engaging communities - 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission

Engaging Communities
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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