There is an LRD map available for every CFA Brigade area.

The LRD platform will be eMap, as it will maintain inter-operational compatibility with current systems such as EM-COP.

In a Command Vehicle fitted with a tablet type computer, the information will be accessible on eMap.

On your personal device, LRD maps will be accessible by either downloading a printable PDF map from Members Online or on previously downloaded mobile mapping software on to your personal device.

If you do not have access to a device, there is an ability to print a hard copy map and take it with you.

The intent is for every brigade to upload locally important operational information to ensure if the local brigade is unavailable, the next responding brigade can operate with the same level of local understanding as the home brigade. This online review and update process is currently being developed.

Background

CFA’s Local Response Plans (LRP) were implemented following the 2009 Bushfires. Along with Community Information Guides (CIG), these formed the Township Protection Plan.

Local Response Plans (LRP) have been a component of bushfire preparedness arrangements, capturing knowledge in relation to bushfire risk, impact and consequence. Local Response plans had been completed for 278 locations.

In 2019, CFA commissioned a review of LRP to investigate usage, information quality and options for future development of the product. The review found that: “LRPs, as an example of local pre-incident planning, must be recognised as standard good practice in agency preparedness and incident management.” It also concluded that: “The format of the current LRP is not considered appropriate and should, where practicable, be in a spatial format supported by narrative where necessary.”

In February 2021, a Local Response Plan Working Group was established, with membership representing Staff and Volunteers. The Working Group was convened to consider the recommendations of the “Review of Local Response Planning for Country Fire Authority” (Authored by Geoff Conway 2019) and to develop a strategy to improve the usability and relevance of the LRP.

Issues Considered

The working party considered the following current issues:

Usage of LRPs - The current PDF version has low reported usage and limited operational application.

Accessibility of the LRP’s. – The current LRP format is a paper-based PDF document. With the ongoing transition to digital products, the current LRP is incompatible with mapping and management systems currently in use across the sector.

Maintenance of the current LRPs. – Many of the currently available LRP's require updating. Information sources changed regularly often requiring an annual review and update.

The LRP name does not accurately reflect the use of the product, ie. it is an information resource rather than a “plan.”

Information should be available across every location.

Working Party Intent

The Working Group agreed definition of the LRD aligns with the Mission Command principle: Providing local information on critical infrastructure and risk to enable someone new or unfamiliar to the area to make good decisions utilising their training, skills and experience.

Local Response Data (2023-2024)

Information available state-wide, for the 2023-2024 summer fire season.

The LRD platform will be eMap, as it will maintain inter-operational compatibility with current systems such as EM-COP.

Creating State-wide Geo-Referenced PDF’s maps will allow information to be accessed on personal mobile devices using mobile mapping applications.

In major incidents, a QR Codes for LRD Maps, can be sent to responding brigades or accessed at a staging area.

A brigade based QR code catalogue is available on CFA members online, with a map for every brigade available. https://www.members.cfa.vic.gov.au/tools/maps-online

Local Response Data maps for CFA brigades is available at: https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/lrd_maps