CFA Environment Strategy

Transcription

CFA Environment Strategy
Contents
Development of this document
This document was developed with input from CFA staff,
volunteers and public submissions.
Further information
(03) 9262 8444
environment@cfa.vic.gov.au
www.cfa.vic.gov.au
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Published by CFA 2003.
© CFA 2003
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Disclaimer
This publication may be of assistance to you, but CFA does not guarantee that the publication is without
flaw of any kind or is appropriate for your purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or
other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.
Authorised by the Victorian Government
8 Lakeside Drive, Burwood East, Victoria, 3151
Foreword
1
1 Summary
2
2 Context
About the CFA Environment Strategy
Why have an Environment Strategy?
About CFA
About our environment
5
5
5
6
7
3 Where are we now?
Environmental benefits
Environmental risks
Opportunities for improvement
9
10
10
12
4 Where do we want to be?
Environment Policy
13
13
5 How will we get there?
Environment Action Plan: Structural fire
Environment Action Plan: Dangerous goods
Environment Action Plan: Wildfire suppression
Environment Action Plan: Wildfire prevention
Environment Action Plan: Infrastructure and support
Environment Action Plan: Managing improvement
Environment Action Plan: People and partnerships
14
15
17
18
20
24
26
29
Bibliography and Appendices
Bibliography
Appendix 1: Summary of key environmental obligations
30
30
32
Glossary
Inside Back Cover
Abbreviations
Inside Back Cover
Foreword
CFA people work long and hard to help ensure the safety of our community from fire and
other emergencies. In doing so, CFA contributes to the sustainability of the community.
CFA contributes to a sustainable community in another way.
Through our work in dealing with fire and other emergencies, we also help protect the
environment, helping to make Victoria a better place in which to live. For example,
our people deal daily with spills of chemicals and fires which pollute the environment,
as well as activities to minimise the risk of these incidents occuring in the first place.
The CFA Environment Strategy has been developed to help CFA contribute further to a
sustainable future for all Victorians.
It will guide us in dealing with environmental issues in all aspects of our business,
from administration through to service delivery. Through implementing the strategy
we will help to contribute to clean air, land and water and healthy ecosystems.
Importantly, the strategy will assist us to do this in a way which ensures that we
maintain the effectiveness and efficiency of our emergency services, and builds on
the skills of our people.
The CFA Board has asked me to express its appreciation for the contributions of a large
number of people from CFA and other organisations to the development of the
Environment Strategy.
I urge you all to continue your support through contributing to and participating in
programs developed to implement the strategy.
I also encourage all CFA people to consider your effects on the environment as you
undertake your daily tasks and consider how you can not only save lives and save
homes, but also help save the future.
Neil Bibby
CEO
CFA Environment Strategy | 1
1 Summary
CFA is committed to the protection of life, property and the environment through the
delivery of cost-effective fire and emergency services for the people of Victoria.
This strategy has been developed to guide our approach to managing environment
issues across all aspects of our business.
It will help us to do this in a way which maintains safety, effectiveness and efficiency.
It will also help ensure that our approaches are sustainable for our organisation and
build on the skills of our people.
The strategy will assist CFA to
• help improve the quality of the environment
• meet obligations and community expectations
• improve our reputation in this area and minimise conflicts with stakeholders, and possibly
• attract further input or membership from those interested in environmental care.
Environmental effects
Many CFA activities have the potential to improve our environment. CFA makes a
substantial contribution to environmental quality as follows:
• incident response can minimise the impact of the event on the environment,
• dangerous goods operations protect the environment from the effects of hazardous
materials,
• fire prevention, advisory and regulatory roles aim to reduce the number and size of fires,
resulting in reduced pollution, and
• fuel reduction burning can help increase biodiversity as well as lowering fuel hazards.
Other activities can be detrimental. Key risks to the environment include:
• air pollution from structural fires,
• spills of hazardous materials,
• water pollution from suppression activities,
• high water use,
• damage to flora and fauna, and
• loss of bushland character.
2 | CFA Environment Strategy
1 Summary
CFA Environment Policy
The objective of this policy is to assist CFA to manage
environmental issues in all aspects of our business
while maintaining operational safety, effectiveness
and efficiency.
Policy statement
CFA is committed to protection of life, property and
the environment through the delivery of cost-effective
fire and emergency services for the people of Victoria.
CFA aims to deliver its services in a safe, efficient and
effective manner while protecting the environment
wherever possible for current and future generations.
We will be guided by the following principles.
Environment
• Pollution and degradation of air, water, land and
biodiversity are minimised.
• Energy and resource use are minimised through
reduction, reuse and recycling.
• We meet our legal obligations and, where possible,
community expectations for environmental care.
• Environmental management standards and practices
will be consistent with those of leading fire and
emergency services and our responsibility to protect
life and property.
Social
• We are proud of and are recognised for our
achievements.
• CFA contributes to social well - being by handing over
places affected by fire or other incidents in as good
condition as possible.
implementing this policy, and an Environmental
Management System (EMS).
• The EMS will address planning, communication,
implementation support (tools, training and resources),
implementation, review and improvement and will be
integrated with existing business systems.
• We will foster commitment to environmental care and
continuous improvement from all CFA people.
• All work practices and business planning processes
should address environmental care.
• Environmental management is delivered in a
sustainable way.
• Approaches to the environment will be developed in
a consultative way, which builds on good practice
and enthusiasm of CFA people.
• We will further develop partnerships to assist us
in improving our approaches.
• We will develop state-wide programs and service agreements as a basis for improvement and allocating funding.
• In the interim, we will continue business as usual
based on expert advice. Issue resolution at a local
level should be carried out in a way which contributes
to and advances our understanding of issues and
approaches across the state.
Environment Action Plans
Environment Action Plans list actions that will assist
CFA to improve environmental performance over the
next five years.
Economic
• Environmental management is cost - effective in terms
of financial and human resources.
Effects
• High volumes of water.
• Fire water run-off including combustion products
and firefighting foam.
• Smoke.
Management
• Implementation of this policy will be guided by the
Environment Strategy which outlines action plans for
Goals
• Minimise impacts on the environment and
maximise benefits.
Key Actions
• Minimise pollution and resource use and further develop
strategies for fire water run off, foam use and smoke
management.
• Maximise planning and preparedness.
• Continue to maximise prevention through:
– developing guidelines for advice to industry, and
– encouraging appropriate fire water management
practices for business premises.
Effects
• Ground, water and air pollution.
Goals
• Minimise impacts on the environment and maximise benefits.
Key Actions
• Continue to work with relevant agencies to ensure appropriate
treatment of risks to the environment and the community.
• Support the use of existing procedures with environmental
education.
Effects
• Machine use can erode soil, pollute water and spread weeds.
• Suppression can affect biodiversity.
• Foam affects aquatic life.
• Rubbish.
• Water use.
• Fire control can reduce adverse wildfire effects (smoke,
erosion) and reduce both adverse and beneficial effects
on biodiversity.
Goals
• Minimise impacts on the environment.
• Ensure standards and practices are consistent with those of
leading fire and emergency services and land managers.
1 Summary
Key actions
Develop environmental care guidelines:
• Ensure environmental risks are addressed in municipal
fire prevention planning and implementation.
• Focus initially on water use and pollution, machinery
use and mopping - up procedures.
• Develop fuel reduction guidelines to address planning,
implementation, smoke and other environmental needs.
• Minimise risk of water pollution when using chemicals.
• Seek community involvement and feedback to enhance
fire management programs.
Incident action planning and operations:
• Use environmental specialists and data.
• Include waste management in Logistics role.
Aiding recovery:
• Audit fire management to identify areas for improvement.
• Explore ways of encouraging rehabilitation of fire sites.
Effects
• Clearance can affect biodiversity.
• Herbicides and burning can impact on or benefit biodiversity.
• Burning can contribute smoke, but reduce the amount
of smoke and erosion expected from wildfires.
• Burning and other fire prevention may reduce the
adverse effects of wildfire on biodiversity but limit the
beneficial effects.
Goals
• Minimise damage and maximise benefits to the
environment from fire prevention activities.
• Ensure standards are consistent with those of other
fire and emergency services and land managers.
• Improve the understanding of all stakeholders of
environmentally responsible fire prevention.
Key actions
• Continue to work with relevant authorities to ensure
better integration of planning for fire prevention and
other land management at the municipal, regional and
state-wide levels.
• Continue to assist Councils to balance fire safety and
conservation needs for development in areas of high
fire risk.
EnvironmentAction Plan:Infrastructure & support
Effects
CFA services and facilities can:
• generate waste and consume energy, water and other
resources,
• contribute to greenhouse gas production, and
• impact on water quality and landscape values.
Goals
• Minimise impacts on the environment.
• Meet government guidelines.
• Meet targets identified to date, including:
An Environmental Management System will be
developed to guide us in managing improvement.
It will include the following:
• Environment Policy and Environment Strategy,
• planning for best practice,
• implementation (through Environment Action Plans),
• review and improvement,
• capacity building and support, and
• links into existing business processes including
business and performance plans.
This strategy document contains proposed
Environment Action Plans for the next five years.
These action plans primarily focus on HQ units which
support areas, regions and brigades. Once support
material and tools have been developed for each unit
or program they administer, other workgroups
(including areas, regions, brigades, or offices) will be
able to use this material to develop their own
Environment Action Plans.
–
reduce waste at all offices by 20% by 2008, and
Environment Action Plan: People & partnerships
–
reduce CFA Headquarters (HQ) paper use to the
national average by 2008.
Opportunities:
Key actions
• Ensure all new facilities meet government guidelines.
• Improve existing facilities in stages.
• Carry out foam training only in areas which have been
designed for that purpose or meet agreed guidelines.
• Include environmental criteria in purchasing policy.
We need to build environmental considerations into all
aspects of our business.
A sustainable and systematic approach to improvement
is required. While there are some improvements we
can make straight away, many others will need to be
reviewed and long-term approaches planned. Once
specific approaches have been developed, these will
be introduced into CFA.
• learning,
• mutual support, and
• pride in our environmental achievements.
We will work to enhance partnerships and support:
• ‘Environmental Advocates’ and other leaders within CFA,
• team partnerships,
• external organisations which can assist us with
environmental issues, and
• community involvement.
2 Context
2 Context
In this section, information is provided
about this document, CFA services
and our environment.
CFA is committed to the protection of life, property and the environment through the
delivery of cost-effective fire and emergency services for the people of Victoria.
This strategy has been developed to guide our approach to managing environment
issues across all aspects of our business.
It will help us to do this in a way which maintains safety, effectiveness and efficiency.
It will also help ensure that our approaches are sustainable for our organisation and
build on the skills of our people.
This document:
• identifies ways in which CFA activities help to protect the environment,
• identifies environmental risks faced by CFA in delivering its services,
• outlines a policy for management of environmental issues by CFA, and
• outlines action plans for achieving this policy.
This Environment Strategy encourages us to concentrate first on learning more about
the way we affect the environment and developing guidelines and systems to support
CFA staff and volunteers.
Why have an Environment Strategy?
This strategy will assist CFA to:
• help improve the quality of the environment,
• meet obligations and community expectations,
• improve our reputation in this area and minimise potential conflicts with stakeholders,
and possibly
• attract further input or membership from those interested in environmental care.
More information on each of these reasons is outlined below.
The environment sustains life
The health of the environment is important for our well-being and prosperity.
We depend upon it for natural resources (including clean air, land, water and food)
and the services it provides us (known as “ecosystem services”) including water and
air purification, waste absorption, agricultural productivity, recreation and tourism,
landscape amenity and reduction of salinity and atmospheric carbon.
2 Context
Community expectations
Community expectations for environmentally-sustainable
delivery of services has been growing steadily (Public
Accounts and Estimates Committee, 1999). These
expectations are being increasingly reflected in
legislation and policy and the approaches of many
organisations.
The majority of Australians (62%) stated they were
concerned about the environment (Australian Bureau of
Statistics 2001). The greatest concerns in both rural
and urban areas include air and water pollution and
destruction of trees and ecosystems.
Legislation
There is legislation relating to environmentally
sustainable practice, the quality of land, water and air,
and conservation of biodiversity. In Victoria, most of
this is administered by the Environment Protection
Authority (EPA) and Department of Sustainability and
Environment (DSE). Further information is summarised
in Appendix 1.
Government policy
The Inter- Governmental Agreement on the Environment
(1992) which was endorsed by commonwealth, state
and local government agreed that environmental
considerations will be integrated into Government
decision-making processes at all levels.
Victorian Government policy emphasises environmental
sustainability and accountability. The Government's
vision for Victoria is that by 2010 protecting the
environment for future generations is built into
everything we do (Government of Victoria 2001).
Measures being introduced include a ‘triple bottom
line’ approach to decision - making which aims to
integrate sustainable economic growth objectives with
social development and environmental stewardship.
A Commissioner for Ecologically Sustainable
Development will support compliance with this policy.
The policy documents identified in the ‘About our
environment’ section of this strategy will also guide
management of specific environmental issues.
Corporate social responsibility
Many organisations, like CFA, have embraced
sustainability as part of their business. Examples
include the Department of Defence, Plastics and
Chemical Industries Association and Western Mining
Corporation. Other Australian fire services, such as the
NSW Fire Brigade and Melbourne Fire and Emergency
Services Board (MFESB) are developing environmental
care approaches. Land and resource managers that
we work with such as Councils and DSE have had
environmental care policies for many years.
Through minimising demands on resources and
impacts on the environment, CFA can further
contribute to social well-being.
Other benefits to CFA
Adoption of environmentally- sustainable practice
is likely to appeal to CFA people already holding
environmental values and could attract a wider
membership. Improved practices should also
help attract broader input and reduce conflict with
stakeholders. It should also help reduce the risk of
non-compliance with environmental legislation.
About CFA
CFA operates within the State Government portfolio of the
Minister for Police and Emergency Services. The Authority
is constituted under the Country Fire Authority Act 1958.
CFA’s community safety obligations are contained in the
CFA Act 1958, Emergency Management Act 1986, the
Dangerous Goods Act 1985 and other legislation.
CFA’s purpose is to provide a cost - effective fire
prevention, suppression and emergency service for the
people of Victoria.
Our services to the community include fire and
emergency coordination and response covering:
• wildfire suppression,
• structural fire suppression,
• transport - related fire suppression,
• road accident rescue,
• hazardous materials transportation and storage incidents,
• other emergency activities including flood assistance
and industrial accident response.
We also provide prevention services including:
• post - incident analysis,
• building code and land use planning related advice,
• input into planning for fire safety at the municipal level,
• fire prevention works, and
• community development programs.
CFA serves a population in excess of 2.5 million people or
980,000 homes in the declared Country Area of Victoria.
As at December 2003, CFA comprises 59,136
volunteers, 425 career firefighters and 724 support staff.
We have 1,240 rural and urban fire brigades and 142
groups of brigades, supported by 7 training grounds, 15
workshops, 20 regions, 9 areas and a Melbournebased headquarters (HQ). Our total operational fleet
comprises 2,290 operational vehicles and 350 general
transport vehicles.
In 2002-3, we recorded 64,981 responses to
emergencies (CFA, 2003).
Context 2
About our environment
Our natural environment encompasses the atmosphere,
land, water and the vegetation
and wildlife it supports.
We face a number of environmental challenges,
including global warming, pollution and loss of
biodiversity. This section provides background information
on some of the key environmental challenges and how
these are being managed in Victoria.
Climate change
Global warming resulting from the emission of
greenhouse gases is now acknowledged internationally
as posing a significant environmental risk. Global warming is
causing melting of icecaps, and changes in sea levels
and rainfall patterns, and more severe weather.
Air
Small particles in smoke which lodge in the lungs may
lead to a range of health effects in sensitive groups
(eg people with existing heart and lung disease or
asthmatics) including early death and worsening of
existing respiratory or cardiovascular disease.
Smoke from fires is one source of particles in the air.
Other sources of particles include motor vehicles,
industrial emissions, dust, and smoke from domestic
wood heaters. Overall, the contribution from prescribed
burning (burning for fuel reduction and other land
management needs) and wildfires to particle levels is
small compared with other sources. However, in some
rural areas of Victoria, smoke can be quite visible,
resulting in numerous complaints from the community
(EPA, DNRE and CFA 2001).
Our natural environment encompasses the atmosphere,
land, water and the vegetation and wildlife it supports.
Major sources of greenhouse gases include emissions
from the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas) and
the removal of natural greenhouse ‘sinks’ such as
vegetation. In 2001 Australia was, per person, the
highest producer of greenhouse gases in the world.
Victoria contributes around 26% of these emissions
(excluding land clearance) mostly through electricity
production (Department of Natural Resources and
Environment (DNRE) 2000a).
Air quality in Victoria is protected under two State
Environment Protection Policies (SEPPs) administered
by the Environment Protection Authority (EPA, 2001a
and 2001b). The SEPP (Air Quality Management)
provides a framework to meet goals set out in the
SEPP (Ambient Air Quality) which implements national
standards. The SEPP (AQM) requires that a protocol
be developed to manage prescribed burning and the
impacts of smoke. It also restricts waste burning.
Passenger vehicles in Australia produce over 40 million
tonnes of greenhouse gases each year or 9.1% of
national emissions (International Council for Local
Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) 2000 and Australian
Greenhouse Office 2001).
Land and water
The state government is committed to improving land and
water quality. Catchment strategies, river health strategies
and other documents provide a framework for this.
Significant opportunities exist for greenhouse gas
reduction through improvements in energy efficiency,
energy conservation and vehicle fleet management
(DNRE, 2002b).
Waterways are important to the community. They
provide water for drinking, farming and industry,
recreation and biodiversity. Key threats to water quality
include increases in salinity, sediment and nutrients,
changing pH and temperature levels and reduced
dissolved oxygen (DNRE, 2002c).
Incidents and some CFA activities can degrade the
condition of land and water. For example, foam, fire
water, dangerous goods, fuels and other chemicals
can enter streams from fires, chemical spills, motor
vehicle accidents, suppression or prevention activities
such as herbicide spraying. Removal of vegetation and
clearance of control lines on steep slopes and crossing
of streams can result in erosion and sediment entering
streams. Use of water may affect streamflows. This
can reduce water quality and affect aquatic life.
Fire can affect water yield and catchment values.
Water falling on water-repellent burnt soil or compacted
surfaces can carry soil, ash and other debris into
waterways, affecting water quality and the health of
rivers, and cause flooding in severe cases. An increase
in phosphorus and nitrogen can also be expected in
waterways after fire. This may lead to algal blooms
and fish kills (Government of Victoria 2003).
Only 22% of Victoria’s major rivers are in good or
excellent condition (DNRE 2002c) making it important
that CFA continues to minimise impacts on water quality.
All wetlands are important areas for conservation of
wildlife. Notable wetlands in Victoria include the
Gippsland Lakes, Werribee sewage treatment works,
the volcanic lakes in the Western district and wetlands
along the Murray River.
Biodiversity
Biodiversity means ‘the variety of all life forms – the
different plants, animals, and micro-organisms, the
genes they contain and the ecosystems of which they
form part’ (DNRE, 1997).
Diverse, healthy ecosystems provide a number of
services to the community. They help maintain clean
air and water, and balance climate change effects.
They assist productive landscapes by contributing to
pest and erosion control, agricultural productivity and
waste absorption and breakdown.
Retaining biodiversity on private land is now a key
environmental challenge and its importance is
reflected in government policy.
2 Context
For example, only 30% of Victoria’s original native
vegetation still exists. In some locations, the extent
of vegetation loss is much higher. Of the remaining
vegetation, 15% is on private land. Approximately
60% of remnant vegetation on private land is of a
threatened vegetation class (DNRE, 2000d).
The goals for biodiversity management in Victoria are
to ensure that:
• there is a reversal of the long - term decline of native
vegetation and riparian environments,
• the present diversity of species and communities is
improved, and
• there is an increase in the viability of threatened
species (DNRE, 1997).
Fire is a key tool in biodiversity management. Neither
frequent fire nor the absence of fire are desirable.
Ideally a diversity of fire regimes (of varying intensities,
scales, seasons and fire intervals) is needed. This
makes the vegetation and the habitat it provides more
diverse, and more resilient to major disturbances, such
as large fires or pest outbreaks.
Recent research (Fire Ecology Working Group 2002)
indicated that the frequency of fire in most vegetation
types on public land is insufficient to meet biodiversity
objectives. These effects have been exacerbated by the
burning of over 1.1 million hectares in the 2002-3 fires.
This research indicates that continued survival of
vegetation communities on a broad scale will rely on
Conserving biodiversity is fundamental to both
conserving our quality of life and economic advantages.
A range of legislation, policy, plans and guidelines
support biodiversity objectives including the Flora and
Fauna Guarantee Act 1988, the Environment Protection
and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, Victoria's
Biodiversity Strategy (DNRE 1997), the Native
Vegetation Framework (DNRE 2002) and Regional
Catchment Strategies and Native Vegetation Plans
developed by Catchment Management Authorities.
Protection measures for significant flora and fauna and
the substantial re-establishment of native vegetation
proposed around the state provide challenges for fire
and land managers.
Wildfire has been a feature of the Australian
environment for millions of years. The vegetation we
see today is a result of our fire history. Most native
vegetation and wildlife is adapted to fire and many
depend on disturbance by fire. Most native vegetation
recovers well after fire, even if it is replaced by new
‘pioneer’ species. Burnt areas are generally rapidly
recolonised by wildlife though some species may only
return after many years.
the active management of fire and more regular
burning across the landscape. Burning is one area
where fire managers including CFA can contribute to
both community safety and biodiversity objectives.
Landscape values
Bushland and other vegetated settings are valued
for their shade, scenery and character. Vegetation is
valued for screening and privacy. Landscapes may
be protected in planning schemes.
Resource use
We need natural resources to support us. It is
important that these are used wisely.
Water is a critical and finite resource. Australia is
the driest continent on earth (excluding Antarctica).
Australians use 1 million litres/water/ person/year,
making us amongst the highest consumers of water
(Australian Conservation Foundation, 2000). State
government policy aims to increase recycling of water
and minimise wastage (Government of Victoria, 2001).
Electricity generation in Victoria contributes to global
warming and air pollution. Most of Victoria’s energy is
produced by coal - fired power stations. It is now
possible to purchase ‘green power’ which is generated
through more environmentally- sustainable techniques,
such as solar or wind.
Waste disposal is an important issue in Victoria.
Landfill for disposal of waste is becoming scarce
and disposal costs are increasing. The more efficiently
we use products, the less we have to throw away and
less needs to be produced. This ultimately means less
environmental impact and lower costs.
The Sustainable Energy Authority and other agencies
encourage wise use of natural resources including
energy, paper, metals and industrial components
through appropriate design, use of sustainable
alternatives, minimising use, reuse and recycling.
The State Government has introduced energy
targets for all government departments and agencies
that source more than 50% of their funding from
appropriations. They are required to reduce energy use
by 15% and obtain 5% of their power from sustainable
sources by 2005 (Sustainable Energy Authority,
2001a). While these targets do not bind CFA (we
obtain only 22.5% of our funding from appropriations),
CFA should aim to meet these targets. This will
generate cost savings, assist us to keep pace
with other government agencies and community
expectations, and support the efforts we have
already begun.
The State Government also encourages leadership
from all government departments and agencies in
reducing electricity demand during notified peak use
periods in summer (SEAV 2001b).
Where are we now? 3
3 Where are we now?
This section outlines the way in which
CFA activities can affect the environment
and the implications for CFA. It also
identifies opportunities for improvement.
Whether we are working on fire prevention or suppression, dealing with hazardous
materials or motor vehicle accidents, driving to meetings, training or maintaining our
equipment, fire stations or offices, we all affect the environment around us.
Many CFA activities have the potential to protect or improve the environment. Others
can be detrimental.
CFA's key activities were assessed to identify benefits and risks to the environment and
the resulting implications for the community and CFA. These are shown broadly in
Figure 1 and in more detail in Figure 2.
More information on the effects of CFA activities on the environment are outlined in
the Environment Action Plans for each CFA activity.
The assessment of environmental effects and their implications has been used to
develop our policy and action plans and guide priority for addressing issues. Priority
is discussed further under ‘Managing improvement’.
Environmental
Inputs
CFA services
Environmental
Outputs
Fire and
other incidents
Prevention
(advice, planning
and treatments)
Pollution of
air, water, land
Preparedness
and response
to incidents
Climate
change
People
Recovery from
incidents (site,
community, CFA)
Biodiversity
effects
Raw
Materials
Infrastructure
and support
Landscape
effects
Water
Energy
Outcomes
Protection of life,
property and
environment
from fire and
other incidents
Figure 1: Environmental effects
3 Where are we now?
CFA activities which can protect or improve the
environment include the following:
• incident response can minimise the impact of the event
on the environment,
• dangerous goods operations aim to protect the
environment as well as the community,
• fire prevention, advisory and regulatory roles aim to
reduce the number and size of both structural fires
and wildfires, resulting in reduced smoke emissions
and pollution of waterways, and
• fuel reduction burning can help increase biodiversity
as well as lowering fuel hazards.
Structural fire
suppression
Advice/regulation (to minimise fire incidence and extent)
air, land and water pollution minimised
Incident management
Dangerous
goods and
motor vehicle
accident
response
Advice/regulation (to minimise incidence and extent)
Incident management
Wildfire
suppression
Incident management (to minimise fire size and intensity)
air and water pollution minimised
Wildfire
prevention
Treatments (to minimise fire incidence and extent)
can decrease air and water pollution effects of fire
Burning can assist biodiversity
Treatment guidelines/advice provide options for minimising soil,
water and biodiversity impacts I can assist biodiversity
Land use planning and building regulation
provide options for minimising soil, water and biodiversity impacts
Infrastructure
and support
IT can reduce resource use, greenhouse gas emissions and
air pollution
Training provides options for minimising air, soil, water and
biodiversity effects and resource use.
Through these activities, CFA makes a substantial
contribution to environmental quality and community
well-being as well as community safety.
Environmental risks
The following criteria were used to determine the level
of risk to the environment and CFA:
• value of the environmental asset affected,
• availability of environmental care approaches,
• potential for damage to the environment,
• clean-up costs,
• likely community reaction, and
• potential to breach legislative obligations.
High risk activities for CFA are those with high potential
for community concern, high clean-up costs, significant
environmental damage or a risk of non-compliance with
legislation. Activities with a relatively low impact but high
frequency or those where environmental care guidelines
are not currently available were also assessed as high risk.
Figure 2: Environmental effects assessment
High environmental risks
Moderate environmental risks
Use water valuable resource
Use wetting agents, extinguishers, foam
soil and water pollution | biodiversity loss
Fire water run off water pollution | biodiversity loss
Change combustion rate smoke
Spillage of stored materials soil, water and air pollution
Low environmental risks
Debris, demolish structures waste materials
Operate pumps, siren noise, flashing lights pollution
Driving or operating cross country
soil erosion | water pollution | vegetation damage
Chemical spill/radioactive leak
soil, water and air pollution | waste materials
Motor vehicle accident (goods released)
soil, water and air pollution | waste materials
Motor vehicle accident (LPG release) air pollution
Motor vehicle accident (diesel/petrol - spill)
soil and water pollution
Fire in Electricity substations – use CO2, extinguishers
air pollution
Motor vehicle accident (debris) waste materials
Motor vehicle accident (absorb fuel spills)
waste materials
Decontaminate, clean or replace equipment –
water pollution | resource use
Incident management (to minimise fire size and intensity)
can decrease both positive and negative effects of fire
on biodiversity
Use water scarce resource
Use of chemicals – wetting agents, foam
water pollution | biodiversity loss
Tree falling biodiversity loss | scenic values
Access tracks/control lines
Fire water run off water pollution | biodiversity loss
Rubbish from refreshments and other supplies
community concern
Fuel dumps soil and water pollution
Driving or operating cross country
vegetation damage | soil erosion | water pollution
Backburning increase or reduce fire effects
Operate pumps, siren noise, flashing lights pollution
Paper use resource use and waste
Purchasing resource use and waste
Fleet – fuel storage soil and water pollution
Building construction, lighting, heating, cooling
resource use and waste
Fire stations – washing of hoses and vehicles
water pollution
Training – use of fuels to simulate fire
soil water and air pollution | resource use
Training – use of foam
soil and water pollution | resource use
Glass use resource use and waste
Office fittings furniture and equipment upgrades
resource use and waste
Equipment maintenance and modification
waste materials | resource use
Protective equipment – upgrading, disposal
waste materials | resource use
Fleet – service and operate vehicles
air pollution | greenhouse gas emissions
Fire stations – cleaning, dry cleaning, kitchen,
bathroom use waste materials
Fire stations – pumps, alarms, vehicles, response noise
Training/pump test/flush hydrants soil erosion | water pollution
Treatment (to minimise fire incidence and extent) can
decrease both positive and negative effects of fire on biodiversity
Inappropriate fire regime or activity
soil erosion | water pollution | biodiversity loss | smoke
Intensive fuel management around dwellings scenic values
Mineral earth firebreaks eg ploughing/grading
Inappropriate herbicide use biodiversity loss
3 Where are we now?
The most significant environmental risks include:
• air pollution from structural fires,
• spills of hazardous materials,
• water pollution from suppression activities, including
escape of foam to waterways,
• heavy use of water which is a valuable resource,
• damage to flora and fauna, and
• loss of bushland character in high fire risk areas
from vegetation clearance.
Factors contributing to these risks include:
• some issues such as smoke emissions are hard to
influence,
• environmental care being adequately integrated into
CFA procedures and approaches,
• some perceived as well as some actual conflicts
between environmental care and delivery of fire and
emergency services, and
• resourcing and cost implications.
Opportunities for improvement
This assessment indicates three broad opportunities for
improving CFA's management of environmental issues.
• CFA's contribution to the quality of the environment
as outlined earlier in this section is not always well understood. There is potential to improve community
understanding of these issues.
• There is also potential to expand some of the
environmentally-beneficial activities, such as ecological
burning, to help further improve both environmental and
community safety outcomes.
• While there are many examples of CFA brigades and
others working to improve environmental performance,
environmental management is relatively new to some
areas of CFA, and there is scope to further reduce
environmental risks associated with delivery of our
services.
It is critical that any changes in our approaches
to environmental issues are managed carefully to
ensure that:
• wherever possible, our performance is environmentallyresponsible,
• delivery of our fire and emergency services is not
impaired,
• we do not place an unreasonable burden on our people
or financial resources, and
• we gain the support of the community in addressing
environmental issues.
The fundamental challenge for CFA is to achieve all of
these objectives.
4 Where do we want to be?
Our Environment Policy will assist CFA
to manage environment issues in all
aspects of our business while
maintaining operational safety,
effectiveness and efficiency.
Environment Policy
Policy statement
CFA is committed to protection of life, property and the environment through the delivery
of cost-effective fire and emergency services for the people of Victoria.
CFA aims to deliver its services in a safe, efficient and effective manner while protecting
the environment wherever possible for current and future generations. We will be guided
by the following principles.
Principles
Environment
• Pollution and degradation of air, water, land and biodiversity are minimised.
• Energy and resource use are minimised through reduction, reuse and recycling.
• We meet our legal obligations and,where possible,community expectations for environmental care.
• Environmental management standards and practices will be consistent with those of leading
fire and emergency services and our responsibility to protect life and property.
Social
• We are proud of and are recognised for our achievements.
• CFA contributes to social well - being by handing over places affected by fire or other
incidents in as good condition as possible.
Economic
• Environmental management is cost-effective in terms of financial and human resources.
Management
• Implementation of this policy will be guided by the Environment Strategy which outlines
action plans for implementing this policy, and an Environmental Management System (EMS).
• The EMS will address planning, communication, implementation support (tools, training
and resources), implementation, review and improvement and will be integrated with
existing business systems.
• We will foster commitment to environmental care and continuous improvement from
all CFA people.
• All work practices and business planning processes should address environmental care.
• Environmental management is delivered in a sustainable way.
• Approaches to the environment will be developed in a consultative way, which builds
on good practice and enthusiasm of CFA people.
• We will further develop partnerships to assist us in improving our approaches.
• We will develop state-wide programs and service agreements as a basis for
improvement and allocating funding.
• In the interim, we will continue business as usual based on expert advice. Issue resolution
at a local level should be carried out in a way which contributes to and advances
our understanding of issues and approaches across the state.
This section lists actions that will
assist CFA to implement the
Environment Policy and manage
environmental issues in all aspects
of our business.
Environment Action Plans are proposed for:
• our services, including structural and wildfire suppression, wildfire prevention,
dangerous goods management and infrastructure,
• managing improvement, and
• people and partnerships.
The sections relating to improvement and people are relevant to each of the
other program areas.
These actions will be updated as more detailed Environment Action Plans are
prepared by business units. The implementation of actions will be through CFA
business planning processes.
Refer to the section on ‘Managing improvement’ for further information on
Environment Action Plans, integration into business planning and priorities for
implementation.
How will we get there? 5
Structures protected by CFA range from houses to
large industrial complexes.
The environmental effects of fire control vary with the
type of structure, the materials it is constructed from,
the goods it contains, the techniques employed to
combat the fire and the extent of the burn.
Significant environmental risks include smoke and
fire water run off. In addition, high volumes of water
may be used to suppress fires. Structural incidents
involving hazardous materials or industrial sites present
major environmental risks.
House fires are considered to pose a much lower risk
to the environment. The amount of toxic materials
burned is generally low compared with industrial fires
and fire water is often absorbed by gardens and
remains on site.
Water quality
Water run off from industrial and many small business
fire sites is generally toxic to aquatic ecosystems in
the short - term (Fowles 2001).
Fowles (2001) also notes that the threat of lasting
ecological damage to waterways may be small,
provided that there is sufficient dilution. In their review
of several large fires Fowles, Person and Noiton (2001)
considered large fires involving chemicals such as
pesticides or large stores of tyres to present the
greatest threat of long - lasting damage to waterways.
Foams
CFA currently uses aqueous film forming foams (AFFF)
and fluoro-protein foams to combat B Class fires
(those involving flammable and combustible liquids).
There is a range of toxicity among foams, with
fluoroprotein foams being the least toxic. Heavy use
of foams in a fire can result in serious impacts on
aquatic life if the dilution is low (Fowles 2001).
Material Safety Data Sheets for B class foam currently
used by CFA (3M Australia Pty Ltd, 1999, 2001a and
2001b) indicate that some chemicals in foam may
persist in the environment.
Class A foam is used to suppress fires burning in
materials such as wood, paper, rubber, certain plastics
and vegetation (Class A fires). For further information
on Class A foam, see the Environment Action Plan for
wildfire suppression.
Smoke
Smoke contains a mixture of gases and particles.
The content will vary with the materials being burnt
and the characteristics of the fire. While exposure to
most air pollutants can potentially have adverse health
effects, small particles have recently been the focus
of health research worldwide. The lodging of small
particles in the lungs may lead to a range of health
effects in sensitive groups (such as people with
existing heart and lung disease and asthmatics)
including early death and worsening of existing
respiratory or cardiovascular disease (EPA, DNRE
and CFA, 2001).
The concentration, and retention or dispersion of
smoke within the atmosphere depends on many
factors. One of the most significant factors is
weather conditions such as wind speed and direction,
atmospheric stability and humidity. Smoke behaviour
is also affected by the extent and intensity of the fire,
and the type and nature of fuels burnt.
Smoke management is primarily determined by the risk
to community health.
Approaches to environmental care
CFA contributes to protection of the environment through
preventing and suppressing structure fires.
CFA works with businesses to ensure adequate fire
prevention and preparedness measures are undertaken.
Issues targeted include safe storage, transport and
handling of dangerous goods, and other site management
practices. Facility design measures aim to minimise the
risk of ignition and fire spread, and to ensure fire water
management.
CFA prepares incident pre - plans for most major risks.
These provide an opportunity to highlight environmental
considerations and actions in suppressing a fire.
Minimising environmental risk from structure fires
often involves making decisions at the incident about
the relative risks associated with allowing the structure
to burn (and contributing to further air pollution) and
suppressing the fire with water and foam and risking
water pollution. These risks need to be assessed
concurrently with community and personnel safety.
Further tools are required to help fire - fighters assess,
understand and manage environmental risks in conjunction
with community risks. In particular, we need to further
explore options for management of of fire water run off.
We also need tools which assist decisions on whether
to suppress the fire and risk water pollution or to allow
the fire to continue burning and risk air pollution.
Actions
Prevention
• Continue to work with EPA, WorkSafe Victoria and other
authorities to identify measures which industry and
business owners could undertake to minimise the
environmental effects of fire and fire control on their
premises.
• Develop strategies for managing fire water run off, in
consultation with premises owners.
• Incorporate environmental risk information (such as
proximity to waterways) in pre - incident planning.
CFA contributes to the protection of the environment
through preventing and suppressing structure fires.
• Continue to promote and facilitate active management
of fire management risks by industry and business
owners through regulatory and advisory roles.
• Promote structural fire management issues to help
gain community understanding of and support for
approaches to smoke and water management which
may impact on them.
Planning and preparedness
• Continue to investigate and build environmental
considerations into operational strategies and tactics
including size up, RECEO and Standard Operating
Procedures (SOPS).
• Ensure pre - planning for incident management
incorporates appropriate environmental guidelines.
Goals
• Review and document key locations or types of
environmental risks.
Maximise benefits to the environment from fire
prevention and suppression.
• Investigate the use of databases to track issues which
may cause environmental as well as operational concerns.
Minimise impacts on the environment from structural
fire suppression.
• Build environmental considerations into operational
training for implementation on the fireground.
Fire water run off
• Continue to liaise with WorkSafe Victoria, EPA, water
authorities, DSE and other agencies to investigate the
effects of fire water run off on the environment and
plan for appropriate protection of the environment.
• In conjunction with relevant authorities, review methods
for containment and guidelines for consultation and
advice at incidents.
• Promote minimisation of water use where appropriate
to assist containment and cost savings.
• Develop programs for awareness of issues including the
protection of waterways and soil.
• Continue to address environmental protection
measures in procedures and training.
Smoke
• Develop strategies and decision making tools for
managing smoke -related issues.
• Develop public programs for awareness of issues.
Water use at incidents
• Scope water use and investigate the potential
for reduction in water use, while achieving suppression
goals.
• Develop, promote and implement appropriate strategies.
• Consider the use of recycled water and develop
appropriate guidelines.
Foam
• In conjunction with the Australasian Fire Authorities
Council (AFAC), continue to investigate the effects of
both A and B Class foam on the environment and
determine appropriate actions for minimising harm.
Dangerous goods include chemicals which if released
to the environment may cause harm. Incidents such as
spillage of chemicals may occur on premises, or during
transport. Fire may or may not be involved. While on a
smaller scale, release of fuels from motor vehicle
accidents also have potential to harm the environment.
Dangerous goods are regulated through the Dangerous
Goods (Storage and Handling) Regulations 2000 and
the Dangerous Goods Act 1985 administered by
WorkSafe Victoria.
Management of dangerous goods may be the
responsibility of the owner or transporter of the goods
or both. CFA is a response agency for dangerous
goods incidents under the Dangerous Goods Act 1985,
and should be notified of incidents whether or not it is
within the capability of the owner or the site to deal
with the incident. CFA also works in prevention and
preparedness through approving fire protection and
emergency planning measures developed by
businesses.
Response to dangerous goods incidents is managed
in accordance with the HAZCHEM Code (Standards
Australia and Standards New Zealand 1996a).
The Code specifies initial response based on the
information about the goods shown on placards
displayed on premises and transport vehicles.
This Code specifies either ‘containment’ or ‘dilution’
of specific dangerous goods to deal with both
community and environmental risks. More detailed
information is sought from manufacturers or other
specialists in chemical management. CFA has
immediate access to chemical data at all regional
headquarters and major fire stations.
The risk to the environment varies with the type
and amount of dangerous goods released to the
environment and the techniques employed to address
the release. Incidents involving dangerous goods have
significant potential to harm the environment as well
as pose threats to health and safety of emergency
services and the community.
Incidents may affect the quality of air, land or water.
Dangerous goods can quickly contaminate soil and
move from table drains into groundwater or waterways.
Spills on or near bridges and waterways are of
particular concern.
Minimising environmental and community risk from
fires involving dangerous goods often involves making
decisions at the incident about the relative risks
associated with allowing continued burning (and
contributing to further air pollution) and suppressing
the fire.
Containment may be made difficult or impossible if
large quantities of water are used to manage the
incident.
CFA contributes to the protection of the environment
through management of dangerous goods incidents.
Current practices address risks to emergency
services, community safety and the environment
through containment, dilution, on - site neutralisation
or burning of the dangerous goods. We need to ensure
that our Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
address best practice.
While dangerous goods practices have been in place
for some time, there is scope to increase CFA
understanding of the environmental care principles
associated with dangerous goods management.
As with other aspects of emergency management,
environmental risk associated with dangerous goods
incidents can be substantially reduced at the
prevention and preparedness phases. CFA will
continue to work with WorkSafe Victoria, EPA and
other agencies to ensure an appropriate response
to environmental as well as community risks.
Goals
Maximise benefits to the environment from prevention
activities.
Minimise impacts on the environment from dangerous
goods response.
Actions
Prevention
• Continue to work with WorkSafe Victoria, EPA and other
authorities to identify and support measures which
transporters and managers of industrial sites could
undertake to minimise the environmental effects of
dangerous goods management.
Incident management
• Continue to liaise with WorkSafe Victoria, EPA,
water authorities and other agencies to ensure the
effectiveness of incident management in protecting
environmental assets, and agency understanding of
incident management needs.
• Develop programs for awareness of environmental
issues including the protection of waterways and soil.
• Incorporate environmental risk information (such
as proximity to waterways) in pre-incident planning.
• With relevant authorities, review methods for
containment, guidelines and trigger points for
consultation and advice at incidents, as required.
• Promote minimisation of water use where appropriate
to assist containment, and to achieve cost savings.
• Develop guidelines for minimising environmental harm
from treatment of fuel spills from motor vehicle
accidents and other incidents.
As with other aspects of emergency management,
environmental risk associated with dangerous goods
incidents can be substantially reduced at the prevention
and preparedness phases.
Environment Action Plan:
Wildfire suppression
Suppression activities in grass and forest fires may
involve the application of water or retardant by tanker or
aircraft. Slashed or bare earth breaks may be constructed
to provide access or a control line for water or foam
application or backburning. In some instances operational
and environmental objectives may be in conflict.
Wildfire has been a feature of the Australian
environment for millions of years. Details of the effects
of fire on air, land and water and biodiversity are
described in the ‘Context’ section.
By limiting the size and intensity of wildfires, fire
control can have both positive and negative effects on
the environment, depending on the extent of the fire
and the environmental objectives for the affected site.
Fire control can reduce the environmental impacts of
smoke and erosion. Through limiting the extent of large
fires, control may help maintain a greater diversity of fire
regimes in specific locations. Control may be carried
out to benefit biodiversity through protecting sensitive
environmental assets, such as rare species or those
which are poorly adapted to fire, from inappropriate fire.
However, by reducing the amount of burning overall, fire
control reduces the biodiversity benefits of fire. Given
the generally low frequency of fire in many areas this is
expected to be the main effect of fire control on biodiversity.
Long - term damage can be caused to the environment
through methods used to control wildfires. However,
this can be managed through careful selection of
control strategies or by remedial work.
Machine use
Construction and repeated use of mineral earth control
lines, access tracks and stream crossings can result in
vegetation loss and fragmentation. It can also
compact and erode bared soil. The resulting sediment
can pollute streams, affecting stream life. Machine
use may also assist in the introduction or spread of
weeds and pathogens.
Mop-up
Mop-up may require the construction of further mineral
earth control lines using hand-tools and heavy machinery,
use of foam and wetting agent as well as water, and
the felling of burning trees inside the control lines to
extinguish a fire. Fire can assist in the formation and
enlargement of tree hollows. Mop - up, including the
breaking up of burning logs or the felling of burning
trees can reduce habitat for animals which depend
on logs and hollows (Adams and Simmons, 2001).
Foam and wetting agent
Class A foam is used to extinguish fires burning in
vegetation and materials such as wood, paper, rubber
and certain plastics (Class A fires). Wetting agent is a
chemical additive that improves water penetration into
compacted fuels. Class A foam and wetting agents are
used to reduce both fire suppression time and water use.
Class A foam and wetting agent are relatively benign
when confined to land (Adams 2000). Applied correctly,
foam and wetting agent will have minimal effect on
vegetation, soil macrofauna or terrestrial fauna.
They are relatively biodegradable in soil. Class A foam
must be at least 60% biodegradable within 28 days.
CFA will continue to promote responsible foam use to
minimise risks to agriculture and the environment.
Rubbish
Rubbish can be an issue, particularly at major fires. Littering
is regulated by the Environment Protection Act 1970.
There are many examples of CFA people demonstrating
care for the environment during wildfire suppression.
However, many approaches have not yet been
formalised in procedures or guidelines, inhibiting
widespread uptake. These are now being incorporated
into Standard Operating Procedures and supporting
guidelines. Environmental care approaches continue
to be built into training.
Suppression strategies and tactics used must ensure
firefighter safety and be effective in suppressing the fire
but should also endeavour to have minimal long term
impact on the environment. Environmental assets
which may be protected during suppression include
water quality, remnant native vegetation, rare species,
critical resources such as hollow trees, and the
bushland character.
Strategies and tactics used must ensure firefighter safety and
be effective in suppressing the fire but should also endeavour
to have minimal long term impact on the environment.
Class A foam currently used by CFA is 100%
biodegradable within 14-30 days. Wetting agent used by
CFA is 80% biodegradable within 72 hours.
In North America, use of environmentally- sensitive
approaches is accepted as part of the fire
suppression effort.
There is potential for adverse impacts on aquatic species
and ecosystems if foam or wetting agent reaches waterways. Use of foam, wetting agent or other chemicals may
affect organic or other certified produce or properties.
DSE's Code for Fire Management on Public Land also
outlines approaches to minimising environmental effects
from wildfire suppression (DNRE 1995).
Planning during and before incidents can greatly assist
environmentally- sensitive approaches. The Incident
Control System Options Analysis stage assists
consideration of environmental issues and options
during incident planning.
Guidance on the management of foam and wetting agent
has been updated recently and includes specific measures
to minimise the potential for harm to organic produce,
waterways and other features of the environment.
Pre - planning of access to environmental data including
maps or other tools and use of environmental advisors
at the incident can also assist in selection of the overall
best approaches to fire control.
Chemical use
• Continue to support responsible use of foam
highlighting precautions to minimise risks to water
courses and organic and other certified produce.
Adverse impacts may be unavoidable in some
circumstances but may be able to be addressed after the
incident. For example, erosion of access tracks may be
averted through prompt diversion of run off and restriction
of vehicle access.
• Monitor foam use and effectiveness of the
environmental precautions and training.
Stabilisation and other environmental recovery work
should be carried out by those responsible, as soon as
practicable, to minimise environmental damage.
• Continue to work with AFAC and appropriate authorities
to evaluate foams to determine the optimum balance
between effectiveness and environmental performance.
While CFA is not designated as a recovery agency for
wildfire incidents, CFA can assist environmental recovery
through liaising with responsible authorities regarding
incidents which may require recovery actions, and
helping to build appropriate strategies.
• Continue to work with AFAC to encourage further
research on environmental effects of foam.
CFA can reduce the need for environmental recovery by
using environmentally- sensitive strategies and tactics
wherever possible.
• Investigate ways to reduce waste associated with
catering and drinking water on the fireground.
Goals
Minimise impacts on the environment from fire
suppression.
Ensure environmental management standards and
practices are consistent with those of leading fire and
emergency services and land managers.
• Investigate options for foam drum recycling and consider
the inclusion of container recycling in future purchase
contracts.
Eliminate rubbish from the fireground
• Ensure training courses include waste management.
• Include waste management in the Logistics section
of Incident Action Plans. Develop a model and trial
at incidents, and incorporate into training.
Incident action planning
• Use environmental specialists to help develop plans
and provide advice.
• Develop partnerships with environmental specialists.
• Facilitate access to environmental data.
Actions
Environmental care guidelines
• Develop guidelines for minimising environmental harm
and rehabilitation costs from operations. Key risks to
address include water use and pollution, machinery use
and mop - up practices.
• Build environmental considerations into operational
strategies and tactics including size up, RECEO and
Standard Operating Procedures and training.
• Incorporate lessons learned from the 2002-2003 fire
season in guidelines and SOPs.
• Raise environmental awareness through courses for
planning, situation and operations officers, crew
leaders and others. Develop tools, and trial these at
incidents and incorporate into training.
Aiding recovery
• Continue to work with the Department of Justice, DSE
and other stakeholders to explore ways of supporting
rehabilitation of environmentally- degraded sites
affected by fire suppression.
• Audit fire management to identify areas for improvement.
Environment Action Plan:
Wildfire prevention
Wildfire prevention is a responsibility shared by
Councils, CFA and the community.
Councils, assisted by Municipal Fire Prevention
Committees (MFPCs) and other stakeholders, develop
Municipal Fire Prevention Plans (MFPPs) and other plans
to address prevention of strategic wildfire risks.
Councils are also responsible for administering
building and land use controls such as the Wildfire
Management Overlay which specifies vegetation
clearance standards to protect new assets in areas
of high fire risk.
CFA investigates fires and their management and
provides advice to the community, municipalities and
other agencies on risks, appropriate treatments and
planning processes.
CFA brigades may carry out fire prevention works for
Councils or other land managers.
CFA actively encourages communities to be selfsufficient in the event of fire and carry out appropriate
prevention and preparedness activities.
Effective wildfire prevention may involve targeting a
range of issues. For example, fuel management can
reduce the likelihood of a fire starting and continuing.
Design, siting and maintenance can reduce the risk of
embers igniting buildings or other assets. Community
programs such as the Brigades in Schools can help
reduce the incidence of fire.
Where fuel management and other fire prevention can
reduce wildfire incidence and extent, it can reduce the
effects of wildfire on air and water quality. Adverse
effects of wildfire on biodiversity, such as damage to
threatened species may be reduced. However, the
beneficial effects of wildfire on biodiversity may also
be reduced. Further information is provided in the
Environment Action Plan for wildfire suppression.
Fuel management aims to reduce the amount and
break up the arrangement of fuel to reduce fire
intensity and assist suppression. Fuel reduction is
carried out at a regional scale on networks of
Poor maintenance of firebreaks, once constructed, can
speed up biodiversity decline. Permanent clearance
can impact on landscape character and related
community values such as shade, shelter and privacy.
Herbicides
Herbicides are used in some areas to assist with fuel
reduction. Grasses, particularly Phalaris, are sprayed
and often burnt. One potential concern is the
development of resistance to herbicides (Adams and
Simmons, 2001). There may also be adverse effects
on non - target species. Herbicide run - off into
waterways following spraying or clean-up activities can
also be damaging to the environment.
Communities are encouraged to develop fire plans and
treatments which take into account a range of personal
objectives, including environment.
firebreaks throughout Victoria. Localised fuel reduction
is also encouraged around buildings and other assets
including natural resources. The techniques used to
reduce fuel are varied, but include some of the most
potentially damaging activities.
Alternatives to fuel management have potential to
minimise impacts on environmental as well as
landscape values.
Clearance
Fuel may be reduced by mowing, slashing, grading
or ploughing. These activities can result in loss or
fragmentation of native vegetation and loss of critical
habitat such as large mature trees and hollows, or
native grasslands. Effects may be increased by
frequent repetition and may be gradual, making them
hard to detect. Use of machinery to construct ‘bare
earth’ firebreaks may result in soil compaction,
erosion, water pollution, weed and pathogen spread.
Without replacement of the weeds with preferred
species, land managers are ‘locked into’ annual
spraying programs. Projects in south-western
Victoria are testing the replacement of Phalaris
with lower- fuel level native grasses to address this
problem. Once Phalaris is controlled and replaced by
the native grasses, the need for extensive spraying
will be removed.
These innovative cooperative projects have potential
to benefit both the conservation of threatened native
grasslands and fuel reduction on a regional scale.
They will also reduce long term maintenance requirements.
Burning
As outlined in the ‘Context’ section, burning provides a
good opportunity for CFA to contribute positively to
biodiversity conservation, while assisting fire prevention
and gaining valuable training in fire behaviour and control.
Burning regimes appropriate to the life - cycle needs of
vegetation can be beneficial in maintaining or restoring
species or communities (Fire Ecology Working Group,
1999). For example, CFA burning for fuel reduction has
maintained diversity of native grasslands on many
roadsides in south - west Victoria.
Care in planning and implementation of burning
operations is required. Burning may cause erosion and
water pollution, although these effects can be managed
through careful planning of operations. Repeated
Municipal fire prevention
Environmental risks can be substantially reduced by
careful planning and appropriate design of activities.
Better integration of fire management planning with
other land management planning at the municipal,
regional and state-wide levels will assist this.
Design of environmentally sensitive fire management
requires knowledge of the location and management
requirements of significant sites. This would be
assisted by access to map - based data, as well as
on - going advice. This information is generally obtained
from experts such as DSE, CMAs and
conservation committees.
Burning provides a good opportunity for CFA to reduce fuels
and contribute positively to biodiversity conservation, while
gaining valuable training in fire behaviour and control.
frequent burning may result in alterations to nutrient
cycling processes and net nutrient loss over time
(Adams and Simmons, 2001) and a reduction in
biodiversity.
While the contribution from prescribed burning is
small, particles in smoke may lead to a range of
health effects in sensitive groups. Smoke can be quite
visible, resulting in complaints from the community.
Smoke effects can be managed at the local level
through selection of appropriate weather conditions
and the size of burns (EPA, DSE and CFA 2001).
EPA, DSE and CFA are working together to develop
strategies to minimise the impacts of smoke on air
quality while ensuring the beneficial uses of prescribed
fire (EPA, DNRE and CFA, 2001). CFA is also
contributing to the development of National
Environment Protection Measures on air quality.
Risks can also be addressed through choosing the
least damaging way of treating the problem. For
example, on a regional scale, educational programs
which focus on minimising the risk of fires starting
may reduce the need for fuel management on some
roadsides. Areas of native vegetation may be able to
be burnt rather than slashed to reduce fuels and assist
conservation values.
Further work is needed to ensure that environmental
considerations are built into fire prevention planning
processes and CFA procedures. DSE’s Code for Fire
Management on Public Land provides examples of
approaches to minimising environmental effects from
wildfire prevention (DNRE 1995).
Individual properties
Areas of high fire risk generally support extensive
native vegetation and are often of high scenic value.
Clearance of vegetation to meet safety standards may
conflict with conservation objectives or the landscape
character of the site. While CFA programs such as
Community Fireguard assist participants to develop fire
safety plans which take into account personal
objectives, including environmental ones, further work
is needed to develop advice to landholders on how fire
safety and environment needs can be best balanced.
Design and siting options for new buildings may be
constrained by steep slopes, block sizes or financial
considerations. Landowners planning to build may be
reluctant to modify building or landscaping designs to
meet wildfire safety requirements or guidelines and
prefer to clear native vegetation instead. Councils are
responsible for making decisions on applications to
build in high fire risk areas and must take both
community safety and conservation needs into
account. Further work is needed to identify options
for supporting Councils to make decisions which
address both needs.
Goals
Minimise damage and maximise benefits to the
environment from fire prevention activities.
Ensure environmental management standards and
practices are consistent with those of leading fire and
emergency services and land managers.
Improve the understanding of all stakeholders of
environmentally-responsible and effective fire prevention.
Actions
Environmental care guidelines
• Develop guidelines for minimising harm and maximising
benefits from fire prevention.
• Build guidelines into SOPs, awareness - raising and
training for CFA members planning, carrying out or
providing advice on fire prevention.
• Develop a herbicide use policy and guidelines for CFA.
Community development
• Continue to ensure community development programs
identify and service community needs for information
about environmentally-preferred fire prevention practices.
• Use community feedback to enhance other fire
management programs.
• Continue to encourage use of environmentallyresponsible fire prevention by individual landowners,
CFA, Councils and other agencies.
• Develop a practical guide to show how properties and
vegetation can be managed to achieve fire prevention,
scenic and conservation objectives.
• Continue to promote the use of the Roadside Fire
Management Guidelines (CFA 2001) in identifying
and addressing all roadside fire management risks,
including environmental risks.
Land use planning
• Continue to work with DSE, Councils and other
bodies to assist Councils to balance fire safety and
conservation needs relating to the development
of land in areas of high fire risk.
• Continue to promote options other than vegetation
management alone for addressing fire risk in areas
of environmental significance.
• Develop a methodology (in consultation with building,
environment and fire experts) to assist in the
achievement of multiple objectives when sites are
assessed for new dwellings in Wildfire Management
Overlay areas.
Fuel reduction burning
• Work with EPA, DSE and local government to develop a
protocol for management of smoke from prescribed
burning to meet the requirements of the State
Environment Protection Policy (Air Quality Management)
and address in guidelines, procedures and training.
• Work with DSE to develop guidelines on the appropriate
application of fire in areas of significant habitat.
• Continue to raise awareness of the environmental
benefits of fuel reduction burning.
Ecological burning
• Continue to increase understanding of the importance
of appropriate fire regimes in maintaining biodiversity.
• Continue to work with DSE and Parks Victoria to
encourage the development of guidelines and tools for
use by CFA, Councils and landholders.
Municipal fire prevention
Environmental care
• Ensure Municipal Fire Prevention Plans and other
community safety planning addresses environmental
risks and meets agreed environmental care standards.
• Facilitate better integration of Municipal Fire Prevention
Plans and other community safety planning with
conservation plans eg Roadside Management Plans
and Catchment Strategies.
• Develop and promote ways of balancing conflicts
between conservation and community safety objectives.
Capacity building
• Work with Councils and the Municipal Association of
Victoria (MAV) to ensure Municipal Fire Prevention
Officers have or have access to appropriate skills in
environmental care.
• Encourage environmental expertise and information
sharing through fostering partnerships with relevant
agencies including DSE, EPA, Council Conservation
Officers, Catchment Management Authorities and
conservation committees.
• Continue to promote the Roadside Fire Management
Guidelines (CFA 2001) as a tool to assist understanding
of fire prevention and conservation issues.
Looking ahead
• Continue to work with relevant authorities to ensure
better integration of planning for fire prevention and
other land management at the municipal, regional and
state-wide levels.
• Ensure Municipal Fire Prevention Plans and other
community safety planning adequately addresses the
long-term proposed changes in vegetation coverage
planned in Native Vegetation Plans produced by
Catchment Management Authorities, and broad-scale
revegetation planning addresses fire management.
• Continue to work with conservation and agricultural
bodies to develop ways of addressing strategic fire risks
on a regional scale to minimise impacts on
high conservation roadsides and take into account
agricultural land - use trends.
• Continue to work with Councils, DSE and other partners
to develop long-term approaches to manage Phalaris
fuels on roadsides.
CFA supports its service delivery with diverse infrastructure
including information technology and communications
systems, workshops for equipment development and
maintenance and a fleet of 2659 vehicles. CFA has
seven training grounds, which allow our people to train
in simulated emergency conditions. CFA buildings
includes 1275 fire stations and 23 offices (CFA 2002).
Paper
Paper consumption is high. In CFA HQ, we use
approximately 45 reams of paper for each person each
year. Reducing consumption to the national average of
19 reams could give substantial budget savings.
Consideration should also be given to increasing use of
environmentally-friendly papers and inks.
In CFA HQ, we use approximately 45 reams of paper for each
person each year. Reducing consumption to the national
average of 19 reams could give substantial budget savings.
These services and facilities can:
• generate waste and consume energy,
• use resources,
• contribute to greenhouse gas production, and
• impact on water quality and quantity.
The risks to the environment from waste, energy
and other resource consumption is considered to be
moderate, due to the growing community interest in
these issues and support for conservation measures.
Reducing waste and resource use has the potential to
save money in some areas, for example, by reducing
power bills and paper costs. However, other waste and
resource-saving initiatives such as electronic filing
systems will require investment.
It is important that we focus on long-term rather than
short-term gains alone.
Waste
CFA generates significant levels of office waste which
can be avoided. For example, in 2002, Colac regional
office found that 60% of their waste was recyclable
paper, 24% was recyclable glass and plastics, 5% was
compostable while only 4% was not recyclable. They are
now implementing waste minimisation strategies.
Water
Water consumption is not widely measured by CFA
locations. Review of water use and installation of
water management devices in offices and for other
non-operational uses could give considerable savings
over time, as well as saving water. Water re-use
technology is now being used more in office and
residential applications. The potential for use by CFA
and potential savings should be investigated.
Energy
Over a year CFA HQ currently uses about 1,477,000 kWh
of electricity, at a cost of more than $134,000 and 2,000
tonnes of CO2 (or roughly 10 tonnes of CO2 per employee).
While the majority of CFA HQ energy use (56%) is
consumed by air-conditioning, 26% is due to lighting
and another 18% to the use of computers, photocopiers
and other communications equipment (Genesis
Automation, 2000). These figures indicate that there is
substantial opportunity for improvement in energy use.
The Victorian Government has introduced power
targets for all government departments and agencies
that source more than 50% of their funding from
appropriations. They are required to reduce energy use
by 15% and obtain 5% of their power from sustainable
sources by 2005 (Sustainable Energy Authority, 2001a).
While these targets do not bind CFA (we obtain only
22.5% of our funding from appropriations), CFA should
aim to meet these targets. This will generate cost
savings, assist us to keep pace with other Government
agencies and community expectations, and support
the efforts we have already begun.
Goals
The Victorian Government also encourages leadership
from all government departments and agencies in
reducing electricity demand during notified peak use
periods in summer (SEAV 2001b).
Meet specific targets identified to date, including:
CFA commenced programs to reduce waste and
resource use in 2001–2. Achievements to date include
the recycling of old rural firefighting helmets and paper.
Baseline data and an information kit designed to help
sites to evaluate office-related waste and energy issues
and identify improvements has been collated. Things we
can do now to reduce waste and save energy are being
promoted and implemented. Substantial works have
been undertaken in CFA HQ to reduce power
consumption including modifications to the air
conditioning and lighting systems.
With the production of the CFA Design Guide for fire
stations (CFA, in preparation), we have an opportunity
to review the way we build our fire stations and other
facilities and incorporate environmental principles.
Minimise impacts on the environment from CFA’s
support activities and infrastructure.
Meet government guidelines for waste, resource use
and greenhouse gas management.
• Reduce waste at all office locations by 20% by 2008.
• Reduce HQ paper use to the national average
(currently 19 reams/person) by 2008.
• Reduce water use by 10% in all office locations by 2008.
• Encourage foam training and other potentially polluting
activities only in areas that have been designed for that
purpose or meet agreed guidelines.
• Investigate the potential use of solar power and waste
water reuse technology.
Fleet management
• Continue to research and implement ways of improving
the environmental performance of CFA’s fleet.
• Promote driving and fleet management techniques
which minimise greenhouse gas emissions.
• Meet government guidelines for energy use (reduce
energy use by 15% and obtain 5% of energy from
sustainable sources by 2005).
Support and monitor waste and resource use reduction
• Develop a purchasing policy, tools and training to assist
in increasing the use of environmentally friendly products.
• Support the government's voluntary electricity demand
management program where possible.
• Develop guidelines for the sustainable management of
facilities.
Actions
New facilities
• Ensure new facilities meet government guidelines for
environmental performance relating to:
– waste and energy minimisation,
– water efficiency and pollution management,
– landscape and streetscape character,
– construction materials (resource use),
– soil stability, erosion and sedimentation control,
– chemical and fuel storage requirements
(where necessary),
– noise (from sirens, vehicles, people), and
– flora and fauna conservation.
Existing facilities
• Review existing facilities and identify priority
improvements required to improve environmental
performance.
• Ensure fuels, chemicals and other hazardous materials
are stored and handled to meet regulations and
minimise harm to the environment.
• Distribute and maintain an information kit to help sites
to evaluate office - related waste and energy issues and
identify improvements.
• Investigate the introduction of electronic filing
systems and environmentally-preferred paper.
• Investigate the recycling of Class A foam drums and
consider inclusion of recycling of containers in foam
purchase contracts.
• Develop guidelines for minimising water use and pollution.
• Identify and promote activities to minimise waste and
resource consumption in other areas.
• Encourage major sites such as training facilities and
workshops to become ‘Waste Wise’ and ‘Energy Smart’
under established state government programs.
• Collect and promote key data on waste and resource
use and potential cost savings, and monitor and report
on improvements.
• Encourage all sites to commit to and work on
improving waste and resource use and register with
CFA Environment Program.
• Consider use of cost savings for other environmental
initiatives.
Successful implementation of our Environment Policy
requires building environmental considerations into all
aspects of our business.
A sustainable and systematic approach to
improvement is required. While there are some
improvements we can make straight away, many
others will need to be reviewed and approaches
planned. Once specific approaches have been
developed, these will be introduced into CFA.
CFA is establishing an Environmental Management
System to assist us to achieve our environmental aims
and to manage the way we improve. This system is being
developed to meet the international standard for
environmental management, ISO 14001 (Standards
Australia and Standards New Zealand 1996b). It also
incorporates principles of the Risk Management Standard
(Standards Australia and Standards New Zealand 1999).
Environmental improvement will link into existing
business processes, such as business planning
and policy or procedure reviews, as opportunities
arise and as resourcing permits.
The main components of our Environmental
Management System are as follows:
• development of an Environment Policy and Environment
Strategy to ensure shared understanding and
commitment,
Sound information is needed for the development
of appropriate solutions to environmental issues.
Registers of obligations, effects, endorsed treatments
and background information will be maintained to
assist in this.
Development of best practice approaches
Approaches to environmental issues must be
technically sound, but also sustainable for CFA.
We will be able to implement some approaches
straight away. Others will require further development.
Expert groups will be formed on a needs basis to
assist in the:
• identification of issues and approaches,
• development and promotion of guidelines, tools and
training to assist management of environmental issues,
and building this into operational or business guidance,
• development of programs for implementing best
approaches, and
• supporting implementation by others.
Procedures and tools will be developed to assist in the
running of the Environmental Management System.
Determining priority
• implementation (guided by Environment Action Plans),
Priority for implementation (as well as development
of approaches) will be guided by a number of factors
including:
• the degree of risk to environmental values or to CFA,
• review and improvement, and
• the degree of benefit to the environment,
• capacity building and support.
• the ease of implementation,
• planning for best practice (what we do and how we go
about it),
1 Establishing shared understanding and commitment
The CFA Environment Policy will give a sense of
direction for the organisation and targets against
which to measure progress.
The involvement of people in CFA who have an interest
and skills in the environment is critical to identifying and
communicating solutions and on - going motivation.
2 Planning for best practice
Information
• CFA priorities and capacity, and
• other benefits to be gained, such as the contribution
of the issue to building interest and confidence in the
environment program and environmental improvement
in general.
Environment Action Plans are documents which list
environmental management tasks which will be
carried out by a workgroup.
They should identify:
• priority environmental issues for the workgroup,
• ways in which these issues are to be managed by
the workgroup,
• ways in which the workgroup can show leadership in
environmental matters,
• targets and performance measures.
This strategy contains suggested Environment Action
Plans for CFA for the next five years.
These action plans initially focus on the tasks that
should be carried out, primarily by the relevant HQ
business units, in order to develop best practice for
others to adopt. HQ business units will be able to
use actions listed in this document to prepare their
own Environment Action Plans.
As support material and tools are developed for each
program area, other workgroups (including other HQ
units, areas, regions, brigades, or offices) will be
able to use this material to develop their Environment
Action Plans. This approach should help us to avoid
‘reinventing the wheel’.
Environment Action Plans should be incorporated
into other documents including business plans and
performance plans.
Plan development, implementation and monitoring
requires appropriate financial and human resources.
Implementation guidance
We need to develop guidelines and procedures to
guide implementation and review.
Briefings of CFA leaders
•strategy and policy
development process
•obtain feedback
•identify ‘Environmental
Advocates’ and support
involvement in workshop
Workshop of Environmental
Advocates – develop draft
• risk analysis
• strategic directions
• Environment Action Plans
Develop draft policy and strategy
and circulate for comment
Board approval
Publish policy and strategy
Communication and
involvement
Planning for
best practice
Implementation
Document CFA activities, effects,
obligations and best practice
Continue to address
environment issues based
on best available advice
Establish programs (eg Waste)
as required to support and
guide implementation
Implement and update
•review effects/issues
•develop guidelines, procedures,
tools and performance measures
•develop training
•develop program for implementation
Include environmental guidance in
operational or business guidance
Develop Environment Action
Plans Based on agreed rollout,
workgroups (HQ units, areas,
regions or brigades)
• review activities and effects
• develop Environment Action
Plan outlining things they will do.
Strategy document provides
action plans for first five years
or until reviewed.
Monitor, Review and Improve
• responsibility and timelines for addressing the issues,
and
Develop shared understanding
and commitment
Figure 3: CFA Environmental Management System
Include actions from Environment
Action Plans in other plans (eg
business plans, performance plans)
Manage improvement through
• policy • planning for best practice • implementation guidance • review
2 way communication (internal and external)
Capacity building and support
3 Implementation
Implementation of improvement will be guided by
policy, programs, and this strategy document until
superseded by Environment Action Plans, guidelines,
procedures and other tools and training. Until specific
resources are in place, issues will continue to be
managed based on the best advice available.
We will also continue to foster productive partnerships
with external experts, such as EPA and DSE to assist
in developing our approaches. How we will approach
this is outlined in more detail in the section on
‘People and partnerships’.
Goals
– Incorporate endorsed treatments in SOPs
and other policy, procedures and guidelines
as they are developed.
4 Review and improvement
Both the management system and environmental
improvement needs to be reviewed and improved.
Review will take place at the workgroup, regional or
directorate and state - wide level to guide and assess
progress. Review feedback will be incorporated in
action plans and relevant procedures or guidelines
to ensure improvement.
Work towards achieving the aim and principles set out
in the CFA Environment Policy.
– Promote endorsed treatments and incorporate
in training as they are developed.
Success measures will need to evolve as program
development and implementation develops. Initially,
measures will be based upon inputs or outputs rather
than outcomes. For example, success measures could
be introduced as follows:
year 1 rate of uptake of environmental programs
year 2 non - compliance with environmental legislation
year 3 customer satisfaction
year 5 outcome - based measures
(or as they are developed)
5 Supporting and learning from our people
CFA people will be encouraged to develop their own
environmental approaches, by networking with internal
and external experts and to share these with others.
This process will be assisted by the Environment Team.
The capacity of CFA to recognise, develop and
implement high-quality solutions to environmental
issues will be further developed. The involvement and
leadership of informed CFA people throughout CFA will
be critical to success.
We will build on existing networking, information - sharing
and leadership by CFA individuals and teams.
Ensure environmental management is introduced
and managed in an efficient and sustainable way.
Ensure quality approaches to environmental improvement.
Actions
Continue developing CFA’s Environmental
Management System
• Focus initially on policy and planning to support and
guide implementation by HQ units which support areas,
regions and brigades.
• In the interim, continue business as usual based on expert
advice. Issue resolution at a local level should be carried
out in a way, which contributes to and advances our
understanding of issues and approaches across the state.
• Ensure that new proposals address environmental
implications in consultation with the Environment Team.
• Consider seeking accreditation to ISO 14001.
Planning and implementation
• Identify environmental effects, opportunities, obligations
and treatments.
– Maintain information on environmental effects and
treatments.
– Maintain a register of obligations.
• Develop quality approaches to environmental issues.
– Develop statewide programs and service agreements
as a basis for improvement and allocating funding.
– Programs will commence with research of
effects and issues and where necessary testing
of state - wide approaches in partnership with
internal and external experts.
• Develop Environment Action Plan (EAP) checklists,
guidelines and training to assist areas, regions, brigades
and other units within CFA to identify actions they will
take to implement CFA's Environment Policy.
• Encourage key business units to:
– prepare EAPs to identify effects and issues they
will address, appropriate actions and timelines,
– give priority to actions needed to develop best
practice for others to adopt,
– base EAPs on actions contained in this strategy, and
– incorporate EAPs into business and personal
development plans as appropriate, and implement.
Review and monitoring
• As programs are developed, specify performance
measures which can be used to monitor the
effectiveness of the environmental management
system and environmental improvement.
• Monitor uptake and effectiveness of programs
and improvements achieved.
• Monitor cost of introducing improvements and
any cost savings.
• Monitor possible non - compliance with legislation.
• Monitor implementation of this strategy on an annual
basis and incorporate in business reporting processes.
• Review this strategy by 2008.
• Reward success.
Environment Action Plan: People and partnerships
The capacity of CFA to recognise, develop and
implement high-quality solutions to environmental issues
will be further developed through leadership, fostering
pride in our achievements, advice, tools, training and
other support.
We will build on existing expertise, information - sharing
and leadership by CFA individuals and teams.
We will also continue to foster productive partnerships
with external experts, such as EPA and DSE to assist
in developing our approaches.
Community expectations for environmentallyresponsible fire service are high. CFA already has very
strong partnerships with the community and local
government. We will continue to build community trust
through working with the community, Councils,
LandCare and farmer representatives in developing
plans and proposals that affect the environment and
promote good examples of environmental care by CFA.
• Further develop and recognise internal partnerships
between the Environment Team and other units.
Partnerships with teams could involve:
– provision of advice or presentations,
– training,
– assistance with developing Environment
Action Plans, and
– involvement in project teams or committees.
• Encourage registration of teams and projects involving
environmental issues with the Environment Team.
• Continue to develop partnerships with external
organisations to assist us with environmental issues.
Formalise partnerships with DSE and EPA.
• Develop reporting on achievements and reward progress.
• Develop inclusive programs to enable learning from CFA
people and assist acceptance of recommendations.
It is also important that we enhance community
understanding of key issues.
Enhance community partnerships
• Continue to promote best practice by CFA to build
community trust.
Goals
• Investigate how community concerns regarding
environment can be taken into account in existing
planning processes, such as fire prevention planning
and management of fuel reduction burning.
Support our people in environmental improvement.
Develop a shared understanding of issues and
approaches and commitment to environmental care.
Actions
Enhance partnerships within CFA
• Where appropriate, encourage and support involvement
of individuals involved in environmental care issues.
Assist these people to act as ‘Environmental Advocates’.
Further develop the role and identity of this group.
Recognise the potentially significant contribution of this
group to raising awareness of environmental issues.
• Continue to promote environmentally-friendly fire
prevention practices with Councils and the wider
community.
Build CFA skills
• Continue to seek CFA ideas on environmental
improvement.
• Continue to provide advice to CFA people on
environmental care through accessible media.
• Develop appropriate environmental training.
• Build environmental training into existing training
as much as possible, to enhance its effectiveness.
• Work with AFAC to promote and implement
environmental care advice and accredited training.
Bibliography
and Appendices
Key legislation
Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994
Country Fire Authority Act 1958
Dangerous Goods Act 1985
Dangerous Goods (Storage and Handling)
Regulations 2000
Emergency Management Act 1986
Environment Protection Act 1970
Environment Protection and Biodiversity
Conservation Act 1999
Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988
Planning and Environment Act 1987
Water Act 1989
Publications
CFA (in preparation) CFA design guide for fire stations.
3M Australia Pty Ltd (1999) Material safety data sheet:
FC - 600 Light water brand ATC AFFF fire fighting foam.
Commonwealth of Australia (1992) Inter- governmental
agreement on the environment.
3M Australia Pty Ltd (2001a) Material safety data sheet:
FC -206CE Light water (TM) AFFF fire fighting foam.
Commonwealth of Australia (1992) National strategy
for ecologically sustainable development. Environment
Australia.
3M Australia Pty Ltd (2001b) Material safety data
sheet: FC - 3034 Light water (TM) AFFF fire fighting foam.
Adams,R. (2000) Ecological effects of Class A foams
and their impacts on Australian ecosystems. Report to
Country Fire Authority, Victoria, Australia.
CSIRO (2001) Climate change predictions for Australia.
Climate Impact Group Publication.
Adams, R. and Simmons, D. (2001) Potential
environmental impacts of wildfire prevention and
suppression activities. Report to Country Fire Authority,
Victoria, Australia.
Department of Infrastructure (2002) Melbourne 2030:
Planning for sustainable growth
Aldbourne Associates in Australia (1995) Fire
Prevention – addressing attitudes and motivations to
avoid ecological damage. Report on a study conducted
on behalf of the Department of Natural Resources and
Environment.
Department of Natural Resources and Environment
(1997) Victoria’s biodiversity: Directions in management.
Anderson, Lowe, Preece and Crouch (2001)
Incorporating biodiversity into Environmental
Management Systems. Department of Natural
Resources and Environment.
Australian Bureau of Statistics (1996) Australians and
the environment.
Australian Bureau of Statistics (2000) Environmental
issues: People’s views and practices.
Australian Bureau of Statistics (2001) Environmental
issues: People’s views and practices.
Australian Conservation Foundation (2000) Natural
Advantage. Blueprint for a sustainable Australia.
Australian Greenhouse Office (2001) The national
greenhouse gas inventory 1999. Fact Sheet 3.
CFA (2001) Roadside fire management guidelines.
CFA (2003a) CFA at a glance. Quick reference guide.
CFA (2003b) CFA Environment Policy
Commonwealth of Australia (1998) The national
greenhouse strategy. Australian Greenhouse office.
Department of Natural Resources and Environment (1995)
Code of practice for fire management on public land.
(2000a) Victorian greenhouse strategy discussion paper.
(2002b) Victorian greenhouse strategy.
(2002c) Healthy communities and regional growth –
draft Victorian river health strategy.
(2002d) Restoring our catchments. Victoria’s native
vegetation management framework.
(2002e) 2002-2005 Department of Natural Resources
and Environment corporate plan summary.
www.nre.vic.gov.au
Department of Natural Resources and Environment and
CFA (1999) Fire in the Australian landscape.
EPA (2001a) State environment protection policy
(air quality management).
EPA (2001b) State environment protection policy
(ambient air quality).
EPA, DNRE and CFA (2001) Draft state environment
protection policy (air quality management) background
paper: prescribed burning, waste burning and air
quality. Publication number 749.
Productivity Commission (1999) Final report on
ecologically sustainable land management.
Esplin, Gill and Enright (2003) Interim report of the
Inquiry into the 2002-2003 Victorian bushfires.
Public Accounts and Estimates Committee (2000) Follow
up Inquiry into environmental accounting and reporting.
Esplin, Gill and Enright (2003) Report of the Inquiry
into the 2002 – 2003 Victorian bushfires.
Standards Australia and Standards New Zealand (1996a)
Dangerous goods initial emergency response guide.
Fire Ecology Working Group (1999a) Management of
fire for the conservation of biodiversity. Workshop
proceedings. Department of Natural Resources and
Environment, Melbourne.
Standards Australia and Standards New Zealand (1996b)
Environmental management systems – specification with
guidance for use (ISO 14001: 1996).
Fire Ecology Working Group (1999b) Interim Guidelines
and Procedures for Ecological Burning on Public Land in
Victoria. Department of Natural Resources and
Environment
Fire Ecology Working Group (2002) Analysis of
disturbance by fire on public land in Victoria.
Department of Natural Resources and Environment and
Parks Victoria, Melbourne.
Public Accounts and Estimates Committee (1999)
Inquiry into environmental accounting and reporting.
Standards Australia and Standards New Zealand (1999)
Risk Management (AS/NZS 4360 – 1999).
Sustainable Energy Authority (2001a) Energy efficient
government buildings. Sustainable Energy Authority
Victoria.
Sustainable Energy Authority (2001b) Guidelines for
electricity demand management within government.
Sustainable Energy Authority Victoria.
Fowles (2001) The ecotoxicity of fire-water runoff, Part III:
Proposed framework for risk management. New Zealand
Fire Service Commission. Research Report no. 19.
Fowles, Person and Noiton (2001) The ecotoxicity of firewater runoff, Part I: Review of the literature. New Zealand
Fire Service Commission. Research Report no. 17.
Genesis Automation (2000) Energy audit of CFA
Headquarters.
Government of Victoria (2000) ‘Growing Victoria
Together’ Summit, March 2000. www.premier.vic.gov.au
Government of Victoria (2001) Growing Victoria together
www.growingvictoria.vic.gov.au
Government of Victoria (2003) Final Report from the
Ministerial Taskforce on bushfire recovery
International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives
(ICLEI) (2000) Green purchasing good practice guide.
Appendix 1
Summary of key environmental
obligations
Information on the full list of environmental obligations
is maintained by CFA's Environmental Manager.
Environment Protection Act 1970
The purpose of this Act is to create a legislative
framework for the protection of the environment in
Victoria. It encourages the effective integration of
economic, social and environmental considerations in
decision making. The adoption of sound environmental
practices for the benefit of present and future
generations and the environment is also encouraged.
Chemicals employed by CFA in the suppression
and prevention of fire and training are likely to
be considered ‘waste’ for the purposes of the
Environment Protection (EP) Act.
S30B(1) provides that it is a defence to any offense
under the Act if discharge of waste occurs in an
emergency situation and the EPA is notified promptly
of the discharge.
S45E regulates littering.
Examples of where CFA may need to comply with the
EP Act include works approvals (s19A), State
Environment Protection Policies (SEPPs) (s16), the
licensing of Schedule 1 premises (s20), discharge of
waste into water (s38), air (s40), discharge of waste
onto land (s44) and transport of waste (s53A(2)).
A series of SEPPs address the protection of water
quality from polluting activities. The SEPP (Air Quality
Management) specifies that a protocol be developed
to manage prescribed burning and the impacts of
smoke. CFA has already indicated willingness to be
involved in the development of protocol.
Conservation Act 1999 (Commonwealth)
Conservation values of national significance are
protected by the Commonwealth’s Environment
Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act
1999. The Act provides for a Commonwealth
environmental assessment and approval process for
actions which may have a significant impact on
matters of national significance (such as species or
communities of national significance).
Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988
The objectives of the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act
1988 are:
• that Victoria’s flora and fauna can survive, flourish and
retain their potential for evolutionary development in the wild,
• to conserve Victoria’s communities of flora and fauna, and
• to manage potentially threatening processes.
CFA is considered a public authority for the purposes of
the FFG Act. Section 4(2) provides that ‘a public authority
must be administered so as to have regard to the flora
and fauna conservation and management principles’.
As CFA is not considered an agent of the Crown,
section 6 which specifies permits for removal (killing,
removal or destroying) of protected flora does not
appear to apply to CFA.
Planning and Environment Act 1987
Section 4(1) of the Planning and Environment (PE) Act
1987 sets out objectives of planning in Victoria.
These objectives include, amongst other things,
the sustainable use of land and the protection of
resources, and maintenance of ecological processes.
Under the PE Act, Native Vegetation Clearance Controls
are included in all planning schemes to restrict the
removal of native vegetation except by Council permit.
Currently, there are exemptions from gaining a permit
under this legislation if the proposed clearance relates
to firefighting measures, periodic fuel reduction, or
other specified fire prevention works.
Glossary
Abbreviations
AFAC
Australasian Fire Authorities Council
CFA
Country Fire Authority
DOI
Department of Infrastructure
EAP
Environment Action Plan
Ecological burning
EPA
Environment Protection Authority
The application of fire to achieve ecological (environmental)
objectives.
EPBC Act
Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999.
Ecologically-sustainable
DSE
Service delivery is ecologically- sustainable when the
environment, on which life depends, is maintained and where
possible enhanced for the benefit of future generations.
Department of Sustainability and Environment
(formerly DNRE)
DNRE
Former Department of Natural Resources and
Environment (now DSE and DPI)
Environment
DPI
Department of Primary Industries (formerly DNRE)
The atmosphere, land, water and the life it supports.
HAZMAT
Hazardous materials
Environment Action Plan
HQ
Headquarters
Environment Action Plans are plans which identify environmental
management tasks to be carried out by a workgroup.
ICLEI
International Council for Local
Environmental Initiatives
Environmental Management System
ISO
International Standards Organisation
Part of the overall management system of an organisation
that includes organisational structure, planning activities,
responsibilities, practices, procedures, processes and
resources for developing, implementing, achieving, reviewing and
maintaining the environmental policy (Standards Australia and
Standards New Zealand 1996).
NSW
New South Wales
MFPC
Municipal Fire Prevention Committee
MFPP
Municipal Fire Prevention Plan
PAEC
Victorian Public Accounts and Estimates Committee
RECEO
Rescue, Exposure, Contain, Extinguish,
Overhaul (suppression checklist)
SEPP
State Environment Protection Policy
SEPP (AAQ)
SEPP (Ambient Air Quality)
SEPP (AQM)
SEPP (Air Quality Management)
ISO 14001
SO
Chief Officer's Standing Order
The international standard for environmental management
(Standards Australia and Standards New Zealand 1996b).
SOP
Chief Officer's Standard Operating Procedure
Biodiversity
Biodiversity means ‘the variety of all life forms – the different
plants, animals, and micro - organisms, the genes they contain
and the ecosystems of which they form part’ (DNRE, 1997).
Fire regime
The combination of fire frequency, intensity, season, extent or
coverage. These features will determine the effects of fire on
the environment.
Prescribed burning
Burning for fuel reduction and other land management needs.

CFA Environment Strategy

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