OBRM is supported by an expert Advisory Panel that comprises executive representatives from Victorian government departments and agencies with fuel and land management responsibilities as well as four independent knowledge experts with technical expertise in bushfire risk modelling and management, fire ecology, community behaviour change and land use planning.
The panel provides advice to the DEECA Secretary on agreed priority focus areas to assist us in leading and coordinating the implementation of evidence-based bushfire risk management across all public and private land in Victoria, including fuel management, alongside a wider suite of measures to reduce bushfire risk to communities and the things they care about most.
The panel is appointed by the Minister for Environment, with OBRM providing secretariat support. The panel meets quarterly or as required. New members were appointed to the panel in July 2023, following inaugural appointments in 2021.
Panel Members
Role | Member |
---|---|
Chairperson | Gary Morgan AM AFSM |
Chief Fire Officer - DEECA | Chris Hardman |
Deputy Chief Fire Officer - CFA | Alen Slijepcevic |
Acting Deputy Commissioner – FRV | Tony O'Day |
Lead Director, Emergency Coordination Resilience and Local Government Emergencies– DGS | Dan Harper |
Executive Director, Network Change – DTP | Jimmy O'Connell |
Bushfire risk modelling and management expert | Dr Trent Penman |
Fire ecology expert | Associate Professor Lauren Bennett |
Community behaviour change expert | Dr Katharine Haynes |
Land use planning expert | Margaret Baird |
Emergency Management Commissioner – EMV (ex officio member) | Rick Nugent |
Secretary – DEECA (standing observer) | John Bradley |
Director, OBRM (standing observer) | Courtney Bertram |
*The Emergency Management Commissioner is a standing member of the Advisory Panel, representing Emergency Management Victoria and ensuring links to Victoria’s integrated emergency management arrangements and associated preparedness and assurance activities.
OBRM is working with the Traditional Owner Corporation Caucus to seek nominations for up to two Traditional Owner representatives to the panel, in line with the panel’s Terms of Reference.
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