FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES ATTEND DEAF FESTIVAL

On 26 November 2022, AFAC held a stall at the Deaf Festival in Sydney to share general hazard preparedness information, including recent changes to the Australian Fire Danger Rating System and the Australian Warning System, with the Deaf community.

The Deaf Festival is one of the largest congregations of the Deaf community in the Southern Hemisphere. This was the first time it has been held since COVID-19, drawing a record attendance of over 1,000 people.

AFAC was joined at the event by the NSW Rural Fire Service, Fire and Rescue NSW and the NSW State Emergency Service. Together, they shared information and answered questions from visitors, supported by an Auslan interpreter. Deaf, hard of hearing and Auslan-signing staff and volunteers from the fire and emergency service agencies also participated in the event.

There was plenty of interest in the AFAC stall, and visitors had many insights about how to improve public information and provide warnings for Deaf and hard-of-hearing people, as well as about home fire safety and smoke alarms. AFAC conducted a survey with stall visitors to capture feedback and provided resources to prepare for emergencies, such as the Person-Centred Emergency Planning Guide

AFAC and member agencies at the Deaf Festival found the event to be a valuable opportunity to learn first-hand from the Deaf community about their concerns. Visitors to the stall were highly engaged and enthusiastic to learn about the fire and emergency services, and how the sector can best meet their culturally and linguistically diverse needs.

AFAC has worked with Deaf Australia to share changes to the Australian Fire Danger Rating System and the Australian Warning System and will continue to build upon this relationship to make the fire and emergency services more accessible to the Deaf community.

Thermal barriers provide less protection when they are wet.

That’s why we developed the GORE® PARALLON® System. Even in wet environments, it o ers high thermal protection. The layered system encapsulates the thermal barrier to protect it against moisture from the inside and the outside.

The GORE-TEX CROSSTECH® moisture barrier is highly breathable and wicks sweat away from the skin. It also prevents water from penetrating. The layers of the garment responsible for delivering protection remain drier to shield against heat and flame and minimise heat stress. Today, the GORE® PARALLON® System provides the most advanced protection for re ghters. Most advanced protection for re ghters that is fully complaint with AS 4967:2019. For further information contact Gordon Burns gburns@wlgore.com or