CFA members Run for a Safe Climate

James Wong- Leading Firefighter, Patterson River CFA and Paul Hayes- Captain Beaconsfield CFA are participating in ‘Run for a Safe Climate’ a project that aims to raise awareness and highlight solutions everyone needs to consider to reverse the threat of global warming. The project also aims to raise money for an essential scenario and risk-management exercise for Australia - the Safe Climate Australia Transition Plan.

CFA is an official supporter of ‘Run for a Safe Climate’, launching this November in Cooktown, Queensland. The run involves members of Australia’s emergency services agencies including CFA, MFB, SES and Victoria Police- just to name a few. Many of the participants were directly exposed to recent climate-driven disasters in Australia such as the 2009 Victorian bushfires.

A team of 35 trained runners from the various emergency services will run in a relay of 6000 kilometres from Cooktown, Queensland to St Kilda Beach, Victoria. Along the way the running group will take in many of Australia's iconic environmental ecosystems and natural landscapes. In addition, the locals, the townships, communities and renewable energy sites along the way will also be engaged.

By following the run you will hear from leading scientists tracking the natural systems and working on solutions. Run for a Safe Climate will be a mixture of inspiration and education. If you are interested in protecting our assets and natural systems, read on for more information on how you can get involved.

JAMES WONG

How long have you been with CFA?

I have been a career firefighter since 2002 and worked predominantly in Region 8.

What is your role in CFA?

I am a Leading Firefighter currently stationed at Patterson River FS. However, by the end of November I will be transferring to Boronia FS. Obviously my primary role is as a career firefighter; however I am also very motivated in getting people of all types involved in events for good causes.

Why and how did you get involved in Run for a Safe Climate?

I got involved in Run for a Safe Climate from information passed onto me by my brother-in-law, who attended Al Gore's launch for this event back in July 2009. I am personally passionate about the climate and the beautiful, wild, and natural ecosystems of our world, so I contacted Safe Climate Australia (SCA) to get directly involved.

I believe that our network is an excellent platform to get community safety messages to communities and abroad. Oh, and I love running and challenges too, especially through some of Australia's best environments!

How can people get involved in the run?

People can donate on the website- www.runforasafeclimate.org. Funds will help SCA assist in the creation and production of a "Transition Plan" for Australia to attempt to shift from an unsafe climate to a safe climate. You can support the project on a local level- the run travels through a large proportion of Victoria, and therefore CFA area, we are hoping to get all members involved. There are community meetings being scheduled for some of the climate change "hotspots". People can also join the run along the way, as we conduct group runs into the some of the finishing cities and towns. Or you can also be a part of the final run into St Kilda beach on Sunday 29th November 2009. There will be a bit of a party to celebrate the positive efforts that we have all achieved. People can continue to be involved and be a part of the solution.

PAUL HAYES

How long have you been with CFA?

I’ve been with CFA for 10 years now. I joined as a volunteer in 1999.

What is your role in CFA?

I joined Beaconsfield Brigade as volunteer, and am now, very newly the Captain. I was given the role of Captain only three months ago. It has been a tad of a challenge managing to get up that extra bit earlier! But I’m enjoying it a lot.

Why and how did you get involved in Run for a Safe Climate?

I received an email from our BASO, Karen Van der Akker. I have always had an interest in renewable energy and the planet. So I watched the 5 minute video that was attached. And wow. Just wow! I didn’t realise, what a crucial stage we had come to in the fight against global warming. It hit me in the face, I needed to get involved. And what a perfect opportunity! I’ve been pretty excited- training hard and reading all the books- I’m trying to get as educated as I can on the cause. I get more and more interested everyday.

I have a young family of three kids, and I am genuinely concerned about the world they’re going to have to live in. I was involved in the devastation of Black Saturday and can definitely see the trends of weather and their direct correlation with global warming. If we keep going the way we are, in 100 years living is going to be about survival, not enjoyment. I’m worried for my children and the future generations. I’d love to be doing the whole run, but I’ve committed to the leg from Mildura (via Adelaide) to St Kilda Beach.

How can people support the cause?

Well personally, I’ve been visiting lots of local schools and the local media to spread awareness of the project and the cause. Even just through small things like turning off the TV, being more aware of the energy they use. Younger generations now have the power to clean up the mess we’ve made.

Please view the video below, and for more information visit the website- www.runforasafeclimate.org. If you are interested in getting involved in the run in any way, please contact myself via email- j.clarke@cfa.vic.gov.au.