ACEFAC 2014 * Framing Engagement Through Cultural Awareness and Understanding
David Curry
Senior Project Officer BRAC
NSW Rural Fire Service
Zofie Lahodney-Gecso
Fire Mitigation Officer
Far North Coast
NSW Rural Fire Service
Jamie Bertram
Mid North Coast Community Safety Officer
NSW Rural Fire Service
Many isolated and remote Aboriginal communities are in high bush fire risk areas. The management of hazards within these areas can be influenced by cultural and social issues. Organisations such as the NSW Rural Fire Service can be challenged to identify and connect with community members to effect change in attitudes and behaviours.
A number of innovative programs are being employed by NSW Rural Fire Service to empower community members to understand and manage risk through development of trust relationships, identification of people of influence, and respect for cultural identity and practice.
These include the Bush Fire Resilience for Aboriginal Communities (BRAC) Program being applied in communities across the State, and programs in the North Coast to have Aboriginal communities participate in bush regeneration and culturally relevant burning, as well as around introducing cultural awareness programs.