The group has since attracted members from businessmen to scientists, all hoping to ensure bushfire readiness.

The group is headed by Mel Gajdek and Jo Hirst. Ms Gajdek said support for the group had grown, with public meetings attracting more than 250 residents and representatives from the State Government, CFA, police and SES.

The group has surveyed residents on what they thought were the top issues in the wake of Black Saturday.

Ms Gajdek said the group's development had been "organic with people of diverse backgrounds and skill sets identifying themselves, lending a hand and bolstering the group as it has gone from strength to strength".

She said the group wanted to ensure effective bushfire safety measures were implemented in the Dandenong Ranges and "not just by good luck alone".

"Communities standing together will always be more effective than those that are divided or not organised. Concerned locals have found a united voice with DRCBG."

Ms Gajdek said despite raising its concerns with local, state and federal governments, the group continued to be frustrated by "the lack of urgency displayed by all levels of government".

"The locals have the knowledge, experience and effective solutions to improve bushfire safety.

"[But] there is a lack of community consultation and political will to implement overdue and necessary changes needed to improve bushfire safety."

Ms Gajdek said residents were now being asked through an online survey about the use of sirens to provide an early warning to residents.

"The Office of the Emergency Service Commissioner (OESC) has set out guidelines that, incredibly, require the support of a majority of residents before this can be implemented.

"That means more than half of [the Dandenong Ranges] population or 23,000 residents."

CFA Yarra area general manager Lex De Man said he supported the OESC policy on fire sirens but the CFA would work with community groups in the process of getting additional warning advice.

"It's just another tool in a whole suite of tool kits. On those early bad days, I want to reinforce the message of people leaving the night before or the morning thereof."

Click here for survey details