The 2009 bushfires prompted the CFA to review, reflect and improve on its procedures.
CFA Chief Officer Steve Warrington said the Royal Commission into the tragic event guided changes and set a new standard for firefighting practice and procedure.
“Our partnerships with the emergency services sector were strengthened and we work collaboratively with a range of government organisations,” he said.
“The Stay or Go policy was revised to place a far greater emphasis on protection of life by leaving early.
“This combined with an unprecedented amount of information to help the community prepare for fire season has made substantial change across the state.”
Mr Warrington said the CFA also adopted a new national three-tier bushfire advice and alerts system.
“This has put more warnings in place than ever before, including the development of a telephone emergency warning system,” he said.
“The national development of the Emergency Alert enabled warnings to be sent to fixed and mobile phones.
“There were countless changes made following the 2009 bushfires but being able to directly contact those people in danger is an imperative tool to help protect our community.
“We will continue to carry the memories and heroism from those fires and we will always strive to be better prepared.”
