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News>Council supports Fire Action Week 100 per cent
| Media release: 9 October 2009 | |
Fire Action Week, 11-18 October, has the full support of Cardinia Shire Council.
Council officers are working closely with the CFA and other agencies involved in fire management as well as the local community.
The aim is to ensure fire risks and hazards throughout the Shire are reduced in time for the coming fire season.
Mayor Cr Bill Pearson said "Council was 100 per cent behind Fire Action Week and urged residents and property owners to make time to clean up their properties, attend community information meetings and work on their bushfire survival plans."
“The responsibility for reducing fire hazards throughout our community is a shared responsibility and this includes becoming well informed and having a well thought out bushfire survival plan in place,” said Cr Pearson.
“We all experienced the horrors of Black Saturday and fear a repeat this coming fire season. However the CFA message of Plan Act Survive offers the best way to reducing the risks and surviving fires,” added Cr Pearson.
“I want to encourage everyone in the community to follow the CFA Plan Act and Survive guidelines this week. Everyone in every family needs to understand and be familiar with their family’s bushfire survival plan.”
“People are the most important assets in every community and there is no room for complacency or ‘what’s the hurry’ attitudes,” he added.
Cr Pearson encouraged every resident and business operator to use the CFA Bushfire Survival Plan Guidelines and join or establish a Community Fire Guard group in their neighbourhood. Information on doing this is available from the CFA website.
He also reminded residents that every vacant block in the Shire would be inspected soon and cleanups will be ordered on blocks that pose fire hazards.
“Property owners who do not comply can find themselves with potentially huge bills for enforced clean ups,” said Cr Pearson.
“Council is helping in every way possible. Road side verges will be mowed, the green waste and hard rubbish collections in November and early December are an opportunity to reduce hazards and there is other information readily available from Council on other ways to reduce fuel on the ground,” commented Cr Pearson.
“At the end of the day, every one of us must remain vigilant,” he added.
“The Plan Act Survive message is a bit like the scouting movement motto ‘be prepared’. And that’s the key to reducing risk and saving lives in the coming fire season,” said Cr Pearson.
For more information about Plan Act Survive and bushfire survival planning visit the CFA website or the bushfire section of this website.
Information is also available at CFA headquarters and fire stations, Council offices in Henty Way, Pakenham, police stations, libraries, communities centres and by telephoning 1300 787 624.
To join the CFA contact your local CFA fire station.
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