Boarders Learn Valuable Fire Safety Skills

As the school term draws to a close and boarders make their way back to their rural homes and properties, the Boarding Parent Committee, in collaboration with the College and the Department of Fire & Emergency Services (DFES), organised an opportunity for our senior boarders. This initiative involved offering the Rural Fire Awareness certificate course (DFES1056) to our boarders in Years 11 and 12, as well as their counterparts at Aquinas College. By providing valuable insights into fire safety and equipping them with essential skills, this course aimed to enhance the boarders’ understanding and preparedness for fire-related emergencies in rural areas.

The Rural Fire Awareness certificate course catered specifically to farmer response brigades and seasonal workers. Its primary objective was to impart a fundamental understanding of fire ground safety, suppression strategies, and the crucial elements of maintaining personal safety while operating in such hazardous environments.

Year 12 boarder Erin Connaughton shared her thoughts on the course. “It was a good opportunity to learn how to fight fires and save lives. I leant about the different types of fires and how to approach these differently. This will be really helpful in the future. Now I feel confident, I would know what to do”.

This remarkable opportunity provided our more senior boarders with a chance to develop their expertise in fire safety. Recognising the importance of their roles within their respective communities, they enthusiastically embraced the opportunity to upgrade their skills in this critical area. By actively participating in the Rural Fire Awareness course, they not only fortified their own knowledge but also became better equipped to assist their families, neighbours, and local firefighting teams during times of need.

The opportunity to participate in the Rural Fire Awareness certificate course has been widely appreciated by our senior boarders. They recognised the immense value of upgrading their skills in fire safety and acknowledged the importance of being proactive and well-prepared in protecting their communities. By equipping our boarders with the knowledge and expertise to mitigate fire risks, we are fostering a sense of responsibility and leadership among the next generation of rural residents.