VICTORIA. — As Victoria’s communities become increasingly diverse, Country Fire Authority (CFA) volunteers are playing an important role in ensuring life-saving fire safety information reaches everyone, regardless of the language they speak.
Among them is Sri Lankan born, Narre Warren North Fire Brigade volunteer, Sam Hewagama, who speaks both Sinhala and English and is helping bridge the gap between CFA and local multicultural communities.
Serving as a commissioner with the Victorian Multicultural Commission, Sam’s passion for inclusivity and community involvement is long-standing.
“I came to Australia in 2000 and wanted to say thank you to the country that accepted me,” Sam said.
For Sam, being able to be a trusted face has created opportunities to engage with community members who may otherwise find it difficult to access important safety information.
“When people see me, they might feel more comfortable coming to talk to me because they recognise me as a member of their community,” Sam said.
“I am then able to use that position to bridge the gap, build trust, and makes fire safety messages easier to understand.
“Birds of a feather flock together and people who come here from other places don’t necessarily know how emergency services work here.”
With more than 300 languages spoken across Victoria, multilingual CFA members provide a valuable connection, helping to ensure fire safety advice is understood and accessible to people from all backgrounds.
CFA continues to encourage people from all cultural and linguistic backgrounds to get involved with their local brigades, whether as volunteers or by attending community safety events.
To find your local Get Fire Ready event, visit www.cfa.vic.gov.au/getfireready.
