Prepare. Act. Survive.
Sunday’s launch of the Summer Fire Season Campaign and Fire Action Week served as a call-to-action for all Victorians to prepare for the upcoming fire season.
In launching Fire Action Week, the first dedicated fire preparation week of its kind in Australia, Premier John Brumby said Victorians needed to work together to be fire ready.
“The task for us all is to work together to prepare our state for a fire season that’s shaping up to be every bit as bad or worse than the season we’ve just experienced,” Mr Brumby said.
“I urge all Victorians, no matter where you live or what your fire experience has been, to get fire ready – identify your risk, prepare your fire plan, clean up your properties and get involved in your local fire preparation activities."
Comprehensive information regarding risk assessment and a step-by-step guide to prepare a fire plan can be found on the Country Fire Authority website.
“Whether you live in an identified high-risk fire area in the country or a high-rise apartment in the city, we are all in this together. Even if you live in the city, you may still travel to the country or the coast for holidays and work and so you too, need to be prepared,” Mr Brumby said.
“Fire is not only a concern in the country. Melbourne’s suburbs, even those close to the city, are at risk. We know that burning embers can travel 20 kilometres or more ahead of a fire, start scrub and grass fires on their way. We know that flames can spread quickly, particularly on an incline.”
A range of activities will run across Fire Action Week (Sunday 11 October – Sunday 18 October 2009) including clean-up days at local parks, community working bees, free green waste collection in some local councils and CFA community meetings.
To get your free FireReady Kit, visit the Country Fire Authority website.