Traditional Owners strengthen cultural fire planning skills at Mount Macedon
For two days at Mount Macedon, Traditional Owners from across Victoria gathered for a dedicated Fire Management System (FMS) and eMap training session, designed to strengthen cultural fire planning and support self-determination in land management.
*Attributed to DEECA
The sessions brought together 23 participants representing 9 Traditional Owner groups, creating a dynamic and collaborative learning environment.
Training on two key systems used in fire planning
eMap, a digital mapping tool, allows participants to assess sites and clearly define burn areas, ensuring burns are carefully planned and accurately mapped.
Fire Management System (FMS) provides a structured planning and approval process for both fuel reduction and cultural burns, supporting safe, effective and coordinated operations.
Together, these tools enable Traditional Owner groups to take a leading role in planning and delivering cultural burns.
By developing skills in these systems, participants are building the confidence needed to independently design and manage burns in the future, an important step toward long-term self-determination.
Two days of strong spirit of cooperation
Groups with varying experience levels worked closely together, sharing knowledge, supporting one another and building connections across communities.
The Traditional Owner-only format of the training also allowed facilitators to adapt the course in real time.
By working at pace and tailoring delivery to suit participants’ needs, trainers made sure the learning experience was accessible, practical and fit for purpose.
As cultural fire practices continue to expand across Victoria, training sessions like this play a vital role in building capacity, strengthening partnerships and making sure Traditional Owners are supported to lead fire management on Country.
CFA Manager Vegetation Management Dan Idczak attended to assist with the session.