Announcements & Notices
FIRE AWARENESS POLICY
In the light of the very real concerns that are evident throughout our community concerning the fire danger during the summer that is before us, I am advising all congregations and presbyteries of the following policy with regard to fire awareness. Discretion will need to be used in applying the policy to ensure that it is applied only to areas that are actually vulnerable to fire.
1. Fire Plans
Just as for all households, it is important for all congregations and presbyteries of the Uniting Church in vulnerable areas within the Synod of Victoria and Tasmania to have fire plans that they will follow should fire danger be announced for the local area. These plans should be prepared ahead of time and members of the congregations and presbyteries should be made aware of them as soon as possible.
2. Code Red (Catastrophic) Fire Danger Rating Days
On those days when a region is given a Code Red (Catastrophic) fire danger rating, any activities of the Uniting Church (including worship) within a location that is vulnerable to fire should be cancelled or relocated to ensure that participants are not placed in any danger.
All members of congregations and presbyteries having read this will be advised of this policy and avoid the need to make individual contacts on the day in question.
Are you ready?
Is your congregation ready to respond to a community emergency?
The Uniting Church is part of the Victorian Council of Churches which co-ordinates the churches response to any declared emergency. We are involved at the recovery phase in which we offer personal support and psychological first aid. All people who offer to do this are trained and registered and are given appropriate identification to enable access to a declared emergency location. Whilst we are highly conscious of the approaching bush fire season we need also to be aware that metro areas are no less prone to emergencies, an example might be a railway crossing collision at peak hour with a petrol tanker.
I am urging all congregations to down load the 5 step emergency planning process from the VCC website. I would also urge every congregation to appoint a key lay leader to work with Clergy and especially local government authorities to understand what needs to be done. Volunteers to work as chaplains can be lay or ordained, and must be trained and registered by The Victorian Council of Churches.
There is also a need for local area coordinators and regional coordinators but again, these will be vetted and trained and registered by the VCC. Congregations with strong local inter-church councils need to place this urgent matter on the agenda of their meetings. It is vital to remember this is not a UCA show, it is an ecumenical response based on the gospel imperative to care for all God’s people.
Action steps for you!
- Go the VCC Website and download the 5 Step planning Guide.
- Raise the matter at your Church Council and Congregational meetings
- Encourage people to volunteer and for them to contact the VCC
- Get Training and Accreditation
- Establish in house emergency response procedures with a local team leader.