A country fire authority survey has revealed that while most East Gippsland residents understand leaving early is the safest option during a bushfire, a dangerous majority would still wait too long to act.
According to the CFA’s annual post-season bushfire community survey, 88 per cent of respondents agreed that leaving early offered the best protection for themselves and their families. However, 81 per cent indicated they were unlikely to leave their properties until fire was actively threatening the surrounding landscape, while 12 per cent stated they would stay and defend.
CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan AFSM warned that waiting until smoke or flames are visible in heavily forested regions like East Gippsland can prove fatal.
“It’s encouraging to see so many Victorians understand that leaving early is the safest way to protect themselves and their family,” Mr Heffernan said.
“But knowing that leaving early is safest and knowing when to act are two different things. Leaving early means leaving the area before a fire starts, not when you can see flames or smell smoke. CFA’s position is clear: do not stay and defend.”
The survey also highlighted a gap between preparation and documentation across regional communities. While 93 per cent of respondents claimed to have a bushfire plan, only 13 per cent had formally written it down.
“A good plan should cover when you will leave, where you will go, and what you will do if your preferred route is no longer safe,” Mr Heffernan said.
“Writing it down and placing it somewhere you can see it can make a huge difference during an emergency.”
Expectations surrounding emergency services also remain dangerously high across rural districts. The survey found 63 per cent of people believed a fire truck would likely arrive to defend their property, while 77 per cent expected emergency services to issue a direct warning telling them when to evacuate.
“During a bushfire, we cannot guarantee a fire truck will be at every property,” Mr Heffernan said.
“Don’t wait for a fire truck or a verbal warning from firefighters to act. Download the VicEmergency app, set a watch zone, listen to emergency broadcasters, and monitor social media and the CFA website for updates.”
With warm and dry conditions forecast across Gippsland heading into spring, fire officials are urging locals to attend community “Get Fire Ready” events hosted by local brigades this October.
