4796 CFA Fire Ready Survival Guide FA2 Web

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cfa.vic.gov.au Version 1

YourGuide toSurvival


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You dont have to live inthe country to be at risk.

Fires can occur wherethe suburbs meet thebush or in urban areaswhere houses have grass,bushland or parklandaround them.

Am I at risk of re?

Close to or amonggrass or paddocks

Near coastalscrub

Close to or amongdense or open bush

Where suburbs meetthe bush or grasslands

Fires occur in all these areas:

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How bad is the risk today?

KNOW YOUR DAILY FIRE DANGER RATING KNOW YOUR RESTRICTIONS

Total Fire Bans tell you what you can and cant do andwhat activities are banned on certaindays during high re risk months.

Fire Danger Ratings (FDR) tell you how dangerous a re would beif one started the higher the rating,the more dangerous the conditions.

Know which re weather district you live in orare visiting. This is vital re danger ratingsand total re bans are declared by district.

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CODE RED

TOTAL FIRE BAN

Mallee

Wimmera

South West

North East

NorthCentral

NorthernCountry

Central

West & SouthGippsland

EastGippsland


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Can I or cant I?

Burning off

Once re restrictions come into force for your shire

or council (known as the Fire Danger Period*),you cannot light a re in the open air unless youhave a permit or comply with certain restrictions.

You need a permit toburn off during the FireDanger Period.

You can apply for a permit bycontacting your local shireor council. You must alsonotify Emergency ServicesTelecommunications Authority or ESTA of your burn off bycalling 1800 668 511.

You will need to tell them:

the location the date expected start and nish times what you intend to burn the estimated size of the

burn off.

* The Fire Danger Periodbegins in the lead up to there season and is declared byCFA for each shire or council.Go to cfa.vic.gov.au or yourlocal shire or council forup-to-date information.

Can I have a BBQ,light a campreor light a re forwarmth or comfort?

Can I use achainsaw, plantor grass trimmeror lawn mower?

Can I use self-propelled farmmachinery, tractors, slashers,earth-moving, excavatingor road-making machinespropelled by a heat engine?

mfb.vic.gov.au cfa.vic.gov.au

CAN I OR CANT I?Updated August 2012

This brochure details what you can and cant do during declared Fire Danger Periods, and on days ofTotal Fire Ban, when res in the open air are legally restricted.CFA declares Fire Danger Periods municipality by municipality at the onset of warmer weather. Theserestrictions are in place until 1 May unless revoked or varied. In State forests, National, State and RegionalParks and on protected pub lic land, re restrictions are in force all year round. Contact local DSE and ParksVictoria of ces for advice on re restrictions for these areas.Total Fire Bans are declared by CFA on days when res a re likely to spread rapidly and be dif cult to control.The penalties for lighting res illegally during the Fire Danger Period and on Total Fire Ban Days include

large nes and possible imprisonment.

Can I or cant I? During Fire Danger Period On Total Fire Ban DaysCan I have a barbecue,light a camp re or lighta re for warmth orcomfort?

YESBut only if:

The wind is not more than 10 kph The re is lit in a properly constructed

replace or in a trench at least30 centimetres deep

The area within a distance of 3 metres fromthe outer perimeter of the barbecue is clearof ammable material

The re does not occupy an area inexcess of 1 square metre and the sizeand dimensions of solid fuel used are theminimum necessary for the purpose

Aperson is in attendance at all times whilethe re is alight and has the capacity andmeans to extinguish the reThe re is completely extinguished beforethe person leaves.

Note that in accordance with the CFA Act,a properly constructed replace means a

replace that is constructed of stone, metal,concrete or any other non- ammable materialso as to contain the perimeter of the re.

Acommercially produced barbecue would beconsidered a properly constructed replace.

YES

NO

Barbecues that are xed appliances: red by gas or electricity, being permanently

xed structures built of stone, metal,concrete or another non- ammable materialdesigned exclusively for meal preparation

or that use only gas or electricity, aredesigned and commercially manufacturedexclusively for meal preparation (includingportable barbecues), and when alight areplaced in a stable position, provided that:

the area within a distance of 3 metres fromthe outer perimeter of the barbecue is clearof ammable material

you have either a hose connected toa water supply or a vessel with at least10 litres of water for immediate use

an adult is there at all times when the reis alight who has the capacity and meansto extinguish the re

the re is completely extinguished beforethe adult leaves.

Camp res, res for warmth or personalcomfort are banned during Total Fire Ban Days.Solid and liquid fuel barbecues and ovens arealso banned during Total Fire Ban Days.

I run a meal preparationbusiness (eg. catering),or am a community/charitable/fundraisingor similar organisation.Can I set up and lighta re to operate abarbecue or a spit atoutdoor functions?

YESBut only if:

The wind is not more than 10 kph The re is lit in a properly constructed

replace or in a trench at least30 centimetres deepThe area within a distance of 3 metresfrom the outer perimeter of the appliance(barbecue or spit) is clear of ammablematerial

The re does not occupy an area of morethan 1 square metre and the size anddimensions of solid fuel used are theminimum necessary for the purpose

Aperson is in attendance at all times whilethe re is alight and has the capacity andmeans to extinguish the re

The re is completely extinguished beforethe person leaves.

YESBut only if you have a written permit issuedby CFAor MFB and you comply with theconditions of that permit.

Acommunity organisation, a charitable organisationor an organisation involved in fundraising(for example, a school or sporting group involvedin fundraising) may apply for permission to light a

re to prepare meals for other people in the courseof their business. These permits are issued by and at the discretion of local CFADistrict of ces,CFAHeadquarters or MFB Zone of ces.

Municipal Fire Prevention Of cers cannot issuethese permits.

There are legal restrictions in place during the Fire Danger Period and on Total Fire Ban Days .The Can I or Cant I brochure (pictured below) details what you can or cant do when res in theopen air are restricted. Go to cfa.vic.gov.au/can to view this important brochure.

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Big decisions

10 important decisions tomake with your family

Which Fire Danger Ratingis your trigger to leave?

Will you leave earlythat morning or thenight before?

Where will you go?

What route will you take and what is your backup route if a re is alreadyin the area?

What will you takewith you?

What are you going to dowith your pets or livestock?

Who else do you needto talk to about whereyou are going?

Is there anyone outsideyour neighbourhood thatyou need to help or checkup on?

How will you stay informedabout warnings andupdates?

What will you do if thereis a re in the area andyou cannot leave?

Leaving early whatdoes it mean?Leaving early means beingaway from high risk areasbefore there are any signs ofre. It does not mean waitingfor a warning or a siren. It doesnot mean waiting to see orsmell smoke. And it certainlydoes not mean waiting fora knock on the door.

Fires can start and spreadvery quickly. Leaving early is

the safest option for anyonein a high risk bushre area.Many people have died tryingto leave at the last minute.

At the very least, here are ten things you should discuss anddecide with your family before the re season even starts.

When you decide to leaveis the most importantdecision you will make.

Driving in a bushre is

extremely dangerous and canbe fatal. A drive that wouldnormally take ve minutescould take two hours with roadclosures, trafc jams, crashes,smoke, fallen trees and embersgetting in the way.

Plan ahead so you know howyou will leave. Know differentroutes to get out of the area some may be closed if a reis already burning nearby.

Its up to you to decide whereyou will go on a high risk day.Dont wait and see.

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Pack an EmergencyKit with essential itemsand keep it in a handyplace.

Scan important documentsand photos onto a memorystick.

Buy a battery-operated

radio, powerful torchand extra batteries.

Save important contactnumbers in your mobilephone. Include family,friends and the VictorianBushre Information Line.Have a spare mobilephone that you keep fullycharged for emergencies.Save the FireReady appif you have a smartphone.

Set aside protectiveclothing (long-sleeved,made from natural materialsuch as cotton) for eachmember of the family.

Put woollen blankets

in your car for protectionin case you get caughton the road.

Practise packing yourcar so you know howlong it will take.

Mark your main routes,including back up routesand petrol stations onhard copy maps. Checkcfa.vic.gov.au to seeif your town or suburbhas a CommunityInformation Guide map.

Make arrangementswith anyone you planto visit or stay with whenyou leave early.

Talk to neighbours ornearby friends about waysyou can help each other.

Dont forget pets. Makesure pet containers arein your Emergency Kitor packed in the car. Ifyou have horses, makesure you can move themsomewhere else if theywont be safe on yourproperty.

Before the re season

Remember to prepare foryour pets as well. Makesure your pet is wearingan identication tag andadd the following itemsto your Emergency Kit:

suitable transport

carriers or leash any medications

dietary supplements

food and drinking water

a familiar item (toy,bed, treats) to helpreduce stress.

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Your Emergency KitOvernight bag withchange of clothes,toiletries and sanitarysupplies

Important items photo ID passport

photos will jewellery insurance papers

Medicines andrst-aid kit

Adequate amountof water and food

Contact information doctor council power company

Mobile phoneand charger

Battery-powered radio,torch and spare batteries

Woollenblankets

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On re risk days

Stay updated by usingmore than one source ofinformation so you willknow if a re has startednear you.

Move livestock to a safearea and put your petsin a safe place ready forloading in the car.

Pack personal items suchas a change of clothingfor each person and toysfor children and pets andput them in the car.

If your car is behind anelectric garage dooror gate, take it out andposition it in the drivewayfacing out or on the sideof the road.

Remove any materialsthat could burn easilyfrom around your house,on decks, verandahsand pergola areas. Thisincludes mats, outdoorfurniture and wood piles.

Last things to dobefore you leave:

Add nal items to yourEmergency Kit such asmedications, prescriptions,mobile phone chargers,pet food and water foreveryone.

Pack the car, rememberingyour most important itemssuch as wallet, cards,keys, banking, medicaland insurance documents(these should be easilyaccessible on a USB stickor in an expanding le).

Turn off the gas supply.

Block the downpipes andpartially ll the gutters withwater, only if you have time.

Make sure everyone iswearing or has access toprotective clothing longpants, long-sleeved shirtsand sturdy shoes suchas leather boots. Clothesshould be loose ttingand made from naturalbres like pure wool, heavycotton drill or denim. Donot wear synthetics.

Tell people you are leaving.

Close all doors andwindows and lock doors.

Leave the front or accessgate open.

Dont wait and see.You should never waitand see what happensduring a bushre.Leaving late means youwill be on the road whenconditions are at theirmost dangerous or youmay not be able to getout at all.The longer you wait toleave, the greater therisk to your life.

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Staying informed

Check theFireReady

App forup-to-dateFire DangerRating andTotal Fire Baninformation, as well asinformation, warnings andthe locations of current res.Download the App free for

Apple and Android devices.

Make it your habit to: check your FDR

every day duringthe re season

know if it is a TFB day check for warnings,

especially on hot, drywindy days.

ADVICE There is a re in your local area. You need to get information and monitorconditions.

WATCH AND ACT Fire is heading towardyou. Conditions are changing and you needto start taking action now to protect yourself.

EMERGENCY WARNING You are inimmediate danger and need to act now.

You will be impacted by re.

During the re season,its up to you to stayinformed

Levels of warnings

There are three different levels ofwarnings Advice, Watch and Actand Emergency Warning. Dontexpect warnings to be issuedin any particular order. The rstwarning you hear about could

even be an Emergency Warning.

WHATS THE DIFFERENCE?

WARNINGS AND UPDATES

FIRE DANGER RATINGS tell youhow dangerous a re would beif one started.

TOTAL FIRE BANS tell you what youcan or cant do on days where re willspread rapidly and be out of control.

WARNINGS tell you that a re has already started.

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CODE RED

TOTAL FIRE BAN


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Where to nd warningsand updates

Local NewsListen to ABC Local Radio,commercial and designatedcommunity radio stationsand watch Sky News TV.

Social Media

Twitter @CFA_Updates and facebook.com/cfavic

1800 240 667 The Victorian BushreInformation Line (VBIL)is a freecall.

OnlineCFA website: cfa.vic.gov.auDEPI website: depi.vic.gov.auMFB website: mfb.vic.gov.au

VicEmergency website:emergency.vic.gov.au

1800 555 677

Callers who are deaf, hard ofhearing, or have a speech/communication impairmentcan contact VBIL via theNational Relay Service.

131 450

If you do not speak English,call the Translating andInterpreting Service fortranslated information.

You may receive anSMS to your mobile phone.

You may receive a callto your landline phone.

IN SOME CIRCUMSTANCES

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Emergency Alert isa system used byemergency services tosend voice messagesto landlines andtext messages tomobile phones aboutemergencies. For more

information, go toemergencyalert.gov.au

Do not rely on an ofcial warning to leave. Bushrescan start quickly and threaten homes and lives withinminutes. If you receive a warning, you must take itseriously. Failure to act can be fatal.

Look and listen for information for nearby townsas your suburb or town may not be mentioned.

Know your local emergency broadcasterThese include:

ABC local radio SKY NEWS TV UGFM Radio Murrindindi Stereo 974 Plenty Valley FM Various commercial stations across Victoria.

You can nd a complete list at recommissioner.vic.gov.au

If you see ames ora column of smoke,always call 000

immediately.

When to look for warningsThere are different situations when you might need to monitor and check for re warnings and updates.

WHEN WHAT TO DO

Its a hot, dry, windy day During summer, check regularly for updates. Fires can startsuddenly at any time.

Its a re risk day. You have leftearly, or are preparing to do so.

Ensure the route you have planned is safe. Stay up to dateabout res in your area. Know when it is safe to return.

I can see or smell smoke inthe air and I want to checkwhat is going on.

Check the VicEmergency website or the FireReady Appto see if there are signs of a re in your area.

Im staying to defendon a re risk day.

It is important that you know at the earliest possible stageif a re is in your area so that you can implement your plan.Once you are aware of a re, continue to monitor updates.

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During a fire

Bushres are scary and stressful.Understanding what to expectand having a plan about whatyou will do can help you cope.

What to expect Embers and spot res moving

ahead of the main re Smoke, heat, noise and

darkness Lack of visibility, making it

hard to know where the reis. Travel will be dangerous

Fires approaching from anydirection (or two directionsat once)

Burning embers landingaround your property formany hours before or afterthe main re front has passed

Roads blocked by fallen

branches, powerlinesand emergency vehicles.

How you might feel Confused Disorientated

(dont know where you are) Unable to breathe properly Scared

Thirsty and hungry Tired.

Expect disruptionsto servicesDisruptions to telephoneservice, internet and mainspower and water are commonduring a re or on a re risk day.

Dont rely on having mainspower and water. If the powergoes out, you will not be ableto use:

Cordless phones Remote control garage

doors, electric gates orsimilar devices

Computer and the internet Air conditioners and coolers Electric pumps.

The best way toprepare yourselfmentally is to have awritten and practisedplan that everyonein your householdunderstands and has

agreed to. This helpsreduce confusionand time wasting.

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Radiant heatRadiant heat is the intenseheat that radiates from abushre. It is like the heat youfeel from a campre, but canbe up to 50,000 times stronger.Radiant heat can causesurfaces to catch alight,crack or break windows.

Radiant heat is the biggestkiller in a re. The human bodysimply cannot absorb largeamounts of radiant heat.

Radiant heat can be blockedby a solid object such as aconcrete wall or building.

If you are caught outside in are try to protect yourself by:

Covering up exposed skin Being as far away as you

can by doubling yourdistance from the re youcan reduce the radiantheat load by four times

Getting behind a solid object Staying away from windows

as radiant heat can passthrough glass.

The only sure way tosurvive a bushre andavoid radiant heat isto leave early and beaway from the threat.

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Embers Embers are burning twigs,

leaves and pieces of debris. Embers are carried by the

wind and land ahead or awayfrom the main re in unburntareas and can start new res these are called spot res.

Ember attack occurs whentwigs and leaves are carriedby the wind and land on oraround a building.

Embers can land on topof debris in your guttersand set re to your house.

Ember attack is the mostcommon way housescatch re during bushres.

Ember attack can happen

before, during and afterthe bushre.

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WindWind has a signicantinuence on the:

Speed that a re spreads Direction that a re travels

and the size of the re front Intensity of a re, by

providing more oxygen Likelihood of spotting.

Burning pieces of leaves,twigs and bark (embers)are carried ahead of there by winds, causing newres to start. These areknown as spot res.

Wind change A change in wind directionis one of the most dangerousinuences on how a rebehaves.

Many people who die inbushres get caught duringor after the wind change.

In Victoria, hot, dry windstypically come from thenorth and north-west andare often followed by asouth-west wind change.

A change in wind directioncan change the size of there front. This makes winda very dangerous factorin a bushre.

FIRE

STARTING

POINTN

SW

WI NDDI R E

C T I ON

FIRE

STARTING

POINT

W I N D

D I R E

C T I O

N

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If caught in a buildingIf sheltering in a building duringa bushre, make sure you havemore than one exit in everyroom used as a shelter. Mostbathrooms are unsuitable toshelter in. They typically haveonly one door which can makeescape impossible if that exitis blocked by ames and heat.

Any place of shelter withina house or building shouldhave two points of exit.

Most bathrooms also havefrosted windows that do notlet you see outside duringa bushre it is important thatyou can to look outside and

know what is happening.

If your house catches rewhile you are inside, youwill need to act quickly.

Close the door to theroom that is on re.

Move to the other endof the house, closing allthe doors behind you.

Do not get trapped ina room with only one exit.

Move outside to burntground as soon as you can.

Wherever possible, try toput a solid object betweenyou and the radiant heatfrom the re.

Drink water to preventdehydration.

If you are caught

in a carTake the following actions ifyou come across smoke orames and are not able to turnaround and drive to safety.

1) Position the car tominimise exposureto radiant heat:

Park away from densebush and long grass try to nd a clearing.

If possible, park behinda barrier such as a wallor rocky outcrop.

The car should ideally facetowards the oncoming refront.

Park off the roadway andturn hazard lights on. Carcrashes are common inbushres due to not beingable to see the road clearly.

2) To increase yourchances of survival:

Stay in the car and tightlyclose windows and doors.

Cover up with woollenblankets and get downbelow window level youneed to protect yourselffrom radiant heat whichwill pass through glass.

Drink water to preventdehydration.

3) As soon as you becomeaware that the re frontis close by:

Shut all vents and turnoff the air conditioning.

Turn off the engine.

Survival options

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Communityfire refuge

Well-preparedneighbours home

Well-preparedhomePrivate

bunker

NeighbourhoodSafer Place

(Place of last resort)

Ploughed paddockand reserve

Stationarycars

Swimmingpool

Dam

River

Well PreparedIf leaving the high risk area is no longeran option, there may be options closeto where you are that could protect you.

These include: a well-prepared home (yours or your

neighbour's) that you can activelydefend on Severe and Extreme Fire Danger Rating days only

private bushre shelter (bunker)that meets current regulations

designated community re refuge. Your safety is not guaranteed

Leave Early When the Fire Danger Rating

is Code Red , leaving early isalways the safest option.

Leave early destinations couldinclude homes of family andfriends who live outside the riskarea, a nearby town or otherbuilt-up area.

Always the safest option

Last ResortIn situations where no other optionsare available, taking shelter in oneof the below may protect you fromradiant heat:

Neighbourhood Safer Place(Place of Last Resort)

stationary car in a clear area ploughed paddock or reserve body of water (i.e. beach,

swimming pool, dam, river etc).

High risk of trauma, injury or death.

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Notes

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Dial: 000 If you see smoke, ame or embers

Victorian Bushre Information Line (VBIL)for re warnings and updates: 1800 240 667

Translating and Interpreting Service: 131 450

National Relay Service: 1800 555 677

www.cfa.vic.gov.auwww.depi.vic.gov.auwww.emergency.vic.gov.au

4796 CFA Fire Ready Survival Guide FA2 Web

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