Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) is hosting its annual Open Day on Saturday, May 10, and across the Clarence Valley residents will have the opportunity to visit their local fire station, meet the firefighters who work hard to keep their community safe, and learn how they can protect themselves and their loved ones from the dangers of fire.
Local fire stations will also be offering a range of free activities including firefighting demonstrations, station tours, and safety presentations to visitors.
Families will be able to see the fire trucks, firefighting and rescue equipment up close, and chat to local firefighters about the simple steps they can take to be fire safe around their home.
Grafton Fire and Rescue 306 Station Captain Garry Reardon said the upcoming Open Day is an opportunity for firefighters to educate the community about the importance of having a working smoke alarm, especially in the lead-up to winter.
“People cannot smell smoke when they are asleep, so having a working smoke alarm is crucial,” he said.
“When a fire takes hold, every second counts.
“In less than 30 seconds, a small flame can turn into a major fire.
“This year, we want you to prepare your homes early for winter by installing or replacing your smoke alarm if it is more than 10 years old.
“Remember, only working smoke alarms save lives.”
Captain Reardon said firefighters will also provide advice to visitors on lithium-ion batteries during the Open Day next month.
“Lithium-ion batteries can be found in many portable electronic devices such as mobile phones, e-bikes and e-scooters, and while they certainly make our lives easier, they have the potential to put us at risk,” he said.
“Lithium-ion batteries are the fastest growing fire risk in NSW so it is important for people to understand how to charge devices safely and what they can do if they catch fire.”
Grafton Fire Station is located at 94 Prince Street and will be open between 9am and 1pm.
South Grafton Fire Station is located at 64 Wharf Street and will be open between 9am and 1pm.
Maclean Fire Station is located at 251 River Street and will be open between 8am and 12pm.
Yamba Fire Station is located at 14 River Street and will be open between 10am and 2pm.
For more information on FRNSW Open Day, please visit www.fire.nsw.gov.au/openday