The Western Australian government today announced that Fire
Protection Association Australia (FPA Australia) is the first
organisation to be recognised as an accrediting body for Bushfire
Practitioners in accordance with the state's Bushfire Accreditation
Framework released earlier this year.
FPA Australia has been working closely with the state government
to develop an appropriate framework for the recognition of
individuals who undertake bushfire assessments which is based on
similar systems that are in operation in other parts of
Australia.
The Framework sets out the Government's road map for
establishing a professional bushfire practitioner industry and is
in response to recommendations made in an independent review into
the Perth Hills bushfire which occurred in February 2011.
FPA Australia is the national peak body for fire safety that
provides information, services and education to the fire protection
industry and the community. Association CEO Scott Williams said the
move was good news for the Western Australian Bushfire Planning
industry and the community.
"This is a proactive and responsible approach from the Western
Australian government and we are pleased to see such a positive
move towards professional recognition for practitioners undertaking
this important and potentially lifesaving work," he said.
"Ensuring that only appropriately skilled and competent
practitioners are engaged to conduct bushfire planning work in
Western Australia is critically important for maintaining community
safety in bushfire prone areas."
To support the accreditation of Level 1 BAL Assessors and the
introduction of legislative changes to planning and building in
bushfire-prone areas, FPA Australia will be providing two specific
training courses to address the roles and responsibilities for a
range of professionals who will be involved in this field of
work.
The first course is a 5 day short course that provides
participants with the required skills, knowledge and ability to
determine a Bushfire Attack Level and provide advice on the
required construction provisions.
The second course is a two day awareness course that provides
participants with a broad understanding of the new building and
planning requirements for development in bushfire prone areas in
Western Australia.
The training courses will commence in September and are expected
to be available throughout 2015 and 2016. Courses will be
held in both metropolitan and regional centres. A detailed
course schedule and enrolment form and Frequently Asked Questions
document can be downloaded from www.fpaa.com.au/training.
In Western Australia the draft State Planning Policy 3.7
Planning for bushfire risk management strongly recommends the use
of accredited BAL Assessors and Bushfire Practitioners to determine
Bushfire Attack Levels and prepare Bushfire Management Plans.
A practitioner accredited under FPA Australia's BPAD Scheme will be
recognised as an accredited person under this policy.
The implementation of an accreditation scheme for bushfire
practitioners will support future changes to the planning and
building requirements for bushfire-prone land in Western Australia
that are expected to be implemented later this year. The aim
is to have a cohort of individuals accredited prior to the
implementation of these essential changes.
The initial launch of the BPAD Scheme in Western Australia will
offer accreditation of practitioners as Level 1 BAL
Assessors. This level accredits an individual to provide
Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) assessments and to provide general
advice in relation to the building requirements related to a
determined BAL. It is expected that additional levels of
accreditation covering activities related to the preparation of
bushfire management plans and other planning related activities
will be announced soon.
The creation of a professional bushfire practitioner industry
with appropriate levels of training and accreditation will:
- enable effective, professional and consistent advice for
land-use planning and building decision processes;
- improve bushfire risk management measures being applied to land
uses and development;
- provide individuals with professional standing and expertise to
provide BAL assessments and provide bushfire planning and design
services; and
- improve the safety of local communities and strengthen
community resilience to bushfire events.
The BPAD scheme has already been successfully implemented in New
South Wales and Victoria. For further information on the BPAD
Scheme and to apply for accreditation as a Level 1 BAL Assessor,
visit www.fpaa.com.au/bpad.