Bairnsdale Brigade and Mount Taylor Brigade volunteers were on hand at the East Gippsland Field Days on Friday and Saturday 1-2 May to talk to the community about fire safety.
They were supported by district staff and representatives from South East Region Community Safety.
Volunteers talked to over 100 community members about a range of fire safety topics including:
- whether you should leave early or stay and defend in the event of a bushfire
- how to landscape your garden using fire resistant plants
- testing your smoke alarms, with some people confessing that they only test them once a year
- evacuation drills, with volunteers finding out that the younger members in some families were actually given the responsibility of arranging evacuation drills in their households
- the importance of cleaning your chimneys as we move closer to winter
- remembering to register your burn-off at any time during the year
- how to install and use the free Fire Ready App.
As well as being able to pick up brochures, community members were also able to get a close up look at different types of equipment that brigades use including a new mobile communications van, the Bairnsdale's pumper and the Traralgon ladder platform.
Mount Taylor Fire Brigade members showcased the great work they were doing around fire recovery and spoke about their fence rebuilding program.
Bairnsdale volunteers demonstrated the impact of fire by using the burn table, which generated a lot of interest this year.
Children were treated to colouring in a range of different pictures along with riding in 'Little Lex' the heli-attack vehicle.
Captain Koala also took some time out from his gum tree to wander around and give high-fives to one and all.
Bairnsdale Captain Aaron Lee said that it was a rewarding day not just for volunteers, but also the community.
“Even those who thought they were fully prepared came away with a new tip they could implement to ensure their own and their family’s safety,” he said.
“Children certainly enjoyed seeing the equipment that we use and it was great to see our mate Captain Koala as well. We are all looking forward to all coming back next year."
Thanks also to the volunteers from Lindenow brigade who, with their vehicles, provided much-needed fire protection for the Field Days across both days.
Author: CFA News