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Local Fire Safety Hero Aides Fire Awareness
Monday, October 20th 2008
Garry Watson never thought he’d be commended for simply doing his job. The Croydon local and MFB station officer was rewarded for his efforts developing a state-of-the-art water recycling module in the 2008 Fire Awareness Awards.
The Fire Awareness Awards are an initiative of the states fire authorities, MFB, CFA and DSE, and are proudly supported by RACV Insurance. They were developed to publicly recognise the success of fire safety initiatives by individuals, fire agencies, groups and organisations.
Station officer Watson said that he was pleased that the water recycling module, which recycles water for fire training purposes, was recognised for its benefits for the fire service and the wider community.
“The water saving potential of the project is enormous. If the pod was used for MFB training for one hour a day, each weekday for a year, approximately 20 million litres of drinking water would be saved per year.
“After the water is used for training, it can then be redistributed for use within the community in parklands, sports fields and toilet flushing of public amenities,” said station officer Watson.
The conservation initiative has helped to secure a reliable source of water for firefighters to continue to undertake their role in the protection of the community, to continue training for skills maintenance and to reduce the MFB’s impact on drinking water supplies.
MFB acting commander Steve Watts said that the awards were an opportunity for Victoria’s fire authorities to acknowledge and reward the community for their fire prevention and safety efforts.
“Each year, we are amazed by the efforts of individuals and groups who get on the front foot to respond to the threat of fire.
“Anyone can be a fire safety hero and it’s pleasing to be able to salute the efforts of the community through these awards,” he said.
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Local Fire Safety Hero Aides Fire Awareness
Thursday, October 16th 2008
Christopher Chester never thought he’d be commended for having a go. The Geelong local, mad Cats fan and General Manager of BullEx Australia was rewarded for his efforts to bring an environmentally friendly form of fire extinguisher training to Australia in the 2008 Fire Awareness Awards. The project was the winner in the industry category.
The Fire Awareness Awards are an initiative of the state’s fire authorities, MFB, CFA and DSE, and are proudly supported by RACV Insurance. They were developed to publicly recognise the success of fire safety initiatives by individuals, fire agencies, groups and organisations.
Chris said that he was pleased to have introduced such cutting edge training technology to the Australian market.
“Originally developed in the USA by BullEx Digital Safety (NY), the technology has been enhanced through its use in the Australian market. In particular, the MFB’s innovative ideas and applications of the systems have been utilised worldwide.
“Our award recognises the huge benefits of an environmentally clean, smart and very cost effective training system over current training methodology,” he said.
“BullEx Australia’s primary goal has always been to facilitate the training of as many people as possible in a safe and clean way in order to help make Victoria safer from the threat of fire.”
“This new, innovative, environmentally clean and very cost effective technology provides Victorians with portable fire extinguisher training that, in most cases, exceeds the level of training that has been possible for many decades by using hydrocarbon, live fuel burns,” he said.
MFB acting commander Steve Watts said that the awards were an opportunity for Victoria’s fire authorities to acknowledge and reward the community for their fire prevention and safety efforts.
“Each year, we are amazed by the efforts of individuals and groups who get on the front foot to respond to the threat of fire.
“Anyone can be a fire safety hero and it’s pleasing to be able to salute the efforts of the community through these awards,” he said.
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Fire Awareness Awards 2010
Wednesday, October 08th 2008
The winners of the Fire Awareness Awards 2008 were announced at a ceremony held at the RACV Club tonight.
Two projects were awarded the major accolade of the night, the RACV Insurance Award for Excellence. The MFB’s multi-award winning water recycling module shared the honour with the DSE and CFA’s information unit project, which improves the flow of crucial information to stakeholders and the wider community during emergency events.
This year’s awards also recognised the valuable contribution of a number of other community projects, including a ‘Yellow Safety Day’ initiative at Our Lady’s Primary School in Craigieburn and a community care program implemented by the City of Monash to assess fire risks in home and community care client’s homes.
The Fire Awareness Awards are an initiative of the states fire authorities, MFB, CFA and DSE, and are proudly supported by RACV Insurance. They were developed to publicly recognise the success of fire safety initiatives by individuals, fire agencies, groups and organisations.
MFB Acting Commander Steve Watts said that the awards were an opportunity for Victoria’s fire authorities to acknowledge and reward the community for their fire prevention and safety efforts.
“Each year, we are amazed by the efforts of individuals and groups who get on the front foot to respond to the threat of fire.
“Anyone can be a fire safety hero and it’s pleasing to be able to salute the terrific efforts of the community through these awards,” he said.
MFB Chief Fire Officer Tony Murphy said that the awards were a timely reminder to all Victorians to be prepared for the coming summer fire season, but that they should also be vigilant all year round.
“While at this time of year fire is on the mind of many Victorians, we also need to remember that fire poses a risk all year round whether you live in metropolitan Melbourne or regional areas.
“On behalf of Victoria’s fire agencies, I would like to congratulate and thank all those who were nominated for the awards. We couldn’t do our jobs without your help,” he said.
RACV Insurance General Manager Susan Allen said RACV Insurance was proud to be involved with the Fire Awareness Awards, and congratulated all the winners.
“Our goal in sponsoring the awards is to build awareness to help reduce the risk of fire in the wider community.
“The objective of the Fire Safety Grant is to provide funding to help a good idea become a reality. This year’s winner, the Hazard House, will benefit students in the 150 primary schools within the CFA Yarra Area by using interactive methods to teach them about fire hazards,” she said.
LIST OF WINNERS - FIRE AWARENESS AWARDS 2008
Community Award
Awarded to a not-for-profit, non-fire organisation, community care organisation or community group that has developed and successfully implemented an initiative to reduce the number or impact of fires.
WINNER: Knoxbrooke and Orana Home Fire Safety Program - CFA Yarra Area Orana Neighbourhood House, Knoxbrooke Incorporated
This initiative addressed the vulnerability of adults with learning disabilities in the home through an interactive and hands-on learning experience.
Education Award
Awarded to a primary, secondary, TAFE or tertiary educational facility that has developed and successfully implemented an initiative to educate students and the wider community about fire safety or fire prevention.
WINNER: Yellow Safety Day Initiative - Our Lady’s Primary School, Craigieburn
The school allocates one day of the year to convey safety messages to all its students through sessions with emergency service personnel and practical exercises.
Fire Services Award
Awarded to a fire service, brigade, station or district depot, including an agency department, that has developed and implemented an initiative via fire safety measures and community education to reduce the number or impact of fires.
WINNER: Wildfire Tourism Engagement Project - CFA Barwon Corangamite
DSE, Surf Coast Shire and Ecotide Pty Ltd
This project developed strategies to increase the safety of tourists and support accommodation providers in delivering wildfire messages on the Surf Coast.
Government and Municipal Award
Awarded to a government agency, excluding fire agencies, that has developed and successfully implemented an initiative to reduce the number or impact of fires.
WINNER: Community Care Fire Safety Initiative - City of Monash, Home and Community Care
The initiative increased the safety of home and community care clients by providing information, education and identifying potential home fire hazards and risks.
Industry Award
Awarded to an industry group that has developed a product, service, workplace strategy or innovative design that has had a measurable impact on the community by reducing the number or impact of fires.
WINNER: Smart, Lean and Green Project - BullEx Australia
This initiative gained certification for an environmentally friendly form of fire extinguisher training that is more practical and cost effective than current methods used.
RACV Insurance Award for Excellence
This award recognises an individual or group which has developed an initiative that has had a major measurable impact in educating the community about fire safety of fire prevention.
WINNERS: Water Recycling Module - MFB
MFB developed a transportable water recycling module to increase the pump skills of firefighters while reducing water wastage through recycling.
Information Unit Project - DSE and CFA
This joint information unit project has created an operating model with support systems to enhance and improve the provision of information to communities and stakeholders during fire related emergencies.
RACV Insurance Fire Safety Grant
The $10,000 grant is to assist a community group, school, not-for-profit organisation, volunteer or individual, to develop and undertake a new fire safety initiative, or to further develop an existing fire safety initiative that will reduce the number or impact of fires in Victoria.
Grant Recipient: Yarra Area Hazard House - CFA
The hazard house is an interactive method for children to learn about and discuss potential home fire hazards and includes practical and written exercises.
Special Incentive Grant
The Special Incentive Grant provides up to $2,000 to assist an individual, group or organisation by contributing to the cost of implementing a fire safety project or furthering an existing fire safety project.
Grant Recipient: Home Fire Safety Project – Derrinallum P12 College
Year 10 students will produce a home fire safety DVD for their local community to improve their ability to be self sufficient and self reliant when faced with fire risks.
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Local Fire Safety Hero Aides Fire Awareness
Monday, July 14th 2008
Tim Landells never thought he’d be commended for simply doing his job. The Rowville local and MFB station officer was rewarded for his efforts developing and implementing the ‘Fire Ed for Upper Primary’ program in the 2007 Fire Awareness Awards.
The states fire agencies, MFB, CFA and DSE, are again calling for entries for the 2008 Fire Awareness Awards, which reward the hard work and initiatives of individuals, groups and organisations in reducing the incidence and impact of fire in Victoria.
The RACV Insurance Fire Safety Grant, worth $10,000, and special incentive grants worth up to $2,000 each are also on offer to eligible individuals, groups and organisations.
Station officer Landells said that he was pleased that the Fire Ed for Upper Primary program was recognised for its fire education benefits for students.
“The program is based on extensive research within the education sector. The result is a classroom focused program that provides opportunities for firefighters to share their knowledge by visiting classrooms and discussing fire safety,” he said.
MFB Acting Commander Steve Watts said that the awards were an opportunity for Victoria’s fire authorities to acknowledge and reward the community for their fire prevention and safety efforts.
“This is an excellent opportunity to be acknowledged for developing an educational program, an activity, a research or recovery project, or an item of equipment that works towards improving fire safety in the community.
“We encourage people from all walks of life to enter. Each year, we are amazed by the efforts of individuals and groups who get on the front foot to respond to the threat of fire.
“Anyone can be a fire safety hero and it’s pleasing to be able to salute the efforts of the community through these awards,” he said.
Fire Awareness Award winners are announced in October.
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Nominate a Fire Safety Hero Today!
Tuesday, July 01st 2008
Now is the time to recognise ordinary people doing extraordinary things to improve fire safety in Victoria.
The states fire agencies, MFB, CFA and DSE, are now calling for entries for the 2008 Fire Awareness Awards, which reward the hard work and initiatives of individuals, groups and organisations in reducing the incidence and impact of fire in Victoria.
Application categories in 2008 include community, education, government and municipal, media, fire services and industry.
The 2007 winners include a program where prisoners worked to restore fences destroyed by bushfire in the King Valley area and a government initiative that saw interactive workshops being held for aged care facility operators to help raise their awareness about bushfire emergencies.
The RACV Insurance Fire Safety Grant, worth $10,000, and special incentive grants worth up to $2,000 each are also on offer to eligible individuals, groups and organisations.
RACV Insurance General Manager Susan Allen said the Fire Awareness Awards provided an opportunity to recognise the outstanding achievements of those who have made improvements to fire safety, thereby helping to make our community a safer place.
Last year’s RACV grant went to an initiative from CFA Region 14 volunteers. They are using the funds to develop a digital fire training simulator to enable the public and firefighters to learn to use a fire extinguisher through digital technology while improving safety and the impact on the environment.
MFB Acting Commander Steve Watts said that the awards were an opportunity for Victoria’s fire authorities to acknowledge and reward the community for their fire prevention and safety efforts.
“This is an excellent opportunity to be acknowledged for developing an educational program, an activity, a research or recovery project, or an item of equipment that works towards improving fire safety in the community.
“We encourage people from all walks of life to enter. Each year, we are amazed by the efforts of individuals and groups who get on the front foot to respond to the threat of fire.
“Anyone can be a fire safety hero and it’s pleasing to be able to salute the efforts of the community through these awards,” he said.
Applications for the Fire Awareness Awards close on 22 August 2008. Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony held at the RACV City Club in October.
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