Fire toolkit
Build a fire plan using checklists and templates from the Fire Preparedness Toolkit.
The characteristics of every farm and farming business are different and each farm requires a unique approach to fire preparedness.
Fire can affect properties rapidly and cause devastating impacts.
Developing a fire plan and undertaking the tasks identified within it, will assist farmers and land managers to be better prepared and recover faster, should their property be affected by fire.
A fire plan can help to protect your home, livestock and vital farm infrastructure. A plan will also help identify the timing of activities so they can be undertaken at the appropriate time.
It is important to review the plan on an annual basis and again during periods of high fire risk. All members of the family and employees should be aware of the plan and how to implement it. Agriculture Victoria’s Fire Preparedness Toolkit includes checklists and templates, that once complete can help form a fire preparedness plan.
The checklists and templates have been developed with input from landholders. The Fire Preparedness Toolkit should be used in conjunction with existing information and resources provided by the Country Fire Authority (CFA) and your local council.
For more information visit the publications section on the CFA website.
Get a copy for your farm
For a hard copy of the toolkit fill out this form Note: It you require more copies (for example for an agency) please contact us separately at recovery@agriculture.vic.gov.au. It can take up to 2 weeks for the toolkit to be posted from our regional offices.
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Create a farm map
A farm map can be a useful tool in the development of a fire plan. It can clearly identify critical assets, water sources, assembly/evacuation and exit points and stock refuge areas.
Consider making multiple copies of the map to share with family and employees and place copies in visible and easily accessed areas. The farm map can be hand drawn, an existing aerial photo or developed using custom made mapping software.
Use the resources from the Fire Preparedness Toolkit to create your farm map.
Download
A farm map can be a useful tool in the development of a fire plan. It can clearly identify critical assets, water sources, assembly/evacuation and exit points and stock refuge areas.
Consider making multiple copies of the map to share with family and employees and place copies in visible and easily accessed areas. The farm map can be hand drawn, an existing aerial photo or developed using custom made mapping software.
Use the resources from the Fire Preparedness Toolkit to create your farm map.
Create a checklist
Your fire preparedness plan should be reviewed on an annual basis, ideally before the start of the fire season. The review should involve all family members and employees.
The discussion should clearly identify individual responsibilities, their roles, equipment and what to do during periods of high fire danger. This review may also be a good time to undertake a refresher on the use of pumps and other firefighting equipment.
Use the resources from the Fire Preparedness Toolkit to create your fire preparedness checklist.
Download
Below are 8 checklists you can use to prepare for a fire event:
- Business preparedness
- Family/staff briefing
- Farm preparedness
- Building/vegetation maintenance
- Equipment and asset maintenance
- Water supply
- Livestock management
- High risk day ratings plan
| Business Preparedness | Who | When | Date completed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insurance reviewed and updated | |||
| Review and update farm asset list | |||
| Scan or copy important documents and store off farm. Record where they are stored | |||
| Update Property Identification Code (PIC) | |||
| Review and update emergency contact list | |||
| Update farm map | |||
| Review the rules around burning off in your municipality |
| Family/staff briefing | Who | When | Date completed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Family members/staff/contractors are aware of the Fire Preparedness Plan and their roles | |||
| Family members/staff briefed on use of 000, VicFire and mobile phone emergency apps | |||
| Family members and staff know the address/location of the property to relay to emergency services in the event of a fire | |||
| Communications equipment used on farm is in good working order and family members/staff are trained in its use | |||
| Family members/staff/contractors are aware of fire danger periods declared in your municipality (and associated restrictions) | |||
| Family members/staff/contractors are aware of daily fire danger ratings and total fire bans when declared | |||
| Harvest machinery operators are familiar with harvest related fire dangers and know how to undertake assessments using the CFA Grain Harvesting Guide |
| Farm Preparedness | Who | When | Date completed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Property access is clear and well maintained | |||
| Roadside property number is clearly visible from both directions at property entry | |||
| Farm biosecurity sign at farm entrance with mobile phone number displayed | |||
| Contents of all personal emergency and evacuation kits (including personal protective equipment) checked and updated |
| Building/Vegetation Maintenance | Who | When | Date completed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undertake routine maintenance of house and farm buildings ensuring all doors can be easily closed during periods of high fire danger | |||
| Clear vegetation and other flammable materials from around the home and farm buildings including gutters | |||
| Establish fire breaks | |||
| Monitor hay that may be at risk |
| Equipment and Asset Maintenance | Who | When | Date completed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knapsack and fire extinguishers are regularly serviced | |||
| Fire extinguishers (or knapsacks) are fitted to tractors, harvesters and other relevant machinery | |||
| Farm vehicles are supplied with a fire extinguisher, pure wool blanket, first aid kit, UHF radio and mobile phone charger (and 12 volt adaptor if required) | |||
| Firefighting unit is set up, serviced, tested and fitted with appropriate hand tools including wire cutters | |||
| Electric fences checked for faults and kept clear of long grass – switch off on fire risk days | |||
| All farm machinery and equipment maintained in good working order (to avoid starting a fire) | |||
| Assemble firefighting equipment for protecting your home residence |
| Water Supply | Who | When | Date completed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tank holding a minimum of 22,000 litres of water for firefighting purposes fitted with appropriate CFA couplings | |||
| Dams suitable for filling fire units are marked on farm map |
| Livestock Management | Who | When | Date completed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Refuge area (paddock/stock containment area identified and prepared for livestock with adequate water) | |||
| All livestock fitted with electronic ear tags or management tags | |||
| Feed sources for livestock kept at two locations on property |
| High Risk Day Ratings | Who is leaving | Who is staying? | Destination? (Include route and backup route) |
|---|---|---|---|
| HIGH | |||
| EXTREME | |||
| CATASTROPHIC | All personnel should leave on catastrophic days |
Action plan
After working through the fire preparedness checklist, note any urgent repairs or actions that need to occur prior to the upcoming fire season.
A blank copy of an action plan template can be found in the Fire Preparedness Toolkit.
Download
| Risk | Action required | Who | When | Date completed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Emergency contact list
An emergency contact list is an essential part of a fire plan. It should list the phone numbers of emergency services, state and local government contacts, veterinary clinic, local hospital, family members, employees and your neighbours. A copy of an emergency contact list template can be found in the Fire Preparedness Toolkit.
To contact your local CFA region, visit the CFA website.
Download
| Form name | ||||
| Address | ||||
| Owner/Manager | Name | Contact No. | ||
| Owner/Manager | Name | Contact No. | ||
| Chlidren | Name | Contact No. | ||
| Chlidren | Name | Contact No. | ||
| Chlidren | Name | Contact No. | ||
| Chlidren | Name | Contact No. | ||
| Chlidren | Name | Contact No. | ||
| Employees | Name | Contact No. | ||
| Employees | Name | Contact No. | ||
| Employees | Name | Contact No. | ||
| Employees | Name | Contact No. | ||
| Neighbours | Name | Contact No. | ||
| Neighbours | Name | Contact No. | ||
| Neighbours | Name | Contact No. | ||
| CFA/Fire Station | Name | Contact No. | ||
| SES | Name | Contact No. | ||
| Electricity Company | Name | Contact No. | ||
| Telephone Company | Name | Contact No. | ||
| Police Station | Name | Contact No. | ||
| Hospital | Name | Contact No. | ||
| Doctor | Name | Contact No. | ||
| Dentist | Name | Contact No. | ||
| Insurance Agent | Name | Contact No. | ||
| Livestock Agent | Name | Contact No. | ||
| Local Shire – Municipality | Name | Contact No. | ||
| Veterinarian | Name | Contact No. | ||
| Livestock Transport | Name | Contact No. | ||
| Plumber | Name | Contact No. | ||
| Electrician | Name | Contact No. | ||
| Local Merchandise Store | Name | Contact No. | ||
| Fuel/Chemical Supplier | Name | Contact No. | ||
| Local Water Carter | Name | Contact No. | ||
| Equipment Dealer | Name | Contact No. | ||
| Plant Supplier | Name | Contact No. | ||
| Agriculture Victoria | Name | Contact No. | ||
| Local Catchment Management Authority | Name | Contact No. | ||
| Other | Name | Contact No. |
Fire danger ratings and Total Fire Ban days
Fire Danger Ratings tell you how dangerous a fire could be if one started. The higher the rating, the more dangerous the conditions. Make it part of your plan to check the Fire Danger Rating every day.
Fire Danger Ratings can be used as a trigger for various fire plan actions including when different personnel will leave or whether you activate a ‘leave early’ or ‘stay and defend’ plan.
Your plan might use forecast fire danger ratings to trigger activities like relocating stock or laying out fire hoses. During the fire season check your local warnings regularly to keep safe.
Where to find warnings and updates
- VicEmergency website or VicEmergency app
- Listen to ABC Local Radio, commercial and designated community radio stations and watch ABC News 24
- Social Media outlets: X @CFA_Updates (login required) and the CFA Facebook page (login required)
- 1800 226 226 – the VicEmergency Hotline
- 1800 555 677 – callers who are deaf, hard to hearing, or have a speech/communication impairment can contact VicEmergency via the National Relay Service on this number
- 131 450 – If you do not speak English, call the Translating and Interpreting Service for translated information from VicEmergency. If you know someone who cannot speak English, give them this number
- In some circumstances you may receive an SMS to your mobile phone
- You may receive a call to your landline phone
A complete list of official emergency broadcasters can be downloaded from the Emergency Management Victoria website.
Emergency and evacuation kits
When a bushfire is likely to impact your property, staying to defend it or preparing to shelter in place can be extremely dangerous. You must be mentally and physically fit, have all the necessary personal protective equipment, have an ample supply of food and water and an emergency and evacuation kit packed and ready to go. Landholders should prepare an emergency and evacuation kit even if your plan is to leave early.
A handy checklist for preparing an emergency kit and an evacuation kit can be found in the Fire Preparedness Toolkit or click on the drop-down menu below.
Download
Download
Your emergency kit should be stored in a crate or tub and kept in an accessible spot that everyone knows about. Items you will need in your kit to help you survive during and after a bushfire are listed below:
| Items | Checkbox (tick when included) | |
|---|---|---|
| Protective Clothing | Wide brimmed hat | |
| Protective Clothing | Eye protection/ smoke googles | |
| Protective Clothing | Smoke/particle masks, P2 mask or cotton scarf for face | |
| Protective Clothing | Overalls or long-sleeved collared shirt and pants made from a natural fibre | |
| Protective Clothing | Leather work gloves | |
| Protective Clothing | Wool or cotton socks | |
| Protective Clothing | Sturdy leather boots | |
Other Essential Items | Comprehensive first aid kit | |
Other Essential Items | Pure wool blankets/fire blankets | |
Other Essential Items | Battery powered radios | |
Other Essential Items | Torches and battery powered lights | |
Other Essential Items | Spare batteries and chargers | |
Other Essential Items | Wire cutters | |
Other Essential Items | Farm Emergency Contact List | |
Other Essential Items | Drinking water and food for at least 2 days | |
Other Essential Items | Medication and copies of prescriptions |
Prepare your evacuation kit before the bushfire season and keep it in an accessible spot. Prepare a checklist of things you will need to include and take with you when you leave is vital. Your evacuation kit should include the items listed below:
| Item | Details | Checkbox (tick when included) |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Protective Equipment | Make sure everyone leaving is wearing protective equipment (long pants and shirts (cotton, denim, or wool) and sturdy leather boots/shoes | |
| Clothing, personal items and equipment | Change of clothing for all family members | |
| Clothing, personal items and equipment | House and car/vehicle keys | |
| Clothing, personal items and equipment | Underwear | |
| Clothing, personal items and equipment | Toiletries and sanitary supplies | |
| Clothing, personal items and equipment | Any medications (+copies of prescriptions) and first aid kit | |
| Clothing, personal items and equipment | Phone, laptop and chargers | |
| Clothing, personal items and equipment | Battery powered radio/spare batteries | |
| Clothing, personal items and equipment | Torch/spare batteries | |
| Clothing, personal items and equipment | Pure wool blanket | |
| Copy of important documents/records | Photo ID or passport | |
| Copy of important documents/records | Copy of rates notice | |
| Copy of important documents/records | USB with copy of important digital files (including insurance, farm inventory, personal records and livestock records) | |
| Copy of important documents/records | Copy of Farm Emergency Contact List | |
| Valuables | Precious photos/personal items | |
| Valuables | Wallet/purse | |
| Valuables | Other: | |
| Food and water | For family members travelling with you (enough supplies for a couple of days) | |
| Food and water | Take supplies for pets |
Farm asset inventory
A list of all significant assets, (plant, machinery, tools, infrastructure, fences, gates, fodder/grain, chemicals and stock) is a vital part of being prepared for a natural disaster such as a fire, storm or flood. Having an up-to-date asset list will expediate the payment of insurance or other assistance.
A simple way to prepare a list is to take photographs, noting down model/serial numbers, purchase date, cost and current valuation of all assets. It is recommended that photos and associated information be kept in both hard copy and digital format at an off farm location.
Secure ‘cloud’ storage is an excellent idea. In addition to specific items, general photos of workshop bench and storage areas, machinery and shearing sheds can help identify missing items.
The Fire Preparedness Toolkit has a template of a farm asset inventory.
Download
A list of all significant assets, (plant, machinery, tools, infrastructure, fences, gates, fodder/grain, chemicals and stock) is a vital part of being prepared for a natural disaster such as a fire, storm or flood.
Having an up-to-date asset list will expediate the payment of insurance or other assistance.
A simple way to prepare a list is to take photographs, noting down model/ serial numbers, purchase date, cost and current valuation of all assets. It is recommended that photos and associated information be kept in both hard copy and digital format at an off farm location.
Secure ‘cloud’ storage is an excellent idea. In addition to specific items, general photos of workshop bench and storage areas, machinery and shearing sheds can help identify missing items.
| Item name | Description | Serial number | Date purchased | Other comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Example: Ford tractor | 1570 Ford 2wd (roll bar) | 675-oli- 8942- big-wheels | 20/02/1995 | Very good condition, photos taken and emailed |
| Example: Toyota land cruiser and LDK tray | Grey Series 70 | VIN-Pol-9075-89 | 25/12/2010 | Current (19/10/2021) 260,000kms. Regular service, some panel damage – see photos. |
Response
Planning for high-risk days
Your fire plan should include a “high-risk day action plan”. The action plan should include agreed trigger points for various actions and responses; when to leave, who will leave, where will they go? You may need to stay for several days so this needs to be taken into consideration.
There are a number of CFA templates that guide you through developing a plan for high-risk days. The bushfire survival planning templates – leaving early and defending your property can be found in the publications section of the CFA website.
If planning to defend your property it is highly recommended that you have a discussion about it with your local CFA fire brigade. CFA will be able to offer advice about how to reduce the risks of planning to defend your property.
For more information visit the CFA website .
Recovery
After the fire
It is important to consider the dangers associated with returning to a fire affected property. These dangers can include fallen powerlines, dangerous trees, burning stump holes and ground contaminated with asbestos or chemical residues.
A careful and methodical assessment should be carried out to make the farm as safe as possible before recovery work commences.
Your fire plan should include a section on recovery. How will you look after yourself, your family, employees and neighbours? What are the priority actions that need to be taken once the fire has been extinguished?
Our Recovery after fire – practical steps for farmers booklet will help you plan your recovery and get you back to business as soon as possible. It contains suggested actions in the critical areas of:
- Personal health and wellbeing
- Livestock management (animal health, welfare, feed and water)
- Water management
- Soil and pasture recovery
- Fencing and property planning
- Pest control and;
- Financial support.
Learn more about recovery after fire by reading the booklet.
Fire impact assessment
Included in the Fire Preparedness Toolkit is a simple fire impact assessment form to help you document any losses and consider the priority steps you need to action after a fire event.
Download
Below is a simple fire impact assessment form to help you document any losses and consider the priority steps you need to action after a fire event.
Also in this section fire impact assessment forms for:
- Livestock
- Grains, crops and feed
- Infrastructure
- Horticulture
- Post-fire feed, water and fencing requirements
| Property details | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Trading name | |
| Farm address | |
| Total farm size | |
| Area affected (%) by event |
Livestock
| Type of livestock | Total number prior | Need assessing | Missing | Deceased |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Grain, crops and feed
| Species | Lost, damaged or destroyed (ha/bales, etc.) | Remaining (ha/bales) |
|---|---|---|
| Field Crop Standing | ||
| Stubble | ||
| Stored Grain | ||
| Pasture | ||
| Silage | ||
| Hay | ||
| Other | ||
| Other |
Infrastructure
| Items | Comments |
|---|---|
| Water, power and communication infrastructure (generators, pipes, solar panels, phones, powerlines) | |
| External fencing (adjoining crown land) | |
| External fencing (other) | |
| Internal fencing | |
| Gates | |
| Sheds | |
| Pumps | |
| Tanks | |
| Yards | |
| Reticulation/irrigation (centre pivot, pipes, troughs) | |
| Silos | |
| Machinery | |
| Vehicles/bikes | |
| Tree belts/remnant vegetation | |
| House | |
| Carport | |
| Other |
Horticulture
| Species | Lost, damaged or plants destroyed (ha/tonnes/ha) | Remaining (plants/ha) |
|---|---|---|
| Other Impacts | Notes | Photos taken (Y/N) |
|---|---|---|
| Containment lines that need rehabilitating (metres/km) | ||
| Water removed from dams for fire fighting | ||
| Erosion on waterways sediment in dams and paddocks |
Based on the remaining stock on the property
| How much feed do I need? | ||
| How much water do I need? | ||
| What are my critical fencing requirements? |
Emergency feed and water budget table
Completing an emergency feed and water budget following a fire will help you determine your livestock’s short-term needs which is important if you have lost a significant amount of pasture or supplementary feed and water supplies are impacted.
Refer to the Fire Preparedness Toolkit for a copy of a template to calculate your short term (14 days) emergency livestock feed and water requirements.
For a downloadable copy of the emergency feed and water budget table above visit Agriculture Victoria’s Feeding livestock website.
For a downloadable copy of the emergency feed and water budget table visit Agriculture Victoria’s Feeding livestock website.
For further information and advice on feeding livestock visit Agriculture Victoria’s feeding livestock website.
Meat and Livestock Australia also provides an online stocking rate calculator.
Agriculture Victoria offers information and advice on recovery services and programs offered by government and other agencies following fire.
Please contact Agriculture Victoria on 136 186 for more information.
More information
Agriculture Victoria website
- Emergency management: https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/farm-management/emergency-management
- How to prepare for a bushfire: https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/farm-management/emergency-management/bushfires/how-to-prepare-for-a-bushfire
- Recovery after fire: https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/613519/Recovery-After-Fire-Guide.pdf
- On farm bushfire recovery resources: https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/farm-management/emergency-management/bushfires/bushfire-factsheets-and-resources
CFA website
Visit the CFA website to access publications on topics such as:
- Before and during a fire
- How to prepare your property
- Fire safety on the farm
- Hay and harvest fire safety (including the grain harvesting guide)
- Restrictions and permits for farming activities
- Operating farming machinery, equipment and vehicles
- Firefighting equipment
- Electric fences and powerlines
- Livestock
- Horses and bushfires.