Matthew Abbott’s photo of melted aluminium running in rivers from beneath a burnt out car at Lake Conjola won 2nd Prize in the World Press Photo Awards in the Spot News Stories category.
Conjola Park photo wins 2nd Prize at World Press Photo Contest
Bushfire Royal Commission Up and Running
The Royal Commission is up and running and you can find a link to the Opening and the complete transcrpt in this post.
We also review an excellent Sydney Mormning Herald article which quotes VFFA President Mick Holton.
Resilience
Early in 2019, Vic Jurskis warned on the Volunteer Fire Fighters Association website, that in the event of severe fire weather, all the bush from Bairnsdale to Sydney would be incinerated due to an unprecedented accumulation of three-dimensionally continuous fuel. In extreme weather, such fuel inevitably creates firestorms with long distance ember showers. Firebreaks, fire engines and waterbombers can’t stop them.
In this article, Vic shares his thoughts as the NSW Fire inquiry reviews 1000 submissions.
What saved Kurrajong Heights from the Gospers Mountain fire?
The Hawkesbury Gazette published a very good report on the presentation to the Kurrajong Heights Community made by VFFA Vice President Brian Williams and his brigade. The story contains links to the Gazette article and the Report to the Community
Fighting Fire with Fire
THe ABC have done a great job with their Australian Story on Victor Steffensen and Aboriginal Burning called “Fighting Fire wiith Fire”.
By following Victor’s teachings we have the potential to properly restore our bushland. The elimination of mega fires is a most welcome by-product.
Thank you cards and letters from Scouts in the US
The VFFA received a bunch of thank you cards and letters from Scouts in the US.
The cards and letters were sent by Samantha Palmer and the VFFA has produced this short video to say thanks.
The cards, letters and video acknowledges the hard work by all firefighters in Australia and those from other countries that deployed to assist.
A big thank you to all of the Scouts for their cards and letters, you support is very much appreciated.
Comprehensive Kangaroo Valley Submission to the NSW Enquiry
Captain Matthew Gray and his team from the Kangaroo Valley Community Busshfire Committee have completed a comprehensive submission to the NSW Independent Bushfire Inquiry.
Kangaroo Valley look to be leading the way in proper community consultation and the submission really highlights the benefits that can be achieved. It also shows the importance of devolving responsibility to a local level and involving all government agencies in the solution.
Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements
The Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements was established on 20 February 2020 in response to the extreme bushfire season of 2019-20 which resulted in loss of life, property and wildlife and environmental destruction.
Referred to as the ‘Bushfires Royal Commission’, the Commission will examine coordination, preparedness for, response to and recovery from disasters as well as improving resilience and adapting to changing climatic conditions and mitigating the impact of natural disasters. The inquiry will also consider the legal framework for Commonwealth involvement in responding to national emergencies.
The Commission is now accepting public submissions on the 2019-20 bushfire season from individuals, community groups and the broader community.
Submissions will now close Tuesday 28th April 2020.
RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons takes up a new role (Resilience NSW)
The Premier, Gladys Berejiklian will be announcing tomorrow morning (6th April 2020), the creation of a new NSW Government agency, Resilience NSW.
The Premier will also confirm, effective 1st May, that Shane Fitzsimmons will be taking up the role of Commissioner, Resilience NSW and Deputy Secretary, Emergency Management, in the newly created agency.
Make a submission to the bushfire inquiry
The NSW Government has commissioned an independent expert inquiry into the 2019-20 bushfire season to provide input to NSW ahead of the next bushfire season.