CFA and renewable energy industry unite to strengthen fire safety

Held on 22 October 2026, the workshop attracted 35 participants from the renewable energy industry and representatives from CFA brigades, Victoria Police and Benalla Rural City council. This was a unique opportunity to build stronger partnerships and improve emergency preparedness in renewable energy facilities.  

The industry-focused session explored critical topics including fire prevention, fire suppression tactics, safe work environments, emergency response procedures, and the legislative obligations of workers and site operators.

Participants also discussed practical approaches to managing incidents in complex renewable energy environments, including solar energy facilities and battery energy storage systems.  

District 23 CFA Commander Daryl Owen said the workshop demonstrated the value of proactive engagement between emergency services and emerging industries. 

"As renewable energy infrastructure continues to expand across regional Victoria, it's essential that fire agencies and industry work together to understand the unique risks and challenges these facilities present," Daryl said.

"This was an opportunity to share knowledge, improve emergency response capabilities and ensure both firefighters and industry personnel can operate safely in these complex environments." 

The initiative reflects Australia's transition to more renewable energy and the need for emergency response agencies to continually adapt their knowledge, planning and operational practices to support growing industry sectors. 

Through presentations, case studies and practical discussions, participants examined fire prevention measures, emergency access requirements, incident response planning, vegetation management, worker safety obligations and lessons learned from previous incidents.  

Importantly, the workshop reinforced CFA's commitment to working alongside industry to protect communities while ensuring the safety of emergency responders. 

"Protecting our communities starts with prevention and preparedness. By building stronger relationships with industry and improving shared understanding of risks, we can reduce the likelihood of incidents and improve outcomes when emergencies occur," Daryl said. 

As the first initiative of its kind in Victoria, the workshop demonstrated CFA's ongoing commitment to collaboration, education and innovation, helping ensure renewable energy developments remain safe for workers, emergency responders and the communities they serve. 

The success of the event highlighted the benefits of continued engagement between CFA, renewable energy operators and other stakeholders.