Friday 20th January 2011 20:00hrs

2012 Summer Campaign: Think Like a Volunteer

Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria (VFBV) has launched a first-of-its-kind campaign to persuade every Victorian to think like a volunteer and be prepared for bushfires.

The campaign is being run in partnership with the Department of Justice, and is designed to complement the Victorian Government's existing summer fire safety campaign. Research is showing an alarming amount of residents are not heeding this year's advice to prepare a Fire Plan, so VFBV has partnered with the Department of Justice to try and promote this year's key messages - but through the eyes of a volunteer. It is hoped that this new innovative approach will persuade more members of the public to prepare their plans.

The centrepiece is a TV commercial to be aired across country Victoria, backed by local radio and press appearances by local CFA volunteers, and of course the face to face advice of local brigades. Each CFA brigade is part of the community it protects and the ideal local source of information to build community resilience in the face of the fire season.

The TV commercial features veteran CFA volunteer Captain Nev Jones giving the advice that any CFA volunteer would give – have a fire plan and be prepared.

Any Victorian who is not sure about making their own fire plan can visit the CFA website for simple instructions, call the Victorian Bushfire Information Line on 1800 240 667 for an information kit or speak to their local CFA.

Think like a volunteer, be prepared and have a safer summer.