Fire Awareness Awards now open

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Every year Victorians face the challenge of living with fire, whether it is the threat of bushfire, a house fire or dealing with the effects fire can have on a business or industry.

Every year ordinary people go out of their way to protect their homes, their business, their communities, the environment and the people who live in them from fire – the majority don’t think twice about doing it.

The Fire Awareness Awards is a community-focused awards program that acknowledges the great work of individuals, community groups and organisations who deliver projects that reduce the incidence and impact of fire in Victoria.

The awards are managed by Victoria’s fire agencies – MFB, CFA and DELWP – with the support of RACV, ABC Local Radio and Emergency Management Victoria. Entries for the 2015 awards opened today.

“The awards recognise regular people making an amazing contribution to build resilience in their communities through fire prevention and preparation initiatives,” MFB CEO Jim Higgins said.

“Judges will be looking for innovative projects that engage local residents in fire safety activities and partnerships between emergency services agencies and local groups. There have been significant changes made to the categories this year so the work done by regular Victorians can be showcased at a state-level.”

In 2014 Emerald Community House won the RACV Award for Excellence for the implementation of a policy that made it compulsory for all parents who used their childcare service to attend a bushfire planning workshop.

The Emerald Community House manager Mary Farrow said many of the families using their service were new to the area and had limited knowledge of how to prepare for the bushfire season.

“Entering the Fire Awareness Awards allowed us to share our simple idea with a wider audience and encourage community organisations to implement similar programs,” she said.

“The recognition of winning the award meant that the team achieved what we set out to do, hoping to empower others to participate in our shared responsibility.”

RACV is a long-standing supporter of Victoria's Fire Awareness Awards and is committed to supporting its members and their communities in fire affected areas.

Paul Northey, General Manager RACV Insurance said, this award program, which includes the RACV Insurance Award for Excellence, is a meaningful way to acknowledge the invaluable work people do to protect their homes and communities.

"In supporting the award program RACV aims to both recognise and encourage communities developing local fire prevention, response and recovery projects and programs,” he said.

“RACV believes that communities can increase their level of resilience if they work together with their emergency services to identify and implement practical ways to reduce the risk of fire and other natural perils."

Entries for the 2015 Fire Awareness Awards are now open and close 30 September 2015. Recipients will be announced at a presentation evening on 2 December 2015.

For more information about the 2015 Fire Awareness Awards or to apply,
visit www.fireawarenessawards.com.auor email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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