Community Fire Safe

The Community Fire Safe program encourages residents living in high-risk areas to form small action groups, which may include families on the same street or in the same area, who face a common bushfire threat.

You will learn how fires behave so you can develop the best strategies for yourselves and your local community. These strategies work because they have community ownership and support.

Groups operate autonomously, focussing on flexibility and community needs. They draw on support from CFS staff and volunteers whenever it's needed.

It supports groups that develop in streets, as well as groups such as Friends of National Parks, Landcare and Neighbourhood Watch who are interested in fire safety.

A Community Engagement Officer, with help from CFS volunteers, will provide ongoing information and resources to each group.

This may be informal meetings to discuss issues such as:

• fire behaviour
• fire prevention
• house survival.

It can also include a street walk so the group can identify local fire hazards and familiarise themselves with firefighting equipment on neighbours' properties. Groups can then make decisions about the best way to protect themselves in a way that fits their situation.