The climate was underpinned by a decade of drought across Victoria, and it all came to a head on Saturday, February 7 after weeks of extreme weather. The forecast was very clear: It was to be an extreme weather day with very high temperatures, very low humidity and very high wind speeds.

This was coupled with a strong wind change that would move across Victoria late in the day. It was the recipe for disaster.

Hundreds of fires were reported that day. The majority were controlled by firefighters, and that was a great achievement in itself.

Then there were the major fires that our first responders couldn’t control, as the weather and fire intensity didn’t let them do what they do best. 

Despite this, our firefighters, police and ambulance officers remained committed and their achievements were exceptional – something to admire and be proud of.

Some firefighters and community members suffered serious injuries and there is the reality of posttraumatic stress, which for some is ongoing. While there were no firefighter deaths, it was not the same for the community. It was a time of despair, disruption and uncertainty. It was scary.

A total of 374 Victorians died during the heatwave conditions of the last week of January 2009. A week later, 173 people perished in the Black Saturday bushfires. More than 2000 homes were destroyed, resulting in 5000 Victorians being homeless. It was beyond belief to see complete towns burnt, schools burnt to the ground, community halls erased and hundreds of thousand hectares of private and public land destroyed. 

Special recognition must go to the community members and emergency management personnel who led and provided relief and recovery services. It was difficult, it was intense and stressful, but very rewarding. Finding accommodation and housing for 5000 displaced Victorians was a challenge, working with people who’d just had their live turned upside down. To maintain momentum and remain sane was a daily challenge. 

Over weeks, months and now years, we have managed to come through this dark period. I have memories and personal feelings that I can’t describe. I made personal connections that helped make me a better person and I have observed new community leaders emerge, which has helped redefine who we are.

It hasn’t been easy and we have supported each other to cope and grow from something that wasn’t planned and wasn’t pleasant. It challenged our core beliefs and placed trauma and stress on families, neighbourhoods and communities that was immediate and, for some, continues today as we look back a decade later.

Black Saturday is the most significant bushfire in the Australian narrative and is etched in our history as a day of death, injury and destruction that no-one could imagine. It changed families, it changed communities. Importantly, we maintained our community spirit, our beliefs – we grew and gained strength.

Let’s stand together, stand proud and take time to remember, reflect and support each other. Our thoughts are with the families and communities that were affected. 

From a disaster comes questions, a need to challenge the norm and drive change. That’s exactly what happened in Victoria.

A Royal Commission was established and defined a need for change and a commitment that we will not forget, and lessons that will be actioned and achieved. 

The Royal Commission heard from more than 100 witnesses. All did us proud.

For many, it was extremely emotional and taxing. But it set our future and a new direction. 

The Royal Commission was clear – things had to change. We needed to embrace new ways, new approaches and new systems. 

Introducing new ideas and systems does not come easy, but we achieved significant change by leading innovation, being inclusive and holding people accountable. Most importantly, we placed the community at the centre of everything we now do. 

Victoria is now recognised as a world leader in community based emergency management. 

The support and encouragement that I and my team received from the community has been amazing.

Many took time out to encourage us and acknowledge what we had achieved.

This showed me how deep and broad the Black Saturday bushfires reached into communities, and the interest and commitment was real.

Ten years have passed so quickly. We are wiser, and one hopes we do not forget. 

There are things we love in life that, once gone, we can not replace.

So, let’s help each other through the 10th anniversary by being respectful.

Take time to look after yourself and those close to you.

It’s an important time to listen, to share and to care. Remember, we work as one. 

Craig Lapsley was CFA Deputy Chief Officer 2000-07, Director Emergency Management DHS 2007-10, Fire Services Commissioner 2010-14 and Emergency Management Commissioner 2014-18.