A bushfire preparedness community information session will be held for residents in Yallingup rural from 1pm on Saturday October 14, at 72 Ocean View Drive, Yallingup.
The comprehensive 90 minutes session will be aimed at residents and owners of special rural blocks as part of the Bushfire Ready program operated by the Yallingup Rural Volunteer Bushfire Brigade.
Brigade captain Matt Muir said suitable bushfire preparedness was a critical part of the brigade’s operation.
“We have found over recent years that properties which were well prepared were easier to defend in a bushfire and can present a less dangerous environment for my firefighters,” he said.
The session will be held in advance of the opening of the restricted burning period.
The timing of the session will give property owners time to undertake final bushfire preparation tasks on their property before restrictions come into effect.
The community information session will be attended by senior officers of the Yallingup Rural Brigade, personnel from the Department of Fire and Emergency Services, City of Busselton officers and community based Bushfire Ready facilitators and street coordinators.
Bushfire Ready facilitator for the Yallingup Rural Brigade Shahan Ayers advised that the session would provide attendees with up-to-date information about both their property and personal preparation.
Ms Ayers said residents would also have the opportunity to inspect some of the brigade’s appliances within the context of property access.
“The information session will have a very practical orientation,” she said.
“Under the guidance of senior brigade and DFES personnel we will inspect some properties in the area so that attendees can specifically relate what they see to how they might prepare their own property for optimal safety.”
During the morning a group will participate in an operational planning exercise to prepare for the coming bushfire season, which will simulate the hours leading up to the fire front.
The activity will assess whether a property is defendable on its own or by the owner, or defendable with fire fighter assistance, or not defendable based on conditions that day, access to the property and the resources available.
Vasse MP Libby Mettam said she was happy to support the information session and encouraged the community, in particular people who lived on special rural environments to attend.
For more information about the community information session visit the Yallingup Rural Bushfire Ready Facebook page at facebook.com/groups/YallingupBFR/.