Run for firies: Raising funds and spreading safety message
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Born out of the camaraderie formed between two brigades after the 2009 bushfires, the Run for the Firies is this year reminding people of the importance of being fire ready.
Run for the Firies is the primary fundraising event that supports the Research and Kangaroo Ground Fire Brigades, both of which play a vital role in protecting the communities of Melbourne’s outer north-eastern suburbs.
Kangaroo Ground Fire Brigade member Glenn Law who is on the organising committee said this year they would have a focus on providing fire and summer safety messaging.
“Black Saturday in 2009 was a long time ago and people's memories have faded quite a lot so it is important we are making them generally aware that while we do live in a beautiful part of the world it does come with a risk,” Glenn said.
The run began after the Black Saturday fires when both brigades stationed a truck at Kinglake West to assist with the ongoing large number of callouts the brigade was receiving.
“Out of that came a very close collaboration between Research and Kangaroo Ground,” Glenn said.
“We decided to do a run to raise money for the brigades and since then it has just grown and grown.”
Glenn said being involved in the run was a tremendous feeling.
“You have people come through and you tell them thank you for participating, for helping raise money, but then they say thank you in return for volunteering and protecting the community,” Glenn said.
The event includes a 10.6km run, a 6km run, a 4km run or walk, and a half marathon. On site there will be a mobile education unit, to help spread the message about having a bushfire plan in place, understanding what actions to take to prepare a property and learning how to stay informed via the VicEmergency app and local sources.
“People need to be aware of bushfire risk. They don’t need to be paranoid or panicked but just aware and responsible,” Glenn said.
“It is also our primary fundraiser for the two brigades so it really is working both ways. We can provide the community with advice, and they can support us to make sure we have the equipment we need.”
With the last weekend of events still to come, CFA is urging Victorians to look out for their nearest Get Fire Ready event by visiting the CFA website.