Warning: this page contains content and footage of bushfires, which may be distressing to some individuals. If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress related to such an event, resources (External link) are available to support you.
The devastating February 2024 Western Victorian bushfires tested the resilience of Pomonal and Dadswells Bridge communities. Despite the challenges, the remarkable efforts of residents and emergency services shone through, leaving valuable lessons in preparedness and recovery.
‘Fires do have their own personality, it’s quite strange,’ said Peter Jackman, CFA volunteer and Dadswells Bridge resident. ‘That particular day, it started slow and then it went real fast, and the wind was horrific.’
View transcript
Pomonal reflects on fire and warnings
Length
01:40
Summary
The devastating February 2024 Western Victorian bushfires tested the resilience of Pomonal and Dadswells Bridge communities. Despite the challenges, the remarkable efforts of residents and emergency services shone through, leaving valuable lessons in preparedness and recovery.
Transcript
[Warning: this video contains images of bushfires that may be distressing to some viewers]
Peter Jackman, CFA Captain and Dadswells Bridge resident: Fires do have their own personality, it’s quite strange. That particular day, it started slow and then it went real fast and the wind was horrific that day.
[Footage of fires in Pomonal and Dadswells Bridge on 13 February 2024]
Colin Macaffer, Pomonal resident and business owner: Fortunately, no-one died, no-one got seriously injured. I’m proud of everyone I Pomonal. Everyone involved in the evacuation, the resilience and recovery afterwards, the partnerships and networking through outside agencies, it’s been fantastic.
[Footage of community members in community meeting in a hall]
Jill Miller, Pomonal Resilience Community Group: Huge shoutout to both Forest Fire Management here and also the CFA, they were just unbelievable that day.
Peter Jackman: Preparedness for a fire is the most important thing. So have your plan in place of what you might do if there is a bushfire in your area.
[Sign: A massive heartfelt thank you to all essential services and local heroes]
[Footage of phone screen, searching and opening VicEmergency app with image of maps and areas with notifications]
Colin Macaffer: I think it’s very important to have your phones with you, particularly with the VicEmergency app and you should be vigilant and listen to it all the time because it’s not just about summer, it’s winter, it’s any day of the week.
Jill Miller: Have the VicEmergency app on your phone, make sure that if you’re travelling that you actually have your locations in there that you’re going to, so that you can get a warning and then after that, listen to the local radio.
[Sign: Welcome to Pomonal. A picturesque place]
Colin Macaffer: If you have a warning, ‘leave now’, leave. If you’ve got any doubts, leave. And that’s the best thing to do, because you’re going to survive.
[Download the VicEmergency app (External link) or visit emergency.vic.gov.au (External link)]
[Emergency Management Victoria logo]
[End transcript]
Pomonal lost 45 homes, while one home burnt at Dadswells Bridge, along with a string of sheds, fencing and other assets. No lives were lost.
Pomonal resident and business owner Colin Macaffer reflected on the community’s strength during and after the disaster. ‘I’m proud of everyone in Pomonal – the evacuation, the resilience and recovery afterwards, and the partnerships and networking through outside agencies, it’s been fantastic.’
Jill Miller from the Pomonal Resilience Community Group praised the incredible efforts of emergency services, ‘huge shoutout to both Forest Fire Management and CFA – they were just unbelievable that day.’
Preparedness remains a key takeaway from the fires. The fires, started by lightning strikes on a catastrophic fire danger day, required significant response by emergency services personnel.
‘Preparedness for a fire is the most important thing,’ Peter emphasised. ‘Have your plan in place for what you might do if there’s a bushfire in your area.’
Colin encouraged people to download the VicEmergency app and listen to warnings. ‘If you have a warning ‘leave now’, leave. If you’ve got any doubts, leave.’
Emergencies can strike at any time of year. By working together and being prepared, we can ensure safer outcomes for our communities.
You can help by:
- watching the video and sharing it widely
- promoting the VicEmergency app (External link) to your communities
- talking to your networks about making a bushfire (External link) plan.
The department acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of the land and acknowledges and pays respect to their Elders, past and present.