Try really hard not to be caught on the road in a bushfire… but if you are …
Being caught in a car during a bushfire is terribly dangerous. However if you live in or travel through the bush, it is a possibility you need to be prepared for. This is the CFA’s advice if caught on the road in a bushfire.
“If you are driving and see smoke ahead, always u-turn to safety if you have the option. Avoid being caught out on the road during a fire as it is highly dangerous - a car will not offer safe protection from the radiant heat. However, if you are caught in a fire do not get out and run. Being in a car is still better than being in the open.
· Pull over to the side of the road into a clear area – a dirt track may be the best option
· Try not to park the car in a place where it is surrounded by vegetation that will burn - avoid long dry grass and scrub
· Ensure all windows and doors are tightly closed and shut all air vents
· Put the hazard lights and headlights on so other vehicles can see you
· Cover exposed skin as much as possible with clothes made of natural fibres – not synthetic clothing
· Get down as low as possible below window level and cover up with a woollen blanket until the fire front passes. You will feel a reduction in the heat and then it is time to get out of the car and move to safety. If travelling in the country, always carry a woollen blanket in your car for this purpose
· Remember to drink lots of water to stop yourself from dehydrating”
CFA Publication – “Living in the Bush”
The CFA puts out an excellent publication called “Living in the Bush” which is a comprehensive guide to bushfire preparation. The Emergency Preparedness Committee has requested 300 copies of this publication, with the aim of getting a copy into every house on the Island.
Ian Lewis has kindly offered to distribute these booklets to Islanders as they use the ferry. The booklets will be handed out in the first week of October. We figure this is the best way of getting these publications out, as not many Islanders go for a week without using the ferry at least once!
For those of you who can’t wait, here is a link to a downloadable version of the document which is held on the CFA website.
Wanted – spare woollen blankets
(but only once you’ve put one in your own car boot!)
Many households these days don’t own a woollen blanket – synthetic blankets are cheaper and often warmer! The trouble is, a synthetic blanket is highly flammable and potentially lethal in a fire.
During the fire season, EVERY island household should have a woollen blanket in the back of the car, along with a couple of bottles of water.
The Emergency Preparedness Committee is stockpiling pure wool blankets for loan to community members in an emergency situation, whether it be a flood or a bushfire. So far we have gathered up 15 blankets (more if we cut the double blankets in half). It’s a start, but we’d like more.
If you’ve got a spare old woollen blanket that needs a good home, please contact one of the committee members. Condition is unimportant!
Knowing where your nearest fire plug is and keeping it clear and clean may make the difference.
Where is your fire plug ?
Click on link below
Fire Plugs.
some photos to assist you in cleaning " your " fire plug
Fast Water
Keep an eye out for the East Gippsland Shire to advise a sale of second hand, of 240 litre wheelie bins at the Bairnsdale Landfill, Prices range from $5.00 to $20.00.
SO WHAT, you may be thinking. But wait - a couple of strategically placed bins with 240 litres of water in each, on the north side of your property? We can’t think of a better way to drench quite a large area in a few seconds.
BACK
The RED lines are firebreaks maintained/slashed by the DSE/Parks Vic.
The BLACK lines are firebreaks maintained/slashed by the Shire
Being caught in a car during a bushfire is terribly dangerous. However if you live in or travel through the bush, it is a possibility you need to be prepared for. This is the CFA’s advice if caught on the road in a bushfire.
“If you are driving and see smoke ahead, always u-turn to safety if you have the option. Avoid being caught out on the road during a fire as it is highly dangerous - a car will not offer safe protection from the radiant heat. However, if you are caught in a fire do not get out and run. Being in a car is still better than being in the open.
· Pull over to the side of the road into a clear area – a dirt track may be the best option
· Try not to park the car in a place where it is surrounded by vegetation that will burn - avoid long dry grass and scrub
· Ensure all windows and doors are tightly closed and shut all air vents
· Put the hazard lights and headlights on so other vehicles can see you
· Cover exposed skin as much as possible with clothes made of natural fibres – not synthetic clothing
· Get down as low as possible below window level and cover up with a woollen blanket until the fire front passes. You will feel a reduction in the heat and then it is time to get out of the car and move to safety. If travelling in the country, always carry a woollen blanket in your car for this purpose
· Remember to drink lots of water to stop yourself from dehydrating”
CFA Publication – “Living in the Bush”
The CFA puts out an excellent publication called “Living in the Bush” which is a comprehensive guide to bushfire preparation. The Emergency Preparedness Committee has requested 300 copies of this publication, with the aim of getting a copy into every house on the Island.
Ian Lewis has kindly offered to distribute these booklets to Islanders as they use the ferry. The booklets will be handed out in the first week of October. We figure this is the best way of getting these publications out, as not many Islanders go for a week without using the ferry at least once!
For those of you who can’t wait, here is a link to a downloadable version of the document which is held on the CFA website.
Wanted – spare woollen blankets
(but only once you’ve put one in your own car boot!)
Many households these days don’t own a woollen blanket – synthetic blankets are cheaper and often warmer! The trouble is, a synthetic blanket is highly flammable and potentially lethal in a fire.
During the fire season, EVERY island household should have a woollen blanket in the back of the car, along with a couple of bottles of water.
The Emergency Preparedness Committee is stockpiling pure wool blankets for loan to community members in an emergency situation, whether it be a flood or a bushfire. So far we have gathered up 15 blankets (more if we cut the double blankets in half). It’s a start, but we’d like more.
If you’ve got a spare old woollen blanket that needs a good home, please contact one of the committee members. Condition is unimportant!
Knowing where your nearest fire plug is and keeping it clear and clean may make the difference.
Where is your fire plug ?
Click on link below
Fire Plugs.
some photos to assist you in cleaning " your " fire plug
Fast Water
Keep an eye out for the East Gippsland Shire to advise a sale of second hand, of 240 litre wheelie bins at the Bairnsdale Landfill, Prices range from $5.00 to $20.00.
SO WHAT, you may be thinking. But wait - a couple of strategically placed bins with 240 litres of water in each, on the north side of your property? We can’t think of a better way to drench quite a large area in a few seconds.
BACK
The RED lines are firebreaks maintained/slashed by the DSE/Parks Vic.
The BLACK lines are firebreaks maintained/slashed by the Shire
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Click on photo
AWARDS SHOW COMMUNITIES ARE FIRE-AWARE AND FIRE-READY
From the Minister for Environment & Climate Change
Wednesday, 27 October 2010
A fire awareness and preparation program on Raymond Island in East Gippsland has been awarded the major prize in the 2010 Fire Awareness Awards.
Presented by Environment and Climate Change Minister Gavin Jennings and Emergency Services Minister Bob Cameron tonight, the 2010 Fire Awareness Awards recognise the work of communities in understanding and dealing with fire.
“The Brumby Labor Government understands how important it is for community groups to help others in preparing for fires or recovering in the aftermath of fire,” Mr Jennings said.
“These awards are about saying thank you to all those people from right across Victoria who have put in time and effort.
“In particular I would like to thank and congratulate the overall winner of the RACV Insurance Award for Excellence – the:
Raymond Island Bushfire Preparation Committee –
which set a new standard in fire preparation with their Bushfire Awareness Program.
“The committee established a six-month program of activities and publicity to make locals aware of their bushfire risk and help prepare the community and visitors for fire.”
Other winners included the Kinglake Youth Group
Also the Benalla College d fences and the Rotary Club of Moorabbin.
The Education Award went to Yarraville West Primary School the and the Bendigo Urban Bushfire Rehabilitation Project received a Community Award in the Recovery category.
Mr Cameron said the list of finalists this year showed the community was very engag
ed
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Click on photos