Trial by fire
Wednesday 18 January, 2012 | Sharon Sebastian
BUSHFIRES occur almost every summer, and can start with little or no warning.
Over the years in Australia homes have been destroyed, and people seriously injured while others have perished – making it important for us to understand the risk it possesses and know what to do if a bushfire does occur.
The Prepare, Act, Survive campaign in the states and territories assists us to be better prepared for bushfires.
The Fire and Emergency Services Authority said we needed to prepare the family, property and ourselves.
“Serious fires can occur in rural and suburban communities,” a FESA spokesperson told SuperLiving. “During a major bushfire, fire fighters will be working to stop the fire. A fire truck and water bombing by aircraft cannot be guaranteed to defend your home during a bushfire.”
This is why preparing our property before a bushfire occurs is important, as it will give the property a better chance of surviving it. “The majority of houses can survive bushfires with planning and effort,” she said. “A well prepared home will give you more protection in a fire if a fire threatens suddenly and you cannot leave.”
Some of the things we need to think about to prepare the home for a bushfire include if there is bushland near the property and if the area has a history of bushfires. Also consider if there are shrubs within 20 metres of the property, and if it is built on a slope as fires tend to spread faster up a hill.
Most importantly, develop a bushfire survival plan detailing preparations and actions that will need to be taken if a bush fire threatens, especially if you live near bushland.
“This plan will help you take action and avoid making last minute decisions that could prove deadly during a bushfire,” she said. “Your plan must be practiced by all members of your household before the start of the bushfire season.”
When drawing up the plan, the spokesperson says, we need to think about if we are going to leave and head to a safer place, and if the household has elderly relatives, children or pets, when, where and how will they be relocated. What will you do if you have livestock? Will it be dangerous for you to defend your home?
“Practice your plan regularly and review it every year.”
Bushfires are unpredictable and the fire safety authorities across Australia recommend people to have not only a primary bushfire survival plan, but a back-up plan as well. Things to think about in a back-up plan include what you will do if you have no time to leave? What will you do if you have friends over? Or what you can do if your electricity and water are cut off.
Meanwhile, to prepare our property for a bushfire, we should look for items likely to burn or places where embers could start a fire. For example, embers can enter through gaps in roofs, walls, evaporative air conditioners and gutters. Remember to install a stainless steel open weave mesh cover over your evaporative air conditioner and metal fly screens to your walls and vents to keep sparks and embers out.
“During a bushfire, it is likely you will lose power and water,” she said. The main water pressure may drop or fail as a result of the fire, which could cause problems if you are planning to actively defend your property. So if we do decide to stay back and fight, we will need to have an independent water supply.
“This [independent water supply] should be a concrete or steel tank with a 20,000 litre capacity to ensure adequate defence of your home,” the spokesperson said.
Fighting a bushfire is not just about having all the right equipment; it is also about being physically, mentally and emotionally prepared.
To fight a bushfire we need to be positive, remain calm and replace frightening thoughts with helpful ones. The Australian Psychological Society released the Don’t panic: be prepared guide, to help us manage in a bushfire.
“If you survive a bushfire, you may have physical, mental and emotional pain from the experience itself,” she said. “You need to think about how you and the rest of your family or household will cope.”
“Being involved in a fire may be one of the most traumatic experiences of your life.”
At the end of the day, during a bushfire, the safest place to be is away from it. Put safety first.
“Any decision you make should be based on survival, homes can be rebuilt.”
If you do have pets or livestock, remember that the animals are not allowed at a public relocation centre. Allow yourself plenty of time if you plan to move livestock out of the area, or alternatively to a safer area on the property.
It is also never a good idea to turn animals out on to the road to run free.
“This is dangerous for trucks and vehicles, and you may be legally responsible if they cause a crash.”
During the bushfire season, we should always stay alert and monitor our surroundings by keeping an eye out for signs of a bushfire, especially for smoke and flames.
“Look and listen for information on television, radio and the internet, information lines and speak with your neighbours,” she said. “Know what the levels of alert in the bushfire warning system mean.”
If you run out of time or have not left your home, make sure you take shelter when the fire front passes your property. It is best to shelter in a room with two exits and a water supply. Remember to protect yourself from radiant heat by wearing long trousers, long sleeved shirt and strong leather boots.
Once the fire has passed, you can go outside once it is safe. Make sure you check for small spot fires, burning embers and try to extinguish these. We also need to make sure that we keep hydrated, wait until the surrounding fires are cleared, and look and listen out for information on a portable radio, television if possible or to recorded public information.
For more information about bushfire safety specific to your region click on your state or territory below.
