engaging communities - 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission

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2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission—Interim Report 2 ENGAGING COMMUNITIES Community preparedness Figure 2.2: Factors affecting community preparedness: individual and local preparations Number of Communities 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 CFA information sessions Pumps, generators, etc Fireguards More education on feral fires and wind changes Non-native trees Preparation of house/clothes Telephone trees Water availability/sprinklers Lack of water Individual preparation Local preparation Source: Community consultations, March–April 2009 2.42 Many discussions about preparedness were prefaced by expressions of futility. The ferocity and speed of the fires left many feeling helpless and many of those who believed they were ‘fire ready’ were overwhelmed by what transpired. Mr Bevan Gobbett of Clonbinane reflected similar views in his evidence: You could have put a hundred fire tankers and Elvis in front of my house that day and you would have killed a hundred fire tankers and Elvis. 11 2.43 2.44 There was general consensus that individuals have primary responsibility for preparing their own properties for bushfire threats. Many people stated that this involved minimising fuel levels around homes, preparing fire plans, testing and maintaining pumps and ensuring that hoses and hose fittings were fire resistant. Frustration was expressed in some communities about too few green waste and hard rubbish collections; restrictive council regulations about burn-offs and tree clearance; and neighbours who gave little or no attention to reducing fuel loads on their properties. As supported by Mr Ananiev: The CFA is trying to do the right thing, saying yes, make it safe, but the council won’t let you. 12 2.45 Local CFA information sessions focusing on fire behaviour, fire plans and basic firefighting strategies were praised. Of concern, however, was the poor attendance at these sessions. Many people suggested that the programs could be strengthened by: 92 ■■ ■■ more regular scheduling stronger promotion, targeted at new people moving into fire-prone areas
Engaging Communities ■■ ■■ ■■ providing more comprehensive information about different fire behaviours, including information on radiant heat and ember showers placing more emphasis on the ‘stay and defend’ or ‘leave early’ options so that people are better equipped to make sound decisions annual checking of fire plans and site visits. Attendance at training sessions was later commented on by Dr John Ferguson of Buxton: The first thing I learned was that very few people attended them [the CFA information sessions]. 13 2.46 Roof sprinklers and other sprinkler systems around properties were regarded by many as effective fire suppressants. Some spoke persuasively of the value of diesel pumps or stand-alone solar power units for pumps; private water carts; misters under the eaves; gutter plugs; and back-up generators. Others spoke with conviction about the more fire-resistant capacity of deciduous vegetation compared with native species. The views of Mr Peter Newman of Buxton, Mr P Brown and Dr Ferguson illustrate various opinions about preparing properties for fires: The sprinkler and having greenery around the house made all the difference. 14 If we rebuild, it will be on the basis that we have electric pumps and diesel backup generator, not just one power source. 15 Deciduous trees in previous bushfires have produced good shelter … if I had the chance to start from the beginning, the trees would be planted strategically, specifically for that purpose. 16 2.47 There were widely held concerns in some communities about water supplies and failing water pressure. Some communities such as Flowerdale and Kinglake West questioned bore water arrangements. The Flowerdale community, in particular, suggested that there was inadequate access to water from King Parrot Creek when it was most needed for firefighting. Other communities spoke of the need for better planning to ensure sufficient and accessible water supplies for tankers. Issues of water supply were confirmed in the evidence of Dr Ferguson and Mr O’Halloran: In quick succession over about one hour, we had lost electricity, then landlines, then mobile and then town water. 17 We had a five and a half horsepower petrol motor on like a billycart that had a pump attached that could be put into the creek. We had pumping rights to the creek. 18 2.48 People who belonged to community fireguard groups rated them highly and in the lead up to the fires those who had phone-tree arrangements felt confident about having sufficient back-up support. For those not affected by failed phone coverage, the phone trees were a significant support in making decisions and in securing assistance. Ms Christine Glassford of Reedy Creek and Mr John O’Neill of Steels Creek shared similar views: It [the community fireguard group] was very good … I felt it was sufficient to enable me to prepare sufficiently, certainly to still be here, but I guess I don’t know what else more you could do anyway. 19 The telephone tree was … very good in that it sort of kept the lines of communication clear among the immediate neighbours. 20 2.49 Finally, in Horsham, people spoke appreciatively of the council which organised a community practice of its disaster plan in December 2008 and provided its residents with up-to-date phone listings. In addition, the council took heed of the warnings prior to 7 February and ensured that CFA tankers were strategically placed around all high-risk areas, enabling a maximum response time of 11 minutes should fires ignite. 93
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Page 3 and 4: Engaging Communities 2.7 Libraries
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Page 7 and 8: Engaging Communities The key issues
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Page 19 and 20: Engaging Communities 2.88 Lay witne

engaging communities - 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission

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