Victorians are being urged to prepare for the upcoming fire season during Fire Action Week, this week.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Lisa Neville said Fire Action Week, which runs until Sunday (25 October), was a time for households to increase their understanding of local fire risks, prepare their properties and plan how to stay safe.
“Fire and Rescue Agencies have started their preparations under a COVIDSafe plan this year to ensure burns and fuel reduction activity can be conducted safely, and all Victorians are being asked to do the same,” Ms Neville said.
“Our emergency management services have started their preparations, so now it’s up to all Victorians to understand their local fire risk and develop a fire plan,” she said.
“Fire Action Week is a perfect opportunity for people to talk to family, friends and neighbours about the fire risk where you live and make plans for what you’ll do on hot, dry, windy days.”
Ms Neville said Country Fire Authority (CFA) brigades and Fire and Rescue Victoria (FRV) fire stations around the State were running Fire Safety Essentials online sessions to help people understand and prepare for fire risk.
She said COVID-19 restrictions were still in effect, however residents in metropolitan Melbourne were now able to undertake fire preparedness activities at second properties in regional Victoria.
She said property owners would need to obtain written formal approval from the Council their second property was located in before travelling.
“This will involve providing the relevant Council with details about the property, type of work and date of travel,” Ms Neville said.
“Importantly for residents of metropolitan Melbourne, the Chief Health Officer restrictions they are required to comply with in Melbourne will travel with them into regional Victoria.”
She said residents in regional Victoria were also able to travel to a second property in regional areas in order to prepare for the fire season.
Information on Fire Action Week activities and online events can be accessed at this PS News link.
