FIRE READY: Member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty, Horsham Rural City Mayor David Grimble, Warracknabeal Fire Brigade captain Ron Zanker and Horsham Fire Brigade captain Mat Walsh encourage Wimmera people to be prepared for bushfires this summer, even during cooler weather. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
WIMMERA leaders have urged people to avoid complacency about bushfire safety this summer.
Member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty endorsed a Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria 'Fire Safety Starts With You' campaign at Horsham Fire Station on Friday.
He warned that people needed to stay vigilant despite a drop in temperature last week.
"People think that summer is over because we have had some cooler weather," Mr Delahunty said.
"But it's not.
"It's still important for all of us to have a fire plan ready."
Horsham Rural City Mayor David Grimble said a fire did not need to be in someone's backyard to have an impact.
"If there's a fire within a region it has such an impact on people's morale," he said.
"It affects the community.
"Any of those emergencies are very similar - the impact of flood for example - and communities show their resilience."
The fire safety campaign aims to remind people that fire safety is a shared responsibility between volunteers and communities.
Horsham Fire Brigade captain Mat Walsh said February was the worst month for fires so having a fire safety plan was vital.
"Much of the region is prone to fast-moving grass fires that can arrive before anyone has even called 000," he said.
"The Wimmera has many residential areas that border on broadacre pasture.
"We are well into the bushfire season and have had total fire ban days, with serious fires at Apsley, Goroke and Natimuk."
Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria fire safety project officer Neville Stanley said people could visit www.cfa.vic.gov.au or call 1800 240 667.
