CFA and VicPol target Traralgon

A team of fire safety experts will be available to answer questions at an information hub from Thursday 2 February to Sunday 5 February. The stand features a multimedia display, the latest bushfire planning materials and plenty of giveaways.

A local member of Victoria Police will also be on hand as part of Operation Firesetter, which aims to prevent and detect bushfire arsonists.

CFA Gippsland Operations Officer Peter Lockwood urged people to take time to chat with CFA staff about their fire plan for summer.

“Stockland Traralgon attracts a lot of people from the urban areas of Melbourne and is a popular holiday location in the warmer months. We hope to catch local residents as well as all of the tourists holidaying in high risk areas and coming into town to do their shopping,” Mr Lockwood said.

“As well as tourists the information is aimed at locals from surrounding high risk areas including Churchill, Glengarry, Glengarry North, Jeeralang Junction, Moe South, Traralgon South, Tyers, Yallourn North and Yinnar.

“There are a lot people that visit Gippsland that don’t give consideration to what it means to holiday and travel through high risk areas. We’re encouraging them to identify what they’re going to do, where they’ll go and how they’ll get there if a fire breaks out during their holiday break.

“We’ll also have a lot of CFA members in town competing in the Junior Championships at Traralgon Recreation Reserve from 9am – 3pm on Saturday, so it will be a good chance for them to check out the stand.

“Whether you’re a tourist or a local, it’s a great idea to have the Victorian Bushfire Information Line (1800 240 667) saved in your phone or download the FireReady app so you can check if there’s anything happening in that area.

“The shopping centre stand is a great opportunity to have a face to face conversation to a CFA or Victoria Police member. We welcome the partnership with Victoria Police - working together to educate and inform the community is essential,” Peter Lockwood said.

Senior Constable Dave Halliday said that the shopping centre displays are extremely important to encourage the community to assist with arson prevention.

“While police are actively patrolling, we need your help to catch bushfire arsonists. If you’ve seen something or know something, say something. People have an obligation to come forward if they see or hear of anyone who just doesn’t seem right because without intervention, they may harm others,” Mr Halliday said.

The Stockland Traralgon display is one of fifteen shopping centre stands being set up between November 2011 and March 2012.