What is Fire Action Week

Its focus is on raising awareness of the coming fire season and encouraging Victorians to prepare for the season.

During Fire Action Week, Victorians are encouraged to identify their fire risk, prepare their Bushfire Survival Plans, clear vegetation from their properties and local communities, and get involved in fire safety and/or community fireguard meetings in their local area.

Fire Action Week is a call to action for all Victorians, no matter where they live, to:

• prepare for the coming fire season
• identify their fire risk
• prepare their own properties and work with neighbours and communities to be fire ready.

Key messages for Fire Action Week

The following key messages may be used for Fire Action Week:

• All of Victoria is at fire risk this year, and we are facing a potentially worse fire season than last year.
• Fire Action Week is the time to start planning and preparing for the fire season, if you haven’t already done so.
• You should have a written Bushfire Survival Plan that details what you and your family will do if threatened by fires.
• Your Bushfire Survival Plan is a combination of preparation and a plan of action. It must include practical steps to protect all members of the family, including children, the elderly and the vulnerable.
• Write down your fire plan, share it with all in your household, and practise it regularly.
• Prepare your house or property for fires. Even if you plan to leave, your home must be well prepared. A well-prepared house with defendable space has a greater chance of surviving.
• Remove or reduce items near your home that can burn including vegetation. The larger this cleared space, the greater the chance your house will survive a fire. Check with your local council.
• CFA’s new Household Bushfire Self-assessment Tool will help you determine if you have enough defendable space around your home. Visit www.cfa.vic.gov.au or call the VBIL on 1800 240 667 to get a copy.
• Find out more about planning and preparing for fires from your local fire safety community meetings, CFA Community Fireguard groups, and council. Start by visiting www.cfa.vic.gov.au.

How to get involved in Fire Action Week

Below is a list of things all Victorians can do to get involved in Fire Action Week. They include taking part in the planned event and activities by referring to the events calendar, getting a copy of the Fire Action Week supplements, and taking part in ‘Prepare to be Fire Ready' day on Sunday,October 18.  

Activities and Events calendar

Events and activities are being organised across the state for Fire Action Week.
These range from events in schools, in neighbourhoods, at local councils or with the local fire brigade.
All people in Victoria are encouraged to find out more and take part in these events and activities to get better informed about being fire ready.
An online calendar of events is being developed, and will be ready in coming days. A link to this events calendar will be available on the CFA website: www.cfa.vic.gov.au

Fire Action Week supplements

Fire Action Week supplements will run in newspapers throughout the state in the week of October 11-18, culminating in a "Prepare to be Fire Ready" day on Sunday, October 18.
These supplements will raise awareness across Victoria about the high-risk outlook for the coming fire season and the critical need to prepare for the coming fire season.

Newspapers distributing the Fire Action Week supplements are:

• The Herald Sun
• The Leader group of newspapers
• The Geelong Advertiser
• The Age
• Fairfax Network of Newspapers
• The Mighty V Group of newspapers – Regional press
• The Victorian Country Press Association newspapers

Take part in ‘Prepare to be Fire Ready’ day

‘Prepare to be Fire Ready’ day on Sunday, October 18 is a ‘whole-of-state’ working bee for all Victorians to plan and prepare for the coming fire season. It's simple to get involved in the day:

• Participate in a clean-up activity in your local area.
• Develop your fire plan.
• Start clearing around your home and property. For more information visit  www.cfa.vic.gov.au or contact your local council
• Contact your local fire brigade to find out about community meetings in your area

For more information

For more information on how to get fire ready, visit the CFA website at www.cfa.vic.gov.au