Snr Sergeant Vin Butera of Lilydale Police, left, and Glenn Hunt from the Shire of Yarra Ranges’ emergency managementBy Kath Gannaway
TWO hundred people said “YES” last week to the opportunity to get behind the scenes of a bushfire.
The event, YES Local Government and Your Emergency Services @ Work, was organised by Kym Neville, the Shire of Yarra Ranges Bushfire Preparedness Community Development officer, and held at the Yarra Centre in Yarra Junction.
Ms Neville said the event aimed at highlighting what happens, and what forces spring into action before, during and after a fire.
“A lot of people don’t realise what the CFA, the shire or groups like the Red Cross and police do and we really wanted to raise awareness of the process,” Ms Neville said.
“People were able to talk with the people involved in these roles and follow a path which took them through as things are established when a bushfire emergency is declared, right through to recovery, including services such as counselling.”
The event is part of a 12-month Bushfire Preparedness Community Development project in partnership with the emergency management branch of the Department of Human Services.
A second YES @ Work day will be held at Upwey Community Hall on Burwood Highway, Upwey between 2pm and 5pm on Sunday, 28 October.
For more information phone Ms Neville on 1300 368 333.
