After the fire – looking out for each other

by Dr Danielle Clode, Psychological Preparedness Project Research and Evaluation, Community Safety

Brigades dedicate themselves to helping their communities, but their role is much more than just training and organising firefighters. By looking after themselves and their communities, brigades can also help everyone to recover more effectively from fires and strengthen themselves in the process.

The devastating events of Black Saturday have had a profound effect on so many regions of Victoria. Communities have been devastated, homes have been lost and lives changed forever.

After any disaster, particularly one of this scale, there will inevitably be a lot of discussion about what went wrong, what could have been done better and, sometimes, who was to blame. Many people feel the need to discuss their experiences repeatedly with different colleagues until they feel they have made sense of their experiences. Other people, particularly those who have suffered serious losses, may withdraw and avoid contact with others.

Panton Hill brigade’s post-fire social function after Black Saturday at the Panton Hill Hotel (with complimentary food provided as a thank-you) provided an important opportunity to get together with all the strike teams and support personnel and families.

Sometimes communities blame organisations like CFA for what they did, or did not, do. Communities are fractured by fires, with divisions emerging between those who stayed and those who left, between those who suffered losses and those who did not, between those who were prepared, and those who were not. These are all normal reactions to a disaster. The challenge brigades face is how to manage these reactions and channel them constructively.

First and foremost, brigades need to look after their own. We all know how important it is to debrief after a major incident, but this isn’t just about working out what happened and what could be improved. It also gives people the opportunity to share their fears, worries and concerns. Many terrible things have happened in these fires, but even when things went right, we tend to worry about what might have happened.

Remember to focus on what did happen – what went right – and that worry will gradually subside. Social events—barbeques or a pub meal—are a good opportunity to talk things over and share experiences. Other brigade members might value a phone call. This is not about forcing people to talk, but making sure there is the opportunity for them to do so if they want to. It is about ‘being there’ for each other and recognising the diversity of responses that are a natural part of recovery.

When more help is needed
Most people recover well from trauma with good support from family, friends and community. Sometimes, however, they need extra help. Withdrawing from social contact, anger and apathy are all normal reactions to trauma, but if these symptoms continue for longer than expected or cause concern, additional support may be required. Confidential support is available through CFA’s Critical Incident Stress program for all members, including their families.

For more information, contact your Regional Duty Officer, check Member Support on CFA Online or ring the Welfare Line on 1800 628 616. Fact sheets and information on recovery can also be found on the Department of Human Services website.

Leading the way to recovery
Brigades and Community Fireguard Coordinators are often a focus for communities affected by fire. Fires disrupt the normal social structures. Strangers are united by shared experiences. Past authority figures no longer seem relevant. In the immediate aftermath of a fire, communities look for leadership and direction. There is often a sudden surge of altruism as people try to put right what went wrong. This may not last – but recognise it as a gesture of support and make use of it while it lasts.

Cleaning-up, rebuilding and fund-raising all provide a focus for activity and help people to regain the sense of control over their environment which the fire took away. The more involved people are, the better they recover. And you might even gain a few longer term members as well.


Panton Hill brigade's local community information session on the fires following Black Saturday.