RURAL Fire Services’ Get Ready days over the weekend, 17 and 18 September, saw seven brigades in the Coffs Coast district holding their information sessions manned by many of the vital service’s volunteers.

Colin Howett, Operations Officer, RFS Coffs Coast Team shared information about the purpose of the Get Ready Weekend.

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“It encourages brigades and districts to engage with their local community, discuss local bush fire risk and help residents understand how to plan and prepare for bush fires.

“Get Ready Weekend is a great opportunity for residents to find out more about making a plan for your family and preparing for bush and grass fires.

“It’s also a chance to learn about the new nationally consistent Australian Fire Danger Rating System which has now been in place since 1 September.”

The RFS’s top four tips to Get Ready this fire season are: Discuss what to do if a bush fire threatens your home;
prepare your home by cleaning leaves and twigs from gutters, keeping lawns and gardens well maintained, cutting back trees and shrubs overhanging buildings, cleaning up fallen vegetation, and having hoses long enough to reach around your house; know the bush fire alert levels; and keep all the bush fire information numbers, websites and the Fires Near Me app handy.

Speaking for both Repton and Mylestom Rural Fire Service’s annual Get Ready day, Chris Bryant, Senior Deputy Captain of the Repton Brigade told News Of The Area, “While numbers of community members attending were low, no doubt due to expected La Nina, those who did engage with us went away with a wealth of information to help them prepare for both fire and flood.

“We also had one resident decide to join our Repton brigade, so all up a worthwhile day.

“While most people knew about keeping their yard tidy, and keeping bush kept back and gutters cleared, few knew what to take in case of evacuation, where to go or the emergency radio station.

“Something we should all be thinking about,” urged Chris.

Glenn Locke, Captain at Nana Glen RFS told News Of The Area, “We would dearly love to thank everyone for making our Get Ready day a success, from our fantastic volunteers giving up their time to wash the vehicles, cook, make up our children’s sample bags and generally set up and get ready.

“It was great to see our wonderful community families, young and old, who came to find out what we are all about.

“Generally they came along to get help with permit requirements, hear about the new fire danger ratings, and talk about survival plans and making get-ready plans…and they got to meet our volunteers.

“We even enjoyed using the live reels, playing goalie and also zig zag.

“A very big thank you from all of us at Nana Glen Rural Fire Brigade,” said Glenn.

By Andrea FERRARI