VICTORIA. — This National Carers Week, October 11 to 17, the Country Fire Authority (CFA) is urging Victorians who care for others living in high bushfire-risk areas to plan ahead for what is expected to be another challenging fire season.
CFA’s online learning module Bushfire Planning: You and the person you care for, developed with Carers Victoria, is for anyone who provides informal care or support to family members or friends with a disability, mental illness, chronic health issue or age-related condition.
The free one-hour online module dives into how to start a conversation and build a bushfire plan, when to leave, and what resources are available.
Barjarg Fire Brigade member Joan Tie, who informally cares for her husband Graham, who is a polio survivor, is a strong advocate for bushfire safety, having resided in a high-risk area most of her life.
“I think any area is prone to bushfires, it doesn’t matter whether it’s high or low, it’s all relevant to me,” Joan said.
“We’ve had over 30 and 35 years of experience respectively as CFA communication officers with Barjarg Fire Brigade and are both born and bred in the country, so we are aware of what needs to be done to prepare our property and ourselves.
“We attend regular community engagement sessions too and take everything on board.”
For those seeking further guidance, the online learning module is designed to help you provide the person you care for with an opportunity to actively participate in their own bushfire planning and decision-making processes.
Joan and Graham always work as a team when preparing a plan for the bushfire season and enlist the help of Graham’s formal aged care workers who come fortnightly to lend a hand.
“I have a small bag that sits at the kitchen door that has all our relevant papers in it, and we’ve got a key lock on the back door in case anything happens and someone needs to get in,” Joan said.
“I make sure all our medications and his walkers are accessible, and if push comes to shove – we go.
“When something like that happens [a bushfire], panic sets in. There is always an element of panic in any of these situations. So, I can assure you, we’re ready to go at the drop of a hat.”
Within the online module, carers can find bushfire plan templates, alongside tips and checklists that help assess risk, what vital decisions should be made before summer and a guide to having a workable plan.
When Barjarg was under threat from the fast-moving and devastating Longwood fire in January 2026, Joan and Graham were quick to enact their bushfire plan and leave the area.
“They kept warning us that Barjarg was under threat and in line of fire, and although we were a fair way away, things can happen quickly,” Joan said.
“For three nights we slept fully clothed with bags at the door, and cars at the front so we didn’t have to panic about opening gates if we had to go. We kept the curtains open at all times to keep an eye out.
“We always notify somebody with our plan, so when Graham’s outside carers come here and we’re not home, they know that we’ve left.”
Visit CFA’s website at www.cfa.vic.gov.au/carers to learn how you can support the person you care for.
