Captains Log SPRING 2025

Welcome to our SPRING 2025 Log

As we move into spring, we have seen some small amounts of rainfall across our region which is nice but the early predictions for this Fire Season are not good.

Early predictions are that we will have a drier than average summer with the Daytime Temperatures to be above average and the Evening Temperatures to be well above the average as well.

With this information I would now urge you all to start preparing your properties for the upcoming Summer which will bring with it some significant Fire Days.

We have also had identified 2 areas of concern in our area as we lead into the upcoming Fire Season which were identified in the district pre plan.

The two areas are Woodlot Lane through to the Airfield and Hopeton Road and the properties adjoining the road.

We will be having community meetings in these areas in November/December and I urge all the residents in these areas to attend and get an understanding of what could happen and if it does what to do.

It is also during this period that we need to check our smoke alarm and change the battery; I have included below a detailed information sheet on how this is done. Remember that only working smoke alarms safe lives.

Smoke alarms

Only working smoke alarms save lives. While you are asleep you are unlikely to smell smoke.  A working smoke alarm is vital to making sure you will wake up in the event of a fire.

How to keep your smoke alarm in working order:

·        Use long-lasting 9V alkaline batteries in your smoke alarm - by doing this you ensure year-round protection

·        Use the brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner to dust around the smoke alarm

·        Install photo-electric smoke alarms

·        Test smoke alarms once a month. The alarm should produce a loud "beep beep beep beep" sound when you press the test button using a broom handle

·        Replace all smoke alarms (both battery powered and 240v hard-wired) after ten years (the year of manufacture is displayed on the alarm)

·        Purchase smoke alarms that meet Australian Standards. Look for the AS3786 marking

Waiting until the smoke alarm beeps before you change the battery is too late - this indicates that the battery is already flat, and your family is not protected. Change your smoke alarm battery every year. 

Do your kids know what to do when the smoke alarm goes off?

Simple actions like getting down low and crawling under smoke save lives, and every family should have a home fire escape plan that identifies all possible escape routes.

Smoke alarms for the hearing impaired

Special smoke alarms are available for the hearing impaired. These should feature a flashing strobe light and a vibrating pad that can be placed under the pillow to activate when the alarm sounds.

Hearing impaired smoke alarms can link with standard smoke alarms to alert all household members, regardless of hearing levels. When one alarm senses smoke, all will activate.

Other models are portable units that can be taken from one residence to another.

Smoke Alarm subsidy for deaf people

Profoundly deaf people can apply for a smoke alarm subsidy to help cover the costs of visual and vibrating smoke alarms.

for further details contact the Victorian Deaf Society.

More information in the section

·       

Installation and replacement

Information on the installation and maintenance of smoke alarms

The Brigade has ramped up our Summer training in preparation for the upcoming Fire Season which is looking vey bleak for this year.

You will see us out and about while we undertake this training so don’t be alarmed if we are in your street testing our equipment.

This Calendar year to date the Brigade has attended 100 calls ranging from car accidents/house fires/and alarms within our area and neighbouring areas,so as you can see we have been pretty busy.

I need you all to be very vigilant and ready for any emergency this Fire Season as we don’t know what tomorrow will bring.

Please stay up to date withy the Fire Danger Ratings this summer so you have some knowledge of what type of Fire Danger we have in the local area.

Remember we are here to help you all anyway we can so if you need some answers feel free to drop into the Station on any Sunday morning between 9.00am and 11.30am or call the Brigade Duty Officer on phone 0409 367 273.

Please to all of you and you’re Families please stay safe and look after each other.

Regards

Captain David Bulman