More than 5,000 people have already downloaded the application that allows users to view Fire Danger Ratings, Total Fire Bans, warnings and fire locations.
CFA CEO Mick Bourke said the iPhone application is just one of the ways CFA is using new technology to deliver important fire safety information directly to Victorians.
“The application makes it easy for people to access important fire information wherever they are,” he said.
“One useful feature of the application is the map that displays your location and nearby going fires.
“I’d urge any Victorian with an iPhone to download the CFA FireReady application. If you live or travel in high bushfire risk areas, it’s important to keep up-to-date with weather conditions and warnings on days of high fire risk.”
Blackberry and Android versions of the application will be launched soon.
Mr Bourke said the CFA Facebook page was another way CFA was using online communication channels to engage with Victorians and CFA volunteers. Created in 2008, the page has more than 83,000 fans and is one of the largest government/emergency services pages in the world.
“CFA’s Facebook page is a valuable tool for engaging with the community, especially those that are harder to reach through traditional mediums,” Mr Bourke said.
“The page is a hub of activity, providing advice on fire safety, promoting the good work of our firefighters and linking to other useful sources of information such as the CFA website.
“Most of all, the Facebook page allows CFA to get its safety advice out to more people instantly.
“Every time we post an update about Fire Danger Ratings or a weather warning from the Bureau of Meteorology we are inundated with messages of appreciation from people who hadn’t heard it from other sources.”
The Facebook page and iPhone application are part of an overall social media strategy that includes CFA’s YouTube channel with over 1.1 million views, around 2,500 followers on Twitter and CFA’s own user-generated-content website, CFA Connect.
CFA also uses its social media channels to host live online bushfire safety meetings. The next online meeting is scheduled for Monday 8 November at 8pm. Check www.cfa.vic.gov.au for details.
CFA FireReady was developed in conjunction with the Department of Justice.
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