In the wake of two significant bushfires in the space of 10 months, Halls Gap Fire Brigade began working towards an ambitious goal, to ensure every resident in town has a fire plan.
In February 2024, nearby Pomonal was devastated by fire, later that same year Halls Gap itself was issued with an Emergency Warning as fire came close to the town.
Halls Gap Communications Officer Ash van Dyck said the experiences of the 2024/2025 fire season reinforced the importance of being prepared before a fire starts.
“Our town’s location and surrounding bushland means that residents cannot afford to be complacent about their fire preparation,” Ash said.
“There’s one road in and the same road out, so if people aren’t prepared, it’s very easy to get trapped.
“There’s so much flammable material everywhere that people live in and amongst, so we just have to prepare. We don’t have the luxury of saying, ‘I won’t worry about it.'”
With approximately 500 people calling Halls Gap home, the brigade estimates it has already reached over 70% of residents through community events, local groups and its ongoing fire preparedness activities.
“Leaving early is a big thing that we push because if you get caught and the main road is affected by fire, you’re not going anywhere,” Ash said.
Ash said the brigade also focuses on ensuring residents don’t feel panicked when fire threatens.
“After the February 2024 fire, our response was very much to say, ‘Let’s make sure everybody is fully prepared, as much as possible, if it happens again, or when it happens again.'”
When it comes to creating a fire plan, Ash says there is no one size fits all solution.
“You’ve got to come up with a plan that works for you, your family and your property. No two plans are going to be the same. And we’re here to help people do that,” Ash said.
The brigade will continue that push at its upcoming Get Fire Ready event on Monday 19 October, held in conjunction with the Halls Gap community association.
Around 200 people attended last year’s event, and the brigade is hoping to see some new faces this time around.
“If you’re in the Halls Gap area, we’d love to see you and help you create a fire plan for you and your family. That’s what we’re here for,” Ash said.
You can learn more about creating a bushfire plan by attending your local Get Fire Ready event, find your nearest at cfa.vic.gov.au/getfireready.
