CFS has designated 16 February as ‘Bushfire Resilience Day’, an occasion to honour those who lost their lives in a South Australian bushfire, to recognise the strength of those who have recovered and adapted from disasters, and to encourage efforts to build greater bushfire resilience.

Bushfires in South Australia have resulted in the significant loss of lives, homes, pets, belongings, livestock and other sources of livelihoods and have a lasting mental health affect on communities. Climate change means there is a significant likelihood of more severe, more frequent, and longer climatic events over the coming years, increasing the need for people to be educated, informed and supported to build greater resilience in emergency situations.

As a fire and rescue agency, the 16 February has great significance as it is the anniversary of Ash Wednesday 1983, a pivotal moment for many and one that helped shape the CFS as it is stands today. Since then, the CFS has demonstrated the benefit of a centrally organised and state-funded organisation, highly trained volunteer base, state-of-the-art equipment, and safe systems of work to enable our members to safely respond to bushfires.

Building community resilience

CFS supports community resilience through a range of initiatives, including:

Empowering the community with information on bushfire preparedness

A disaster resilient community is one that works together to understand and manage the risks that it confronts. CFS works with local community groups, brigades, businesses, local councils and individuals to create safer, more informed and resilient individuals and communities.

To learn more about the workshops, presentations and range of other programs CFS offers in your local area, visit cfs.sa.gov.au/events.

Managing bushfire risk

CFS constantly works to improve understanding of the types and scale of bushfire risk facing South Australians. As part of this, CFS supports the State Bushfire Coordination Committee, which has responsibility for overseeing bushfire management planning in South Australia. This includes developing Bushfire Management Area Plans to help community, industry, and government identify risk in the landscape and what they need to do to mitigate the associated risk.

To better understand your bushfire risk and the prevention actions you can undertake so that you, your family, and property are better prepared for a bushfire, visit cfs.sa.gov.au/know-your-risk.

Property compliance with bushfire safety standards

CFS contributes to bushfire resilience by providing technical information, advice, and development approvals to ensure new builds, renovations, and certain classes of commercial buildings are compliant with relevant building standards and bushfire safety laws.

To work out what you need to do to make sure you meet planning and safety requirements, visit cfs.sa.gov.au/development-assessment.

Reducing risk through determining Fire Danger Seasons and compliance with safe community behaviours

CFS is responsible for setting Fire Danger Season dates in consultation with Bushfire Management Committees across the state, and determining restrictions on lighting fires and other activities to reduce the chance of bushfires starting. Disaster resilience is a shared responsibility.

To know what you can and can’t do during the Fire Danger Season and on Total Fire Ban Days, visit cfs.sa.gov.au/restrictions.

There are many other organisations working to strengthen resilience and help South Australian communities prepare for bushfires, including:

  • ifarmwell Bushfire Module: This bushfire module has been designed with Australian farmers to help other Australian farmers to manage the impact of major farm fires on their wellbeing and to prepare both psychologically and practically in case they experience a bushfire again.
  • RediCommunities: Australian Red Cross is partnering with communities to run RediCommunities, a series of community-led workshops aimed at strengthening community resilience and preparing for disasters.
  • Resilient Ready: Delivering solutions for every organisation to thrive before, during and after disasters.
  • Disaster Relief Australia: Empowering communities with projects to build disaster resilience and foster a sense of pride.
  • Torrens Resilience Initiative: Australia's longest-standing research initiatives dedicated to disaster preparedness and management.
  • The Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience: Developing, maintaining and sharing knowledge and learning to support a disaster resilient Australia.
  • SA  Councils: Contact your local council to see what initiatives or support they provide. 
  • Bushfire Resilience Inc: Information to reduce bushfire risk for households in regional areas and urban fringe.
  • Disaster Wise: A movement of people building disaster resilience through self-determination and community-led
    action.
  • National Indigenous Disaster Resilience: Enhancing the resilience of Indigenous communities in the face of increasing disasters.