AFTER 13 years of hard work, the Ferny Creek Bushfire Alert System has received the recognition it deserves, taking out a Fire Awareness Award.
The system, spearheaded by the Ferny Creek Bushfire Alert Committee, was the winner of the Media and Communications award.
CFA chief officer Euan Ferguson said this year’s record number of entries showed the great work being done across the state to enhance fire awareness and safety that could reduce the incidence and impact of fire.
“I would like to congratulate all of our winners and those who entered the fire awareness awards,” he said.
“For many of these people, carrying out these projects is not part of the job. They are volunteers or community groups dedicating their time to improving fire safety, preparedness, response and recovery.”
The Ferny Creek Bushfire Alert Committee consists of eight resident representatives, police, CFA and DSE agency representatives and Shire of Yarra Ranges representatives.
Committee member John Irving said it was great to get the award.
“After 13 years’ hard work, it’s good to have some recognition for our work in making this dangerous area a safer place to live,” he said.
“The system marks a new era for partnership between the community and the CFA because it’s all about interaction and education with the community.”
The group received the award for their informative packs about siren alerts in the area, which contained a DVD of fire footage from the 1997 fires, a section on how to use the alert system, two fridge magnets, an information booklet and a newsletter.
The packs get distributed to all residents in the area and the group actively seeks out new residents to keep them informed.
“The pack alerts them to the different lengths to the sounds of the sirens and how to react if they hear the sirens – it’s not a signal to evacuate, it’s a signal to seek further information,” Mr Irving said.
“In 1997, the fire which killed three people and destroyed 39 homes impacted houses between eight and 12 minutes of ignition, hence people of the area have very little time to prepare for the impact of a bushfire, so this would help them a lot.”
For more information, visit www. fernycreekalert.org.au
