Reaching Rosebud tourists & locals

A team of fire safety experts will be available to answer questions at an information hub from next Thursday 19 until Sunday 22 January. 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 Southern Metropolitan Community Education Coordinator Jane Fontana urged people to take time to chat with CFA staff about their fire plan for summer.

“Rosebud Plaza attracts a lot of people from the urban areas of Melbourne and is a popular foreshore camping area in the warmer months. We hope to catch local residents as well as the vast quantity of tourists who are holidaying in a high risk area and coming into town to do their shopping.

“As well as tourists the information is aimed at locals from surrounding high risk areas in the hills including Red Hill, Main Ridge, Tuerong, Arthurs Seat, as well as high risk areas along the coast such Rosebud, Rye, Blairgowrie, Sorrento and Portsea.

“There are a lot people that visit the Mornington Peninsula 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.

“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,” Jane Fontana said.

Leading Senior Constable Julie Simpson 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.

“Victoria Police has already arrested a number of offenders and I hope this will continue through the public’s assistance,” Julie Simpson said.

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