Category Archives: Be Prepared

Be Prepared workshop and movie night

Posted on February 18, 2014 by | Leave a comment

On the 10th of February 57 people turned up to a Be Prepared workshop in Glen Forrest organised by the Hills Sustainability Group.

Christine Hogan (leader of the Be prepared action group) facilitated an evening of problem solving and discussion on how to be prepared for and manage heat waves and bushfires.

Lesley Thomas (WA Public Sector Union ) and Christine Hogan (Transition Town Guildford)

Lesley Thomas (WA Public Sector Union ) and Christine Hogan (Transition Town Guildford)

Hills Participants2
Many thanks to the Hills Sustainability Group and Keith Sillitoe and Anne Taylor for organising and hosting.

And a special thanks to guests who acted as advisers and answered questions from the participants.

  • Andrew VanderHeyden, Deputy Chief Bush Fire Control Officer.  Shire of Mundaring
  • Paul Sulley, Glen Forrest Volunteer Bushfire Brigade
  • Lesley Thomas, Living Smart Organiser, WA Public Sector Union (adviser on heat waves)
Paul Sulley, (Glen Forrest Volunteer Bushfire Brigade) Christine Hogan (Transition Town Guildford) and Andrew VanderHeyden, (Deputy Chief Bushfire Control Officer. Shire of Mundaring) demonstrate Steripens which purify water in 90 seconds!

Paul Sulley, (Glen Forrest Volunteer Bushfire Brigade) Christine Hogan (Transition Town Guildford) and Andrew VanderHeyden, (Deputy Chief Bushfire Control Officer. Shire of Mundaring) demonstrate Steripens which purify water in 90 seconds!

 Hills Participants

If you  could not attend the workshop on Tuesday night, but would like to learn more, Transition Town Guildford is organising another evening “Be prepared: Heat waves, bush fires and floods” on Tuesday, 11 March, 6.00 pm, Stirling Arms Pub, 117 James Street, Guildford and will show the film “Don’t panic” the ABC, Catalyst documentary aired in December 2012.

If you’re planning on having a meal, you can make it easier for the kitchen by placing a phone order in advance on (08) 6142 4352. Check the Stirling Arms menu here.

Be Prepared movie night

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Posted in Be Prepared, Climate Change, Event, Take Action

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Are you prepared for a bushfire?

Posted on January 11, 2014 by | Leave a comment

Cycling through Hazelmere yesterday we saw smoke from a backyard. What idiot would be burning off in this weather we thought!? We were just about to leave it, but we thought we better check everything was OK.

As we arrived we could see long grass burning in the backyard of the house and it became clear it wasn’t planned. With a tap right in front of us we asked the owner ‘Where’s your hose?’, ‘I’m looking for it’ was the reply.

I ran and grabbed the neighbours hose and pulled it out, but there was no pressure. No one was home and we later found out he has a bore, hence no pressure. So without hoses or buckets there wasn’t much we could do but wait for the fire brigade. And by the time they came, the small grass fire was producing thick black smoke and threatening the house.

A timely reminder to tidy the yard and prepare for the summer season, especially with the scorching weather this weekend! It’s very difficult to find things and think clearly under stress, so a prepared plan of action and ready gear is vital.
Check out the government website Are You Ready?

Are You Ready Site

When we see something unusual, it can be easy to be distracted by the bystander effect, as we nearly were. To assume that everything is under control, or that someone else will help out. Indeed, several cars stopped, and one was ringing the fire brigade when we arrived, but many more drove by. So it’s important that we always check with our neighbours and community -‘Are you alright?’.

And if emergency preparedness interests you, contact our Be Prepared group coordinator Chris Hogan – Christine@hogans.id.au or phone 9279 8778

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Posted in Be Prepared, Community, Take Action

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