PRESS RELEASE

7th December 2006

Australasian Fire Chiefs Plan for National Approach to Fire.

Chiefs of the Australian and New Zealand fire agencies met yesterday to consider an enhancement of national coordination in response to the extreme fire risk.

The meeting was called by the fire and emergency services peak body, the Australasian Fire Authorities Council (AFAC).

The CEO of AFAC, Mr Len Foster AO, said “that the extreme fire risk, particularly in the eastern seaboard of Australia and the potential for fires to exist for several weeks, has lead fire chiefs to start planning for increased support at a national level.”

He said “Australia and New Zealand fire agencies have had a long history of successful mutual aid and support, but we have now reached the stage where a more sophisticated national information system on fires was needed. Information on resources being used and also held in reserve, was now required.”

“In 2003, AFAC, in conjunction with the Commonwealth and States and Territories, was instrumental in achieving a nationally coordinated approach to the use of high capacity aerial fire bombers, like Elvis.”

Mr Foster said “that this initiative provided a strong basis for the extension into all bushfire fighting resources.”

AFAC will immediately extend information gathering which will assist the fire agencies throughout Australia and New Zealand deploying and receiving assistance.

Mr Foster said “that this is a very significant decision and will lead to a better coordination of Australian and New Zealand resources in which community safety will be significantly enhanced.”

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The Australasian Fire Authorities Council provides collaboration between fire, emergency services and land management agencies for the protection of our communities.
www.afac.com.au

ENDS

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