Fire Preparedness
This was particularly important to me last night as I realised how unprepared I was. We have been listening to the radio since the first evening of the Kinglake fire, my husband had listened in all day then told me about it. We listen to 774 I think. It is the station you listen to if you want to know what is going on and they give out instructions to people who are in fire prone areas.
My son rang me last night with details of a fire 1/2 hour from us by car, but actually closer in miles I think than 30 miles. (30 miles 30 minutes at 60pmh.)
This morning it was featured heavily on this map, and now it has been removed which I guess to mean good news.
Last night my son was urging me after I spoke with him about if we were had to leave here early where would we go; to go onto the NSW Rural Fire Service site to see where other fires were that may be blocking roads. On this site I found details on what to bring if you chose to leave your house. This was discussed on Kez's blog and I thought rather than post more comments, sorry Kez, I would post my own things I have learnt the past few days.
Here is a pdf of a relocation kit. It includes battery operated radio and spare batteries, eye glasses, mobile phone, medication, wallet, clothes, money, bottled water for each person, phone numbers, documents, photos and those things, natural fibre blankets and toys.
We have been looking today at a radio from Dick Smith, I feel we need to have one. Not sure if it is the right one for us yet, still working on it. In the meantime, our daughter's mobile phone has a radio in it, but I heard my husband mention something about earpiece. For those with a Telstra mobile phone for the new network, our battery isn't working at the moment, have to get a new one, did try and have to try again.
Early on we heard that you have to know to leave or stay yourself, by listening to the radio. It was a few days ago so I am sketchy on the details.
The fire we were worried about last night was near a power line so we were worried we may have lost power.
Comments
Often people believe according to them that they will be able to get out if they choose to,Sometimes leaving is'nt an option.
You need to have Plans A,B,C.
It is also often thought a fire will come when say Hubbys home and it's daylight or on a weekend...This too may not be the case.
It has been so tragic and heart wrenching.
In GOd we trust...
Stay safe
Hard to believe when we are in cold rain and snow...
God be with you,
Julie
I remember a friend who lived in a deep canyon in the Black Hills of South Dakota. She saw flames and was panicking - and starting to load up her horses and dogs - went in to tell son to get his rear in gear and he said "Mom, have you seen the fantastic Northern Lights tonight?"
She felt dumb, but then made sure she had a plan just in case there was a fire next time!
Blessings
It is too bad that it takes an emergency to realise how important it is to prepare for the worst, but better late than never! I know we are fairly well prepared for an emergency like a massive snowstorm or flood (both of which happened two years ago). Wildfire is another major concern up here, so I do sympathize with your situation.
I hope you and your family stay safe and I also hope that there are no more fatalities from this tragedy.
On an aside - I saw your map and notice there is a Lismore in Victoria - small world as they actually played cricket in "my" Lismore some years back, my son broke his collarbone during that international! There are a few Lismores in Australia, we are twinned with the NSW one near Byron Bay.
Now I am hoping my heat rash goes away.
I will pop over to your blog with the link. I think it has advice about photos too.