Media Releases: Current Media Releases

Help celebrate Western Australians building disaster resilience

Fri, 11 May 2012 03:03:53 GMT

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If you know of a local business, community group or an individual who is working to make your community safer, stronger or more resilient now is the time to celebrate their achievements.

Nominations are open for the 2012 Resilient Australia Awards that recognise best practice and innovation across Australia in helping communities to prepare for and recover from emergencies.

FESA Chief Executive Officer Mr Wayne Gregson APM said the Resilient Australia Awards were an opportunity to recognise practices making our communities safer.

“There are many innovative projects aimed at strengthening the resilience of our communities in Western Australian, and it is important that we acknowledge this vital work,” Mr Gregson said.

“Any achievement in building disaster resilience, whether it be an everyday individual achievement or a large scale initiative, could be worthy of an award.

“It’s important to highlight initiatives that allow us to share knowledge and learn so that we can continue to build even stronger communities into the future.”

Mr Gregson said from the nominations received, finalists were selected for the state awards with the winners going on to become national finalists.

“These awards are a chance for individuals, groups and organisations to gain recognition for their work in building disaster resilience in Western Australia,” he said.

“They reward outstanding achievement across seven categories, based on the type of organisation applying, and cover all aspects of making our communities more resilient and better prepared to manage any emergency situation.”

The Resilient Australia Awards, formerly the Safer Community Awards, are sponsored by the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department and coordinated in WA by FESA.

The awards cover all aspects of community safety with an emergency management focus, including risk assessment, research, education and training, information and knowledge management, prevention, preparedness, response and recovery.

Entries must relate to projects that commenced after 1 January 2010. Entries close Friday 8 June.

For more information on the awards visit www.fesa.wa.gov.au or call the WA Awards Coordinator on 9323 9399.

Publication Time: 11/05/2012 11:00 AM

Inaugural road safety event for WA

Tue, 08 May 2012 01:01:17 GMT

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FESA is teaming up with the RAC, WA Police, St John Ambulance and Royal Perth Hospital to bring bstreetsmart to WA year 10, 11 and 12 students for the first time ever.

Bstreetsmart allows students to observe the re-enactment of a crash scene and hear from people who have been affected by road trauma.

They will be able to see how each of the emergency services are involved immediately after a crash and the impact a crash can have on those involved.

In 2011, the proportion of road fatalities for 17-24 year olds was almost double their proportion of the population (Fatal and serious injuries on WA roads, 2011 summary).

FESA District Officer Peter Jones said firefighters experienced firsthand the stress and trauma that road crash has on members of the community and urged road users, both young and old, to stay safe while driving.

“We work collaboratively with other agencies and support road safety initiatives such as bstreetsmart to help reduce injuries and deaths on the roads,” he said.

“We hope this event will contribute to a reduced road toll.”

RAC Head of Member Advocacy Matt Brown said the RAC initiated the bstreetsmart event to add to its existing community education program and help keep young drivers safe on the roads.

“The statistics tell us that when a young driver moves from their L plates to their P plates, this is the most dangerous time of their driving life,” Mr Brown said.

“What we’re trying to do is give these young drivers a sense of how serious road safety is and what the consequences can be.”

Ambulance Services Director, Len Fiori said St John Ambulance WA supports community initiatives that help prevent trauma on WA roads.

“On average, we attend close to 550 cases daily and a significant number of these are related directly to motor vehicle accidents,” Mr Fiori said.

“Many factors contribute to motor vehicle accidents. St John Ambulance WA strongly supports emergency simulation exercises such as bstreetsmart.

“They go a long way in educating students and future drivers about on-road risks and in doing so, help keep people safer while on our roads.”

WA Police Assistant Commissioner Gary Budge stated that WA Police is pleased to be part of this community event promoting road safety to our newest and most inexperienced road users.

“The event provides a realistic portrayal of the tragic impacts of road trauma. This event, attracting such a large number of year 10, 11 and 12 students allows Police and our emergency service partners to be proactive in showing the reality of a crash, something our personnel deal with on a daily basis,” he said.

The re-enactment will be as realistic as possible, including the use of the Jaws of Life.

By promoting safer driving behaviours, bstreetsmart aims to reduce the fatality and injury rate of young people.

Media Contact: Media and Public Affairs on 9225 5955.

Publication Time: 8/05/2012 8:55 AM

Don’t let the storm season leave you in its trail of destruction

Fri, 04 May 2012 08:32:39 GMT

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People are being urged to start preparing their homes for the storm season this week.

Chief Executive Officer Wayne Gregson said Storm Awareness Week (5 - 12 May) was a reminder that the storm season is here and people need to get their homes ready while conditions are still mild.

“Between May and October each year, storms hit southern parts of Western Australia, causing damage to homes and businesses from fallen trees, flooding and hail,” Mr Gregson said.

“FESA’s State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers can help with temporary repairs to severe damage, but we want the community to help prevent the destruction in the first place.”

“Now is the time for you to remove loose branches, clear gutters and secure your garden furniture and sheds.”

“Mother Nature can wreak havoc when you least expect it, bringing thousands of dollars of damage and destruction to your home, business or car.”

Heavy rainfall has already hit the metropolitan area this year, with SES volunteers receiving more than 50 calls for help last week.

Last storm season, SES volunteers responded to more than 99 separate storm incidents across the lower part of southern Western Australia, giving more than 6,872 hours of their own time to help the community.

To prepare for this year’s storm season, people should:
• trim branches around the home to prevent them falling on a roof or car
• hire a contractor to clear trees from powerlines
• clear gutters and downpipes of leaves and blockages so they don’t overflow after heavy rain
• store or weigh down loose objects around the home like outdoor furniture, playground equipment and sheds.

Residents who have been affected by severe weather and require emergency assistance for temporary repairs that they can’t fix themselves can call the SES on 132 500.

More information about what to do before, during and after a storm is available at www.fesa.wa.gov.au

END

Media Contact: Media and Public Affairs on 9225 5955.

Publication Time: 5/05/2012 9:00 AM

Burning program protects Kimberley’s future

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 03:24:27 GMT

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FESA’s northern burning program has officially started with burns taking place throughout the Kimberley region.

The prescribed burns are being undertaken in the Kimberley region to reduce the impact of devastating bushfires that occur late in the dry season.

Acting Regional Director Grant Pipe said prescribed burning in the Kimberley was vital in helping to protect life, livestock and the unique Kimberley ecosystem.

“The fire breaks that are created lessen the impact of bushfires on local communities, infrastructure and the environment,” he said.

“By carrying out aerial controlled burning now, fuel loads are reduced and a buffer is provided that prevents fires from spreading.

It can also provide a suitable area from which firefighters and pastoralists can fight an uncontrolled fire.”

The program focuses on reducing the fuel loads near road sides and on pastoral land.

FESA works in partnership with Local Government, Department of Environment and Conservation and participating pastoral stations to plan and implement the prescribed burning program.

“The program has been running for many years and is constantly under review and improvement,” Mr Pipe said.

“On average around 30 pastoral stations participate and this year 38 burns are planned.”

Mr Pipe also reminded tourists and motorists to be careful when travelling through affected areas.

“If you come across smoke on the road you should turn your headlights on and drive slowly,” he said.

"Remember that if you cannot see clearly, pull over to the side of the road, keep your headlights and hazard lights on, and wait until the smoke clears.

“Keep a close watch for firefighters and emergency service vehicles on the road and always follow any directions given by emergency service personnel.”

Prescribed burns are being conducted east of Fitzroy Crossing progressing towards Halls Creek from April 16. Prescribed burning is also being conducted on pastoral stations, which may produce smoke that could be visible on the Great Northern Highway.

People do not need to ring 000 to report controlled burning fires unless they believe lives or homes are under threat.

For more information, property owners can contact FESA’s Kimberley Regional Office on 9158 3200.

Publication Time: 24/04/2012 10:00 AM