By undertaking fire prevention measures promoted by the Country Fire Service,
life and property can be saved by able bodied residents remaining in their
homes, given adequate pre-summer preparation. The family home should therefore
be developed as a refuge from Wildfire. However, the very young, aged, the
infirm, those who feel they would not be able to cope with the trauma of a fire
and those who have taken insufficient measures to protect their homes, may need
to evacuate. When evacuation is considered appropriate, it must be carried out
as soon as possible in accordance with prior planning.
Remember, the decision is yours. You have a legal right to remain with your
home and defend it, whether you own or rent it. Every situation is different -
what is right for your neighbour may be wrong for you. You must be confident
that you are making the best possible decision for the safety of yourself and
your family and the survival of your property
Are you physically able to defend your home?
You must be fit enough to carry out sustained physical work patrolling spot
fires and extinguishing them for perhaps up to five or six hours after the fire
front has passed. You must be sufficiently able-bodied to withstand heat,
smoke, and fatigue while you work. It is best if several able-bodied people are
able to defend the home.
Are you mentally prepared to face fire?
Wildfire can be a frightening experience. It will be hot, dark, windy, smoky
and noisy. The air will be thick with burning embers. You may not be able to
predict where the fire is coming from, or how fast it is travelling. Embers
lodging against your house may cause it to ignite. Windows may break. You
will not know how long the crisis will last. While the main fire will pass
through in minutes, smoke, heat and burning embers may continue to threaten you
for some hours. You may have to contend with feelings of panic, fear,
confusion, isolation and fatigue.
Are any members of your household unable to cope?
You should consider evacuating the elderly the very young, and ill or disabled
members of your household.
Are you prepared to stay with your house after the fire has passed?
Experience shows that houses have ignited and burnt down several hours after
the passage of the fire front. People have been known to have left their house
after the fire has passed and returned several hours later to find it in ruins.
You will need to closely monitor your house both internally and externally to
ensure that smouldering embers do not go unnoticed.
Whether you will stay with your home and defend it, or evacuate when Wildfire
threatens is a complex and very personal decision. Rational assessment of all
the relevant factors cannot possibly be made at the last moment. The Country
Fire Service advises you to think about your individual situation and make your
decision now, well before any fire threatens your home.
If you assess your situation and decide you cannot stay and defend your home,
evacuation is an option. However, for the safety of your family, you must plan
as carefully as you would to stay.
Where will you go?
Find out if there is a designated community refuge nearby whether it is a
building or an open place such as a football oval, and whether the community
would organise an evacuation. Alternatively you may wish to shelter with
friends or relatives in a nearby town. Decide in advance where you will go,
and ensure that it is a safe area.
When will you leave?
It may be appropriate to go to your chosen refuge on any day on which the
danger of Wildfire is extremely high. If you decide to wait until an actual
Wildfire threatens, you must leave well in advance of the arrival of the fire
front. Never wait until the last moment.
How will you travel?
Travel by car if possible and if travelling with a neighbour, organise it well
in advance. Plan your route to your refuge and determine alternative routes in
case fire should block your chosen route. Be sure to allow additional time to
allow for slow traffic conditions or poor visibility.
What will you take with you?
Pack survival equipment (wool blankets, drinking water, medicines) and with any
essential documents or possessions (insurance policies, bank records, etc.).
Keep a list ready, so you can pack the car quickly when needed.
What if family members are separated?
Plan what you will do in the event your children are at school or family are
away or at work. Find out the school policy if Wildfire threatens. Don't
allow panic to drive anyone out in life-threatening conditions searching for
missing family members.
Disclaimer
© Copyright 1998 Montacute CFS
URL: http://users.senet.com.au/~dstrebil/mont_cfs/fireprevinfo4.html
Last Updated: 08/07/2000
Please send any corrections, comments or complaints to the
Administration Officer
