It is building on fuel management works conducted throughout the year to reduce bushfire risk for communities and the environment.
FFMVic has recruited additional seasonal firefighters, with about 300 fixed-term and permanent firefighters to be in place across the region from November.
FFMVic personnel are also attending a rolling schedule of training and briefings in preparation for the summer ahead.
This Fire Action Week, prepare your property
Teams of emergency specialists will be on standby across the region from next month, ensuring FFMVic and partner agencies are ready to respond to emergencies 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
FFMVic Hume Deputy Chief Fire Officer Aaron Kennedy said testing and servicing the region’s fleet of specialised firefighting vehicles was also under way, while firefighting aircraft would return to the Albury, Ovens and Mansfield airbases in summer.
“We are well-resourced and prepared for the bushfire season and are continuing to build on our year-round program of works to reduce bushfire risk for communities and the environment,” Mr Kennedy said.
CFA supports mental health with stair climb
“Seasonal firefighters will work alongside our experienced permanent staff to respond to bushfires and undertake planned burning.
“Fire preparedness is a shared responsibility – and that’s why we’re also working with the CFA and communities to help residents understand the actions they can take to reduce their own bushfire risk.”
In the coming weeks, fire lookout observers will also be stationed at local fire towers.
CFA issues haystack warning
This preparation builds on FFMVic’s fuel management works throughout the year, including planned burning, slashing and mulching to reduce the speed and intensity of potential bushfires.
Since mid-last year, FFMVic has completed 56 planned burns in the region covering almost 10,000 hectares, with crews taking every opportunity to conduct burns when conditions allow, and it is safe to do so.
This has included planned burning to reduce bushfire risk near Marysville, Kinglake, Merrijig, Sawmill Settlement, Chiltern and Granya.
Ausnet prepare for bushfire season
In the same period, mechanical works covering almost 3500 hectares was undertaken, with crews using heavy machinery to mulch flammable vegetation to reduce fuel near Barmah, Narbethong, Marysville, Stanley and Mitta Mitta.
All FFMVic crews are adhering to appropriate public health and hygiene guidelines to ensure operations can safely continue across the state.
If you would like to send a letter to the editor on this, or any subject, click this link
28°C