Carlisle River Fire Brigade volunteer firefighter, Kirsten Dudink
The January fire season looked different for many CFA volunteers across Victoria, as they navigated responding to calls for help knowing their own families and properties were in fire impacted areas.
Many local volunteers involved in the Carlisle River fire response in the Great Otway National Park, that first started on 7 January, faced incredibly challenging circumstances, as they worked to protect the community while worrying about the safety of their own families and homes.
Carlisle River Fire Brigade volunteer firefighter Kirsten Dudink, spent the month of January balancing jumping on the truck to assist with the fire response and balancing her day to day job in Volunteer Sustainability Team (VST) and looking after the safety of her children and home.
"I was on the fire truck with our Captain Rob and his wife Krystal when the lightning came through and we saw the columns of smoke everywhere," Kirsten said.
"It's confronting and you go alright, it's happening and you have to get ready for it."
While Kirsten was initially supporting with the brigade, she had to step off when the fires became a threat to her own home and family.
"It's a very different experience when the fires are in your own brigade area," Kirsten said.
"I wasn't able to support the brigade on the truck very much in the month of January because I had to evacuate with my family.
"My husband and I spent most of our time protecting our home and on two occasions evacuated our kids."
Kirsten said while the month was tough, having a bushfire survival plan in place is essential, especially when conditions can be unpredictable.
"We had a plan in place, which was to get out and we stuck to it," Kirsten said.
"My husband decided to stay, but the plan was that he would go to a safe place if the fire got too close to our property, which he did.
"Theres a lot going on at the time. You evacuate, you come home, and then things kick off again and you evacuate again."
Like many families across Victoria, Kirsten understands the challenges that come with managing a fire situation with children.
"Our two kids know we live in a very high fire risk area and that bushfires can, and will happen," Kirsten said.
"I think it's important to try to keep things as normal and routine as possible for them, in a very abnormal situation.
"It's about trying to keep it cool and calm but also being honest and telling them what is going on."
