Federal and state governments will hold an inaugural two-day National Bushfire Preparedness Summit this month as weather forecasters warn this summer will likely be drier and hotter, raising the risk of fires breaking out. 

The summit was announced last week as National Emergency Management Ministers gathered for a meeting in Brisbane, where they endorsed the Second National Action Plan on Disaster Risk Reduction. 

The Federal Government will convene the bushfire preparedness summit alongside State and Territory governments, emergency services providers, industry, and not-for-profit organisations in Canberra on September 25-26. 

Around 250 crisis management, response and recovery specialists from governments, industry, community and the not-for-profit sector are expected to attend the event. 

The summit builds on months of work from Federal, State and Territory Governments to prepare for this year’s bushfire season. 

Federal Minister for Emergency Management Murray Watt says the summit will ensure all key stakeholders know what resources and capabilities state and territory governments can draw upon and when, as well as additional operational and information sharing support. 

“We’re conscious that this is shaping up to be the first significant fire season since Black Summer, so we’re doing everything we can to be as prepared as possible at every level,” Mr Watt said. 

Mr Watt says the Second National Action Plan on Disaster Risk Reduction marked an “important milestone” for the country.

“This document recognises that the States, Territories and Commonwealth are on the same page and pulling in the same direction when it comes to being prepared for future disasters like bushfires, floods, storms, and cyclones,” Mr Watt said. 

“We know that working together and reducing disaster risk will benefit the whole country, and we are committed to that goal.” 

The Second National Action Plan on Disaster Risk Reduction will implement the National Disaster Risk Reduction Framework and will provide a nationally supported approach needed to reduce the risks and impacts of disasters season on season, year on year. 

“While natural hazard events are inevitable, catastrophic disasters don’t have to be,” the plan’s ministerial foreword says. 

“The task for this Second National Action Plan is to help mature our disaster risk reduction system by setting out the outcomes and actions to which all members of society may contribute to realise meaningful change.” 

Click here for the Second National Action Plan.