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Fire Ready - Working with Bushfire Affected Communities
Date: 24 December 2009
Summer is upon us and for artists and arts organisations in bushfire prone or bushfire affected areas, it is vital to have strategies in place for preserving and protecting artwork, cultural materials and, most importantly, lives.
Bushfire Survival Plans
Bushfires can strike areas in the suburbs and near the beach, in the countryside and in the mountains. No matter what their environment, every Victorian resident and visitor must be aware of bushfire risk and take care to protect themselves. For information and resources on how to develop your Bushfire Survival Plan, visit the Country Fire Authority website.
Preserving and Protecting Cultural Items
Items don't have to be kept in museums to be considered important cultural artefacts. The Australian Institute for the Conservation of Cultural Material (AICCM) has released an information sheet to assist artists and institutions in mitigating the risk of fire and water damage to items of personal and cultural value.
The AICCM Storing collections in high bushfire risk areas fact sheet provides practical and useful tips for protecting artwork and offers advice on restoring fire and water affected items.
AICCM also provides advice through the consultation of conservators who may be able to help to salvage damaged items.
Working with Bushfire Affected Communities
The affects of bushfires on individuals and communities can be significant and may involve trauma, grief and stress.
Working in communities which have suffered trauma is complex, requires adequate resources and support mechanisms, as well as a strong understanding of what is happening on the ground.
It is recommended that you do not attempt to establish projects in these areas unless:
- you are specifically invited by local organisations, and
- you have sought advice from an organisation or agency that is engaged in working with the community and has up-to-date, first-hand knowledge of what is needed.
Artists working in or with communities affected by bushfire and those who live with the threat of fire should familiarise themselves with the following resources:
- For reports on fires and outbreaks on public land visit, the Department of Sustainability and Environment website. The Department of Sustainability and Environment protects public land, consisting of about one third of the state of Victoria, reducing the risk of fire, containing outbreaks and managing environmental effects.
- For counselling and emotional support during a bushfire crisis, with a 24-hour telephone counselling line and tips on dealing with children traumatised by fire, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. Information and tool kits relating to bushfire trauma can be found at the Lifeline website.
Other resources:
The Arts can provide a key role in the bushfire recovery process by strengthening communities and bringing people together to share their stories. The Victorian Government, through Regional Arts Victoria, supports the Arts Recovery Quick Response fund, which provides grants of up to $2,500 for projects that contribute to community healing, recovery and revitalisation. Applications close on the first working day of each month. The program runs until February 2010.
The Music Council of Australia, through a partnership with the Dandenong Rangers Music Council, has organised a musical instrument fund to replace musical instruments lost in the 2009 bushfires. All applications will be considered and applications close 7th February 2010. Register on the Resound website.