Fire chief to warn of fire risk

The state’s emergency management boss will use Geelong to address Victoria’s looming “above-normal” fire-risk season, according to an agency hosting his talk.
Emergency Management Commissioner Craig Lapsley is due to visit City Hall on Tuesday to give a lecture on the dangers ahead this summer.
His talk comes as flora grows thick in the region’s bushland, farms and parks following above-average rain so far this spring.
The growth combines with a Bureau of Meteorology forecast of above-average summer temperatures in south-east Australia to present a threatening bushfire outlook.
Mr Lapsley will use his Geelong speech to “outline the vital necessity of excellent communications to stave off potentially disastrous human impacts of wild fire and grass fire,” said the Public Relations Institute of Australia.
His talk of risks this summer would reach further than just fire dangers, the institute said, pointing out his other responsibilities including protecting Victorians against deadly thunderstorm asthma.
Mr Lapsley recently spoke on the importance of communications in dealing with emergencies.
“It’s not just about floods and fires, it’s about health emergencies,” he said.
“It’s about the ability to get information to the community about their decision-making.”
The PR institute’s Victorian president Alex Messina urged greater Geelong residents to heed Mr Lapsley’s message next week.
Regional Victorians who had “endured tragedy and devastation from fire” knew well the importance of staying informed on summer risk and safety information, he said.