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There's nothing left to burn.
Now the house next door to me is gone.
Our shed's gone, everythings gone.
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Burnt my house, it burnt everything.
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I felt, it was just numb.
Victoria's Black Saturday fires in February 2009
claimed 173 lives.
I think it took us all by surprise
how quickly it came through.
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The thing just exploded on us.
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He said, "Get out of there...
its coming over...its gonna hit hard
and you won't survive".
Sadly the evidence suggests
that many of those who perished so tragically
were unprepared for just how dangerous a bushfire could be.
Does your family have a bushfire survival plan?
Would your family survive?
I've been involved with the CFS for many years,
including as a volunteer fire fighter...
and over the years I've witnessed some heartbreaking scenes
because people hadn't prepared their properties
and themselves for the onslaught of a bushfire.
This DVD is designed to help you help yourself
by knowing how to PREPARE, ACT and SURVIVE
in the face of a bushfire threat.
Bushfires have changed.
They're becoming more unpredictable,
they've got greater consequences, they're affecting more people.
173 people died in the February bushfires in Victoria.
I don't want to see people in South Australia,
or anywhere in Australia dying from bushfire this fire season.
The fire danger index goes up to a maximum of 100,
however the Wangary bushfire in 2005 was rated at 329.
Proper Bay earlier this year was 196
and the Victorian Black Saturday bushfires at 220 plus.
Now a new national fire danger rating framework
has been developed which includes six levels of warnings,
including the revised ratings of SEVERE and EXTREME
where the recommended action is that leaving early
is the SAFEST option for survival
and the new CATASTROPHIC rating, or Code Red,
where leaving early is your ONLY option for survival.
On days of Catastrophic fire danger rating the message is clear.
It carries the warning that should a bushfire occur
there is a high likelihood that people may die or be injured.
Thousands of homes and businesses may be destroyed,
and even well prepared, well constructed homes may not be safe.
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Everyone needs to understand these ratings.
Everyone needs to understand what they mean.
People who travel, who work,
who live in bushfire prone areas must understand these ratings.
They must understand the new warning framework
otherwise they'll risk making the wrong decision
and their life may be at risk.
The message is clear and simple.
We all need to re-think the way we think about bushfires.
Whether you live in the bush, in town,
or in the urban fringes, everyone needs to be ready.
It's not a matter of if there's a bushfire,
it really is just a matter of when.
There are three core messages to staying safe this summer
PREPARE, ACT, SURVIVE.
In the next segment, we'll look at just how your family
should PREPARE for a bushfire threat.
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I'm a mother of four children
and we have a property in the Adelaide Hills,
so I'm acutely aware of the need for a Bushfire Survival Plan.
Our family has talked about it,
we've discussed our plan and you should too.
Because we live in a bushfire prone area
we need to get together and put together a bushfire plan.
One of the first things you need to consider in your plan
is whether you intend to stay and try to defend your property
or whether you plan to leave
and leave early in the face of a threat.
Can we bring the animals?
Again it depends on the circumstances of the fire...
But what about my toys?
Guys, if you've got anything special
that you want to save in a bushfire
you need to make sure that you've got them in a special place
that we can get to quickly and easily
and get them in the car, OK?
Making that decision should take into account
a number of factors.
Whether you have any children under the age of 16,
whether anyone in the house is frail or elderly
and also just how prepared you are both physically and mentally
to cope with the trauma of a bushfire.
Now discuss your plan, write it down and practise it regularly.
Your life really could depend on it.
Your plan also needs to take into account
what you will do based on the fire danger rating.
Each rating has a recommended action.
Children, the elderly and those who are vulnerable
are advised to leave well before bushfire threatens
and should not be part of any plans
to stay and defend your property.
Bushfires also obviously affect schools
and school communities also need to plan for a potential threat.
On days of forecast Catastrophic fire weather
some schools and pre-schools will close
and some school bus routes won't run.
Parents need to prepare for potential closures
and make alternative arrangements.
You should contact your local school or pre-school
for more information.
So, just some of the issues you need to consider,
Are you prepared to stay to defend
or will you leave early before a bushfire threatens?
Does everyone in your family understand the dangers of bushfire
and how your plan will be put into action?
Have you arranged appropriate car and household insurance?
Do you know what you will take with you in an emergency?
And have you considered how to deal with pets and livestock?
People need to consider even if you've chosen to leave early
the circumstance may change.
You may not have enough notice,
so you've got to have a fall back plan.
Some plans, even the best plans may fail.
So you've got to have some contingencies and some alternatives
just in case you can't get out at that last minute.
Well before the fire season begins, prepare a personal survival kit
for each member of the household,
including a full set of protective clothing.
And you should also pack a relocation kit
if you're planning to leave and leave early.
Don't forget those precious photos, insurance papers,
any medications and a first aid kit.
Regardless of whether you intend to stay and defend or leave early,
you still need to do everything you can
to make sure your property is defendable.
Well prepared properties have a much better chance of surviving
a bushfire threat.
Clear a defendable space, at least 20 metres, around buildings.
Clear undergrowth and remove or burn off.
Fill any gaps in the eaves, around windows and door frames.
Larger under deck areas should be protected
with non-flammable screens.
You need an independent water supply.
A minimum of 5000 litres from a tank, swimming pool, dam or a bore.
With your power supply likely to be interrupted during a fire,
a petrol or diesel pump is essential
and you need to train everyone how to use it.
Make sure your hoses are long enough
to reach right around your home.
Make sure you have appropriate fire fighting equipment.
Make sure your property has cleared access for fire trucks.
And put together a Bushfire Survival Kit
and keep it accessible in the house.
You'll find all the details of what you should include in that
on the CFS website.
There's quite a bit to consider
and some very important decisions to be made.
The CFS Bushfire Survival Plan can also be downloaded
from the CFS website, or a call to the Bushfire Information Hotline
can guide you through creating a plan specifically
for your family's very individual needs and circumstances.
So please don't put it off...plan and prepare now.
Next we'll take a look at how you should ACT
in the face of a bushfire threat.
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