Beechworth Urban Fire Brigade first lieutenant Tracy McVea was motivated to get the word out after her neighbour was unaware of a nearby fire.

“Some people still have the old app, which will sit there but it isn’t doing anything,” she said.

“The VicEmergency app replaced FireReady on November 16 last year, so it now covers all hazards.

“It’s really important to have it, to be aware and even to check up on neighbours.

“If it goes off and you have an elderly neighbour who is not as tech-savvy, you might go across and check up on them.”

Twenty watch zones can be applied to the VicEmergency app, which shows any incidents occurring in a set radius.

Ms McVea said it was crucial users read advice messengers in their entirety. 

“It’s really important, because some people are reading the start of it and not seeing the information stating whether there is or not a threat,” she said.

“Some people have said the app’s notification noise was quiet, but the new update has made it louder.

“There’s a section of the EMV website to give feedback on the app.”

The reminder to switch apps comes after a small fire in Beechworth on Monday.

Resident Lisa Lawrence said she only found out about the blaze thanks to calls from family and didn’t realise the FireReady app was no longer in use.

“A lot of people aren’t aware of it,” she said.

“I was fortunate the conditions were good and it didn’t end up being out of control.

“On a horrible windy day, which the two big fires of 2003 and 2009 were, you haven’t got much time to muck around.”

Ms McVea said the app was a useful source of information, but shouldn’t be the only one.

“Don’t 100 per cent rely on the app, because phone towers can go down,” she said.

“Use other forms of information such as ABC local radio and television.

“It’s important to make a plan, pick a trigger point and find out the fire danger.”

The Victorian bushfire information line also changed over in November.

The VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226 is now the new reference point.