Get Ready for a Bush Fire – Local RFS Videos
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Familiar faces from RFS Brigades in Nana Glen, Bonville, Repton and Bellingen take centre-stage in locally-produced videos to encourage the community to be prepared for bushfires.
Last summer’s bushfires destroyed 2,476 homes across New South Wales and has highlighted the importance of having a bush fire plan and being prepared.
The Bush Fire Danger Period has begun for the Mid North Coast and the Rural Fire Service stress the importance of taking five minutes to talk with your family, complete a bushfire survival plan and take steps to get ready for bush fire.
Coffs Harbour City Council’s Community Recovery Officer Melinda Brooks said: “Many residents who were impacted by last year’s Liberation Trail fire expressed concerns about their lack of understanding about how to prepare their home for a bushfire and what a bushfire plan was.”
In partnership with Bellingen Shire Council, Resilience NSW and the NSW Rural Fire Service, two ‘Get Ready for Bush Fire’ videos have been made featuring RFS volunteers from the Coffs Harbour and Bellingen local government areas.
NSW RFS Superintendent Sean McArdle said all local residents need to be prepared as getting ready for bush fire is as important as ever. “Although we have had some welcome rain and the drought is not as widespread coming into this season, there is potential for grass fires in particular, and we all need to be well prepared,” he said.
“NSW RFS members have been busy preparing by undertaking hazard reduction burns where possible, maintaining firefighting equipment and undergoing additional training. The Get Ready films are about residents doing their bit to protect their families and properties in the event of a fire.”
Alison Pattinson, Bellingen Shire Council’s Manager, Community Wellbeing, said that the RFS Mid North Coast Team includes both Coffs and Bellingen and a consistent Get Ready message is important for local preparedness. “By using local RFS volunteers we really hope that the community will watch the videos and be better prepared this bush fire season.”
Watch the videos.
Pictured at the launch are Sean McArdle, Melinda Brooks, Glenn Locke from the Nana Glen Brigade, Tim Jeffery from the Bonville Brigade and Rachael Eggins (RFS).