During September, local Rural Fire Service brigades and their counterparts at Fire & Rescue NSW are preparing to open their stations and hold public events that focus on helping you prepare and protect your home and family from the risk of bushfire.
The state-wide RFS Get Ready Weekend will take place over the weekend of the 17th – 18th of September, coinciding with the start to the annual fire season. Despite the wet conditions experienced this year, the recent winds have resulted in grass fuels drying out and an increase in local fire activity. The Bush Fire Danger Period for Bellingen Shire commences on 1st September 2022, and now is as good a time as any to connect with your local RFS Brigades and receive advice and support to prepare your own bush fire survival plan.
Following the 2019/20 Bushfires, Resilience NSW supported Bellingen Shire Council, Coffs Harbour City Council and the NSW Rural Fire Service to produce three short films focused on bush fire preparedness, starring local residents and RFS Volunteers. The last of these films is to be publicly launched and screened at the Hydes Creek RFS on Saturday 10th of September as part of their Get Ready event for the local community. The film features RFS Volunteers from Brierfield and Hydes Creek Brigades, and highlights the importance of having a household plan for bushfire survival, and the value of connecting with neighbours for support before, during and after a bushfire.
Bellingen Shire Community Resilience Coordinator Clare Danby is encouraging people to think about how they’d
prepare for and respond to a bushfire that threatened their home, and to commit to writing a plan.
“Many residents of the Shire have had several near misses with flood and fire, and have a general idea of what to do and when to do it. However, sitting down with your family and documenting that plan ensures that your household is ready. The RFS Get Ready events are great opportunities to get the tools and resources to create that plan.”
While the primary purpose of Get Ready Weekend is not recruitment, Coffs Coast RFS Inspector Sandra Huer urges locals to help make a difference in their community by becoming a NSW RFS volunteer.
"The NSW RFS is made up of men and women from all cultural backgrounds and professions, making each brigade a reflection of the local community it serves."
“For those who are unable to attend a Get Ready event, the RFS website has a wealth of useful information on Bush Fire Survival Plans, preparing your property for bush fire, and joining your local brigade. Visit us at
www.rfs.nsw.gov.au”.
- Get Ready events happening in Bellingen Shire are listed below:
- Hydes Creek RFS – 10 September 10am – 3pm, at the Hydes Creek RFS Station
- North Bellingen RFS & FRNSW Bellingen 221 – 17 September 9am – 3pm, 1 Church Street, Bellingen
- Fernmount RFS – 17 September 10am – 3pm, Burdett Park Waterfall Way, Fernmount
- Gleniffer RFS – 18 September 10am – 3pm, 8 Promised Land Road, Gleniffer
- Valery RFS – 17 September 10am – 3pm, 711 Valery Road Valery
- Urunga RFS – 17 September 10am – 3pm, 5 Orara Street Urunga
- Repton RFS – 17 September – 10am – 3pm, Forest Drive Repton
- Mylestom RFS – 17 September – 10am – 3pm, Mylestom Café Mylestom