Monaro RFS

The Bush Fire Coordinating Committee (BFCC) is a NSW statutory body representing the Crown, established under the provisions of the Rural Fires Act 1997 and the Rural Fires Regulation 2002 (the Act and Reg).

The BFCC meets 4 times a year, it is the parent committee of the BFMCs and determines the guidelines and requirements for their operations.

The purpose of the BFMC is to provide cooperative interaction between organisations, agencies and the community for coordinated bush fire management in the BFMC’s area.

The Principles of the BFMC

1. All activities of the BFMC must be undertaken in accordance with the policies and directions issued by the BFCC
2. Statutory roles and responsibilities of government agencies and rights of land holders are to be recognised and respected
3. All activities are to be undertaken having regard to the principles of ecologically sustainable development described in section 6 of the Protection of the Environment Administration Act 1991
4. The BFMC is to work closely with its community on all matters relative to the protection of land, life, property, socio-economic values and the environment from bush fires
5. Decisions of the BFMC are to be by consensus
6. The BFMC has no power to conduct or take part in fire fighting or fire prevention activities

BFMCs exist to ensure that bush fire management is adequately assessed, designed and executed. They provide a forum for cooperative and coordinated bush fire management and community involvement.

BFMC responsibilities and objectives are grouped into the following themes:

Preparation of plans

1. Prepare, monitor and maintain a bush fire risk management plan for the BFMC’s area of responsibility in accordance with the process issued by the BFCC
2. Prepare, monitor and maintain an operations coordination plan (plan of operations) for the BFMC’s area of responsibility in accordance with the process issued by the BFCC

Please note: The Bush Fire Risk Management Plans for Bombala and the Snowy Monaro BFMCs (including DRAFT versions) will be published on this web site as appropriate.

Coordination/cooperation between organisations/agencies

1. Provide a forum for discussion and familiarisation between organisations, agencies, groups and individuals, leading to cooperative and coordinated bush fire management in its area
2. Help to coordinate bush fire mitigation works programs and funding applications in the BFMC’s area of responsibility
3. Identify and utilise opportunities for relevant multi-agency training activities

Consultation/communication between organisations/agencies and the community

The BFMC provides a forum for discussion between the community and organisations/agencies on bush fire management issues

Facilitation and education

The BFMC identifies and facilitates the utilisation of opportunities for multi-organisation/agency community education and consultation activities

Monitoring and reporting

The BFMC monitors and reports on hazard reduction activities in accordance with the BFCC’s directions

Provision of local advice/opinion

The BFMC participates in the prioritisation and assessment of bids for funding for bush fire mitigation works