The Independent Bushfire Group congratulates the Senate committee for its commitment to investigate fast attack strategies, after the release of its October 7 interim report, Lessons to be learned in relation to the Australian bushfire season 2019-20.

Some remote lightning fires that later became disasters could have been put out shortly after ignition with a strong force of specialised helicopters, bombers and remote area fire crews, dedicated only to extinguishing these remote area ignitions.

Supported by the best lightning strike detection technologies, these teams could act quickly while there were only one or two trees alight.

Changes in decision-making and investment in specialised firefighting can ensure more lightning fires are put out early, thus reducing costs and impacts on communities and bushland.

It is clear that we are in uncharted territory for future fire seasons, and we need radical changes in the way we understand and fight fires in the era of climate change.

The Independent Bushfire Group, which includes 13 fire management veterans and researchers with more than 450 years of fire experience between them, has analysed 11 fires from the last catastrophic season.

Future severe fires seasons will be closer together and more extreme. Practices that were developed in the past now need radical rethinking.

We strongly support the approach being taken by the committee to a whole of community fire mitigation effort and the shift in emphasis of prescribed burning closer to communities.

As we head into another bushfire season, our attention must turn to the first responders and their families who are still recovering from the efforts of the Black Summer fires.

This week, Fortem Australia launches a free, psychological support service for first responders and - importantly - their family members, who were involved in the Black Summer bushfires of 2019-20.

The telehealth service means that access is available for first responder families in the various regional areas that were affected.

Beyond Blue research shows that more than half of first responders have experienced a traumatic event that has deeply affected them during the course of their duties. Families also carry this trauma.

We are an independent not-for-profit, not part of any workplaces or first responder organisations, supporting families as well as first responders.

Fortem Australia is created by the co-founders of Soldier On.