Community House sets precedent

EVERY year, Victorians face the challenge of living with fire, whether it is the threat of bushfire, a house fire or dealing with the effects fire can have on a business or industry.
Entries for the 2015 Fire Awareness Awards are now open and close 30 September.
In 2014, Emerald Community House won the RACV Award for Excellence for the implementation of a policy that made it compulsory for all parents who used their childcare service to attend a bushfire planning workshop.
Emerald Community House manager Mary Farrow said many of the families using their service were new to the area and had limited knowledge of how to prepare for the bushfire season.
“Entering the Fire Awareness Awards allowed us to share our simple idea with a wider audience and encourage community organisations to implement similar programs,” she said.
“The recognition of winning the award meant that the team achieved what we set out to do, hoping to empower others to participate in our shared responsibility,” she said.
Every year, ordinary people go out of their way to protect their homes, their business, their communities, the environment and the people who live in them from fire.
The majority don’t think twice about doing it.
The Fire Awareness Awards is a community-focused awards program that acknowledges the great work of individuals, community groups and organisations who deliver projects that reduce the incidence and impact of fire in Victoria.
The awards are managed by Victoria’s fire agencies – MFB, CFA and DELWP – with the support of RACV, ABC Local Radio and Emergency Management Victoria.
Recipients will be announced at a presentation evening on 2 December.
For more information, or to apply, visit www.fireawarenessawards.com.au or email vicfireawards@mfb.vic.gov.au.