CFA Langwarrin brigade members Jason and Donna with Tim Marchinton from CFA
Three CFA Langwarrin Fire Brigade members, and CFA Community Engagement Adviser Tim Marchinton, attended the Langwarrin Disability Expo on Saturday 26 October 2024.
Local community members were curious about why CFA was at the Expo and asked what CFA has to offer. This was easy to answer. People with a disability are at much greater risk in a house fire.
Between 2003 and 2017, national house fire fatality data highlighted that 62 per cent of people who died had a disability. This alarming statistic has been a call to action for CFA. That is why CFA was at the Expo to talk to people about fire safety and fire prevention.
“Once they knew the reason, they all thanked us for being there,” said Jason Walker, Langwarrin brigade's community safety coordinator.
“The main topic of conversation was home fire safety, particularly smoke alarms and home fire escape. People with a disability need to consider if they can hear and respond to a smoke alarm and whether they can escape their home within three minutes."
Donna, another Langwarrin brigade member, thought the Expo was worthwhile because it was an opportunity to speak to people who may need extra support with fire safety.
“My son is deaf so he can’t hear a standard smoke alarm. He needs a specialised smoke alarm. I know how important it is to spread the message out to the community,” Donna said.
Bill, who has been a CFA brigade member for 62 years thought it was very worthwhile to attend the Expo and talk to community about fire safety.
There were also conversations about the Fire Danger Rating system and the importance of downloading the VicEmergency App. Some community members didn’t realise CFA is a volunteer organisation and this led to conversations about joining CFA - though this wasn't the main reason for going to the Expo.
“Overall, it was a really good day. Lots of people were there and there were so many members of the community we don’t know. We will plan to go again next year to talk to people who have a disability about fire safety,” Jason said.