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CFA Capt Greg Kennedy: In the aftermath of Black Saturday, I realized that living in South
Warrandyte I was not going to be immune to a bushfire.
Sgt Keith Walker: To see their homes totally destroyed, friends, family not knowing where
they were, it was just a shocking, shocking scene.
The devastation that would have been caused in Warrandyte would have been horrendous.
CFA Capt Greg Kennedy: The significant loss of life will be the greatest problem
that I will have to deal with because I know that people will not be able to get out of this
area if we are impacted by a major bushfire.
Male Speaker: Everyone that lives in the Greater Warrandyte area feels lucky.
It's a special part of the State. We're surrounded by bush land, open spaces
rivers, flora, and wildlife, and yet we live only a short distance from the city.
But we also know that living here has some dangers. On Black Saturday the fires were heading
towards the Greater Warrandyte region. The cool change that saved this area
destroyed King Lake and the areas smaller and with fewer residents than ours.
The terrain, topography and road network in this area are not designed for an easy escape.
Being prepared and getting out early could save your life and lives of your friends
and family. Greater Warrandyte residents simply
cannot rely on emergency services being able to get in and you out in a major bushfire.
In Greater Warrandyte, we are no strangers to bushfires.
In 1851, 50 homes were lost in Black Thursday.
In 1939, 71 people died on Black Friday.
We had major fires that burned for days in 1962 and 1969.
The last fire here was in 1991 starting in Pound Bend and burning across the Yarra
River into North Warrandyte.
Many here believe that another big fire in the region is long overdue.
CFA Capt Greg Kennedy: We mustn't fool ourselves that we live in suburbia, we do live in
and around the bush. And we must recognize that the bush
is there and we then must recognize and be aware that during the summer months there
is an ever present risk of bushfire. The task of fighting fires in this area
is made extremely difficult because of the river.
It provides as a source of water but it also prevents us from having good access
to any fire either North or South of the river. Sgt Keith Walker: The topography of the area
is a great concern because it lends itself to a major bushfire going right through
the area quite rapidly. The devastation would be caused because
of the topography, because of the fact that it would be very hard to fight the
fire, very hard for people to be leaving at the last minute.
That is a great issue.
CFA Capt Greg Kennedy: The combination of the road network being the country road network of
some 60 years ago, coupled with a significant increase in residents
and population means that the area will become clogged with vehicles during any emergency.
The leave early message is important because if residents don't heed the
warning, there's a very, very real possibility that they won't be able to
leave this area in times of a major bushfire. Sgt Keith Walker: We only have one bridge
here, a two lane bridge, crossing Kangaroo Ground Road and another bridge at Fitzsimons
Lane possibly five kilometers away. We have a narrow road in between those
two exit and entry points.
Should we have a motor car collision occur anywhere on those bridges those
eight thousand people or so trying to flee are going to find it extremely hard.
Nick Rodway CFA: If they're here and fires are already in the area it's too late to leave.
Our roads are narrow.
We have bush right up to the edges of the road.
We've got fire trucks trying to come in as residents are trying to leave and it
just creates congestion. If they are gonna stay and defend,
then that needs to be a clear plan from the start. They can't change halfway through because
that's when -- you know, that's the inherent dangers.
And if they are staying to defend, they need to properly prepare their homes and themselves.
It's not as easy as, you know, just staying here and putting out a few little embers,
there's a fair bit of psychological and physical pressure that comes with it.
It makes it very difficult for, you know, for some of the strongest people to stay
and defend. So they need to be very clear on their
plan and they need to prepare as best they can.
Male Speaker: Being prepared for a bushfire is essential.
Have a personal survival plan that includes a backup plan.
Keep your property fire ready. This includes simple things that may save
you and your home in a bushfire. Know the standard emergency warning
signal and heed important professional advice and signals on your mobile phone,
television, and radio in a bushfire emergency.
Nick Rodway CFA: No matter how prepared you think you are, it will always helps to get
a second opinion or a professional opinion to come out.
And really stop and consider whether you can really handle what may come.
CFA Capt Greg Kennedy: Your plan shouldn't be to rely upon going to a Place of Last Resort.
It is as it's called a place of absolute last resort.
Nick Rodway CFA: It's too dangerous to wait and see if the fire is gonna be bad,
if you think you can stay and defend, because once the fire is already started, it's too late
to leave. So you need to be prepared from before
the summer. Are we gonna stay or are we gonna leave?
And if you gonna leave, you need to leave early.
Sgt Keith Walker: I think everyone needs to think about what happened on Black Saturday.
It could happen to us here.
Lots of people in those areas were self sufficient. They had lots of emergency gear to assist
them in a bushfire. Unfortunately, a lot of them perished.
So if they're unsure, at very minimal, get out.
CFA Capt Greg Kennedy: There's a belief in our community that a fire truck will come to
your property in times of a bushfire. It's just not possible for us to be able
to do that. Demand well and truly exceeds the supply.
We do our best, but we can't guarantee that we will be able to get to your property.
Therefore, you need to plan accordingly.
You need to have your own plan, you need to understand the plan, and you need to
implement it. Don't wait and see.
Have a plan and act accordingly.
Male Speaker: Call the CFA's Home Bushfire Advice Service on 03-9262-8501.
And undertake a free bushfire assessment of your property.
Don't wait and see.
If a bushfire emergency is imminent, plan early and leave early.