By JESSE GRAHAM
COUNCIL officers will be helping to deter would-be fire bugs with its newly implemented Fire Patrol team, which will help to patrol parks on high fire danger days.
The Fire Patrol began in January and is made up of Yarra Ranges Council’s Open Spaces team members who patrol parks and reserves on Total Fire Ban days.
Open Spaces team leader Rohan Brown said that because parks and bushland workers are unable to use their chainsaws, lawnmowers or brush cutters fire risk days they will instead be tasked with carrying out the patrols.
Mr Brown said that the patrols would have stickers on their vehicles with the council logo and ’Fire Patrol’ on them and would drive from Lilydale up to Yarra Junction and back, covering each suburb along the way, before heading through Coldstream and Yarra Glen to Healesville and back.
The team also covers the suburban areas at the foot of the Dandenong Ranges including Mount Evelyn, Montrose and Kilsyth.
While the patrol members are not equipped to fight fires, the team reports suspicious behaviour to team leaders and Victoria Police, and aims to have a visible presence to deter would-be arsonists.
Yarra Ranges Council’s Risk, Emergency and Community Safety manager Brett Ellis said that he hoped the presence of the Fire Patrol would stop anyone who was considering starting a fire in bushland.
“Fire prevention is a team effort, and we are happy to help out in any way we can,” Mr Ellis said.
“This includes redirecting our resources to boost the community’s safety.”
The patrols will take place until the end of the declared fire danger period.
Anyone witnessing suspicious behaviour is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, while anyone who sees an emergency should contact triple zero immediately.
