Premier and state authorities urge Victorians to prepare for bushfire season

In brief:

• Victoria to spend more than $100 million on firefighting efforts this summer – the largest on record
• More than 650 Project Firefighters to this effort
  
• State government to spend $17 million on aircraft this fire season
  

Premier John Brumby joined state ministers and firefighting authorities at the Integrated Emergency Coordination Centre (iECC) on Monday 27 October 2008, to remind all Victorians to prepare for the upcoming bushfire season.

(l-r)Police and Emergency Services Minister Bob Cameron, Premier of Victoria John Brumby, MFB's Tony Murphy, CFA's Russell Rees, DSE's Ewan Waller and Parks Victoria's Andrew Graystone

Joining him at the iECC were Minister for Police and Emergency Services Bob Cameron, and Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Innovation Gavin Jennings, together with CFA, MFB and DSE representatives.

More than 650 Project Firefighters will join CFA’s members across the state this summer as part of the Victorian government’s $100 million-plus firefighting effort, the largest on record.

“We are putting an unprecedented effort into preparing for this fire season and we urge the community to start their preparations now,” the Premier said. “Don’t wait until summer, or worse still, until a bushfire is here.”

Minister for Police and Emergency Services Bob Cameron also urged Victorians to prepare for the bushfire season.

“Our changed environment means that the risk of fire is heightened in residential areas as well. The risk to the urban interface is real and here to stay, so all Victorians need to prepare and practise a bushfire survival plan.” he said.

The minister added that the state government will spend about $17 million on aircraft this fire season, boosted by $3 million from the federal government.

For a bushfire information kit phone the Victorian Bushfire Information Line (VBIL) on free-call 1800 240 667. You can also visit www.dse.vic.gov.au/fires or www.cfa.vic.gov.au for more information.

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