Who we are
The Victorian Government established the Office of Bushfire Risk Management (OBRM) on 1 July 2021 in response to findings and recommendations of the Inspector-General for Emergency Management’s (IGEM) Inquiry into the 2019–20 Victorian fire season (Phase 1).
We are responsible for driving:
- more effective reduction of bushfire risk across all public and private land
- better allocation of resources and investment , ensuring that effort is directed where it will deliver the greatest impact
- shared outcomes whilst ensuring clear responsibilities for delivery
- improved credibility and assurance in respect of bushfire risk management.
OBRM is part of the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA). We are a separate entity to Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) who leads the Department’s operational delivery of bushfire risk management activities.
We are supported by an expert Advisory Panel that brings together executive representatives from Victorian Government departments and agencies and independent experts to support the work we do.
OBRM works with land managers and fire agencies to lead and coordinate policy, planning, assurance, monitoring and reporting for bushfire risk management.
What we do
We lead a coordinated approach to evidence-based bushfire risk management policy, planning, assurance, monitoring and reporting across all public and private land in Victoria.
We work in close partnership with Traditional Owners, land and fire managers, councils, landholders, and communities to reduce the likelihood and impact of bushfires over the long term.
We are responsible for developing, continually improving, and coordinating the effective implementation of the end-to-end framework for bushfire risk management that land and fire managers work within to achieve shared risk reduction outcomes, with a primary focus on fuel management.
While we have an initial focus on fuel management, our responsibilities extend to the suite of bushfire risk management interventions that are undertaken as part of a broader land management strategy to reduce the likelihood and impact of bushfires over the long term.
Our role does not extend to seasonal preparedness, readiness and response, or recovery, and we do not participate in the on-ground delivery of bushfire risk-mitigation activities.
Through our assurance, monitoring, and reporting functions, we strengthen transparency and confidence in Victoria’s approach to bushfire risk management and places a strong focus on continuous improvement.
Bushfire risk management is the suite of actions that are undertaken as part of a wider land management strategy to reduce the likelihood and impact of bushfires over the long term.
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