General News
9 January, 2023
Fire safety sessions essential for community, CFA say
Equipping residents with necessary resources, the Maryborough CFA is hosting a Fire Safety Essentials session next week and locals are encouraged to attend to minimise their fire risk. Scheduled to be held from 7 pm on Wednesday, January 18 at the...
Equipping residents with necessary resources, the Maryborough CFA is hosting a Fire Safety Essentials session next week and locals are encouraged to attend to minimise their fire risk.
Scheduled to be held from 7 pm on Wednesday, January 18 at the Whirakee Rise Estate’s Quinn Street Playground area, the free session is part of a broader CFA initiative across the north-west regions of Victoria.
It is an entry level bushfire safety program designed to challenge participants to personalise their fire risk and to survive fire. Assisting people in being prepared this fire season, the program includes basic explanations of fire behaviour and an overview of last resort options.
“The session is for the community to come down and learn about bushfire safety and what to do during a fire. Irrespective of whether they’ve got a fire plan, if they don’t have a fire plan, they can find out how to do it along with more information,” Maryborough Fire Brigade Captain Darryl Wagstaff said.
Informing the public about their choices during the fire danger period, Captain Wagstaff said it was crucial for everyone to have a gameplan.
“It’s important for people to know what’s happening, and for them to know what they’re going to do. If they are threatened by fire, they need to decide whether they’re going to stay and defend their home or they’re going to leave before the fire starts,” he said.
Since bushfires unfortunately happen every year, the community is being asked to spend time now and learn how they can keep themselves, their family, and their friends safe from fire this season.
Attending a session will provide people with information to address the following questions: Could a fire reach my place? Will someone knock on my door to tell me to leave? What if the road is closed? What about the kids? What about my pets?
“People need to have up to date information and so it’s really important for them to attend,” Maryborough Fire Brigade community safety coordinator Raelene Williams said.
“There’s been some changes in the fire danger rating system, particularly in the last 12 months. So people need to be aware that when they do get warning messages — what they mean and how they should act. They should come to the session just to find out at the very least what’s changed.
“The onus is on you to be prepared and take the steps that you need to have taken before a fire actually starts.
“Wherever you are from around Maryborough, please come along to the session since it’s the one session we’re having.”