Fire Action Week education campaign announced
Monday, 22 August 2011
A state-wide campaign to ensure all Victorians understand the importance of bushfire preparation and planning will be launched in November ahead of the summer fire season.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Emergency Services Peter Ryan announced in Parliament today that the 2011 Fire Action Week would run from 13 – 20 November.
"Fire Action Week will include a range of events held across the state by the fire agencies to promote bushfire preparation and planning," Mr Ryan said.
"Victorians need to prepare for the upcoming fire season no matter where they live and take responsibility for their community and for themselves.
"Fire Action Week events will give people practical tips and advice on fire preparation and include many family-friendly events including CFA and MFB family days, fire planning days and other important education programs that will help people get on the front foot and understand fire risk."
Mr Ryan said a comprehensive four month advertising campaign would also run during the high risk period to further reinforce the message about preparing and planning for bushfires.
"The advertising campaign will feature print, radio, online, outdoor and television ads to help encourage a proactive approach to bushfire preparedness and keep Victorians safe this fire season," Mr Ryan said.
"All communities and people who live, work or plan to holiday in areas of high bushfire risk need to be aware of the potential fire risks around them, think about how to prepare their properties, and to know what they would do in the event of an emergency."
Victorian Fire Services Commissioner Craig Lapsley said Fire Action Week was a whole-of-government initiative that included a partnership with local councils and communities to ensure all Victorians were well prepared.
"Fires don't just pose a threat to people who live in country Victoria. Bush and grass fires can place lives and property in jeopardy in suburban areas near parklands, presenting a threat to residents and visitors," Commissioner Lapsley said.
"Being fire aware and prepared is a shared responsibility across government, emergency services and communities. Working together means we will be fire ready across the whole of Victoria."
