Title: Overview of Bushfire Resilience Project for NSW Aboriginal Communities
Principle Topic: How emergency management is responding to future challenges
Presenter: Paul Smith, Regional Manager NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS)

The goal is to increase the resilience of identified aboriginal communities to threats posed by fire by undertaking;
• Hazard and risk assessments
• Provide recommendations/strategies
• Integrate recommendations into established hazard management processes, capability and planning.

The Project aligns to NSW Governments strategies in the ‘Keeping Our Mob Safe 2007’ and ‘Two Ways Together’ plans.

A multi-hazard approach was used to assess hazards and risks affecting 34 Aboriginal communities. The assessments took into account areas surrounding the community, within the community and included individual residences. It also identified possible hazards or risk that are the responsibility of other agencies.

Using a consultative approach, NSW RFS officers engaged with key stakeholders and locals on site to talk about the community. Aboriginal community members were able to articulate the fire risks/hazards within their community. These issues were analysed by the NSW RFS, put into a report that included priorities, risk assessments and draft works programs. Reports were sent to all relevant stakeholders, including the Local Aboriginal Land Council. In many instances works were undertaken to minimise identified risks soon after the visit.

A number of benefits were realised including:
• A risk assessment report for each aboriginal community
• Training and/or preparedness equipment provided to aboriginal communities
• Hazard reduction activities undertaken or planning undertaken to reduce fuel loads
• Excellent engagement between local Aboriginal Communities and the RFS
• Provided a platform to strengthen relationships between the NSW RFS, Aboriginal Lands Council and discrete aboriginal communities
• Flexible membership opportunities for Aboriginal communities
• Potential increase in aboriginal membership with the NSW RFS.

Stage two, to action the recommendations will be undertaken as a joint project with the NSW Aboriginal Land Council.