With the CFA warning that Victoria could face an earlier start to the bushfire season this spring, and hot and dry conditions expected to increase fire risk, the Sarsfield community is coming together for an important day of bushfire preparedness, education and community connection.
The Sparking Action Fire Ready Day, to be held on Saturday, September 5, will give all East Gippsland residents practical information about how they can better protect their homes, properties and loved ones, while also providing an opportunity to learn from bushfire experts, emergency services and community organisations.
Sarsfield Community Association president, Cathy McLellan, said the experiences of previous fires had reinforced the importance of being prepared well before an emergency occurs.
“Our community knows all too well what bushfire can do. We have lived through some incredibly difficult times, and those experiences stay with you,” Ms McLellan said.
“With another potentially challenging fire season ahead, this is about making sure we don’t become complacent. We want people to have the information, knowledge and confidence to prepare their homes, their families and their properties now.”
The community event will commence at 10am and feature a full program of expert presentations, demonstrations, information sessions and activities throughout the day.
A key feature of the program will be a presentation by leading bushfire researcher, Justin Leonard from Bushfire Resilience Inc., who will explain why and how houses burn down, including common and often overlooked weaknesses in home bushfire preparation.
Residents can also learn about the Joint Fuel Management Plan, including how communities can become involved in its development and what is planned over the next three years.
Other sessions will cover managing trees and vegetation, preparing properties for fire, creating an emergency plan for the critical first 72 hours of a disaster, and identifying and addressing bushfire risks around the home.
Practical demonstrations will run throughout the day, including a burn table demonstrating fire behaviour and demonstrations of bushfire sprinkler systems for homes.
Ms McLellan said the event was deliberately designed to move beyond simply talking about bushfire risk and give people practical tools they could use.
“There is a lot we can do to make our properties and our households more resilient, and sometimes it’s the things we don’t think about that can make a difference,” she said.
“Whether you’ve been through a bushfire before or you’re relatively new to the area, there is something here that can help you prepare.”
The event will also feature a range of community and family activities. The Red Cross will present its Ted Show, an engaging performance designed to help children become more prepared for emergencies, while its preparedness tent will operate throughout the day.
Visitors can get up close with wildlife at Black Snake Productions, learn about bushfire-resilient landscaping and FireWise gardens, meet experts at the Bushfire Resilience Inc. Risk & Fix stand, refresh their CPR knowledge with Act Fast First Aid and enjoy free face painting.
Food and refreshments will be available throughout the day, including a sausage sizzle by the Paynesville Lions Club, coffee, ice creams, and soup and scones from the Country Women’s Association.
The event will also provide an opportunity for residents to connect with one another — something Ms McLellan said was just as important as individual household preparation.
“The lessons from the fires we’ve experienced are not just about fuel loads, houses and evacuation plans. They are also about community,” she said.
“When things become difficult, knowing your neighbours, knowing where to get information and knowing how you can help one another can be incredibly important.
“Being prepared isn’t just about what happens at an individual property — it’s about building a community that knows what to expect, knows what to do and looks out for one another.”
Ms McLellan encouraged everyone in the community to attend, regardless of their previous experience with bushfire.
“We encourage everyone in the community, whether you have lived here for years or are new to the area, to come along,” she said.
“We would like to thank Rotary International from the Sarsfield Community for their support in our recovery from the Black Summer Fires, they made a major contribution to our new Hall and now their support for our Sparking Action – Fire Preparedness Day has made it a much more attractive family event. Of course, such a day would not be possible without the CFA, FFMV and Red Cross and all the community volunteers.”
