Shire renews bushfire safety campaign

THE Surf Coast Shire has compiled a short but comprehensive video outlining how people should prepare for the threat of bushfires.

The five-minute video presented by the shire’s Emergency Management Team member Nick Guyett is aimed both at residents and visitors to the region, and comes with the foreboding warning that “bushfires will happen”.

“Many locations are not easy to leave quickly in an emergency situation, so we all need to prepare. Whether you’re a local or here for the weekend, planning ahead is vital.

“Since the turn of the last century, there’s been an uncontrolled bushfire somewhere in the Victorian landscape in roughly nine out of every 10 years.”

The video focuses on three key areas, including how to find the best information on bushfire planning; knowing how to assess your risk; and building a community support network.

There are nine website links provided below the video to assist people with their emergency planning.

Alongside a guide of how best to prepare for an emergency, Mr Guyett said there were commonly held assumptions that need dispelling – “things many people think will help, but don’t.”

“In a bushfire situation, many people expect emergency services to save them, however this just isn’t realistic… you are responsible for your safety, and the safety of your loved ones.”

People also had the concerning attitude of if a fire starts “I’ll just head off, then”, but Mr Guyett noted leaving during a bushfire emergency could be fraught, particularly in parts of the region with limited evacuation routes.

“Whether you’re in the grasslands of Moriac, or in the forest like Aireys or Lorne, you live in a very different landscape to say here in Torquay.

“You know what traffic is like on a Saturday morning down at the shops, imagine these roads during a bushfire. Limited ways out, traffic is close to a standstill, now it’s dark, and its smoky, and there’s been a car accident.

“So we need to be prepared.”

Using the beach as a refuge option is also discouraged.

“Sure, it’s an option, but it’s not a great one, it can be dangerous and scary – think about the pictures of people trapped on the beach at Mallacoota,” Mr Guyett said.

To watch the video and access the numerous links that can help you prepare your plan, head to youtube.com/watch?v=KJTYgJ93bMc or surfcoast.vic.gov.au/Community/Emergencies-and-safety/Fire-ready