When you think of fire, what color do you think of red? Maybe orange. How about green? The new fire danger ratings use the latest science and technology to predict fire behavior using colors to show the risk level if a fire was to start in your area. So instead of thinking, you know what color fire is. Check the new fire danger ratings for the right color. Know the colors. Take the actions to survive. Such fire danger ratings authorized by the Victorian Government. Melbourne.

When you think of fire, what color do you think of red? Maybe orange. How about green? The new fire danger ratings use the latest science and technology to predict fire behavior using colors to show the risk level if a fire was to start in your area. So instead of thinking, you know what color fire is. Check the new fire danger ratings for the right color. Know the colors. Take the actions to survive. Such fire danger ratings authorized by the Victorian Government. Melbourne.

Well, it's Christmas time, of course, but there's also some serious issues to be thinking about and fire danger is certainly one of them. We're very lucky to walk in the park and the community engagement specialist with the CFA in Victoria. Jo Gellatly . Joe, thanks for joining us. Appreciate your.

Well, it's Christmas time, of course, but there's also some serious issues to be thinking about and fire danger is certainly one of them. We're very lucky to walk in the park and the community engagement specialist with the CFA in Victoria. Jo Gellatly . Joe, thanks for joining us. Appreciate your.

Time. Yes, thank you very much, Peter, for the invite.

Time. Yes, thank you very much, Peter, for the invite.

Now it is a fun time, but it's also a time where we must turn our minds to very serious issues regarding fire dangers. There's a kind of a bit of a change as far as the, I guess, the degrees or the categories of fire danger guys, this time round.

Now it is a fun time, but it's also a time where we must turn our minds to very serious issues regarding fire dangers. There's a kind of a bit of a change as far as the, I guess, the degrees or the categories of fire danger guys, this time round.

Yeah. Yeah. So earlier this year at the 1st of September, in fact, the way four authorities to predict fire and fire danger ratings has changed for a national system. So where we're actually being able to communicate the same information across all of Australia. So no matter where you live, work or play the same communication tool and device image as such for fire danger ratings will be the same wherever you are. Basically, we've tried to make it simpler. We've tried to make it easier for everybody to understand fire danger ratings.

Yeah. Yeah. So earlier this year at the 1st of September, in fact, the way four authorities to predict fire and fire danger ratings has changed for a national system. So where we're actually being able to communicate the same information across all of Australia. So no matter where you live, work or play the same communication tool and device image as such for fire danger ratings will be the same wherever you are. Basically, we've tried to make it simpler. We've tried to make it easier for everybody to understand fire danger ratings.

And I guess at this time of the year when people are moving around, it's kind of good to have that consistency because people might be travelling to Victoria from around Australia or Victorians might be travelling out. And I guess to know kind of what that fire danger rating is. Australia wide is a very positive thing.

And I guess at this time of the year when people are moving around, it's kind of good to have that consistency because people might be travelling to Victoria from around Australia or Victorians might be travelling out. And I guess to know kind of what that fire danger rating is. Australia wide is a very positive thing.

Yeah. And it makes it make sure it's, it's readable and clear and concise for everybody, particularly as you say this year, everyone is moving around a little bit more than we have in the last couple of years. Exactly. So as we go on holidays, it is important to keep an eye on what our fire danger ratings are and and knowing what the risks could be. Well, if we can.

Yeah. And it makes it make sure it's, it's readable and clear and concise for everybody, particularly as you say this year, everyone is moving around a little bit more than we have in the last couple of years. Exactly. So as we go on holidays, it is important to keep an eye on what our fire danger ratings are and and knowing what the risks could be. Well, if we can.

Concentrate on a picture for a little while. There are nine zones, if you like.

Concentrate on a picture for a little while. There are nine zones, if you like.

Yeah. So we call these fire weather districts. So basically, we split Victoria into a map of those nine categories so that when and then we declare fire danger ratings in relation to those fire areas as such. And you'll also say that of fire bans are also declared using those fire weather zones as such in the map.

Yeah. So we call these fire weather districts. So basically, we split Victoria into a map of those nine categories so that when and then we declare fire danger ratings in relation to those fire areas as such. And you'll also say that of fire bans are also declared using those fire weather zones as such in the map.

Now, there's a colour kind of associated with the different categories, if you like, and we'll run through them and maybe put some narrative to it as to what they all mean, because I'm sure the the mainstream media for local will be highlighting the colours, but for some it might be blind, have low vision, that might not mean quite as much. So I do want to kind of call out the colour and then perhaps put some words to it as well.

Now, there's a colour kind of associated with the different categories, if you like, and we'll run through them and maybe put some narrative to it as to what they all mean, because I'm sure the the mainstream media for local will be highlighting the colours, but for some it might be blind, have low vision, that might not mean quite as much. So I do want to kind of call out the colour and then perhaps put some words to it as well.

Exactly, Yes. No, that's a great idea. So in the past we've had six ratings of fire danger ratings. But as I said before, we're going to four. And this time we've actually managed to align an action statement to each of those four levels so that not only do we have a level, but we have a call to action, something that we would like you to do for each of those levels. So, yeah, let's go through them. So working from our bottom or the lowest level up to the top. So our first level is moderate, which is described in colour green. And basically at this level we want you to sort of start to plan and prepare what you might do if you and your family and the people around you on a day during the summer kind of thing. So this could be just basically an average summer day, warm temperature. But it's not that windy. It's just it actually is just a nice day. But during a moderate fire danger rating, basically it means that we should be able to capture most of the fires, things that should be able to be controlled. But we want you to actually be aware of your surroundings and stay up to date by monitoring your local radio or devices that could help, you know, if there was a fire or something like that broken out near you. That next level is high and that's depicted by the colour yellow. And the high rating means that fires could be a little bit more dangerous. Basically, a day under the high rating could be described as a bit more of a hot summer's day. It's starting to get to that middle of summer. We're starting to really feel like we want to go to the beach and those kind of things. Our call to action on a high rating would be that be ready to act. We want you to actually be aware of your surroundings and what could be the best and safest option for you if you were travelling or visiting or living. Bushfire risk area. Our third level is extreme depicted up on the colour orange and this is basically probably most likely will be a total fire ban when we're on an extreme fire danger rating. And so you can pick what a total fire ban sort of day is, it's hot and it's dry and it's windy, it's got all those three combinations on the go and basically on an extreme rating fires could be pretty hard. They'll spread really quickly and they can be extremely dangerous to be in and around. Finally, our last category is catastrophic and the name depicts it. So it would really obviously a red colour. And rating this rating means that fires can start really quickly and they will move really fast and lots more lives could be in danger. Obviously, a day of catastrophic will probably be a total fire ban and of course and we want you to actually leave. Bushfire risk areas. We don't want you to be there be safe, be safe and go to a safer location early in the morning or even the night before. So basically our message is leaving early, well before anything happens on a catastrophic or even if that extreme day is your safest option.

Exactly, Yes. No, that's a great idea. So in the past we've had six ratings of fire danger ratings. But as I said before, we're going to four. And this time we've actually managed to align an action statement to each of those four levels so that not only do we have a level, but we have a call to action, something that we would like you to do for each of those levels. So, yeah, let's go through them. So working from our bottom or the lowest level up to the top. So our first level is moderate, which is described in colour green. And basically at this level we want you to sort of start to plan and prepare what you might do if you and your family and the people around you on a day during the summer kind of thing. So this could be just basically an average summer day, warm temperature. But it's not that windy. It's just it actually is just a nice day. But during a moderate fire danger rating, basically it means that we should be able to capture most of the fires, things that should be able to be controlled. But we want you to actually be aware of your surroundings and stay up to date by monitoring your local radio or devices that could help, you know, if there was a fire or something like that broken out near you. That next level is high and that's depicted by the colour yellow. And the high rating means that fires could be a little bit more dangerous. Basically, a day under the high rating could be described as a bit more of a hot summer's day. It's starting to get to that middle of summer. We're starting to really feel like we want to go to the beach and those kind of things. Our call to action on a high rating would be that be ready to act. We want you to actually be aware of your surroundings and what could be the best and safest option for you if you were travelling or visiting or living. Bushfire risk area. Our third level is extreme depicted up on the colour orange and this is basically probably most likely will be a total fire ban when we're on an extreme fire danger rating. And so you can pick what a total fire ban sort of day is, it's hot and it's dry and it's windy, it's got all those three combinations on the go and basically on an extreme rating fires could be pretty hard. They'll spread really quickly and they can be extremely dangerous to be in and around. Finally, our last category is catastrophic and the name depicts it. So it would really obviously a red colour. And rating this rating means that fires can start really quickly and they will move really fast and lots more lives could be in danger. Obviously, a day of catastrophic will probably be a total fire ban and of course and we want you to actually leave. Bushfire risk areas. We don't want you to be there be safe, be safe and go to a safer location early in the morning or even the night before. So basically our message is leaving early, well before anything happens on a catastrophic or even if that extreme day is your safest option.

And I guess that's the kind of central message though, is the fact that, you know, to be thinking ahead that if the last two category days were declared, you kind of want to have a bit of a plan up your sleeve as to what you're going to do with and not sort of, oh, what are we going to do tonight now that it's been declared a catastrophic day?

And I guess that's the kind of central message though, is the fact that, you know, to be thinking ahead that if the last two category days were declared, you kind of want to have a bit of a plan up your sleeve as to what you're going to do with and not sort of, oh, what are we going to do tonight now that it's been declared a catastrophic day?

Yeah. And so consequently, our action statements are a lot more defined . Let's take action on an extreme and and leave the bushfire risk area on that catastrophic day. So we really want you to actually go beyond that planning point and actually putting something into action.

Yeah. And so consequently, our action statements are a lot more defined . Let's take action on an extreme and and leave the bushfire risk area on that catastrophic day. So we really want you to actually go beyond that planning point and actually putting something into action.

You talked about the nine zones. I guess it's quite possible that people could be either living or working or travelling through more than one zone in a day, particularly during the holiday time. I guess even if they're work as far away from home, you could be travelling from one zone to another. So being aware of the right things in each zone that you're travelling in or living in can be very important as well.

You talked about the nine zones. I guess it's quite possible that people could be either living or working or travelling through more than one zone in a day, particularly during the holiday time. I guess even if they're work as far away from home, you could be travelling from one zone to another. So being aware of the right things in each zone that you're travelling in or living in can be very important as well.

Yes, it is. It's very important. And and we've got a number of publications and we actually have one that we've actually just rereleased, obviously courtesy of the new fire danger ratings, you know, in a screen reader and an audio version, which would be good for your listeners that goes through about how you can work out what you know, what's out for, where the area you live in and where you might be going on holidays and those kind of things, and also how you would actually implement that plan and those kind of things. So there's lots of information in play and we we are trying to make sure that there's always accessible versions for everybody to actually access.

Yes, it is. It's very important. And and we've got a number of publications and we actually have one that we've actually just rereleased, obviously courtesy of the new fire danger ratings, you know, in a screen reader and an audio version, which would be good for your listeners that goes through about how you can work out what you know, what's out for, where the area you live in and where you might be going on holidays and those kind of things, and also how you would actually implement that plan and those kind of things. So there's lots of information in play and we we are trying to make sure that there's always accessible versions for everybody to actually access.

All right. We'll give details on how people can access it, particularly online before we go. And they'll say there's a couple of phone numbers that people can call as well. And they're really good to see if there's a national relay service number as well. So that's excellent. As far as inclusiveness and accessibility goes, Joe, of course, we all know that we've had a long and very wet extended winter spring, etc. I guess the fuel load, if we can call it that, would be pretty high. So the fire danger is once that gets dried out a bit, that's going to present a real challenge.

All right. We'll give details on how people can access it, particularly online before we go. And they'll say there's a couple of phone numbers that people can call as well. And they're really good to see if there's a national relay service number as well. So that's excellent. As far as inclusiveness and accessibility goes, Joe, of course, we all know that we've had a long and very wet extended winter spring, etc. I guess the fuel load, if we can call it that, would be pretty high. So the fire danger is once that gets dried out a bit, that's going to present a real challenge.

Yes, exactly. And I love the use of the lingo, Peter, but the fuel load is exactly the threat, I suppose, for us as in Victoria. Well, we've obviously been going through a fair few flood incidents at the moment and those kind of things, but out of rain comes grass and that means that yes, that grass fuel will be one of our major issues that coming through to the summer because yeah, we've all, we've all had lots of their lawns have always been hard to keep up with. And when you in around the environment it certainly takes and starts to really impact.

Yes, exactly. And I love the use of the lingo, Peter, but the fuel load is exactly the threat, I suppose, for us as in Victoria. Well, we've obviously been going through a fair few flood incidents at the moment and those kind of things, but out of rain comes grass and that means that yes, that grass fuel will be one of our major issues that coming through to the summer because yeah, we've all, we've all had lots of their lawns have always been hard to keep up with. And when you in around the environment it certainly takes and starts to really impact.

So we've talked about the so I guess it's never too late to kind of but you can trigger a little bit of property around your home to, you know, kind of have a bit of a look at that and make sure that anything excess as far as burnable or combustible material is sort of out of the way. You know, make sure you got us there, okay? Get someone in to do that if you don't want to go up there yourself. Yeah.

So we've talked about the so I guess it's never too late to kind of but you can trigger a little bit of property around your home to, you know, kind of have a bit of a look at that and make sure that anything excess as far as burnable or combustible material is sort of out of the way. You know, make sure you got us there, okay? Get someone in to do that if you don't want to go up there yourself. Yeah.

There is some really good information in that for your Guide to Survival, which is that publication I was referring to there earlier, which gives you some great, great advice as to how to prepare your property in most parts of the state by starting to enter fire danger period now. So unfortunately, you've left it a little late to start doing any other burning and around your property. But there is that still cleaning up around the property that we can do so yet maintaining our grass coverage, cleaning those gutters out because those autumn leaves will start to fill it up and all those little jobs that you can still participate and get under way. Yeah. So there's lots of information that Your guide to survival, nd you can also use that. What you were referring to before and seeking some advice on the emergency hotline or the National relay service, as well as how you can actually prepare your property for summer.

There is some really good information in that for your Guide to Survival, which is that publication I was referring to there earlier, which gives you some great, great advice as to how to prepare your property in most parts of the state by starting to enter fire danger period now. So unfortunately, you've left it a little late to start doing any other burning and around your property. But there is that still cleaning up around the property that we can do so yet maintaining our grass coverage, cleaning those gutters out because those autumn leaves will start to fill it up and all those little jobs that you can still participate and get under way. Yeah. So there's lots of information that Your guide to survival, nd you can also use that. What you were referring to before and seeking some advice on the emergency hotline or the National relay service, as well as how you can actually prepare your property for summer.

We might get those numbers now and then we'll repeat them before we wrap up. So we've mentioned them now and then we'll give people a chance to grab on to their write them down with all recording, because these can be very, very handy to have as the next step. Well, it could be two or three months Jo where, you know, the the fire danger can go for quite some time.

We might get those numbers now and then we'll repeat them before we wrap up. So we've mentioned them now and then we'll give people a chance to grab on to their write them down with all recording, because these can be very, very handy to have as the next step. Well, it could be two or three months Jo where, you know, the the fire danger can go for quite some time.

Yeah. And I encourage everybody to save these phone numbers into their phones and devices. That way they've always got them on hand. So that Vic emergency hotline. So that's a great resource for finding out what your fire danger rating might be in a location you are today. It will also give you some information about if there is a fire or those kind of things burning in and around near where you are. So that Vic emergency hotline number is 1800 226 226 . And then the National Relay service is another great service we provide that listeners might want and also save into that phone, which is 1800 555 677 .

Yeah. And I encourage everybody to save these phone numbers into their phones and devices. That way they've always got them on hand. So that Vic emergency hotline. So that's a great resource for finding out what your fire danger rating might be in a location you are today. It will also give you some information about if there is a fire or those kind of things burning in and around near where you are. So that Vic emergency hotline number is 1800 226 226 . And then the National Relay service is another great service we provide that listeners might want and also save into that phone, which is 1800 555 677 .

Yep. Very, very important numbers. And what we'll also do is put them up on our Facebook page so people can go there. And of course we love people to be listening to Vision Australia Radio all the time. Jo But in an emergency of course, stations, particularly like the ABC, are very, very good for emergency services announcement, are they?

Yep. Very, very important numbers. And what we'll also do is put them up on our Facebook page so people can go there. And of course we love people to be listening to Vision Australia Radio all the time. Jo But in an emergency of course, stations, particularly like the ABC, are very, very good for emergency services announcement, are they?

Yes, Yes. And local radio, ABC radio and, and some of the commercial and even your local community radio stations are great resources during a during the summer months to know what's happening in and around your area if they will obviously stop some broadcasts and those kind of things to put out information if it's pertinent to, you know, as we go. And yeah, there's also obviously the emergency app on your phone and that phone number we just mentioned and lots of places that you can actually access the information that you can make as accessible to yourselves. Yep. Yep.

Yes, Yes. And local radio, ABC radio and, and some of the commercial and even your local community radio stations are great resources during a during the summer months to know what's happening in and around your area if they will obviously stop some broadcasts and those kind of things to put out information if it's pertinent to, you know, as we go. And yeah, there's also obviously the emergency app on your phone and that phone number we just mentioned and lots of places that you can actually access the information that you can make as accessible to yourselves. Yep. Yep.

So being as where as you can be and without wishing to, you know, alarm people, I guess being very, very alert is so important because, yeah, I mean, without putting it too bluntly, your life could be depending on it.

So being as where as you can be and without wishing to, you know, alarm people, I guess being very, very alert is so important because, yeah, I mean, without putting it too bluntly, your life could be depending on it.

Yeah. And your loved ones and those around you as well. So yeah. Yeah.

Yeah. And your loved ones and those around you as well. So yeah. Yeah.

And also those very brave and wonderful people that go out to fight the fires. I mean, we want to make it as less impactful as we can upon them because they're doing a tremendous job. And, you know, we want to make sure that we do as much as we can to make it as well. It's as easy but as comfortable as we can for them.

And also those very brave and wonderful people that go out to fight the fires. I mean, we want to make it as less impactful as we can upon them because they're doing a tremendous job. And, you know, we want to make sure that we do as much as we can to make it as well. It's as easy but as comfortable as we can for them.

Yeah, and knowing that people have taken our advice prior to to a bad day coming up and and knowing that they've already left is an area that could be impacted is is a great peace of mind for our volunteers and fire services.

Yeah, and knowing that people have taken our advice prior to to a bad day coming up and and knowing that they've already left is an area that could be impacted is is a great peace of mind for our volunteers and fire services.

Give the size numbers again knowing that there's a website and also with the name of the app. So I guess these are all things that people have got a little bit of time because it hasn't got too bad just yet. So hopefully it won't for the whole summer, but let's be prepared. So those numbers and then perhaps the app name and also website. Joe.

Give the size numbers again knowing that there's a website and also with the name of the app. So I guess these are all things that people have got a little bit of time because it hasn't got too bad just yet. So hopefully it won't for the whole summer, but let's be prepared. So those numbers and then perhaps the app name and also website. Joe.

So it's the Vic Emergency hotline and the phone number is 1800 226 226 . And there's also the Vic Emergency app that you can download onto your phone and you can set an area of your local area up. So it actually tells you information that's really relevant to where you may is or where you might be during that day that's available. And then there's the National Relay Service, which is 1800 555 677 . And of course, being a CFA employee, I better prompt the CFA website. So basically if you wanted to go to CFA dot vic dot gov dot au on your device that way you can access information about planning and preparing your home, what your local fire danger rating could be because you can actually set it to show your own local information so that it's really useful in that instance. And you can also access some of our publications and those kind of things. And as I said, we have now got a screen reader and audio version of our main primary publication that Your Guide to Survival accessible on our website as we speak.

So it's the Vic Emergency hotline and the phone number is 1800 226 226 . And there's also the Vic Emergency app that you can download onto your phone and you can set an area of your local area up. So it actually tells you information that's really relevant to where you may is or where you might be during that day that's available. And then there's the National Relay Service, which is 1800 555 677 . And of course, being a CFA employee, I better prompt the CFA website. So basically if you wanted to go to CFA dot vic dot gov dot au on your device that way you can access information about planning and preparing your home, what your local fire danger rating could be because you can actually set it to show your own local information so that it's really useful in that instance. And you can also access some of our publications and those kind of things. And as I said, we have now got a screen reader and audio version of our main primary publication that Your Guide to Survival accessible on our website as we speak.

Joe, very, very important message. Thanks so much for sharing some time with us and giving us that information. Let's hope it's safe and happy time and a very important message. Thank you for telling us so well.

Joe, very, very important message. Thanks so much for sharing some time with us and giving us that information. Let's hope it's safe and happy time and a very important message. Thank you for telling us so well.

Very good. Thanks very much for the time, Peter.

Very good. Thanks very much for the time, Peter.

That's a joke. Natalie, who is the community engagement specialist with the CFA?

That's a joke. Natalie, who is the community engagement specialist with the CFA?