CFA in collaboration with the Dargo Bush Nursing Centre staff offered all residents of the Dargo community free smoke alarm installation to residents, targeting those who are most vulnerable to house fires.
The program was advertised and promoted throughout the community by the bush nurses where residents registered their interest for the service via the nursing centre or direct with CFA's Community Engagement Coordinator for District 10, Jodie Burt.
Jodie and three CFA members visited 13 homes in Dargo and installed more than 45 smoke alarms. The alarms, which have a 10-year lithium battery, were provided at no cost by CFA's South East Region Community Safety team.
“I was surprised to see that so many homes didn't have any smoke alarms at all, or those that did were either over 50 years old or not working, and installed in incorrect locations in the homes,” Jodie said.
One resident had never thought about smoke alarms and had never tested the one alarm in his home.
During the visits the residents were also provided with a fire blanket for their kitchen and small fire extinguisher, and were shown how to use the fire blanket correctly.
The plan is to continue to target isolated communities such as Dargo to further deliver this important service targeting our most vulnerable community members.
CFA Member John Upton demonstrates the use of a fire extinguisher to a resident-
CFA member Allan Cracknell with Dargo resident James Kinley
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Dargo main street General Store
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CFA members John Upton and Peter Ryan preparing for another installation at a residence
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