Brushing up on bushfires

OVER the course of March and April Year 3 students from across Shellharbour City have been given the chance to brush up on their bushfire awareness skills.

The bushfire education activities are part of the grant-funded bushfire prevention and preparedness community awareness project.

Mayor David Hamilton said educating children about bushfire safety was hugely important.

We all have a role to play in preventing and preparing for bushfires. Helping children better understand the process may prevent tragedy, said Mr Hamilton.

The workshops were a joint initiative between Shellharbour City Council and Oak Flats, Dunmore and Jamberoo Rural Fire Services.

Alison Scobie, Shellharbour City Council Environment Officer, said some land in Shellharbour is bushfire prone and the activities were designed to improve awareness.

We were able to utilise the activities of the Rural Fire Service and take it to schools in a different way, said Ms Scobie.

Over 600 students have been involved, including Barrack Heights Primary, Flinders Primary, Nazareth College, Albion Park Primary, Albion Park Rail Primary and Lake Illawarra South Public.

The activities were designed to provide students with hands on and interactive lessons based around home and bushfire safety.

Students learnt about fire alarms, safe behaviour, protective clothing, the fire truck and the important message stop, drop, cover and roll. Students were also given vital lessons to share with their parents about making their homes safe from fire.

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