Plan and prepare advice:
Prepare your home – a well prepared home is more likely to survive a bush fire or ember attack.
Here are some basic maintenance tips to prepare your property:
- Clean your gutters of leaves and twigs
- Install metal gutter guards
- Repair damaged or missing tiles on the roof
- Install fine metal mesh screens on windows and doors
- Fit seals around doors and windows to eliminate gaps
- Enclose the areas under the house
- Keep lawns short and gardens well maintained
- Cut back trees and shrubs overhanging buildings
- Clean up fallen leaves, twigs and debris around the property
- Have hoses long enough to reach around your house
- If you have a pool, tank or dam, put a Static Water Supply (SWS) sign on your property entrance, so firefighters know where they can get water
Successful fundraising BBQ
The Galston brigade’s most recent fundraising BBQ was a great success. It proved a great chance to meet many members of the community, share essential fire advice and information, and also hand-out some tasty snags in the process!
The Galston RFS would like to send out a big thank-you to the Galston IGA, in particular the Manager David, for donating all the food and supplies for the BBQ. It was a great day and the RFS raised just over $950.
Galston member profile
Each month this year the Galston Rural Fire Brigade will feature a short interview with one of our members. It is a great way to discover just how diverse your local fire brigade can be.
March member profile: James Madry
How long have you been a part of the Galston Rural Fire Brigade? I joined Galston RFB in September of 2015
What is your role there?
I currently hold the position of CABA (Breathing Apparatus) officer and First Aid officer as well as being an active firefighter for Galston.
When you’re not at the brigade, what do you do for a living?
I work as a project manager, specialising in language data solutions for a company in Chatswood. In my spare time, I also work as a video producer.
What made you join the RFS?
When I first moved to Galston 7 years ago and found out there was an RFS brigade, I went up to the station and knocked on the door, not realising there isn’t someone there 24/7. I took down the details but it dropped off my radar and I never got in contact. When I started working full time, I was looking for an activity/hobby to break up the working week, and that same day there was a flyer in my mailbox from Galston RFB, looking for recruits, so I went down on the weekend and signed up.
What would you say are some of the benefits to being part of the RFS?
The training you receive, and meeting and getting to know people from your local community has really been the stand out benefit for me.
What is a fond memory you have of your time at the brigade?
I recently spent a few days in Bathurst with a mixed crew from Hornsby/Kuring-Gai to assist the local RFS volunteers on a fire during a particularly hot/dry period. I only knew one person (who was from Galston) on the truck, so I had to spend the next three days in fairly close quarters with four complete strangers. It took about five minutes in the truck before we were all roaring with laughter and joking around, which continued for the next three days as we worked. It was pretty amazing to spend time with these guys who came from all different walks of life and took time off work to lend a hand.
What advice would you give someone thinking of joining?
If you’re thinking of joining, get in contact with us and come down for a Saturday training session to see what it’s all about. Everyone’s really friendly and welcoming, and we’ll all be happy to meet you and show you around!
BRIGADE CONTACT DETAILS:
Duty mobile: 0491 119 152
Email: [email protected]
