Expert members of the fire protection industry come together for a major policy debate at the Fire Australia 2012 Conference & Exhibition, Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, November 14-16.
The organisers say in recent years Australia has experienced some of the most devastating fire incidents in our nations’ history, while at the same time, a systematic reduction in government funding for fire services is continuing across almost all states and territories.
With this in mind, they ask if we have the right balance between fire prevention and fire response in Australia, or should fundamental changes be considered?
The debate will address the motion: ‘Australian authorities spend excessive resources on anticipation of fire and fail to adequately recognize the impact and consequences of fire’.
Organisers say the session will be positioned in the context of fire incidents and regulatory changes including:
Bankstown Apartment Fire
This tragic incident where one person lost their life and another was seriously injured has raised significant community concerns about fire safety in multi-story buildings that may lead to regulatory change.
Quakers Hill Nursing Home Fire
The heart breaking events surrounding this fire that resulted in the deaths of 11 people have prompted the NSW Government to legislate to include requirements for installation of mandatory sprinklers in existing nursing homes.
Black Saturday Bushfire
Although three years and a royal commission have passed the effects of this day are still being felt through the community and the associated industries. But are residents and local councils any better prepared?
Fire Service Budget Cuts
Despite the incidents above, severe budget cutbacks are currently affecting both metropolitan and regional fire services around Australia. Potential impacts of these cuts include increased charges for monitoring and responding to automatic fire alarms, reduced community services and a reduction in fire safety inspections.
Supporting the motion will be Lawrence Reddaway, experienced fire engineer and expert witness in building disputes related to fire protection, and Peter Johnson, ARUP Fellow, experienced fire engineer and FPA Australia Past National President.
Opposing the motion will be Andre Mierzwa, Chief Engineering Technical Specialist at FM Global, who brings four decades of technical expertise and understanding to the debate, and Graeme Thom, experienced fire officer, current Brisbane City Fire Commander and FPA Australia Board of Directors Member.
Johnson said he hoped the debate would ignite vigorous discussion in the industry and the community.
“The conference theme this year is ‘the true cost of fire’ and we definitely believe that this has not been the focus of enough attention in Australia,” he said.
“Fire causes approximately 100 fatalities in Australia each year and injures approximately 3000 people, however the societal, economic and psychological impacts of fire run a lot deeper than these statistics reveal.”
“With this in mind, it is vitally important that a closer examination of the consequences of fire be undertaken in Australia.”
Mierzwa said his team would focus on the damaging impacts that any reduction in resourcing for fire fighting, anticipation and prevention would have on the community.
“Given the already bare bones resourcing situation for fire services in most states and territories around Australia, now is not the time to be considering any move away from front line fire fighting and prevention,” he said.
“This is a view that is backed up by research, with all industry experts cited in the Total Cost of Fire in Australia Report (Ashe et al: 2008), predicting an increase in consequences if the investment in anticipation and / or response to fires in Australia was reduced.”
The debate will be chaired by fire industry legend and FPA Australia Past National President, Barry Lee OAM and the session will conclude with an open discussion on the topic for all attendees. The outcome of the debate and discussion will be a series of recommendations, which will be tabled in a report to be distributed to attendees and other relevant stakeholders upon conclusion of Fire Australia 2012.
Anyone interested in the future direction of fire safety and prevention in Australia is strongly encouraged to attend this important event and participate in the discussion.
More information about the debate, including full speaker bios and relevant research papers, can be accessed from the Fire Australia Conference & Exhibition website at www.fireaustralia.com.au.
