Local residents have an opportunity to help Bass Coast to be fire ready all year round.

Bass Coast Shire Council’s Emergency Management Coordinator, James Bremner said Council was asking residents to keep fire hydrant markers visible, if they have one outside their property.

“Council officers recently completed an extensive review of fire plugs in Inverloch as part of the regular maintenance program and during December inspected and conducted required maintenance on fire plugs in high bushfire risk areas,” Mr Bremner said.

“In a number of cases, the fire hydrant marker was not easily found as it was covered by vegetation or the marker was missing all together.

“Disappointingly, in Inverloch we needed to install 146 replacement marker posts.

“Fire hydrants are the fire fighters source of water in the event of a fire in a residential area.

“Time lost searching for the hydrant is frustrating for the fire fighters and has the potential to escalate the intensity and impact of a fire,” Mr Bremner explained.

There are thousands of fire hydrants across Bass Coast and Council is asking residents with a fire hydrant in their nature strip to make the marker post and hydrant part of their gardening or mowing routine.

“Residents can help by pruning back overhanging tree branches and vegetation from their property if it is covering the fire hydrant marker post.

“They can make sure the in-ground fire hydrant is not covered by garden mulch, earth or grass cuttings.

“It is also important to remember not to drive over or park on the in-ground hydrant,” Mr Bremner continued.

 “By ensuring the hydrant and marker post are visible and easily accessible, the community can make a valuable contribution to Bass Coast’s fire preparedness.

Just as it is important to know the location of a fire hydrant, Mr Bremner said it is also important for residents to have their house number clearly visible from the street, day or night.

“In an emergency, being able to easily and quickly locate a property can be the difference between life and death.

“Property numbers should be at least 75mm high and the colour should clearly contrast with the background upon which it is placed.”

The fire hydrant marker is a white post with a red top and blue reflector.