Get fire ready

By Melissa Meehan
DANDENONG Ranges residents have been urged to get fire ready before summer hits.
As part of Victoria’s Fire Action Week, Monbulk MP James Merlino said communities needed to work together to get ready for the fire season.
With predictions this bushfire season could be worse than last summer, Mr Merlino said it was vital that Dandenong Ranges residents started planning and preparing now.
“Every Victorian, no matter where they live, needs to be fire ready,” he said.
“Fire Action Week is a call to action for communities right across the Dandenongs to identify potential risks and clear around their homes, properties and complete their survival plans now.”
He said neighbours should help each other prepare, too.
“People with elderly neighbours should give them a hand for the greater good,” he said.
Mr Merlino also quashed claims by Nationals leader Peter Ryan that Victorians would be left dangerously under-prepared this bushfire season.
Mr Ryan said that 11 of the 51 Bushfire Royal Commission recommendations would not be operational by the end of the month.
But Mr Merlino said while the next fire season was expected to be a high-risk time, the government had clearly outlined fire plans for the community.
“Our safer places will by ready by mid-November and we have made a huge effort to educate residents in schools and in the community about the new warning systems,” he said.
“That is what Fire Action Week is all about – getting the ball rolling.
“It won’t stop after this week but it is about trying to get people to start planning to be fire ready.”
Knox CFA Operations Officer Mick Sportan said now was the perfect time to get properties ready.
“We are really pushing the slogan of Prepare. Act. Survive,” he said.
“It is about working together as a community, and looking after each other.”
Anyone with more information on Fire Action Week can go to www.cfa.vic.gov.au.