Residents were encouraged to prepare for the start of bushfire season on October 1 as NSW Rural Fire Service held their Get Ready Weekend event across the state.
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Orana Fire Control Station Superintendent Lyndon Wieland said he and his colleges were impressed by the turn out to the bushfire preparedness event on Saturday.
“We had a very good response from the public yesterday [Saturday], we had lots of people coming and going all day, talking to our people that were there. It was a very successful day.”
“We were had all of our units on display, we had a fire houses lined out and demonstrated some of the skills our firefighters have got.
Supt. Wieland said the overall message of the day was to “get ready, be prepared,” and reminded residents to have a fire plan.
“Does your fire plan cover what you’re going to do, where you're going to go, what you're going to do with your animals?,” he said.
He said given this was a timely reminder for “small Talking about small acreage around rural area of Dubbo.”
“Ensure that any combustible material, for example wood, wood piled up around the home during winter, any of that material isn’t around.
“It needs to be cleared, gutters need to be cleared for leaves.”
Supt. Wieland said their approach to the upcoming bushfire season was to send the message “help us, help protect you."
“The better prepared you are the better chance you have.
“If the property owners prepare their property for fire, then when the firefighters go to protect your property, they have got a better chance of protecting the property, you and themselves.
“Vegetation and combustible items, puts firefighters at risk. Being prepared makes it a lot easier for everyone, help us help you.”
From October 1 a permit will be required in Dubbo, Narromine and Wellington areas to light a fire.
“Depending on the location, a cooking fire is okay as long as its not a total fire ban, and its not in a proper constructed fireplace,” Supt Wieland said.
The message we need to get out there, people that may be fishing or camping in areas and light a cooking fire need to make sure it is very well extinguished before they leave.
Supt Wieland reminded people to be aware and if they see a unattended fire to ring triple zero not their local fire station.
Minister for Emergency Services Troy Grant said the Get Ready Weekend sent a simple but important message on his social media page.
“It could very well save lives and property this weekend and throughout the bushfire season,” he said.
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