INDIGENOUS communities are twice as likely to be involved in a fire emergency, research shows, prompting a safety workshop in Batemans Bay last week.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
FIRE and Rescue NSW research has highlighted the higher risk and the firefighters have developed a program to reduce it.
Batemans Bay firefighters put the Aboriginal Firefighters Perspective Exercise into action with members of the Eurobodalla Indigenous community last week, with great success.
“It was fantastic; absolutely superb,” station commander Phil Eberle said.
Mr Eberle said the aim was to inform the Aboriginal community about what happened in a fire and how to protect yourself.
“We conducted an exercise that incorporated the safe use and operation of fire extinguishers, fire blankets and a simulated disaster exercise with participants dressed in a full fire brigade protective uniform and wearing a life-saving air set on their back,” he said.
“It was a very hands-on day, simulating what’s involved in an emergency and fire situation.
“It was very well received and we hope to expand it to the wider community.”
Mr Eberle also hoped the exercise would assist communities throughout NSW and help to develop networks to spread the fire safety message.
