Prepare to know, at expo

By Lachlan Ellis

Local fire brigades are holding an ‘Emergency Services Community Expo’ this weekend, with a range of services attending to engage with the Moorabool community.

Pentland Group of Fire Brigades are holding the expo on Sunday 10 December at St Anne’s Winery, Myrniong – in collaboration with the Myrniong Christmas Market.

The Expo will serve as a community event aimed at revitalising relationships and building networks between Emergency Service Organisations, facilitating improved collaboration, and providing opportunities for engaging and educating the community on topics such as Fire Safety, preparation for fire, flood, and storm events, and ‘Can I Can’t I Education’ regarding Fire Restrictions and Total Fire Bans, as well as the potential for recruiting volunteers.

Parwan Fire Brigade’s Lieutenant Lisa Cruickshank said the event would be a great chance for emergency services to connect with the communities they work for and with.

“We have reached out to our fellow Emergency Service Organisations such as Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria, State Emergency Service, Life Saving Victoria, Forest Fire Management Victoria, St John Ambulance, Australian Red Cross, Fire Rescue Victoria, Moorabool Shire Council and Royal Flying Doctors to offer them an opportunity to display vehicles, engage with the community, and distribute agency-specific educational materials,” Lieutenant Cruickshank told the Moorabool News.

“We see this as a great opportunity to continue our relationship with our fellow Emergency Service Organisations and the community in which we live and work.”

Angus McLean from St Anne’s Winery said it was a no-brainer to host the Expo at the winery.

“I think it’s good to involve local community with emergency service stakeholders, to know what they do and the services they provide, as well as the extent they go to for the community. This is a great vehicle to do that, being a busy day with lots of people around,” he said.

“Given how dry it’s been in late spring other than last week, and the fuel load that’s obviously out there after three cold summers, I think people need to be fairly alert. We’ve had fires in the area already, and we’ve only just entered December. So we’re happy to be a part of making this expo happen, for sure.”

The Emergency Services Community Expo will run from 10am to 4pm at 64 Garrards Lane, Myrniong.