The NSW Rural Fire Service is calling on Central Coast residents to spend this weekend preparing for the 2020-21 bushfire season.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch said volunteer firefighters will be holding COVID-safe events on Saturday and Sunday to provide localized bushfire risk information and practical actions to ‘get ready’.
“Last year, NSW experienced a devastating fire season that saw volunteer firies put their lives on the line to protect people and property,” Mr Crouch said.
“Because of our incredibly effective Rural Fire Brigades led by the indefatigable Superintendent Viki Campbell, the Central Coast region was able to avoid significant loss of property.
“This means it’s vital that local residents take the bushfire threat seriously, and ‘Get Ready Weekend’ is an opportunity to get tips and feedback from local firies on how to reduce bushfire risk and make a bushfire survival plan.
“I would encourage our community to visit the NSW Rural Fire Service website and find a nearby COVID-safe event to attend this weekend.”
Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott said the threat of bushfire is as real as ever, particularly the risk of grass fires in the State’s west.
“Despite a large part of the State having burnt during our ‘Black Summer’, we cannot get complacent about this coming season, so now is the time to get ready,” Mr Elliott said.
The NSW Government is also preparing for the 2020-21 bushfire season with the announcement of $45 million to fast-track hazard reduction, employ 100 new paid State Mitigation Crew positions and upgrade the firefighting fleet, including a $121,000 Cat 9 Tanker for The Bays Rural Fire Brigade.
For more information, go to: www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/GetReady.
