One of the best ways the brigade can help the community face the threat of bush fires is through preventative measures such as hazard reduction burns and public education.
If you would like further information about hazard reductions, please contact Ripley Valley's current Fire Warden, Jim Runham on Mobile 0412 686 385 or Phone 07 3294 1464 or email: warden@ripleyvalleyruralfire.org.au
The Brigade also participates in Prepare, Act and Survive community education sessions about bushfire safety.
One of the best ways the brigade can help the community face the threat of bush fires is through preventative measures such as public education sessions on fire safety which are collectively known as the Prepare, Act and Survive Campaign. You don’t have to live in the bush to be threatened by bushfire, just close enough to be affected by burning material, embers and smoke. For Queensland residents, that can be just about anywhere.
In 2009 Queensland experienced one of its worst bushfire seasons on record and at one point firefighters attended 4491 vegetation fires across the state over a 36-day period. In many cases homes and lives were at risk and residents were faced with the decision to stay with their property or leave the area early.
The QLD Government Website containing all types of fire safety information can be accessed by Clicking Here. The main Prepare, Act & Survive booklet below is full of information that will help you to prepare your home and your family for bushfire season. It will assist you in making the decision to stay or to leave and will outline the steps you need to take as a result of your decision.
What Happens at a Community Education Day?
The QLD Fire and Rescue Service holds awareness sessions across communities potentially effected by wild fire to cover the Prepare, Act Survive message. These sessions are normally held in local areas around the community that may be in areas of risk to wild fire etc. They often involve a team effort from local Urban and Rural team members. These sessions give local residents the opportunity to understand some of the key principles in preparing for fire, acting in ways to maintain safety and ultimately, surviving fire incidents.
The Bushfire Survival Plan booklet details your own personal important information, about your decision on whether you will Stay or Leave, that will assist you and your family to take action should a Bushfire occur in your area. Preparation is the key, and this Plan when completed should be left in an easily accessible place known by all Family members, so that it can be quickly accessed and activated, if required or requested to do so. Most emergency messages now on the Radio will generally include the message for the public, that they should activate their Bushfire Survival Plan.
Education at Your Place
Another service the brigade can offer is a visit to local landowners wishing to learn more about fire safety and their property. To make a booking for such a visit, please email: education@ripleyvalleyruralfire.org.au
Volunteer Community Educator
The Ripley Valley Rural Fire Brigade members are committed to their role in supporting Fire Prevention and Fire Awareness activities. The Brigade has a number of members who have taken on the role of Brigade Volunteer Community Educator (VCE). This is a new role within the QFRS and RFS, and although previously the information was discussed with the public as required, there is now a structured format to deliver Fire Awareness and Prevention Information, with Programs, Tools and Promotional Material available. The VCE network is essentially Locals (from Brigades) informing Locals (Public), of all aspects of Fire and the Information that is available, and Community Information Sessions that can be conducted to keep the public aware. If any individual or group is interested in information relating to the above, please contact the Brigade though the Secretary at admin@ripleyvalleyruralfire.org.au
Brigade Activities
Regular monthly Training sessions are conducted and planned Burn-offs are done for Landowners for the purposes of Hazard Reduction. The Brigade is looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead, and is ever looking to provide the best possible Voluntary Service for the local communities it serves and is asked to protect. The Brigade area is approximately 160 square kilometres and borders on the south east of Ipswich City which is covered by the Urban Division of the QFRS. The area extends from Amberley Air Force Base at Amberley to the Springfield Land Development Road at Springfield and extends south to Spring Mountain and part way towards Peak Crossing township.
The Brigade Classification (in relation to the risks in its area) is an I-Zone Brigade, which is the highest classification within the Rural Fire Service. The Brigade has developed an information kit, which is given to each new resident within the Brigades area, to assist him or her with Fire Management considerations. If there is any information that you require that is not on these pages, then feel free to E-mail us at admin@ripleyvalleyruralfire.org.au
© Ripley Valley Rural Fire Brigadeand Brigade members.