Dubbo branch of the Rural Fire Service helping to stay ahead of bushfire season
Published Date: 20 Oct 2014
Summary
The Dubbo and Boothenba Rural Fire Brigades hosted the inaugural Get Fire Ready Day at Bunnings Warehouse on Saturday.
The fire hose display, opportunity to sit in the fire trucks, face painters, jumping castle and appearance by Bob the Builder were well received by the kids.
But the aim of the day was to raise awareness of an important message, according to Captain Aaron Lacey of the Boothenba Rural Fire Brigade.
"Planning to make a plan is not a plan," he said.
"The purpose of the Get Fire Ready Day is to get residents
talking to their neighbours and looking around their home to see how they can get fire ready."
The Get Fire Ready weekend is a state-wide initiative by the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS).
Bushfire awareness stalls were on display with information about being fire ready,
such as bushfire survival plans and fire preparation checklists.
Captain Lacey said it is very important for people to make a survival plan to not only avoid getting caught in a bushfire, but also to ensure all of your valuables stay safe too.
"In an emergency the most
important things tend to get forgotten," he said.
The fire preparation checklist suggests handy tips for this fire season, such as clearing leaves and sticks from gutters, pruning shrubs, raking up leaves, maintaining lawns and moving firewood away from the home.
Flammable liquids should be left in an enclosed area, homeowners should have a good hose that will reach all corners of the home, and home and contents insurance should be up to date.
A bush fire survival plan can be downloaded at www.rfs.nsw.gov.au.
The MyFirePlan app can be downloaded or the Bush Fire Information Line can be reached on 1800 NSW RFS (1800 679 737).
