Residents in Orbost and surrounding East Gippsland communities are taking steps to better prepare for fire risk following the success of the inaugural Get Fire Ready initiative delivered by the Country Fire Authority (CFA) last October.
The program, delivered across Victoria in October 2025, saw CFA brigades host local events, open days, pop-ups, and information sessions, helping households understand their fire risk, prepare properties, create fire plans, and access emergency information ahead of the summer season.
Market research shows the initiative moved communities from awareness to action. Of those attending events, 96 per cent reported they had taken or intended to take steps to prepare their property, while 70 per cent said they learned something new. Post-event surveys found 91 per cent had prepared their property or planned to do so in the future.
CFA acting chief officer Alen Slijepcevic said the results demonstrate the life-saving benefits of early preparedness. “It shows that when communities understand their local fire risk, they take practical steps to get ready. Preparedness starts well before summer, and Get Fire Ready helped thousands of Victorians build confidence and take action to protect themselves and their families,” he said.
In East Gippsland, local CFA volunteers played a key role, connecting directly with residents through face-to-face conversations.
“Our volunteers are trusted members of their communities, and those interactions are what turn information into action,” Mr Slijepcevic said.
The initiative also boosted digital engagement, with a 70,000 increase in active users of the VicEmergency app and a 300 per cent increase in visits to information about setting watch zones.
Following the strong results in 2025, CFA plans to deliver Get Fire Ready again in October 2026, helping Orbost and other Victorian communities continue to strengthen fire safety and preparedness.
