The fire season is fast approaching and now is the time for all Victorians to ensure they are prepared and have a plan for those high fire danger days.
The latest long-term weather outlook is indicating a wet few months ahead, however this will also have the effect of rapid growth of grass and scrub fire potential. For our farming communities the Victorian winter crop production forecast is some 7.7million tonnes or 11 per cent above the 10- year average. In short, grassfires and crop fires will be a real concern for our CFA members leading into the season across the north west, western and central agricultural regions.
Grass fires are a particular risk along the plains of Western and North Western Victoria and around regional cities, while bushfires remain a constant threat in many areas. As such we should never be complacent and let our guard down.
Recent climate change research by the CFA and other international bodies found that the number of very high fire danger days each year will significantly increase and our fire seasons will start earlier, last longer, and further strengthen the need for a shared responsibility between hazard owners, communities and emergency services.
You may have seen a campaign recently outlining the skills of professional firefighters and inviting community members to check if they’re protected by professional firefighters. I want to reassure all Victorians that regardless of whether they live in CFA or FRV response district, they are supported by skilled and experienced firefighters who respond alongside members of all other emergency services right across the state under the mantra ‘we work as one’.
Australia has always been well served by its volunteers who have defended this nation during some of its darkest hours. Across the country, volunteer fire services, with more than 150,000 members, make up 91 per cent of total firefighters.
Volunteer firefighters have been at the heart of our fire emergencies for decades, supporting and protecting their communities at all times of the day and night. Victorians trust and respect CFA and its volunteers, as well as our other emergency service partners.
That’s why the Victorian Government is investing $126 million over five years for CFA to deliver additional equipment, infrastructure, training and leadership skills, in line with the outcomes from the Fire Services Reform which includes building and strengthening CFA as a volunteer organisation.
Volunteer firefighters across the country deliver a world-class service and CFA firefighters are trained to the highest national standards – the same standards as our colleagues in other career fire services. You don’t need a pay cheque to be professional.
CFA members are more than just firefighters; they are skilled to operate in a wide range of emergency situations and to deal with a variety of hazards in addition to bushfires, house fires and grassfires; hazardous material, road crash rescue and technical rescues (high angle, trench, mine operations). We also prepare communities for fire through planned burning, engagement and education.
We have a shared responsibility with other sector agencies to ensure that communities are prepared and ready for the upcoming fire season. As Victorians understand all too well, from the devastating summers of 2009 and 2019/20, there are more houses in extreme and high risk areas than there are fire trucks. That is why Victorian emergency services work as one with government, business, industry and the community building community resilience through the principle of ‘shared responsibility’.
Throughout the COVID pandemic, CFA has been working with communities to prepare their properties and plan for the fire season. Do you have a bushfire survival plan?
Our brigades are holding online sessions across Victoria and I’d encourage you to look out for those in your area by visiting the CFA website: cfa.vic.gov.au/about-us/whats-on
These sessions will give you a better understanding of your local fire risk and help you prepare a fire plan. Even if you’re not in a high fire risk area, you should still be practising your fire escape plan as house fires occur all year round.
Our 1200 brigades are highly trained and ready, are you?
Remember to visit www.cfa.vic.gov.au for advice on how to plan and prepare for the fire season. Stay safe.
Jason Heffernan
CFA Chief Officer
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