BUSHFIRE awareness was at the heart of an exercise involving Hamilton Senior High School emergency services cadets last week.
Cadets were hosted by the South Coogee Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade at its base in Cockburn Central on Monday August 29, with volunteers discussing emergency vehicles, how to use household fire extinguishers and how to be prepared for bushfires.
With many of Cockburn’s residential areas backing on to bushland and reserves, community engagement officer James Christensen said it was an important topic.
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READ NOW“The message is: be vigilant, be prepared and have a plan,” he said.
“You need to know if you’re going to leave or stay and defend.
“And ensure your property is properly prepared, with gutters cleared and trees trimmed.”
Fourteen year-old cadet James Kristensen said students gained a lot form the exercise.
“The volunteers were very informative on all things to do with fighting a fire,” he said.
For information on bushfire preparedness visit www.dfes.wa.gov.au.
Last season WA firefighters responded to nearly 5000 bushfires.