Bushfire Preparation

[fireyrob]

Hey all,

Im trying to load this for the 3rd time so fingers crossed this works

With recent tragic events in Victoria unfolding I thought this info may be of interest to anyone on here who lives or know people who live in a potential bushfire affected area.

All brigades have information in relation to bushfire preparedness but after discussion with a few friends I realised that alot of people dont really know what they can do prior, during and post a fire front passing.

Here is a basic factsheet for bushfire's to maybe familiarise yourself with what your options are:

http://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/gallery/file ... e_evac.pdf

There are a heap of factsheets available here for any fire related questions you may have:

http://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/page.php?id=206&homepage

To all those families affected in Victoria, all the crews I work with feel for you. Time will heal many but not all wounds...

Any info please dont hesitate to PM me about any fire related questions you may have. Im not seeking to turn this thread into a Q & A as everyone has different issues and circumstances so my best advice is to seek answers from your local brigade in quieter times who are familiar with your own area!

[Mojo67]

Good post Rob.

[dilligaf]

there was an article in this mornings paper
http://www.theage.com.au/national/a-hea ... -811d.html
that said
The "survivability" distance of Saturday's heat was about four times its height — so a 35-metre-high fire would directly imperil those within 140 metres.
Don't know how you prepare for that.

[simpleton]

Rob,

As a member of our local Rural Fire Service I support you thoughts and would just mention it is not only country areas that are at risk. Thr fires at Lane Cove are a reminder that everyone must take care and be vigliant, whether it be a cigaret but being thrown of a car window or kids/adults acting suspiciously around bushland. Some of the Victorian fires are less than 60klm fom Melbourne.

[fireyrob]

there was an article in this mornings paper

there's your problem Being prepared can and will change the survivability changes significantly...

Thr fires at Lane Cove are a reminder that everyone must take care and be vigliant,

So true...

[Smitty]

...snip. Some of the Victorian fires are less than 60klm fom Melbourne.

Ferntree Gully had a fire which damaged/melted parts of the station/railway...its 25km from Melbourne
and the distance to Arthurs Creek is only 32km, St Andrews 35km

...very close to home

[Cwidova]

we had a fire on harkaway road about 5 minutes from where we live and another one in narre warren south which is 5 minutes the other way....both being surburban areas.....even though they are not as big or devastating as the ones in kinglake and such it just goes to show that it can happen anywhere.

[ducati_paul]

I have a question Rob! why is it when we have a HR do the paid fireys come and watch us volunteers do all the work then they eat our arvo tea and leave!?

[fireyrob]

I have a question Rob! why is it when we have a HR do the paid fireys come and watch us volunteers do all the work then they eat our arvo tea and leave!?

Because you lovely hosts welcome us as guests to your fire districts. We politely accept the invite, accept the hospitality and leave before we overdo our stay

[ducati_paul]

Because you lovely hosts welcome us as guests to your fire districts. We politely accept the invite, accept the hospitality and leave before we have to do any work

Fixed it for ya!

[dilligaf]

there was an article in this mornings paper

there's your problem Being prepared can and will change the survivability changes significantly...

after the weekend the vic govt is apparently looking at changing its "leave early or stay and fight" advice.

too many people did the right things but still died defending their homes. the fire was just too big and hot.


Early warning review

Attorney General Robert McClelland has told ABC 2 News Breakfast Australia must consider the effectiveness of its early warning systems.

"We really do need to look at our early warning systems, whether those early warning systems are adequate and whether they can be enhanced on a national basis," he said.

"I'm far from an expert but we have to bear in mind that when people do stay and defend their homes, that in itself places additional risk on our emergency responders who have to get in and ultimately save them."

[fireyrob]

Fixed it for ya!

I beg to differ

too many people did the right things but still died defending their homes. the fire was just too big and hot.

Please read the factsheet advice carefully before making comment. See just Point 1 even! The fires are still ongoing and if this info is passed on maybe the decisions people make will be a little more informed. I know of 2 KSRC members living right next to bushland in Sydney so YES the info is very relavent. Please note next time you see the pics of burnt out homes on the news how many tree's are still green leafed and relatively untouched in a fire supposedly too big and too hot!

[mick_dundee]

Sobering times, I spent today at the Whittlesea community centre which is now a bushfire rleief centre. Complimented somebloke on this nice Mustang he had, he shows me the front page of The Age, there's his Fairlane (which was immaculate evidently) and the car his gf drives, both gutted by fire.

He had the mustang in the workshop, lost the 2 cars and the shed, workshop and house remained untouched..

[dilligaf]

Fixed it for ya!

I beg to differ

too many people did the right things but still died defending their homes. the fire was just too big and hot.

Please read the factsheet advice carefully before making comment. See just Point 1 even! The fires are still ongoing and if this info is passed on maybe the decisions people make will be a little more informed. I know of 2 KSRC members living right next to bushland in Sydney so YES the info is very relavent. Please note next time you see the pics of burnt out homes on the news how many tree's are still green leafed and relatively untouched in a fire supposedly too big and too hot!

this fire was something different

http://www.theage.com.au/national/stay- ... -81ek.html

I don't want to debate what to do but the govt is looking at changing its policy.
edit. but I will add that the radio warnings have now changed and they are now saying things like if you haven't left by now
you must stay. been too many deaths in cars leaving too late.

[fireyrob]

http://www.theage.com.au/national/stay-or-go-policy-to-be-reviewed-brumby-20090209-81ek.html

newspapers again

Yes big fire big damage!