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CFA’s Preparing Vulnerable People (PVP) project has launched the new module Bushfire Planning: How to support your clients.

The training module has been developed for those working with people who are at greater risk due to disability, age or social isolation, including case managers, support workers and home nursing staff.

As Victoria steps closer towards the 2020-21 bushfire season it’s important to ensure every person in our community are well-prepared in the event of a fire.

The training will provide advice on how to support people at risk, and assist vulnerable people living in our communities to develop a bushfire safety plan.

The module covers seven key areas:

· Who needs to be prepared

· Your role is important

· Start the conversation

· Build the plan

· Clients who choose to stay

· Making it all work

· Resources at your fingertips

The module starts with a short sign-in process and takes approximately 45 to 50 minutes to complete.

Participants can access a certificate at the end of the session to verify their completion. The online module is not formally accredited or competency based, it is an awareness session only.

The PVP project is a three-year CFA-led initiative aiming to improve bushfire preparedness planning for people who are vulnerable.

Starting in September 2019, the project has focused over the last year on revising CFA’s Fire Ready for Community Service Providers program. It is also aiming to bring on line a new targeted service delivery program at a household level over the next 12 months.

CFA is not doing this alone, there is a large State-wide Reference Group comprising representatives from the Community and Social Services sector and the Emergency Management sector, including Red Cross, VCOSS and the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Disability Service.

The project foundations stem from two main areas. The first was the review of the States Vulnerable Persons in Emergency Policy, which CFA has taken part in.

This review highlighted the gaps in preparedness planning for those most vulnerable to fire.

The second was from a lived experience Case Study “Facing the Bushfire Risk with MS” that highlighted the complexity of planning to leave early for some people with a disability.

The project will focus on improved targeted service delivery from CFA, in partnership with Red Cross over the next 12 months. Two trials of the new program are planned for the start on 2021.

The project will also focus on the continued promotion and roll out of the revised training package for community workers.

The e-learning module, Bushfire Planning: How to support your clients and its supporting resources are now available on

A selection of videos have been crated to share real life experiences

Congratulations to the Community Engagement Team for this significant step towards improving safety outcomes for vulnerable Victorians, and a huge thank you to the staff, volunteers and stakeholders who participated in the development of this project.