As farmers in North East Victoria and East Gippsland enjoy good spring conditions, it's a timely reminder to ask, are you prepared for the upcoming fire season? It is also timely to recognise what farmers have done year on year and year round, to develop their property, plan for the future and mitigate on-going risk.
To encourage landholders to think about fire preparation, Agriculture Victoria is presenting Prepare Your Property, two webinars on Tuesday 12 October for the North East and East Gippsland.
Guest presenter and CFA Community Liaison Officer Allan Cracknell from the Bairnsdale Brigade says the webinars are focussed on a recognition of current good practice and, where necessary, practical advice for preparing properties for the fire season.
"There are practical steps people can take now to prepare for the fire season," Mr Cracknell said.
"You can ensure your property is clearly identified via the rural numbering system, with numbers that can be seen from both directions."
"To help prevent haystack fires, clear an area around haystacks, and create multiple stacks in separate locations. That way, if a fire does start, you won't lose all your fodder."
Mr Cracknell says one of the most important parts of fire preparedness is a clear plan to stay or go when fire is in your area. "If leaving you need to know where you are going to go to, have two evacuation points in case one is blocked, and note down who you will inform that you are leaving and when you arrive at your planned destination. And then do a trial run.
"Planning for a fire doesn't have to be intimidating or frightening, it's just simply saying here is my plan, this is what I am going to do."
North East Agriculture Recovery Manager Kylie Macreadie says these webinars will also provide a good opportunity to hear from local landholders and their insights into preparing a property for fire.
"These guest speakers will provide valuable first-hand experience of fire preparedness with simple, practical steps," Ms Macreadie said. "It's all about thinking and acting now, long before the weather starts to heat up."
Guest speakers for the East Gippsland webinar include landholders and CFA members Kevin Dean and Ian Brownrigg. The North East webinar will feature CFA Fire and Emergency Management Commander Peter Dedman and landholder Michael Gadd.
The free Prepare Your Property webinars are on Tuesday 12 October, from 7.30 to 8.15pm. Register by 5pm Tuesday 12 October.
