CFA is about to commence its largest ever community bushfire awareness program, with over 150 meetings and community appearances planned over the coming months.

The awareness program includes town hall and street meetings, sidewalk information booths, market stalls and appearances at major community festivals and shows.

Region 14 Manager Community Safety David Allen said the aim was to reach residents in the high-risk areas and ensure they had ample information from which to make an informed decision in the event of a bush or grassfire.

“We want to get to as many people as possible in the bushfire prone areas. The aim of these meetings and community appearances is to inform people of the dangers of bushfires and what they need to do on a high fire risk day.

“I would encourage, at the very least, that residents attend a community meeting in their local area; these meetings are a great opportunity to obtain an overview of current and projected on-ground conditions along with key information on bushfire preparation and survival,” he said.

Mr Allen said CFA is planning on having a presence at the Riddells Creek Farmers Market and the Woodend Market on the weekend of 19–20 September. Region 14s program of community meetings and appearances will ramp up significantly the following month, with the first community meeting on Monday 5 October at Macedon’s Jubilee Hall from 6.30–8pm.

Meetings for October are also planned for Whittlesea, South Morang, Epping, Myrniong and again for Macedon later in the month. Also scheduled is a comprehensive four-part Bushfire Workshop, to be held at the Woodend Neighbourhood House starting on 19 October. Bookings for this workshop are essential and can be made on 5427 1845.

During October, CFA will have a presence at the Sunbury and Lancefield shows, the Melton Platypus Festival and at markets in Gisborne, Woodend and Lancefield.

Region 14 takes in all or parts of nine different municipal areas—Banyule, Hume, Melton, Macedon Ranges, Mitchell, Moorabool, Nillumbik, Whittlesea and Wyndham. For the most up-to-date listing of meetings in your municipal area, go to www.cfa.vic.gov.au.

Media note: meeting dates and locations will be emailed in advance to your news organisation. Your support in publishing these dates is appreciated.


Source: CFA HQ