Inside firefighters' high-tech push to prepare for perilous season

There was no smoke, no heat and no sirens when an eastern Victorian brigade stepped into a fireground to prepare for the looming bushfire season.

Instead, volunteers at Erica Country Fire Authority (CFA) were inside their station, wearing a new virtual reality (VR) kit authorities hoped would help them prepare for a bushfire season that threatened to start earlier than previous years.

CFA deputy chief officer for the south-east, Trevor Owen, said his crews were leaving no stone unturned to prepare.

"We can expect an earlier onset to the bushfire season," he said.

"It could be more serious than what we've been facing even in recent years."

It comes as an El Niño event, which forecasters say could be the strongest on record, could potentially bring hotter, drier conditions to Victoria.

The updated VR firefighting equipment, released earlier this year, replaces the FLAIM training system the CFA has used for several years, boasting better graphics and more realistic simulations.

The CFA is also trialling drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras to help crews detect hotspots faster on the fireground.

"It provides really good situational awareness about what's happening on the fireground,"

Mr Owen said.

"[And] it's quick, easy and cost-effective to deploy."

Fighting fire with VR

The Erica firefighting crew is one of the first Gippsland brigades to use the new VR system, fighting fast-moving grass fires and protecting homes from the comfort and safety of their station.

"It provides a unique opportunity for our members to have a go, practice and make mistakes safely without the worry of injuring themselves or anyone else around them," said Erica District and Fire Brigade captain Russell Wright.

Mr Wright said having the VR training sets was good for learning and morale.

"It means our firefighters can continue to refine and practice their skills that they've learnt out in fire training centres without the necessity of having to drive over an hour away," he said.

Mr Wright said everyone learned from the sessions, not just those with the headsets on.

"Everyone can see what's going on and talk through what they would do differently," he said.

'Be prepared for anything'

The Bureau of Meteorology has officially declared El Niño active and modelling suggests it could become the strongest event in the modern era.

Australian Red Cross Victoria director for recovery and resilience Nichola Krey said people should not rely on seasonal conditions when planning for emergencies.

"El Niño or not, Australia has been experiencing increased intensity and frequency of disasters for a number of years now," Ms Krey said.

"So El Niño is just punctuating this. What we're saying to all Victorians is be prepared for anything."

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