Showing posts with label Emergency Management. Show all posts

Fire Plan - Do you have one?



I attended my local CFA "fire information" night to learn more about my area and bushfires, how to develop a plan and also understand information from the CFA and how to use it!

Victoria is one of the most fire-prone areas in the world. Understanding your level of risk is the first step in knowing what to do before and during a fire.

Information on the CFA website includes how to stay informed on fire risk days, why you should leave early, what you can or can't do on fire risk days, what information to gather ahead of fire season for you and your family, understand what to expect during a bushfire and guidance on how to stay informed of fires across your area.

For those with a smart phone -

  • Facebook (facebook.com/cfavic)
  • Twitter (twitter.com/CFA_Updates)

    • Also there is an APP you cant get for either iPhones or Android phones (Samsung, Sony, HTC etc) - either go to apple's app store or the android app store to download the CFA app - just search for CFA  and it will come up!

    Other
  • ABC local radio, Sky News and other emergency broadcasters
  • Victorian Bushfire Information Line (1800 240 667)

    • http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/plan-prepare/make-a-fire-plan/

    http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/plan-prepare/

    http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/fm_files/attachments/plan_and_prepare/frk_2013/4713_CFA_2014_FireReadyKit

    CFA Controlled Burn Olinda

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    This morning the Olinda CFA attended a property in Upper Coonara Road in Olinda and assisted in a controlled burn that the residents have received a permit for.
    This burn is very large and will burn for up to at least the end of this week.
    Please be reminded that there is a Yarra Ranges Council permit for this burn and residents are reminded that normal burning off for fuel reduction purposes is only allowed on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 8am to 6pm.
     
    If you have a large amount of fuel to burn please contact the Yarra Ranges Council to arrange for a permit.
     
    Thank you.

    FSPL rebalanced - A major win for Victorian farmers


     
     
     
    THE Victorian Government has listened and delivered for the state's farmers by rebalancing the fire services property levy.
    "We've been calling for the levy to be cut from the 52 cents/$1000 of CIV (capital improved value), first proposed last August, to a fairer rate," VFF President Peter Tuohey said.
    "That's exactly what the Premier and Treasurer have delivered by announcing a farm rate of 31 cents/$1000. The VFF thanks Dr Napthine and Mr O'Brien."
    "We've been working for the past eight months, urging the government to rebalance the proposed 52 cent rate, arguing it was unfair, when townspeople were paying 12 cents on every $1000 their property was worth."
    As it stands farmers will pay a fixed FSPL of $200, plus 31 cents on every $1000 of their properties' CIV.
    "We did call for the rates for households and farms to be the same at 20c/$1000 of CIV. What the government has delivered is a significant compromise, which will see a lot of farmers better off under the new property-based charge.
    "We congratulate the government on taking on one of the toughest reforms in politics. Replacing the current fires services levy on insurance premiums with a property based charge.
    "It means everyone who owns property will now contribute to the cost of running the state's fire services, not just those who fully insure."
    "The VFF has spent the past 15 years arguing past governments to deliver this reform, using a fair and equitable model. We thank the Napthine Government for stepping up to the mark, listening and delivering for rural people," Mr Tuohey said.

    DSE Planned Burns in my area






    Yarra
    Expires 10/04/2013 11:00 am

    Smoke may be visible in the following locations as well as from surrounding areas:
    Badger Creek, Balnarring, Bittern, Cambarville,Chum Creek, Coldstream, Don Valley, Gruyere, Hastings, Healesville, Launching Place, Lilydale, McMahons Creek, Merricks North, Millgrove, Mount Martha, Mornington, Moorooduc, Mount Evelyn, Mount Toolebewong, Reefton, Seville, Seville East, Silvan, Somerville, Tarrawarra, Tuerong, Tyabb, Wandin East, Wandin North, Warburton, East Warburton, Woori Yallock and Yarra Junction.

    What To Do:
  • Be aware of planned burns happening in your local area and stay clear of areas where burns are taking place.
  • If you are experiencing any symptoms that may be due to smoke exposure, the Department of Health advises people to seek medical advice or call “Nurse on Call” on 1300 606 024.

    Additional Information:
  • Road users are advised to take extra care as road travel may be hazardous due to low visibility from smoke.
  • Traffic management will be in place where smoke may affect local roads.
  • Drivers are also asked to be alert to fire vehicles in burn areas and fire crews working close to roadsides.

    Road Closures:
  • Check www.traffic.vicroads.vic.gov.au

    Park Closures:
  • Please refer to Parks Victoria on 13 1963 or visit http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/

    Stay Informed:
  • For information about planned burning in Victoria visit the DSE website at www.dse.vic.gov.au/burns or the Country Fire Authority (CFA) at www.cfa.vic.gov.au or call the Victorian Bushfire Information Line (VBIL) on freecall 1800 240 667.
  • Callers who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech/communication impairment can contact VBIL via the National Relay Service on 1800 555 677.

  • For up-to-date information about air quality visit www.epa.vic.gov.au/air/bulletins
  • If you have a smart phone you can download the free CFA FireReady application to see planned burns on a map.
  • Keep informed by listening to ABC Local Radio, commercial radio stations or watching Sky News TV.
  • Information about fires is available at www.cfa.vic.gov.au or by calling the VBIL.
    •

    Tassie Fires Facebook Page








    Last Wednesday I attended a conference/forum on disaster resilience of communities. A young lady from Tassie "Mel" created this facebook page the day of the Tassie Fires, within two hours she has around 20,000 followers!! Amazing, with her facebook page, she was able communicate and connect people in need to people who could help in a VERY short time frame. Much shorter then any emergency management service could provide! Something that we can could very seriously learn from!!

    Link - http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Tassie-Fires-We-Can-Help/265695153558391

    DSE Planned Works


     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Hi there I have had a number of people contact me regarding the planned works on Mt Dandenong Tourist road.
     
    It is important to note that these works are a joint venture between DSE, Parks Victoria and Vic Roads and stem from Recommendations 56, 60 and 62 from the 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission. As each of these recommendations relate to state based activity, on state owned and operated land, the outcomes from dangerous tree assessment and removal is exempt the need for council input and guidance.  

    This road is a major arterial route which will become an important life blood for the safe egress of our community in preparation for and during an emergency. The planned works will remove dangerous trees in preparation for planned burning, as well as trees that would pose a risk following planned burn activity. This specific planned burn provides an opportunity to reduce the risk in our local community, by increasing the chance of safe travel along this major road. Fuel reduction works will provide an opportunity for:

     

    ·       Better road safety on Mt Dandenong Tourist Road throughout the year;

    ·       Reduced risk of dangerous trees blocking this major thoroughfare; and

    ·       Reduced risk of trees blocking the road or falling on staff or community as a result of burning activity.


    The plans associated with these works will have very little impact on Council and council operations. 

    ·       These works are being undertaken by the State Government in line with findings from the 2009 Bushfires Royal Commission.

    ·       Yarra Ranges Council is committed to community safety.

    ·       We understand the critical importance of safe exit routes off the Dandenong Ranges in any emergency.

    ·       The planned works will remove dangerous trees in preparation for planned burning, as well as trees that would pose a risk following planned burn activity.

    ·       This specific planned burn provides an opportunity to reduce the risk in our local community, by increasing the chance of safe travel along this major road.

    ·       Council would encourage interested community members to contact DSE directly on (03) 9210 9371.
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