Council airs radio station fire warning offer

By Jim Mynard
CASEY Council will discuss with Casey Radio 97.7FM the feasibility of the station providing an emergency warning service to supplement that provided by ABC Radio 774.
Four Oaks Ward councillor Rob Wilson told the Tuesday 17 October council meeting that 97.7 manager David Lentin had offered the service.
Cr Wilson said residents were this year facing an extra fire risk because of excessively dry conditions.
He asked that the council erect five signs promoting the emergency information call signs of ABC 774 and Casey Radio 97.7FM.
“This would give residents a choice if they were concerned about imminent fire,” he said.
Casey mayor Kevin Bradford said having two numbers could be confusing and this led Cr Wilson to say the council could then just have Casey Radio.
Springfield Ward councillor Lorraine Wreford said she was concerned because there was no costing on the proposal and she was hearing confusion.
Edrington Ward councillor Mick Morland said those who had been around for a while would remember Ash Wednesday 1983. “If these signs save one life it’s worthwhile,” he said. Cr Hetherton said in the event of a localised disaster it could be that Casey Radio would be able to provide a fullon coverage of what was happening with people on site.
River Gum Ward councillor Wayne Smith asked that consideration of erecting the signs be deferred pending a meeting with Casey Radio. “We need to be sure that Casey Radio personnel all have the qualifications to handle this,” he said.
Casey acting manager community safety Caroline Bell said in a report to the meeting that with a memorandum of understanding in place between the Victorian Emergency Service providers and ABC Radio it was important that this protocol be maintained at local level.
“Emergency services direct people in times of emergency to listen to ABC Radio for regular updates,” she said.
“Any variation to this would compromise the desired effect of emergency information dissemination to residents.”