More noise about safety

THE Ferny Creek community is one of the latest to receive funding under the State Government’s new Fire Ready Communities Grants program.
The Ferny Creek Bushfire Alert Committee has received more than $1000 for the MORE Noise About Fire Safety project.
The project will continue the distribution of the Ferny Creek Bushfire Alert Committee’s information packs, which contain a booklet, DVD and fridge magnets for new residents of the community, building on the work of existing bushfire awareness and information. The Ferny Creek Bushfire Alert System (FCBAS) is a unique early-warning community siren system, which has been operating for the past 11 years during the declared Fire Danger Period.
Committee secretary Elaine McCunn said: “It is critical that new residents in the siren catchment area of Ferny Creek not only understand the purpose and operations of the FCBAS and bushfire safety, but also how to best respond if FCBAS sirens are heard on a high risk day. “The sirens are never a signal to evacuate.”
Eastern Victoria MP Edward O’Donohue congratulated the committee for its dedication to providing residents with important information about bushfire safety in a fire-prone area.
“The information in these packs could potentially save people’s lives,” Mr O’Donohue said.
“It offers residents locally relevant and strategic information about the alert system in Ferny Creek and bushfire risks in the local community.”
Deputy Premier and Minister for Bushfire Response Peter Ryan said more than $160,000 had been allocated for practical bushfire safety projects in high-risk outer Melbourne areas in the latest round of the Fire Ready Communities program.
“The Fire Ready Communities Program is funding a range of innovative local projects to improve fire preparation, fire awareness and education in the state’s 52 high-risk bushfire communities,” Mr Ryan said.
He said local communities had expert, on-the-ground knowledge to find practical solutions to help make their areas safer and ensure local residents were better prepared in the event of bushfires.
“It’s also great to see that many of the projects will make a difference to local communities and beyond, with many resources shared with neighbouring areas.”
To apply for Fire Ready Communities grants, local councils and community organisations should contact the Department of Planning and Community Development in their region or visit www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/contact-us.
For further information about the FCBAS and its SMS/Email Alert Service, log on to www.fernycreekalert.org.au.