Ferntree Gully Fire Brigade and Eastern Regional Libraries joined forces on 23 June to host more than 200 members of the local community for the sixth CFA Funtime Storytime.
A Fire Awareness Award (FAA) finalist in 2014, this joint initiative is designed to help engage the community about important messages about fire safety and reading and literacy among kids.
Kids, parents and grandparents turned out to see Firefighter April, Captain Koala and Rusty Arnold of the library, deliver an interactive story, guest starring members from Ferntree Gully and Bayswater brigades, Ex-captain of Bayswater Brigade Alan Waters, Julie Shae, Byron Rutgers, Millie Clifford, Declan High and Nick Ilov.
The fun didn’t stop there for the kids, with a live demonstration on home fire safety practices in the kitchen, creative activities and a special assisted demonstration of using a fire hose.
Graham Crichton, Community Engagement Safety Officer of Ferntree Gully brigade and Sue Wootton, Regional Children’s Librarian for Eastern Regional Libraries came up with the idea for the event four years ago.
Graham was delighted with the success of the event, having seen the interest grow each time.
“Today was our sixth event and over 1400 people have come down to take part since we started,” Graham said.
“The community love storytime and it’s a great way to get important messages out to the community about fire safety in the home.”
Graham recalls attending many fires that started by simple mistakes made by people when cooking.
“We’ve been to so many fires that have started in the kitchen, the result of people being distracted with answering the phone, answering the door or walking outside.
“If you’re leaving the cooking, turn off the stove and always keep flammables away from open flames.”
This event is a part of the Knox Outreach program, which Sue said aimed to engage with local community organisations to help spread the message of literacy and reading with kids.
“For us it’s been the perfect partnership, the kids love seeing the trucks and it’s a great avenue to get mums, dads and grandparents engaged with the important message of reading to your kids with home fire safety front of mind,” Sue said.
Today’s event was one of the many wonderful fire awareness community engagement activities held by local organisations who have partnered with CFA brigades.
Entries open on June 30, 2017 for the FAA awards. If you have an event you’d like to enter we encourage you to visit the FAA website and take a look at this year’s categories https://fireawarenessawards.com.au
Author: CFA Media