At the MTO Group we believe in working in collaboration with our stakeholders to manage fire risks and threats in and near our areas of operation. Our goal is to better manage and mitigate the fire risk that exists and to prevent fire from causing large scale damage.
MTO is committed to improve its fire risk reduction through Integrated Fire Management (IFM) practices which will include all disciplines of estate management, such as conservation, silviculture, harvesting and so forth.
Integrated Fire Management (IFM) is a series of actions implemented through reduction, readiness, response and recovery planning and management to help mitigate fire risk.
Reduction:
Fire reduction, as part of Integrated Fire Management, is a set of activities developed to mitigate and manage the start and spread of fires as well as navigation of legislation during implementation.
Key aspects of reduction include:
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Adherence to legislation
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Raising awareness of fires
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Responsible firebreak and fuel load management
Readiness:
All activities undertaken at any time in advance of a fire occurrence to decrease fire area and severity and to ensure more effective suppression.
Key aspects of reduction include:
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Undertaking comprehensive risk profile analysis
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Effective risk management
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Upskilling staff with training to manage fire threats
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Implementing effective detection systems
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Implementing an effective Incident Command System (ICS)
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Responsible resource management i.e. ensure that resources such as water is available etc.
Recovery:
The aftermath of a fire requires rehabilitation of the environment. Immediate dangers include soil erosion and longer-term damage by invasion of exotic and invasive plant species. In commercial areas, such as MTO’s plantations there can be a need to salvage viable timber, remove burnt material and re-plant.
Key aspects of reduction include:
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Rehabilitation of the environment
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Creation of strategic buffers