Call for ‘firey’ women

FIREY WOMEN SUPPORT: Mil-Lel Third Lieutenant and Brigade Training officer Kerry McCombe believes it is critical for women to know how to defend themselves and their property during a bushfire.

Charlotte Varcoe

FIREFIGHTING skills and preparedness will be the focus of a female-only workshop this weekend to better prepare Limestone Coast women for bushfire seasons.

The Country Fire Service (CFS) event will teach women how to protect both themselves and their properties should a bushfire occur.

The workshop aims to provide a comfortable environment for women to question and learn critical skills prior to the annual bushfire season.

CFS community engagement officer Megan Hurrell said the workshop would educate women about preparing survival plans for families with the understanding one plan does not suit all.

“We will also discuss the emotional and physical preparation including identifying hazards around the home and what needs to be done when considering a plan,” she said.

“During this program we are hoping to empower women to take steps and make plans but also have these conversations and help build a resilient community while also making informed decisions about what to do for the up and coming bushfire season.”

The CFS is also planning a weekend community event in Lucindale, scheduled for August 14 and 15, which will focus on supporting bushfire-affected residents in the area.

Ms Hurrell said affected residents will receive assistance with a focus on where to go from here and what to expect in the years following devastating bushfires.

“It will be really helpful for residents to look at what happened and what they did,” Ms Hurrell said.

“It will also help confirm their plans of making changes as there have been several fires in that vicinity in recent years and will support and enhance the lessons learnt.”

The first South East event will be held this coming weekend at the Naracoorte Caves followed by the Lucindale event held on August 15 and 16.

A date is yet to be determined for a Firey Women workshop in Kingston.

Visit the CFS website for more information or to register.