Preparing for fire threats

A number of Australian dairy regions sit in the most fire-prone areas in the world. Spring is a good time to plan and prepare to best protect your family, staff, livestock, dairy and machinery from all types of fire threat.

Thanks to the willingness of Gippsland's dairy farmers to share the lessons they learned during the 2009 Bushfires, Dairy Australia and the CFA have been able to collaborate and produce the ‘Prepare your dairy farm for fire threat' toolkit and a short video here below.

By using this toolkit, you can create your own preparation plan. The toolkit can also help you better manage any emergency situation (for example flood or storm), reduce disruption to your dairy business and save the lives of you and your family.

A key to minimising the impact of fire on your business is to think ahead and be prepared. The toolkit helps you to make your fire plan using the following three steps:

1. Preparation: fuel breaks, power options and livestock, feed and machinery management
2. Response : putting preparation into action
3. Recovery : getting back to normal as soon as possible

The video below takes you through planning tips step by step, can also be viewed at on the dairy industry social networking site www.udderlyfantastic.com.au or at CFA’s ‘Connect’ member site www.cfaconnect.net.au.  

In addition, more detailed fire planning resources, including a Fire Fighting Equipment for Farms brochures and information about FireReady Victoria meetings, are available at your local CFA office or by visiting www.cfa.vic.gov.au.