Other communities in our area are also doing some fantastic work around bushfire preparedness. Our friends in St. Andrews have produced a handy calendar for all residents in their area – the purpose of which is explained below.
The colourful calendar contains information inserts (Checklists, Tables, To Do Lists, Hints and Tips) and a Sticker Sheet which consists of a list of the most common, simple actions or tasks that you can do to be better prepared. It allows you to nominate or set aside particular days to do these tasks – when it suits you, they are brightly coloured so they can’t be overlooked.
Congratulations to the team on an awesome job well done, and particularly to Kylie Murray of Nillumbik Shire Council who is also involved with the Be Ready Warrandyte project.
Simple Steps to being Better Prepared!
St Andrews Preparedness Calendar
Purpose Statement
The St Andrews Fire Safety and Awareness Project Team (SACBRA) supported by Nillumbik Shire Council and funded through the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund, have developed a localised calendar, to promote and encourage residents to take ‘small simple steps’ to better prepare their property and in turn feel more confident in their ability to respond in the event of a bushfire, grassfire or other emergency.
As can be seen in the photographs throughout the calendar, St Andrews is a community situated in a beautiful rural environment, and with this beauty comes the VERY REAL RISK of fire. By living in St Andrews you MUST accept the RISK exists, and a fire event is likely to happen again. This means you and your family MUST be prepared, whether you plan to leave or plan to stay, you need to know what you HAVE to do to stay safe!
It is recognised that people respond to emergencies differently. Some people will always plan to stay and defend, some people will always plan to leave, others have no idea what they plan to do so therefore don’t have a plan, whilst others believe it will NEVER happen to them (this is a dangerous attitude), in a rural environment, whether you live in the middle of town or out, you must recognise the RISK and take responsibility for your own safety.
You can use this calendar as a prompt, a guide, a reminder TO DO! It is a simple tool to help you manage your preparedness and point you in the right direction to find out more.
It is not intended to be a one stop shop for everything to do with bushfire preparedness but may assist you in your endeavour to make you and your property ‘better prepared’.
NB. Due to a limited print run copies are not available to residents outside St.Andrews.