Get prepared during fire action week

VICTORIANS are being urged to prepare early for the upcoming summer-fire season, with Fire Action Week underway.

Minister for Emergency Services James Merlino and Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio officially launched the week of action, alongside Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp and senior fire officers.

Fire agencies have started their preparations earlier this year due to current weather and climate conditions, and all Victorians are being asked to do the same.

“Fire Action Week is a time to take action and ensure you, your family and your friends are ready for what is forecast to be a hot, dry summer,” Mr Merlino said.

“Our emergency management personnel have started their preparations, so now it’s up to all Victorians to understand their local fire risk and develop a fire plan.”

Fire Action Week, which runs from October 7-14, is a time for households to increase their understanding of local fire risks, prepare their properties and plan how to stay safe.

This week’s launch event was held at Braeside Park in Melbourne’s south-east, where firefighters from CFA, MFB and Forest Fire Management Victoria demonstrated their operational capabilities by working together to extinguish a small grass fire.

Fire Action Week is a perfect opportunity for people to speak to family, friends and neighbours about what to do on hot, dry and windy days, including when to leave and where to go to stay safe.

Victorians can stay up-to-date with emergency warnings by tuning into Victoria’s emergency broadcasters including ABC local radio and Sky News , phoning the VicEmergency hotline 1800 226 226, visiting emergency.vic.gov.au, and downloading the VicEmergency App.