Firies to help with preparedness plan

AN upcoming workshop run by CFA South West and Meredith Fire Brigade members is aiming to give people the tools to defend their homes this bushfire season.

Meredith Fire Brigade Captain Josh Medley said the event will focus on helping residents craft their fire preparedness plan.

“The forecast is showing it’s going to be a hotter and drier summer with El Nina now in effect,” he said.

“It’s good to have that preparedness in case a fire hits and if we can have everyone’s homes as defendable as possible it’s a lot easier to do as much as we can to save it.”

“This should be mostly theory based but we’ll have some displays. We’ll have our guys on the ground discussing stuff and talking to the locals.

“If there’s a bushfire or housefire, a plan is something good to have on hand as well as to make sure everyone in the house knows it and to have a safe evacuation point outside.”

Captain Medley said the workshop will be especially helpful for newer residents.

“In the last few years, we’ve seen a lot of people from Melbourne and out of town move here,” he said.

“It’s mainly for newcomers but anyone can attend and increase their knowledge on what to do. The important thing is to have a plan and make sure it works.

“The way people can be more fire prepared is to have low grass around the house, have gutters emptied and general tidiness, and have available water to defend yourself.”

The fire planning workshop will take place at the Meredith Memorial Hall on Thursday 26 October from 6pm.