A Black Saturday survivor who lost his wife and son has warned of community complacency as Victoria heads into a high fire risk summer season.
Speaking at the Sassafras-Ferny Creek Fire Station, Marysville CFA second lieutenant Glen Fiske said those living in high fire risk areas must be prepared before the summer or else they’ll risk a tragedy.
“Don’t be complacent. Follow the priority information that’s around. Go to your brigades, ask the questions if you’re unsure and keep your place cleaned up,” Mr Fiske said.
The CFA launched its statewide Get Fire Ready initiative at the Sassafras-Ferny Creek Fire Station on 30 September where more than 530 CFA brigades will host events to help communities prepare for the summer season.
CFAs across the Yarra Ranges and the Dandenongs will host events informing locals on how to best prepare for the season – to find out when your local brigade is taking part, visit cfa.vic.gov.au/getfireready.
CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan said Mount Dandenong was chosen for the launch because the region is one of the most fire-prone areas, despite not experiencing a major fire since 1997.
“The 1997 fires were particularly devastating to this community that occurred right in the heart of the Dandenongs, which is why we’ve chosen to launch it here today.
“But as time moves on, sometimes people move into these areas and don’t realise the risks that they’re exposing themselves to.
“Sometimes complacency can slip in a little bit… This season is not one of those seasons where you want those things to happen,” Mr Heffernan said.
Mr Fiske was in Marysville fighting the devastating Black Saturday bushfires when he lost his wife Liz and son Dalton.
He pleaded with residents living in high fire risk areas such as the Dandenongs and the Yarra Ranges to prepare and act early to avoid disaster.
“We just hope that no one ever sees what we saw, it was truly the biggest fire that I’ve ever seen,” Mr Fiske said.
He expressed concern at those ignoring advice and not taking the fire risk seriously.
“It troubles me when I see areas where people obviously aren’t helping themselves. You’ve got to help yourself,” Mr Fiske said.
Sassafras-Ferny Creek CFA lieutenant John Schauble was on the frontlines of the 1997 Dandenong Ranges fire which killed three people and destroyed more than 40 homes in the Ferny Creek, Kalorama and Upwey areas.
He said the experience was a harrowing one which was “difficult, stressful and challenging”.
“Any firefighter who says they’re not scared during these circumstances is either lying or they’re a fool.
“Here we are standing on top of a hill in the middle of a forest. In bushfire terms, it doesn’t get much worse than that when it catches fire. It’s very fast.
“So, when we say get fire ready, we mean get fire ready and be ready to act straight away,” Mr Schauble.
Parliamentary secretary for emergency services Sheena Watt said the Montrose bushfire earlier this year demonstrated how important it was to be prepared and recognised the volunteers who fought the blaze.
“I want to take this time to acknowledge and thank the 200 firefighters who battled that blaze not far from here,” Ms Watt said.
Mr Heffernan said the Get Fire Ready initiative also was a time to recognise the 173 firefighters who have lost their lives extinguishing the flames to protect the community.
“As part of the Get Fire Ready campaign and mission, we’re asking all Victorians to honor the 173 and honor all other victims of large-scale bushfires here in Victoria.
“We’re asking all Victorians to take the appropriate steps to ensure that no further families suffer the loss such as Glen here today,” Mr Heffernan said.
