"In a country such as Australia, where the bushfire hazard is so extreme, individuals, communities and governments must recognise their responsibilities and undertake measures to reduce the impact of the hazard."
Australians will continue to live in areas that are at risk from bushfires, it is therefore important that people are aware of what they can do to prepare their properties and improve their chances of survival should they get caught by a bushfire.
Protecting your property:
(See more on page 120 of Pearson)
(See more on page 120 of Pearson)
Increase your chance of survival in the event of a bushfire:
- Make the decision whether to stay and defend or leave the area well before a fire threatens
- Follow advice to evacuate from authorities
- Don't wait until the last minute to leave, this can have deadly consequences as it is hard to see through smoke, and fallen trees and power lines may block the road. Fires also give off radiant heat which is scorching, invisible heat that surrounds the flames and kills anything in its path.
- Inhalation of smoke poses the greatest danger in a bushfire
Government Responsibility:
- Responsible for advising the community of the current level of fire danger and fire bans that are in force
- In the event of a bushfire, the authorities coordinate evacuations and ensure that residents are updated on the status of the fire
- Law also requires local governments to develop strategies to protect homes, farms, water supplies and roads from fire (i.e., preventative slashing of undergrowth, prescribed burning, keeping watch from fire towers).
Community Support:
In Australia there are 250,000 volunteer fire fighters who willingly answer the call for assistance. Leaving their jobs and families, they travel great distances to fight fires. State Emergency Services volunteers assist by staffing road blocks, refuelling helicopters and assisting the police with evacuations.
Fighting a bushfire is often likened to a military campaign, with highly trained fire fighters deployed strategically on the ground and air support striking from above.
Here are some strategies commonly used by fire fighters to fight bushfires:
In Australia there are 250,000 volunteer fire fighters who willingly answer the call for assistance. Leaving their jobs and families, they travel great distances to fight fires. State Emergency Services volunteers assist by staffing road blocks, refuelling helicopters and assisting the police with evacuations.
Fighting a bushfire is often likened to a military campaign, with highly trained fire fighters deployed strategically on the ground and air support striking from above.
Here are some strategies commonly used by fire fighters to fight bushfires:
Volunteer Firefighter - Brigade Description | |
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Volunteer Firefighter - Brochure | |
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Volunteer Firefighters - Roles & Profiles | |
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Complete the following questions in your work book:
- Complete the interactive activity on page 121 of Pearson
- What roles can people take to prepare and protect themselves and their families from bushfires?
- Assess the readiness of St Norbert College for a bushfire event: in pairs, take a walk around the school and draw annotated diagrams outlining what changes the school would need to take.