Fire station open for Get Ready Weekend
Galston Rural Fire Brigade is participating in ‘Get Ready Weekend’. The station will be open to the general public between 2pm – 3.30pm on Saturday 16th September. Everyone is welcome to pop in for a visit – whether you want information on how to make sure your property is summer ready…or you just want to say Hi!… we’d love to see you. Our address is 1 Johnson Rd, Galston.
There will be a demonstration of the new pumper truck at 2.30pm, a sausage sizzle, and a lucky door prize giveaway at 3pm.
If you can’t make our open day the challenge is still on to get ready for the bushfire season – so please make a plan. Go to www.myfireplan. com.au or download the MyFirePlan app (available on IOS or android)
There is four simple steps to get ready for a bush fire:
Step 1: Discuss what to do if a bush fire threatens your home
Many households find that having a discussion over dinner works best as everybody is together and focussed.
Step 2: Prepare your home and get it ready for bush fire season
There are simple things you can do around your home to prepare it for a bush fire, like keeping the grass low and having a cleared area around your home.
Step 3: Know the bush fire alert levels
If there is a fire in your area you will find its alert level on the NSW RFS website and in the ‘Fires Near Me’ app. You need to keep track of the alert level so you know what you should do.
Step 4: Keep all the bush fire information numbers, websites and the smartphone app
In a bush fire, it’s important that you stay up to date on conditions in your area.
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.
Member profile: Nigel Alsdorf
How long have you been a part of the Galston Rural Fire Brigade?
I have been a part of the Brigade for about 2 years.
What is your role there?
I currently hold the position of Brigade Treasurer and Secretary. I also have the privilege of being able to drive a big red fire truck from time to time!
When you’re not at the brigade, what do you do for a living?
I work as an applications support officer for the Northern Beaches Council (I help people with computers and technology).
What made you join the RFS?
I’ve always wanted to be involved with the Rural Fire Service; however growing up in Botany there was not much opportunity to do so. When we moved to Galston there was a community push for new members a few years ago, it was an easy decision for me to join then.
What makes being part of the RFS so unique?
I have the privilege of driving a big red truck!!! Seriously it is being part of an awesome organisation that goes out of their way to help the community, any time of the day – rain, hail or shine.
What is a fond memory you have of your time at the brigade?
Bogging a big red truck… Actually I think the most memorable time at the brigade so far was a community engagement event that I was involved in with Simon Edwards and some members from Arcadia. We visited one of the local long day care centres with one of the trucks. The kids enjoyed the day so much and took home some very important messages. Some of the kids are now at the local public school where my daughters go – they still ask me whether I have my brigade uniform on under my normal clothes (like a superhero outfit!)
What advice would you give someone thinking of joining?
Come and give it a go! There’s more to us than just fighting fires. We have members from all walks of life and we are always doing different things. There are other ways to get involved if you don’t want to run into a burning house as well. We are a cool bunch of people that have heaps of fun but are super serious when the need arises.
