Currency Creek CFS’ hot tips to prepare for bushfire season

As bushfire season fast approaches, local residents are being reminded to prepare for a potential emergency.

Currency Creek Country Fire Service (CFS) Captain, Paul Thurkle, is asking residents to “help us help them”.

“I think a big one, especially for rural properties, is have a think whether a truck could access your property,” he said.

“Go have a really good look at your property and imagine a truck driving through.

“Thinking about gate widths and tree heights over your driveways and whether there will be space for a truck to turn around once they do get through your driveway.

“It’s up to homeowners to make sure we can safely help them when they need us.”

On rural properties in particular, Mr Thurkle also suggests ensuring access can be given to any water tanks and to keep grass cut short.

Other ways to prepare include clearing gutters out as any leafy matter could ignite a fire from any surrounding embers.

“Imagine you’ve got a back paddock with a narrow gate going to it, if we can’t fit through that back gate, we’re going to have to cut your fence to get to it; are you prepared for that to happen?,” Mr Thurkle said.

“We will go where we need to go, and we’ll make access there, but if we don’t need to damage your property because you could have done something simple, then all the better for you.

“People have the best intentions a lot of the time, but might not understand how it works on the job in a hurry.”

The rural resident also personally prepared a go-bag and encouraged others to follow suit.

“We went through the process of making sure our paperwork is easy to grab,” Mr Thurkle said.

“If you were to lose the house, what paperwork might you need to take with you or precious photos?

“(Put them) in a firesafe or in a bag that you can quickly grab and put in the car and get out of there.”

Currency Creek CFS is looking for new members, particularly those available during the day.

The crew is busy preparing for bushfire season themselves, including ensuring their pump training is up to standard and that their burn-over drills are completed.

To enquire about joining Currency Creek CFS, contact: (0438 712 262).

For further tips on getting prepared for bushfire season, visit: (www.cfs.sa.gov.au).