Stories of Victoria Police’s response to the 2019-2020 bushfires

While the world watched on in horror at the apocalyptic images of people in Mallacoota being forced to the water's edge by fire, emergency authorities started working on a rescue mission.

This story documents Mallacoota's experience of the bushfire, and the ongoing relief and recovery that followed.

Believing that Cann River was out of harms way, 23 Victoria Police officers were sent to the local one-man police station.

They were intending to start setting up relief and recovery for surrounding townships. However, the moment they arrived, a wildfire with a mind of its own surrounded Cann River with flames.

This story documents Cann River’s experience of the bushfire, and the ongoing relief and recovery that followed.

Years of drought had primed the bush surrounding the township of Orbost for a bad fire season. As the hotter weather of December began to take hold, the town started its anxious wait.

A Farm Crime Liaison Officer recounts how the community came together to donate and distribute fodder to farmers to feed their stock.

This story documents Orbost’s experience of the bushfire and the ongoing relief and recovery that followed.

The devastation of the bushfires in East Gippsland and the North-East of Victoria made the summer of 2019-2020 a historic emergency response challenge for Victoria Police.

Thousands of police from Eastern Division and other areas across the state worked long and hard hours for 4 months.

This story documents Victoria Police’s response to the East Gippsland bushfires, and the ongoing relief and recovery that followed.