Stay safe in bushfire season

Bushfires are a fact of life in Victoria. As the summer heats up, make sure you are prepared for the event of a fire.

Are you at risk?

Remember, it is not only those who live in high-risk areas who need to be careful. If you are visiting a high-risk area or passing through on a high-fire risk day, you also need to be aware.

This map shows the areas that the Country Fire Authority has identified as being high-risk areas. Download map here.

If you use Facebook, you can 'friend' the Country Fire Authority and they will send you updates of any fires that break out or warnings in different regions. Check it out here.

What to do to be ready for a bushfire.

Leaving early is the safest option.

The Country Fire Authority recommends leaving the night before a Code Red, Extreme or Severe fire-warning day. Have a plan to leave early so you know exactly what you are going to take with you and where you are going to go.

Plan to leave early

1. Know your trigger to leave 

2. Know where you are going to go

3. Plan how you will get there

4. Know when it is safe to return home

5. Have a back-up plan for if you can't leave

The Red Cross has a helpful brochure on how to plan to leave early. You can find it here. Or check the Country Fire Authority website Leave Early Plan here.

What does HR&SS do to prepare for bushfire season?

Helping you prepare for high-risk days

This information is provided to help you to be prepared for high-risk days. If you live in a high-fire danger area, your HR&SS worker can help you to prepare a Leave Early Plan. 

Information will also be sent to consumers living in high-risk areas and you can keep up-to-date with our newsletter throughout summer.

Sharing consumer information with your VicPol Evacuation Managers

HR&SS is obligated to keep a list of all vulnerable consumers living in high bushfire risk areas. We let the relevant council know that we have a 'Vulnerable Client Register' and, in the event of an emergency, we may be asked to give these details to the VicPol Evacuation Manager.

These precautions have been taken in order to minimise deaths in the event of a bushfire. HR&SS manages your private information in accordance with our Privacy Policy. 

If you have any questions about our 'Vulnerable Client Register' and the sharing of information with VicPol Evacuation Manager, please speak to your HR&SS worker.

Taking care of staff on high risk days

HR&SS policy does not allow staff to visit, travel through or work in high-risk fire areas during Severe, Extreme or Code Red days. This may mean that during bushfire season your HR&SS worker needs to change some appointments they have made with you.