To address the changing climate and help West Aussies in regional communities be bushfire ready, the Alcoa Bushfire Ready Fund Grants Program has opened to applications.
The annual grants offer between $5000 and $20,000 to not-for-profit community and grassroots organisations in the areas where Alcoa operates.
Alcoa Australia president Elsabe Muller said the grants aim to assist communities, fire managers and other community groups to bridge any gaps in their ability to be bushfire prepared.
“We want to bolster the bushfire prevention and response strategies of the regional communities where we operate because they are particularly vulnerable to the devastation fire can cause,” she said.
“The grants aim to help equip local communities with extra tools to manage risk and respond to bushfire threats.
“We also hope to empower fire managers including local bushfire brigades, local governments, not-for profit community organisations and Traditional Owners to enhance collaboration in their response to bushfire events.”
Regional bush fire brigade control officer Wayne Jackson said the grants have helped his station and can help others identify and address unmet needs in bushfire preparedness.
“Apart from things like firefighting and training equipment, these grants could fund aspects well beyond emergency response such as community outreach and education,” he said.
“We can’t assume people know what it means or what is required of them on days when there is a High, Extreme or Catastrophic fire danger rating, to understand or know how to prepare their own properties to reduce damage or loss or have a family Bushfire Survival Plan to prepare for the unexpected.
“Organisations can get the funding they need to have those conversations, raise awareness and encourage people to take preventative action well before a bushfire occurs.”
Applications for the grant close at 5pm on August 4 and can be made online at https://alcoa.smartygrants.com.au/25BushfireReadyFundGrants.
