May2014_the DDRFB Chatter
Dayboro & District Rural Fire Brigade
‘Operation Cool Burn’ is a community event we encourage all Queenslanders to get involved with. It is a combined effort across the State to ‘Get Ready’, ahead of bushfire season.
IF WE ALL DO A LITTLE, WE’LL ACCOMPLISH A LOT
So I have been talking to you (the residents of Dayboro) and have responses below for the top 3 questions asked recently.
Who to call if you see a fire emergency?
Always phone ‘000’ to report an emergency. You will be asked for your location, including street number and name, nearest cross roads, the nature of the emergency, are there any assets under threat, the direction the fire is travelling, and if there is a nearby water supply such as a dam or creek.
How to protect your most valuable assets – the kids?
We have many brochures and online tools that can assist you to prepare your home and family for an event, including survival kits, escape plans and much more. Why not get the kids involved so they are confident and better prepared, emotionally. Kids look to adults for how to behave, so it is important for you to be confident, calm and emotionally prepared. Listed here are the websites for the online tools (including the kids section) or you can visit us to get a hard copy. The next section provides dates of upcoming events.
www.ruralfire.qld.gov.au – go to ‘Fire Safety and You’
www.fire.qld.gov.au – go to ‘Community Safety’
How will we know what to do (& when) during a bushfire?
‘Community Warnings’ are issued through media and social media channels during significant bushfire incidents. It’s up to you to take notice, seek information, make decisions and act. There are four levels of warnings – Advisory, Advice, Watch and Act & Emergency Warning. These warnings are explained further in the ‘Bushfire Survivor Plan’ and at ruralfire.qld.gov.au ‘Community Warnings’
Preparation is the key and fire prevention starts with you.
We’d love to answer all your questions and you have three perfect opportunities to visit us in the next month. If you need a hand before then, please don’t hesitate to call us.
Mark these dates in your diaries now
25 May – Dayboro Day – near the bakery
1 June – RFS Awareness Day – at the markets
14 June – Operation Warm Up – at the showgrounds
Don’t forget to check our Facebook page for more up to date information on events and workshops, safety tips, cool stuff (& the hot stuff), hazard reduction burns, and loads of photos.
VIP – Tony Easlea
(Volunteer Info Profile)
I grew up in the Dayboro District and have lived here for most of my life. I have spent my working life as a primary school teacher, and until recently, worked at Dayboro State School for ten wonderful years.
After returning to live in the Dayboro District, I realised that I wanted to be able to assist when bushfires threatened our district. Although I had occasionally helped with controlled burns and bushfires as a teenager, I felt that my knowledge and skills in this area were limited, especially considering the changing land use and population of the Dayboro District. By joining the Dayboro Rural Fire Brigade, I was able to become better prepared to do this.
Since joining the brigade in 2001, I have enjoyed being a member of a dedicated team of volunteers. The ongoing training at the local brigade level and through the more formal Queensland Fire Service processes have been rewarding. Last year I completed a Crew Leader course. Recently I have taken on the role of Burns Coordinator. In this role I aim to coordinate planning and implementation of hazard reduction burns.
the Wardens’ Word
**Preparation is key***
Hazard reduction burns aren’t the only way to prepare your property and reduce fuel loads – you can also put in fire breaks, clear up your property, slash overgrowth, ensure they have enough firefighting equipment on hand and create a property fire management plan.
…DIDYANO?…
With an estimated 7 billion butts littered in Australia each year it’s no wonder we have roadside fires. Please don’t be an accidental arsonist. Dispose of your cigarette butts responsibly. Our world is not an ashtray so bin your butt.
ALWAYS PHONE ‘000’ TO REPORT EMERGENCIES
DON’T LEARN FIRE SAFETY BY ACCIDENT
