Collaboration and Networks
The AFAC Collaboration and Networking Model underpins the way we work and supports the subject matter experts who come together to share knowledge and solve common problems. The features of the Model include:
- Provides clear linkages between Council, the Board and the activities of the Groups and Networks
- Provides different mechanisms for operating depending on subject matter and needs of the particular groups
- Provides for accountability through more rigorous reporting and the measurement of performance targets (where possible and practicable)
- Provides for greater flexibility within which collaboration and networking can occur
- Focuses on work outputs but continues to facilitate sharing and relationship building
- Allows for achievement of Council priorities as well as practitioner driven needs
- Provides clarity of expectations for participants, agencies and Secretariat
Practice Areas
There are six practice areas, with a range of Groups, Networks, Technical Groups and Project Teams operating in accordance with the Collaboration and Networking Model. These practice areas are:
Emergency Management Practice and Systems - With a primary focus on the doctrine of Incident Management (AIIMS), this practice area evaluates and continuously improves systems, processes and arrangements to perform the functions of emergency management.
Community Safety & Engagement - Evaluating research and knowledge relevant to the social impact and engagement with communities as major stakeholders in community safety.
Knowledge and Research - Learning from experience and embedding new knowledge in practice change. Evaluating performance and managing industry data.
Capability Development - Strengthening leadership, practitioner and specialist learning and professional development programs and opportunities.
Regulations and Standards - Specialist technical expertise identifying and evaluating emergency management requirements for reviews into Legislation, Regulations and Standards.
Business and Workforce Management - Specialising in managing aspects of a complex emergency service organisations.
A range of products are developed by our members from the practice areas listed above. These include:
Position: A Position is an agreed statement of opinion, a way of viewing a matter, a stand. They are used throughout the industry for operations, community safety and advocacy. They may become agency or jurisdictional policy on a matter. Member agencies are expected to support AFAC positions. Examples of positions include: Bushfires and Community Safety Position, Gamba Grass and Smoke Alarms in Residential Accommodation.
Approach: A method of how an outcome can be achieved; to deal with a particular problem; or a way of doing things. For example, a National Systems Approach to Community Warnings (September 2009). Member agencies are expected to be aware of AFAC Approaches and make use of them as needed, but they are not intended to prescribe a course of action in the same way as Positions and Guidelines.
Guideline: A preferred or advisable course of action. Member agencies are expected to be aware of Guidelines and to have considered how best they apply in the circumstances faced by the agency.
Discussion Paper: A Discussion Paper is intended to alert the reader to an issue, explain the background, contributing factors and subject matter and to prompt and inform debate. It encapsulates the evidence used to support a Position, Approach or Guideline.
AFAC members have full access to all these documents through the Knowledge Web.
Annual Reports
AFAC reports its key achievements annually to its members and stakeholders, tabling the Annual Report at the Annual General Meeting each year.
2010-2011, 2009-2010, 2008-2009, 2007-2008, 2006-2007
Key Relationships
Inherent in the work of AFAC is the forging of close relationships with a variety of organisations and businesses. These relationships are either informal, developed over many years, or formal arrangements built around Memorandums of Understanding. Key relationships include:
- Australian Assembly of Volunteer Fire Brigades Association
- Australian Building Codes Board
- Australian Bureau of Statistics
- Australian Emergency Management Volunteer Forum
- Australian Institute of Police Management
- Australian Road Rescue Organisation
- Australian Security Industry Association
- Bushfire Cooperative Research Centre
- Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre
- Chief Fire Officers Association and Fire and Resilience Directorate of Communities and Local Government
- Emergency Management Spatial Information Network Australia
- Fire Protection Association of Australia
- Forest Fire Management Group
- Geoscience Australia
- Global Fire Monitoring Center
- International Association of Fire Chiefs
- International Standards Organisation
- National Bulk Tankers Association
- National Fire Protection Association
- National Information Communications Technology Australia (NICTA)
- National Spatial Information Management (NSIM)
- National Risk Assessment Advisory Group (NRAAG)
- Standards Australia
- US Forest Service
