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The State Fire Management Council (SFMC) is an independently chaired body established under Section 14 of the Fire Service Act 1979.

The mission of SFMC is to enhance the efficient management of bushfire related risk in Tasmania in order to protect life, property and significant community values.

SFMC provide advice to the Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management and State Fire Commission about vegetation fire management across Tasmania, particularly in the areas of prevention and mitigation of fires.

The SFMC Strategic Direction Framework focuses on:

Research and Innovation; by supporting and promoting bushfire research and innovation,
Policy; by providing evidence based public policy advice and information
Community Capacity and Awareness; by building community capacity and awareness to support bushfire resilient communities
Communication and Collaboration; through building and supporting public and private sector partnerships and collaboration
Vegetation Fire Management Planning; by enabling strategic, effective and collaborative vegetation fire management planning in Tasmania
Governance; facilitating efficient and effective governance and resource management.

What's New...

The Tasmanian Government is seeking applications from persons interested in the role of Chair, State Fire Management Council; with appointments to be made in November 2024.

The SFMC is an independently chaired body, established under Section 14 of the Fire Service Act 1979 (the Act). Its mission is to enhance the efficient management of bushfire related risk in Tasmania in order to protect life, property, and significant community values.

Under Section 15 of the Act the SFMC has the following functions:

To develop a state vegetation fire management policy to be used as the basis for all fire management planning in Tasmania;
To advise and report regularly to the Minister on such matters relating to the administration of the Act, as it applies to vegetation fire management, as referred to it by the Minister and on such matters concerning vegetation fire management as, in the opinion of the Council, should be brought to the attention of the Minister;
To advise the State Fire Commission (the Commission) on such matters relating to the prevention and extinguishment of vegetation fires as are referred to it by the Commission or land managers and on such other matters as, in the opinion of the Council, should be brought to the attention of the Commission;
To perform such other functions relating to the prevention or extinguishment of vegetation fires as the Minister may direct;
To provide an annual report to the Minister on its activities, for inclusion in the annual report of the Commission.

Council membership is specified under Section 14 of the Act and consists of

a person nominated by the Minister;
the Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner (formerly Chief Officer, TFS);
a nominee of the Chief Officer;
the chief executive officer of the Forestry corporation;
a nominee of the chief executive officer of the Forestry corporation;
the Director of National Parks and Wildlife;
a nominee of the Director of National Parks and Wildlife;
a person nominated by the Tasmanian Farmers' and Graziers' Association;
a person nominated by the Tasmanian Forest Products Association; and
a person nominated by the Local Government Association of Tasmania.

The role of Chair is remunerated at a rate of $35,000 per annum, recognising responsibilities incumbent upon the Chair, in particular, the expectation that the Chairperson will take on a high public profile to speak on bushfire prevention matters on behalf of the Council; and that the meeting load has increased from four to six times a year with further out-of-session work required.

Submissions are encouraged from appropriately qualified persons with skills, knowledge, or experience in relevant fields, as well as experience in leadership and governance.

Evidence on these matters should be included in your application, which is to be submitted by close of business on Monday 21 October 2024.

Further information is available by email on sfmc@fire.tas.gov.au or by telephone on (03) 6166 5606.

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Red Hot Tips

Create your own 5 MINUTE Bushfire Plan, in 3 easy steps

Making a choice to leave or stay when a bushfire threatens is too late. You and your loved ones’ safety and survival during a bushfire will depend on how prepared you are, and the decisions you make. TFS recommends having a Bushfire Plan and sharing it with household members, neighbours and friends. Don’t wait, create your 5 MINUTE Bushfire Plan now.

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New Fire Prevention at Forest Operations Procedure

A new procedure has been developed by the Tasmanian Forest Industry Fire Management Committee (FIFMC). The objective of the procedure is to minimise the incidence of wildfire resulting from forest and related operations. It outlines minimum fire equipment requirements for forest operations and procedures to follow to reduce the risk of fire.

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Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements

SFMC provided a submission to the Royal Commission, the submission can be viewed here.