Fire! What is the first thing that comes to your mind? A “Black Wednesday” type bushfire? The recent TV News report, almost every other day, of a house somewhere completely destroyed, people losing their lives, the survivor’s lives destroyed?It’s good to learn from a true professional. At our last meeting, Robert G Paterson, a (now retired) professional firefighter with some 30 years of experience, presented at Rotary Surfers Sunrise.
Your first reaction might have been “I have smoke alarms installed. This wouldn’t happen to me.” Yeah, right. Are they up to date and compliant to the new rules and regulations that become compulsory in 8 weeks, on 1st January 2027? Make that 4 weeks, because over Christmas, you’ve got Buckley’s chance to get a professional to install it. “Oh, I can install it myself!” you reply. Well, you’d better check with your Insurance Company, because you won’t have a Compliance Certificate.
But major fires start as little fires. The idea is not only to prevent them, but if they were to start, to stop them before they become big fires. Do you have a fire blanket? Do you know how to use it? (BTW, don’t get a cheap one. Look for Australian Standard.) A small fire extinguisher? Is it the correct one? Have you recently shaken it? (Yes, that is important!)
Robert’s presentation was hugely informative and very well prepared and presented. Thank you for taking the time to join our meeting an educate us. Check the document in the Downloads Section, and there is a lot of relevant educational information on the Qld Government website: Safety and education | Queensland Fire Department