For owners, managers
and occupants of buildings, and for the broader NSW community, Building a BAL-rated house, like this BAL 19 home, is not as expensive as often thought.
accreditation means that everyone can have greater confidence that PHOTO: LEE GRIFFITH
the buildings in which they live and work are safe. ABOUT FIRE AUSTRALIA
ADVERTISING LISTING
Fire Australia is a joint publication of Fire Protection Association Australia, AFAC and the Bushfire and Natural
Hazards CRC. We aim to bring the latest news, developments and technical information to the fire protection
2 PERTRONIC 23 ARCHER TESTING industry, emergency services and natural hazards research organisations. Fire Australia is produced quarterly
5 FIRESENSE 24 UPTICK and distributed throughout Australia and New Zealand. Editorial submissions are welcome and can be sent
to: tom.bicknell@fpaa.com.au. For more details on submitting a contribution, please contact the editors.
9 FIREMATE 28 BLUE MOUNTAINS
11 ROMTECK GRID ECONOMIC ENTERPRISE
JOINT EDITORS Fire Australia magazine is
13 BOSTIK 35 PROVIDERS OF CHOICE printed by a printer with
ISO14001 Environmental
15 WINDSOR MANAGEMENT 37 WARRINGTONFIRE
Tom Bicknell (FPA Australia) Management System
INSURANCE BROKERS 47 RELIABLE TEL +61 3 8892 3118 tom.bicknell@fpaa.com.au Accreditation using
19 DINCEL 48 BOSS FIRE Nathan Maddock (Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC) vegetable-based inks onto
TEL +61 3 9412 9600 nathan.maddock@bnhcrc.com.au FSC -certified paper.
To advertise in Fire Australia, contact: Tom Bicknell, Leone Knight (AFAC) ISSN 1032-6529 (Print)
FPA Australia, PO Box 1049, Box Hill VIC 3128, Australia 1300 731 922 tom.bicknell@fpaa.com.au TEL +61 3 9418 5241 leone.knight@aidr.org.au ISSN 2200-9221 (Online)
DISCLAIMER The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of FPA Australia, AFAC or the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC. Articles and advertisements are published in good faith but Fire
Australia magazine and its agents do not warrant the accuracy or currency of any information or data contained herein. Fire Australia magazine and its agents do not accept any responsibility or liability whatsoever
with regard to the material in this publication. It is not possible for FPA Australia to ensure that advertisements published in this magazine comply in all respects with the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 and
the provisions which apply to advertising. Responsibility lies with the person, company or agency submitting the advertisement for publication. Material in Fire Australia magazine is subject to copyright. This
publication may not be reproduced in printed or electronic form without permission. Contact 1300 731 922.
ISSUE TWO 2020 FIRE
2020 FIRE AUSTRALIA 3
NEWS ISSUE TWO 2020
STUDENT RESEARCH SUPPORTING
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
A
nother five Bushfire and Natural revolves around the numerical models Dr Rahul
Hazards CRC students have that allow for two-way interaction Wadhwani
successfully had their theses between a bushfire and the surrounding with the fire
accepted to complete their PhDs, with atmosphere; an essential tool in
dynamics
simulator.
their research offering vital knowledge understanding the dynamic behaviour of
to support the emergency management fire. His thesis has important implications
sector. for the stochastic modelling of spotfire
Dr Rahul Wadhwani’s PhD redevelopment and was completed with
focuses on refining two submodels, the University of New South Wales.
pyrolysis and firebrand transport, in PhD research by Dr Thomas
PHOTO: BUSHFIRE AND NATURAL HAZARDS CRC
the Wildland–Urban Interface Fire Kloetzke investigated near-surface
Dynamics Simulator. His findings have wind fields during tropical cyclones
improved the understanding of how that make landfall through the analysis
firebrands spread, which will aid fire- of near-surface wind observations
spread modelling and future research. and numerical simulation of idealised
Dr Wadhwani completed his PhD with tropical cyclones. His research has
Victoria University. helped develop improved methods
To reduce the impacts of future for estimating the risk these cyclones
hazards, Dr Graeme Riddell’s research pose to buildings and communities.
provides three key contributions Dr Kloetzke completed his PhD with the
through the use of foresight, primarily University of Queensland. methodology to global datasets and
in scenarios within disaster risk Associate student Dr James Ricketts’s modelled futures to better inform risk
assessment processes, to support PhD explores the nature of abrupt assessments. Dr Ricketts completed his
effective policy and investment decision- decadal shifts in a changing climate. His PhD with Victoria University.
making. Dr Riddell completed his PhD research identifies and relates episodes Congratulations to Dr Wadhwani,
with the University of Adelaide. of apparent abrupt shifts in regional Dr Riddell, Dr Thomas, Dr Kloetzke and
Dr Christopher Thomas’s thesis climates in Australia and extends this Dr Ricketts.
AFAC data
BLACK SATURDAY AND
illustrates the
impacts and
comparison
BLACK SUMMER: between the
2019–20
COMPARISON OF Black
Summer
FIRE IMPACTS and the
2009 Black
Saturday
bushfires.
T
he anniversary of the Black season, while less than half a million
Saturday bushfires on hectares burnt in 2009.
7 February provided a sombre Noting where many of the fires
reminder and comparison between the occurred this summer, it is not
2009 fire event and the 2019–20 surprising that more houses were
Black Summer. lost this season compared to Black
AFAC data shows the differences Saturday, but many more were saved
between the single tragic, devastating around fire-ravaged communities.
event in 2009, which impacted Victoria While there was a tragic loss of life
so heavily on one afternoon, and the this summer, the number is far smaller
concurrent, compounding bushfire than the loss of life on one afternoon
events over many months during in 2009. This has been attributed to
SOURCE: AFAC
2019–20. significant developments in advice
The consecutive bushfires burnt over and warnings, and more aware and
17 million hectares during the 2019-20 responsive communities.
4 FIRE AUSTRALIA ISSUE TWO 2020
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NEWS ISSUE TWO 2020
IMPORTANT UPDATE TO AFAC
EVENTS CALENDAR
A
FAC has made the decision AFAC member agencies will also cease
to postpone its professional until further notice.
development and events AFAC will provide updates on
programs until further notice to minimise its professional development and
the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) events programs through its website,
outbreak. social media channels and the AFAC
AFAC is monitoring advice from newsletter—AFAC News.
government authorities in relation to
the pandemic. With many organisations To view postponed events, please visit
implementing staff travel bans, the afac.com.au/events.
primary consideration for AFAC is the
health and safety of staff, delegates,
In light of the COVID-19
speakers and others who help to bring
outbreak, AFAC has
these events to life.
PHOTO: AFAC
postponed its professional
Attendance at Australian Institute for development and events
Police Management (AIPM) courses by programs.
MATTHEW WRIGHT DEPARTS
FPA AUSTRALIA
I
t was with a mix of sadness and
PHOTO: TOM BICKNELL, FPA AUSTRALIA
gratitude that Fire Protection
Association Australia (FPA Australia)
announced Matthew Wright’s departure
as General Manager—Technical Services/
Deputy CEO on 7 February 2020.
Mr Wright served with FPA Australia
from October 2010, and during that time
he was a critical part of the Association’s
growth. He played a central role in most
of the Association’s major achievements
over the past decade, including the
expansion of the Fire Protection
Accreditation Scheme, the inclusion
of residential sprinklers in the National
Construction Code, and advocacy
resulting in improved standards and
legislation too numerous to mention.
Mr Wright’s advocacy raised the
profile and influence of FPA Australia,
and improved engagement with the
industry. He is highly respected by
his peers, evidenced by his frequent
appearances on conference programs,
industry forums and in the media on
behalf of FPA Australia. His ability to FPA Australia’s CEO, said on behalf of him for his contribution and wish him Matthew
build strong relationships with key the Association. all the best.” Wright played
stakeholders in government and “His passion for the industry and for The FPA Australia Board also a major
industry has opened many doors for the life safety outcomes is clear to all who thanks Mr Wright for his many years
role in FPA
Australia’s
fire protection sector. work with him, and his belief in the value of service to the Association and his growth.
“For the past decade, Matthew has and responsibility of the Association’s commitment to the professionalisation
championed the drive for effective work has been an inspiration to his and improvement of the fire protection
regulations and improved professional colleagues. industry.
competence and practice in the fire “While we will miss him, we are sure Mr Wright has moved to a new
protection industry. He has made a great Matthew will continue to contribute to senior position in the growing
contribution to the industry during his the safety of the community with the Australian and New Zealand division of
time with FPA Australia,” Scott Williams, same passion in his new role. We thank global safety science company UL.
6 FIRE AUSTRALIA ISSUE TWO 2020
ISSUE TWO 2020 NEWS
PM ACKNOWLEDGES CRC ROLE
IN BUSHFIRE RESPONSE
A
ustralian bushfire researchers CRC Chair
are working together to attack Dr Katherine
the causes and consequences Woodthorpe,
arising from the extraordinary run of
Prime
Minister Scott
bushfires across much of Australia Morrison,
in 2019–2020. The Bushfire Science CRC Research
Roundtable met in January and March Director Dr
in Canberra under the Minister for John Bates
Industry, Science and Technology, the and Minister
Hon Karen Andrews, with scientists from for Industry,
Science and
a wide range of organisations involved in Technology
bushfire-related science. The Bushfire and Karen
Natural Hazards CRC was represented by Andrews.
Chair Dr Katherine Woodthorpe, Research
PHOTO: PM OFFICE
Director Dr John Bates and researchers
Professor Vivienne Tippett from the
Queensland University of Technology,
Dr Katharine Haynes from the University
of Wollongong and Dr Geoff Cary from the Scott Morrison MP, Prime Minister of Royal Commission into National
Australian National University. Australia invited the CRC to Parliament Natural Disaster Arrangements,
Minister Andrews highlighted House to discuss current and future using its research knowledge and
that disaster response, recovery and contributions of research to the bushfire expertise and through the Inquiries and
resilience activities should be informed response and recovery. Reviews database.
by multidisciplinary research. Bushfire Dr Woodthorpe and Dr Bates met The database catalogues over 300
research, as well as broader natural with Prime Minister Morrison and inquiries and reviews of emergencies
hazards research, demands drawing on Minister Andrews in early February to and disasters caused by natural hazards
a wide range of disciplines, including the talk about building a bushfire-resilient across all Australian jurisdictions
natural and physical sciences, engineering, Australia. between 1886 and 2017. It captures the
humanities and social sciences. The CRC was invited to discuss how findings of previous royal commissions
Following the Roundtable, The Hon. it could support the then proposed and other bushfire inquiries.
NEW LEVELS OF FSD
ACCREDITATION NOW AVAILABLE
T
wo new levels are now
PHOTO: FPA AUSTRALIA
available for the Fire Protection Practitioners
Accreditation Scheme (FPAS) can now
Fire Systems Design (FSD) class of choose
accreditation, enabling practitioners to
from three
levels of FSD
gain accreditation better tailored to the accreditation.
complexity of the fire systems design
they work on.
FSD accredits practitioners to
undertake the design of three categories
of fire safety systems:
◆ Fire Sprinkler Systems
◆ Fire Hydrant and Fire Hose Reel
Systems or
◆ Fire Detection and Alarm Systems.
Practitioners can now select from
three levels of accreditation in each of
the three FSD categories to best suit the (Intermediate) and Level 3 (Advanced)
complexity of work they want to perform. each specify the system types, To learn more about the new levels of FSD
The two new levels complement the configurations and the nature of work a accreditation and what they cover, read our
existing unrestricted level of FSD practitioner at that level is accredited to new Fire Systems Design Accreditation Levels
accreditation. undertake, as well as any conditions that and Restrictions practice note on the FPA
Level 1 (Basic), Level 2 relate to the defined level. Australia website: ow.ly/czQp50yX9vs.
ISSUE TWO 2020 FIRE AUSTRALIA 7
NEWS ISSUE TWO 2020
FSA ACCREDITATION REGISTER
NOW AVAILABLE
A
register is now available to the recognised as CFSPs under NSW who are performing work for them, as
public of competent fire safety legislation. well as allowing them to find suitably
practitioners holding the Fire After this point, by law only CFSPs accredited practitioners near them.
Protection Accreditation Scheme (FPAS) are able to conduct the work covered by
Fire Safety Assessment (FSA) class of these two classes of accreditation, and The Register is available at connect.fpaa.com.
accreditation. The FSA Accreditation individuals will only be able to become au/FireSafetyAssessor.
Register lists practitioners holding FSA a CFSP by holding FPAS FSA or FSD
accreditation, which as of 6 April 2020 accreditation, or accreditation under
recognises them as competent fire other future schemes recognised by the
safety practitioners (CFSPs). NSW Government.
Following 6 April 2020, individuals The FSA Accreditation Register
holding FSA or Fire Systems Design allows building owners and managers to
(FSD) accreditation are officially verify the accreditation details of CFSPs Fire Safety Assessment
EXTENSIONS TO THE TRANSITION
PERIOD FOR SECTOR QUALIFICATIONS
C
ommissioners at the ◆ PUA42712 Certificate IV in Public ◆ PUASS00049 Storm and Water
Australian Skills Quality Safety (Emergency Communications Damage Response at Height.
Authority (ASQA) have Centre Operations)
approved an extension to the 12-month ◆ PUA40212 Certificate IV in Public This extension is granted to all
transition period for the fire and Safety (SES Leadership) registered training organisations
emergency services qualifications ◆ PUA40313 Certificate IV in Public (RTOs) delivering the qualifications
and SES skill sets in the PUA12 Public Safety (Firefighting Supervision) and/or skill sets to current learners.
Safety Training Package. ◆ PUA50513 Diploma of Public Safety The decision extends the transition
The superseded fire and emergency (Firefighting Management) period for these RTOs to complete
services qualifications and SES skill sets ◆ PUA50412 Diploma of Public Safety training, assessment and Australian
will remain on the national register until (SES Operations Management) Qualifications Framework (AQF)
17 July 2021. ◆ PUA60513 Advanced Diploma certification issuance for the learners
AFAC submitted a request in of Public Safety (Firefighting currently enrolled.
December 2019 to the ASQA seeking Management) ASQA will publish this decision on
an extension to the normal 12-month ◆ PUA60913 Advanced Diploma of its website and notify all affected RTOs.
transition period that applies to Public Safety (Fire Investigation). The qualification(s) and skill sets
superseded qualifications. will remain on the relevant RTOs’ scope
Further, the 14 associated skill sets of registration until the end of the
The qualifications and skill sets have also been extended. extended transition period.
involved are: ◆ PUASS00028 Basic Rescue This extension will provide all AFAC
◆ PUA21312 Certificate II in Public ◆ PUASS00029 Basic Tree Operations Member RTOs with an additional 12
Safety (SES) ◆ PUASS00032 Beach Team months to prepare to transition to
◆ PUA20613 Certificate II in Public Management the new fire and emergency service
Safety (Firefighting and Emergency ◆ PUASS00033 Community qualifications and to ensure they can
Operations) Engagement meet their RTO requirements. This will
◆ PUA20713 Certificate II in Public ◆ PUASS00034 Flood Response ensure:
Safety (Firefighting Operations) Operations ◆ existing training and assessment
◆ PUA30412 Certificate III in Public ◆ PUASS00035 Floodboat Response material aligned to these
Safety (SES Rescue) Operations superseded qualifications and skill
◆ PUA30512 Certificate III in Public ◆ PUASS00036 Incident Response sets within the PUA12 Public Safety
Safety (SES Operations) Team Leader Training Package can be used in
◆ PUA30613 Certificate III in Public ◆ PUASS00037 Intermediate Tree preparation for the 2020–2021 fire
Safety (Firefighting and Emergency Operations season
Operations) ◆ PUASS00038 Land Search Team ◆ learners currently enrolled and
◆ PUA30713 Certificate III in Public ◆ PUASS00045 Road Accident Rescue learners yet to enrol can access
Safety (Firefighting Operations) ◆ PUASS00046 SES First Aid and Safety training and assessment that will
◆ PUA33012 Certificate III in Public ◆ PUASS00047 SES Induction enable them to fulfil important
Safety (Emergency Communications ◆ PUASS00048 Storm and Water emergency management duties
Centre Operations) Damage Response beyond 17 July 2020.
8 FIRE AUSTRALIA ISSUE TWO 2020
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NEWS ISSUE TWO 2020
RESILIENT AUSTRALIA AWARDS
SEEKING SUBMISSIONS
S
ubmissions are open for Sarah
the 2020 Resilient Australia Hamilton
Awards, which promote took out the
shared responsibility for resilience
2019 Resilient
Australia
and celebrate initiatives that make National
communities better prepared for Award.
disasters and emergencies.
Now in their 21st year, the awards
are taking submissions across six
categories: community, business, school,
government, local government and
photography.
PHOTO: DFES
Previous entries have focused on a
wide range of collaborative projects, risk
assessment and mitigation activities,
training and research programs and The photography category draws in every state and territory. Jurisdictional
community engagement. a high level of submissions each year; winners are considered for national
In 2019, Sarah Hamilton won the images that focus on all phases of awards to be presented at a national
Resilient Australia National Award for her resilience and disasters including ceremony later in the year.
SES Awareness Badge, which draws on preparedness, response and recovery. The program is proudly sponsored
the common linkages between Scouts This year the Resilient Australia by the Australian Government, in
and emergency services. Awards are seeking images that capture partnership with the Australian Institute
Over 500 scouts have received different perspectives from the sector for Disaster Resilience and the states
the badge, which empowers young and answer the question: ‘What does and territories.
members to carry out challenging tasks disaster resilience in Australia mean
and build their confidence in to you?’ Submit your entry at
new learning areas. Submissions are open until 18 May aidr.org.au/raa
NEW AND UPDATED
GOOD PRACTICE GUIDES
F
ire Protection Association
Australia (FPA Australia) has
recently published an updated
version of its Good Practice Guide
(GPG-04) on fire safety statements to
reflect the updated requirements as
a result of the NSW building reforms,
and the upcoming NSW Government
recognition of the FPAS Fire Safety
Assessment (FSA) and Fire Systems
Design (FSD) classes of accreditation.
The updated guide is based on the
NSW reforms FAQs on the FPA Australia
website, as well as the presentations
and learnings from the Association’s
seminars and other work on delivery of
the FPAS FSA and FSD accreditation.
A new Good Practice Guide (GPG-
08) on residential smoke alarms has
also been published. This Good Practice
Guide (GPG) is intended to provide This GPG represents the first output FPA Australia website. Full versions are
practical guidance on smoke alarm of ongoing work by the Association in available to Association members on the
performance, regulatory requirements this area. CONNECT platform, or to non-members
and the development of escape plans. Preview versions are available on the on request.
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Email: VIC – robin@romteckgrid.com.au NSW – brett@romteckgrid.com.auNEWS ISSUE TWO 2020
BREAKING DOWN
AUSTRALIA’S BUSHFIRES
A
n expert panel was assembled Panel at QUT
in Brisbane in January to dissect forum—back
the devastating bushfire season, row, L to R:
with Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC
Dr Timothy
Graham—
researchers providing their insight. Dr Richard
Hosted by the Queensland University Thornton—
of Technology on 31 January, the Grand Major-General
Challenge Future Forum featured Richard
CRC researchers from QUT Professor Wilson—
PHOTO: INSTITUTE FOR FUTURE ENVIRONMENTS, QUT
Vivienne Tippett, Associate Professor Leeton Lee—
Prof Vivienne
Amisha Mehta and Associate Professor Tippett; front
Dominique Greer, alongside CRC CEO row, L to R:
Dr Richard Thornton. They were joined A/Prof Wendy
by Major-General Richard Wilson, former Scaife—
Chair of the Queensland Reconstruction A/Prof Amisha
Authority, Firesticks Alliance Cultural Mehta—
A/Prof
Practitioner Leeton Lee, and QUT’s
Dominique
Dr Ian Weir, Dr Timothy Graham and Greer.
Associate Professor Wendy Scaife.
Dr Thornton opened the forum and
said that forest management, building Greer and Associate Professor Mehta asked how we can merge science and
construction and human behaviours must discussed the research for the CRC community together into real action.
be considered to increase Australia’s project Effective risk and warning “This disaster and the unfolding
bushfire resilience. communication during natural hazards, disaster that will happen is a critical
The importance of community saying the power of the community can point which we can leverage science
response and action was a hot topic on be leveraged further in future crises. into getting policy change and practical
the day, with in-depth discussions on the Dr Thornton described the role of solutions,” he said. “That’s certainly what
role of the community in dealing with the CRC in making sure strong science we’re trying to do and what a number of
natural hazards. Associate Professor is picked up in meaningful ways when our scientists are doing.”
AFAC SA FLUORINATED
RECOGNITION OF of evidence. This process can be FOAM BAN
PRIOR LEARNING
undertaken on an individual basis or
for a larger cohort. Evidence can take
ENFORCED
GUIDE many forms and be gathered from
multiple sources.
The two-year grace period for the South Australian
Government’s ban on fluorinated firefighting foams
A
While AFAC members implement ended on 30 January, after which penalties apply.
FAC has commenced the RPL within their organisations, its The Environmental Protection Authority SA (EPA
development of a recognition application remains challenging. From SA) reminded the fire protection industry that after
of prior learning (RPL) guide October to December 2019 AFAC this date a person must not fill, or permit the filling,
for the fire and emergency services, collected research reports on RPL, of a fire extinguisher with fluorinated firefighting
which addresses the recommendations samples of effective RPL practice and foam, and a person must not supply fluorinated
gathered through interviews with interviewed 28 representatives from firefighting foam.
more than 20 registered training 20 organisations. All fluorinated firefighting foams (per- and poly-
organisations and personnel involved in The findings from these interviews fluoroalkyl substances), including more modern
RPL policy and practice. provided the starting point for ≤C6 type fluorotelomers, are covered by the ban.
The guide will be supported by case developing a nationally agreed guide, The ban came into effect on 30 January 2018
studies and support resources and tools building on industry best practice and with an amendment to the Environment Protection
used within AFAC member agencies lessons learned. (Water Quality) Policy 2015 under the Environment
and beyond. The RPL guide will complement Protection Act 1993. The two-year grace period
The vocational education and the AFAC Assessment Strategies allowed industry time to transition away from
training (VET) system recognises Guide prepared for the 2019 Public fluorinated foams.
that an individual acquires skills and Safety Training Package. It will help to
expertise through formal, non-formal provide practical approaches on how For more information about the ban, fire protection
and informal learning. Recognising to conduct RPL while being compliant service providers’ responsibilities and disposal
an individual’s expertise requires an with the Standards for Registered pathways, visit the EPA SA website: ow.ly/JvDn50yX9Yx.
assessment process and the gathering Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015.
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@BOSTIKTRADE @BOSTIKTRADE BOSTIK AUSTRALIA www.bostik.com.auSAVANNA FIRES
FIRE AND CULTURE
MANAGEMENT AT
SAVANNA FIRE FORUM 2020
BY BY DEB SPARKES As savannas have a short and 320 people in attendance at the
predictable fire return interval of one to 2020 event.
AFAC
I
two years, a methodology was formulated The two-day forum allowed Traditional
n the midst and aftermath of the that allowed the reduction in emissions Owner ranger groups to share how the
summer fires in southern Australia, it between early and late dry season fires to projects have increased connection
can be easy to forget that northern be calculated and these carbon credits to Country and reinvigorated
Australia faces large fires across the to be sold through the carbon farming management of the land with ‘two-eyed
tropical savannas every year. incentives. learning’. This approach to learning
The Savanna Fire Forum, held in The success of the WALFA project in captures both Indigenous and Western
Darwin on 18 and 19 February, provided a gaining economic, cultural, social and knowledge by combining ancient
place for fire managers, Indigenous land environmental benefits for Traditional practices with modern technology
managers, carbon industry practitioners, Owners has led to more than 70 carbon such as leaf blowers, helicopters and
scientists, policymakers and other farming savanna fire management iPad mapping.
interested parties from across Australia initiatives across northern Australia. The forum also offers a platform
to reflect, connect and share knowledge These projects have delivered more to introduce new trends, training
about savanna fire management. than $80 M back into the economies opportunities and ecological research
Tropical savanna covers one quarter of participating groups. Beyond the findings. For example, this year’s forum
of Australia and the annual amount of economic benefits, the increased discussed the emissions reduction
savanna burnt is mapped and measured application of early dry season fires accounting that has now been extended
using hotspots monitoring provided by has seen the annual area burnt across to include sequestration accounting,
North Australia and Rangelands Fire northern Australia drop to 8,124,900 where standing trees are saved from
Information (NAFI). hectares in 2019. This brings the added destructive fires through applying
In 2004 the total area burnt was environmental benefit of allowing some earlier fires. This will serve to increase
12,608,400 hectares. Most of these fires patched and long-unburnt areas to the economic benefits for existing and
occurred in the late dry season, giving flourish, which are essential to small emerging projects.
rise to more intense and widespread fires. mammal populations. Many northern Australia ranger
In 2007, the West Arnhem Land With so many groups now groups at the forum expressed their
Fire Abatement program (WALFA) participating in the projects, the desire to help out southern Australia
began. The project aimed to establish Indigenous Carbon Industry Network with their firefighting effort. They also set
earlier dry season fires to break up the organised the first Savanna Fire Forum in up networks with southern Traditional
landscape and prevent the run of late 2018 for 100 participants. In its third year, Owner groups to share their experiences
dry season fires. the forum reached capacity with of how increased collaboration between
agencies and ranger groups has
A women- improved their social and cultural outlook.
only talking This year there was also a women-only
circle took talking circle where women from local
place at the ranger groups searched for ways
forum, where
participants to strengthen their training and pathways
PHOTO: VERONICA TORAL-GRANDA, CHARLES DARWIN UNIVERSITY
strengthened to become leaders in fire management
their skills on Country.
to become While ranger groups are tracking at
leaders in fire around 30% women, there are cultural
management. traditions that can be barriers to their
participation. Several great initiatives
were put forward to build capability,
including women-only training camps.
With its wide range of speakers and
topics, the Savanna Fire Forum is now
recognised as a great opportunity in
northern Australia to gather a network
and share stories from Country.
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RESOURCE SHARING
AUSTRALIAN FIRES
THROUGH THE EYES
OF THE UNITED STATES
The unprecedented scale of the recent bushfire season was met with
an extraordinary number of international deployments. A group of
US firefighters reflect on their time on the Australian fireground.
BY ALANA BEITZ were deployed to Australia to assist.
An additional 6,386 Australian
AFAC
personnel were deployed across
T
state borders to help their interstate
his bushfire season has colleagues.
seen by far the largest Beyond facilitating the sharing
nationally coordinated of resources to locations that
interstate and international need assistance, the NRSC fosters
deployment of fire and emergency knowledge and information sharing
personnel across Australia in between agencies, on the fire
firefighter, incident management ground and in the control room.
and aviation roles. On the completion of their
Drawing upon established 31-day deployment, nine US
resource sharing agreements, US firefighters reflected on their
and Canadian personnel deployed experience during their deployment
into NSW, SA, ACT and Victoria. to the Ovens region in Victoria
New Zealand also deployed before they returned home on
hundreds of firefighting personnel 5 February. They shared their
across Australia this season. perspectives of working alongside
Coordinated by the AFAC foreign crews in a foreign
National Resource Sharing Centre environment, including the new
(NRSC), 239 Canadian, 360 US hazards, terminology, rostering and
and 320 New Zealand personnel social connections.
16 FIRE AUSTRALIA ISSUE TWO 2020RESOURCE SHARING
PHOTOS: NEAL HERBERT/US DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR
US Task Force “My first impression of when we landed in when I get here. And I think that is the same for the
members Australia was the haze of all the smoke from Australian firefighters that have been to the United
clearing felled the bushfires that were going on. But once States and have seen how we operate and manage
trees from we went from the plane to the bus the view crews. So those opportunities—for both us to come
a road. was really beautiful—the country was really to Australia and Australians to come to the States
beautiful—and we couldn’t wait to actually to see that—will help our relationship in the future.”
get into the mountainous areas and see what Rance Neighbours—Assistant Fire Manager
was out there.” Officer, US Bureau of Land Management
Victor Almanza – Fire Engine Operator,
US Forest Service “The best thing that happened was just being
selected to come out and help with the Australian
“The integration was really interesting, just bushfires and finding that when we came over
trying to pick up on the dialogue in terms there were individuals that were just like us,
of the verbiage. Ultimately, they mean the hardworking, and away from their families for long
same thing that we do, it was just a matter periods of time and there is an awesome support
of picking up the vocabulary. For example, system—our brothers and sisters in fire all the way
a snag for us is a stag in Australia. And line across the world.”
location, what you call a running edge, for us Leonard Dimaculangan—Hotshot Captain,
it would probably be a hot line or a hot edge, US Forest Service
but all in all it meant the same thing.’
Jackie Ortega – Engineer, The experiences of the international
US Forest Service fire specialists deployed to Australia in
“The tactics are solid here in Australia with 2019–20 will help build the collective
the overhead aerial hazards they have and knowledge of the global firefighting
when you’re dealing with spotting distances community and support a more
they have down here, direct attack is pretty streamlined integration of international
risky. I learnt that the aerial hazards are real,
resources during future deployments.
so grabbing an edge and having one foot in
the black like we do in the States is not going The duration and severity of this
to be successful, you need to pick a ridge bushfire season is a reminder that it is
and get that ridge prepped correctly to be essential to have a sustainable approach
successful.” to maintaining disaster preparedness
Frank Keeler—Fire Management Officer, and response efforts, and international
US Bureau of Land Management reinforcements are a critical component
“They fight fire differently here to how we of our disaster response surge capacity.
do. But the fire community adapts to an A coordinated approach to 360 US
ever-changing situation—just like what fire maximising national and international personnel
is. And everything feels like it’s upside down, deployed
emergency management capability
so whatever I think is north is usually south, to Australia
or west is east, so adjusting to that was the enables us to be well prepared, reduce
to assist in
biggest difference.” disaster risk and keep communities, the 2019-20
Johnny Summers—Engineer, critical infrastructure and our bushfire
US Forest Service environment as safe as possible. season.
“Bonding here, being on our days off, just
going around some of the local towns, the
people were really amazing, really hospitable,
really kind. I just found it really calming here,
even though it was 30 days it didn’t feel like
30 days just because of the way people take
care of you out here.”
Jorge Perez—Engineer, US Forest Service
“We’ve done line cutting, we’ve done
stagging, making sure hazard trees are clear
so they don’t block roadways and helping out
the district with whatever they need … It’s
been awesome because I spent about eight
years on a hotshot crew before I got injured,
so being back with everybody and doing that
line of work again was fun for me.”
Danielle Cardenas—Dispatch Centre
Assistant Manager, US Forest Service
“For folks here, the added stress of having
an international assignment, gone for a long
PHOTO: NEAL HERBERT/US DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR
period of time, gone from your family, the
roster—five days on, one day off, five days on,
two days off—was needed and well received.
The crew definitely had a great attitude the
whole time and I think it was a result of that
schedule.”
Ben Covolt—Smokejumper,
US Forest Service
“If I were given another opportunity to come
back, I feel like I would be five days ahead
ISSUE TWO 2020 FIRE AUSTRALIA 17RESOURCE SHARING
PHOTO: AFAC
PHOTO: PETER KAMBOURIS
PHOTO: CIFFC
Above: Peter Kambouris Top: Peter Kambouris (right) and Above: Jason Cottingham
(right) on deployment in Jason Cottingham reconnect (left) with Canadian Incident
Alberta, Canada in 2015. at a deployment debrief at Management Team in
the Victorian Emergency Victoria.
FRIENDSHIP
Management Institute.
FORGED IN FIRE The recent deployment of international fire specialists to Australia has
rekindled a connection made five years earlier in Alberta, Canada.
BY ALANA BEITZ and us providing assistance to them,” Mr Cottingham agreed that
Mr Cottingham said. these arrangements strengthened
AFAC
When Mr Kambouris deployed to firefighting capabilities and
T
Alberta with Forest Fire Management supported knowledge sharing on an
he 2019–20 fire season Victoria, the province experienced international scale.
challenged multiple regions 1,850 fires that burnt 492,530 “As a global organisation, we’re
across Australia and activated the hectares, a significant increase from always trying to evolve, do better and
most significant international resourcing the previous ten-year average of 1,496 be more efficient with the resources
request for assistance. fires and 177,842 hectares burnt. He we have. It is important that we make
Alberta Agriculture and Forestry said these intense events highlighted these exchanges of knowledge and
Wildfire Management Specialist Jason the importance of resource sharing information back and forth because
Cottingham was one of 239 Canadian arrangements. we get better as organisations and
fire specialists deployed to Australia. “I think with large landscape fires we are more successful in the long
He undertook a month-long deployment more prevalent than perhaps they were term,” he said.
as a fire behaviour analyst assisting historically, the more knowledge and Mr Kambouris said that the
in Victoria. information we share the better we are international partnerships introduced
During his deployment, Mr going to be at it in the future. Not just to the fire specialists to each other, but
Cottingham was surprised to reconnect prepare for it, but also to adapt our fire the personal connections ensured a
with Grampians Regional Manager strategies,” he said. culture of mutual learning.
of Forests and Fire Operations Peter “Seeing different techniques that “It’s not just about the relationship
Kambouris, who he first met in Alberta were applied on the fire ground that we and bumping into someone you
in 2015 when Australia deployed a don’t adopt here because of the different haven’t seen in a while and worked
contingent of 47 fire specialists to the landscapes, and being able to bring with once upon a time, it’s about
Canadian province. some of those aspects back to share with us fostering that relationship and
“Australia has been in our country respective managers, is a really important learning from Alberta and other
a number of times, so it is reciprocal in part of what we do and what we can gain jurisdictions as well. It’s how we
terms of them providing assistance to us, out of deploying internationally.” continue to do what we do better.”
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One solution for all your above and
below ground structural, waterproof,
acoustic and fire compliance needs.PRESCRIBED BURNING
TO BURN OR NOT TO BURN
IS NOT THE QUESTION
The debate around available for future bushfires. Because the Royal Commission into National Kinglake,
prescribed burning is Indigenous burning is often conflated Natural Disaster Arrangements and Victoria after
with prescribed burning, I’m frequently other inquiries. As the US fire historian the 2009
ongoing and as heated as fires.
asked an ostensibly simple question: Stephen Pyne has observed, fire is
ever. Daniel May suggests does it work? almost never considered on its own
that the practice is an To say that experts, researchers terms. Three bushfire royal commissions
effective tool rather than and practitioners disagree about the over the past century demonstrate how
a cure-all. answer is to put it mildly. Academic prescribed burning can become a proxy
mentors have warned me to stay away, for other political issues.
lest I be caught up in interminable
BY DANIEL MAY debates and distracted from my main 1939
research. Among experts, suspicions One of Australia’s most infamous
Australian National University and Bushfire and
Natural Hazards CRC about motives and trench mentalities disasters was Black Friday, which
D
abound, tied up with cross-disciplinary took the lives of 71 Victorians in 1939.
uring five years of researching rivalries, political ideologies and implicit The subsequent royal commission
the history and politics of knowledge hierarchies. Your model is well known for the eloquence of
Indigenous burning, I have often versus my anecdote; your beliefs versus commissioner Leonard Stretton’s
found myself being pulled back towards my facts. The debate can seem like a lamenting of the environmental ignorance
debates about prescribed burning. black hole, sucking in and grinding up. of settlers: “They had not lived long
This practice—also known as hazard Fire management, and especially enough. The experience of the past could
reduction burning, control burning or prescribed burning, has dominated not guide them to an understanding of
planned burning—uses deliberately public discussion in recent months. In what might, and did, happen.”
lit fire, under favourable conditions, this highly charged political context, I The Stretton commission attracted a
most commonly to reduce the fuel must admit to some scepticism about great deal of public interest and deeply
20 FIRE AUSTRALIA ISSUE TWO 2020PRESCRIBED BURNING
Prescribed burning resists easy, grand, continent-
wide narratives. It is a tool, not a panacea, and one
that must be thought of and used subtly on a local
basis. We also need broader recognition that it is
hazard reduction and not hazard removal.
The state’s Forests Commission tried Geoffrey Rodger found that prescribed
to exclude fire—controlled or otherwise— burning had worked reasonably well
wherever possible, believing it damaged in Dwellingup and the WA Forests
the mountain ash (Eucalyptus regnans) Department should “make every
forests. But it reluctantly accepted the endeavour to improve and extend” the
need for strategically important areas, practice in jarrah. But he also noted that
such as ridge lines, to undergo some it would not stop a fire under extreme
prescribed burning. conditions; instead, the aim was to
Stretton ultimately found that “reduce the fire intensity and rate of
excluding fire altogether was impractical spread and so allow fire suppression
in Australia, and that the amount of forces to attack the fire more easily and
prescribed burning performed before with greater safety”. This formed the
1939 had been “ridiculously inadequate”. philosophical basis of the ‘Australian
Stretton’s phrase has been quoted ever Strategy’ of prescribed burning that
since as a foundational legitimation of was exported across the continent and
prescribed burning. Less well known is even overseas.
his later qualification: “It is not suggested At the commission, many farmers
PHOTO: BUSHFIRE AND NATURAL HAZARDS CRC
that the practice be followed in argued for extended prescribed
mountain ash country … [except] where burning, some calling for the state’s
necessity demands that it should be south-west to be burnt “whenever
done.” In 1939, Stretton recognised that possible” or “as often as it will burn”.
prescribed burning could not be thought Much of their testimony was coloured
of as a blanket solution. by resentment at the department’s
existing policies, “high-handed” official
1961 attitudes or even individual prosecutions
Stretton’s recommendations for fire for illegal ignition—a “natural antipathy
management were extended by the to government departments and civil
influenced land management policy royal commission following the 1961 servants”, in the words of forester Angelo
across Victoria. It also served as a public Dwellingup fires in Western Australia. Milesi. As the commission progressed,
stage for bureaucratic infighting and Organised forestry in that state had Rodger increasingly suggested to
blame shifting, especially over the role, if followed a fire suppression paradigm witnesses that perhaps they were not up
any, that prescribed burning should play since it had been established in the to date with department practice, and
in managing the state’s forests. early twentieth century. Also inspired by he ultimately found that many critics
A E Kelso, an engineer with the US ideas about fire, early WA foresters had “little real knowledge” of either the
Melbourne Metropolitan Board of Works, believed that bushfire was harmful forests or department policy. Prescribed
sought forests with closed canopies to timber and that it was possible to burning levels functioned, he believed,
and ‘clean’ floors in order to safeguard banish it entirely from the forests of as a proxy for other complaints and long-
Melbourne’s water supply from erosion. jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) in the held grudges.
Drawing on ideas of forestry from the US, state’s south-west. In recognition of the
he argued for the complete exclusion increasing failures of this policy, and 2009
and suppression of any fire within the after discovering that jarrah forests were The royal commission set up following
forest. By contrast, rural Victorians less sensitive to fire than mountain ash, Victoria’s devastating Black Saturday
generally called for much greater conservator Allan Harris overturned the fires in 2009, which killed 173 people,
‘broadcast’ burning, sometimes every policy in 1954. Broad-based, rotational chose to be guided in its assessment of
three to four years, in order to keep prescribed burning became the norm in prescribed burning by a panel of experts.
the forest safe. But forester C E Lane- jarrah forests, and ten percent or so of The panel emphasised that the practice
Poole derided such proposals as a self- the forest was burnt annually. was the “most effective mechanism” to
interested desire for the fresh stock feed This policy came under close reduce fuel; but it also found that under
that grew in the fires’ wake, claiming that scrutiny following the 1961 fires, which the catastrophic conditions on that day
graziers saw “a box of matches as the caused significant forest damage but “the probability of effective suppression
best grass seed”. no loss of life. Royal Commissioner was negligible”, regardless of just how
ISSUE TWO 2020 FIRE AUSTRALIA 21You can also read
