After seeing the impact of the first significant blaze in the region, CFA volunteer of 28 years and Surf Coast Shire Councillor, Martin Duke has a stern warning for this season\u2019s bushfire danger.<\/p>\n
Cr Duke was a member of a Torquay brigade back-up strike team which attended the Little River-Lara fire in the first week of December.<\/p>\n
The fast-moving blaze burnt about 1200 hectares, prompted evacuations, threatened homes and consumed sheds before being contained.<\/p>\n
With another fire season well underway Cr Duke said the warnings were clear for neighbouring Surf Coast Shire.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a telling reminder of how quickly things can unfold,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re hoping to say we\u2019re not going to get the big ones through here, but there\u2019s always that possibility.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cr Duke said the speed of the fire had demonstrated the importance of having response plans in place.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t be complacent. Be prepared to leave before it happens, so look out for your warning signs,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you know it\u2019s going to be a severe day or above make sure you are prepared, and that means you have everything with you; your mobile phones, your chargers, your medicines, your paperwork and animals ready to travel if you need to travel with them.<\/p>\n
\u201cHave those things ready to go, and plenty of water.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cr Duke said the properties he saw in Lara district had been well maintained and prepared.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to make sure we clean up and clear our properties,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cTalk with your families, be aware of local dangers, make sure you listen to ABC 774 if anything is happening, or get the VicEmergency app on your phone.\u201d<\/p>\n
Being aware of local dangers included the potential for local events with big crowds to impact on travel times.<\/p>\n
\u201cBe aware that the Great Ocean Road might not be your get-out road if anything is happening down there,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He also recommended that people carry woollen blankets in their cars for additional protection from flames and heat in the event of becoming stranded.<\/p>\n
Cr Duke shares a voice of experience, having attended many bush, grass and building fires since joining the Torquay brigade in 1990.<\/p>\n
In his time, Torquay brigade has faced increasing challenges with the town\u2019s growth however he said volunteers were well equipped and well trained.<\/p>\n
Cr Duke\u2019s involvement with the CFA continues a distinguished family record, with his 28 years contributing to more than 200 years of combined service with his siblings and in-laws.<\/p>\n
He manages the volunteer role alongside paid work, other volunteering, and Council duties which might absorb between 15 and 30 hours a week.<\/p>\n
Cr Duke is a member of Council\u2019s Municipal Emergency Management Planning Committee and Torquay Community Impact Advisory Committee.<\/p>\n
Having shifted to Torquay from Yarraville in 1990, he was elected to Council in 2016.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wanted to give back to the community that had given a lot to me,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
After seeing the impact of the first significant blaze in the region, CFA volunteer of 28 years and Surf Coast Shire Councillor, Martin Duke has a stern warning for this season\u2019s bushfire danger. Cr Duke was a member of a Torquay brigade back-up strike team which attended the Little River-Lara fire in the first week […]<\/p>\n