On Tuesday 24 July, CFA’s Mariane Hill, Jamie MacKenzie, Chief Officer Steve Warrington, Members of Arthurs Creek Strathewen Fire Brigade and two police officers from Diamond Creek were made 'slaves for a day' at Strathewen Primary School’s Bushfire Education Program.
Strathewen Primary school was one of three government schools destroyed by the Black Saturday fires in 2009.
In 2016 the Strathewen Bushfire Education Program was implemented at the Strathewen Primary School, bringing together Grade 5 and Grade 6 students with members of the Arthurs Creek Strathewen Fire Brigade.
Lisal O’Brien, CFA Arthurs Creek Brigade member explained what the program aims to achieve.
"Having experienced a significant disaster in 2009, many of the Strathewan Primary School students and families are still managing distress years later," Lisal said. "In 2015, representatives from Strathewen Primary School, the Arthurs Creek Strathewen CFA and the CFA Survive and Thrive Pilot Program, met to discuss the possibility of creating a Bushfire Education Partnership between the local school and local fire brigade.
"The Foundation of Rural Regional Renewal (FRRR) and Strathewen Bushfire Relief Trust granted us funds to create a Fire Danger Rating (FDR) themed clay animation movie and financial support for the activities that would accompany it. Gozer Studios came on board to direct and educate us on producing a movie and continue to be a very important part of our team.
"They are now well into 2018 with a claymation movie, a picture story book and three years of fire education instilled into our Grade 5 and 6s. And this year, we've started on a new claymation movie. Our students have learned where our Fire Danger Ratings come from, how they are calculated and with the help of the whirling hygrometer, the wind mate, the McArthur wheel and other technical measurement tools, can calculate their own FDR. We have learned about fuel loadings, tree bark types and general fire behaviour. Students know what is needed to keep their properties fire ready and they are proud to share their knowledge with family and other community members.
"A program highlight is the annual 'Slave day', also known as Community Involvement Day. Supporters come from near and far and all walks of life to be managed by our students, who are creating the characters for this year’s claymation movie. Our slaves soften plasticine, mix up paint colours, drill, saw, create backdrops and landscapes and generally just do what they’re told!
"Slaves include local community members, CFA volunteers, CFA career staff and Vic Police to name a few. At the end of the day, we have beautiful armatures for the claymation movie and blossoming friendships. These friendships instil confidence and resilience and a strong sense of community in our students.
"We have an amazing program which, each year, our students approach with excitement and enthusiasm. Reports are coming back from parents who are noticing reduced levels of anxiety when discussing fire and evacuation. We are fortunate to live in an idyllic environment with lots of bush and open space. However, on occasion, when the FDR is up in its higher regions, we are faced with some difficult decisions.
"This program arms our students with the knowledge to make educated decisions with confidence and avoids the feeling of helplessness and lack of control."
To keep up to date with the school's progress, visit the Strathewen Arthurs Creek Bushfire Education Partnership Facebook page.