It’s the time of the year to start thinking about other types of risks (weather bombs, gale force winds, thunderstorms, heavy rains etc.) and the recent ‘tornado event’ in Albany was a good remainder to us all that weather related risks can be highly destructive and life threatening.

Heavy rain and gales are likely to make driving dangerous and cause severe flooding.  It is important for people to stay calm and check on their neighbors (when at home) or their work colleagues.  It is also a good time to check your emergency survival kit and update your household emergency plans.  Make sure your battery-powered torches and radios are working and check the expiry dates on all food in your emergency survival kit.  An emergency survival kit should contain food and water for three days or more, a battery-powered torch and radio, first aid kit/medication, and supplies for your pets.

-        Keep things a meter from the heater

-        Do not overload power points

-        Check electric blankets are safe and turned off when going to bed

In brigade news this month, It was another successful year climbing up the Sky Tower and raising funds for the Leukaemia and Blood Foundation.  As part of the ongoing alternative water supply projects residents in Greenhithe Road and Shelter Drive have seen some brigade members visiting their properties to collect information.  And on behalf of the Brigade, we would like to extend a warm welcome to two new recruits, Nick Wells and Matthew Walkinshaw.  Both are currently training very hard preparing for their Recruit Course and have passed successfully their First Aid Course.  Congratulations and welcome!

Concluding word . . . “Every cloud has a silver lining”.      

Firefighter Isabelle LARDEUX-GILLOUX