Fire Authorities told me I may have to Evacuate!
By jennybianca
@jennybianca (12912)
Australia
December 7, 2009 8:58pm CST
Late yesterday I received information from the Country Fire Association that I live in a high fire risk area. Due to the devastating fires in Victoria last year, where nearly 200 people died, our Governments and Fire authorities have come up with new procedures for people living in High risk areas.
Now I have to formulate a plan for a high fire risk day. I am not allowed to wait for a bushfire to start before I decide on a plan.
I need to know where I am going to evacuate, what I am taking with me, and what I am doing with my pets. All this needs to be planned before hand.
We have 5 levels of fire risk. If a day is forecast to be catastrhopic fire risk, or extreme fire risk, I must evacuate, prefrebably the day before, or very early in the morning of the risk day.
If it is forecast high risk, I am allowed to stay home and fight the bushfire, but this is only if I am well prepared. This means have access to water and a pump, plus cleared land of 20 metres etc.
I dont think I have the facilities to fight a bush fire coming on my home.
I have told my daughter that we must make our plan within the next two weeks. I want to be prepared.
2 people like this
10 responses
@zed_k4 (17589)
• Singapore
8 Dec 09
So what's your plan going to be like? Hope nothing untoward will ever happen. Do you have relatives living in non-danger zones? Maybe you could request their permission to stay there for a little while, should you really need to evacuate. If not, I think you just have to hit the road and settle somewhere that you can find a place to crash in, but is safe definitely.
1 person likes this
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
9 Dec 09
My daughter and I discussed our plan in brief this morning. We are going to make up a list which is kept in a prominant place. The first priority will be the pets.
WE would have to make the decision, in part, the night before a catasrophic warning.
1 person likes this
@cerebellum (3863)
• United States
8 Dec 09
It is probably a good idea to have a plan in place before you need to execute it. Do you have to notify the authorities of what it is? What if you don't have a plan in place in the designated time period? Is there a fine or something? It would be terrible to have to leave your home and not know if things are ruined. You can't take everything with you. Getting someone to care for your pets would probably be the hardest part. If there are cats getting them to go anywhere would be a chore. I guess you'd have to cage them or something. If they were allowed to be out, they might try and return home or worse still get lost.
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
8 Dec 09
I dont believe I have to notify anyone of my evaucation plan, nor is there a fine for not implementing one. The consequences for not complying with the Fire Serrvice instructions are far worse.. on an extreme fire alert day, or catastrophic, if there is no plan activated, there is a very real chance I would loose my life in a bushfire.
My pets are the biggest worry. I have already worked out that the easist plan would to put the 2 cats in their carrier, the dog on a leash, the 2 birds in one cage, and take them off to the RSPCA who have kennels. They are about a 20 minute drive from me. I couldnt save the gold fish.
I would then have to return to my home, if given time, & retrieve some personal belongings. I need to make a list, so there is no time wasted.
@cerebellum (3863)
• United States
9 Dec 09
Sounds like a good plan. It's a shame you couldn't think of anything for the fish. Taking your pets to a kennel would be good then you wouldn't have to worry about them. I hope you don't have to test your plan.
@ElusiveButterfly (45941)
• United States
9 Dec 09
Wow, I didn't realize that you were in such a high risk area. I often wonder about people living in such areas. You really never know what can happen. Best to be safe than sorry and it is a good idea to get planning soon. Big huggers to you.
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
9 Dec 09
I didnt realise I was in a high risk area. I knew I was in a risk area for flying embers and such like, but the high risk warning is new. I guess thats because fire authorities have learnt over the years what situations are more likely to be risky.
Its more to do with wildfires too.
@pinklilly (3443)
• Australia
9 Dec 09
A very good idea to have a fire plan.. Black Saturday was such a disaster and happend so quick nobody had warning.. My father lost his property in that disater and he is still trying to restablish.. It is so scary to have to live with trying to fight the fire. It is a Big risk of your life... I would evacuate with the important things, Your life and family and important paper work.. Good luck
1 person likes this
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
9 Dec 09
My goodness, your Fasther lost his property! Thats terrible. Was he living there at the time?
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
8 Dec 09
I think it is a good ideas as it is better to be safe than sorry. I my area of Georgia some residents have to have an extra flood insurance policy. Luckily I my home is on one of the highest levels and does not fall into a flood zone. However as the city of Savannah is at sea level we get plagued with streets flooding after heavy rain.
1 person likes this
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
9 Dec 09
I discovered recently that my house and contents insurance is not adequate and Im really to have to try and afford upgrading it.
We dont get floods, but I guess evcauation procedures would be similar.
@leeloo (1492)
• Portugal
8 Dec 09
I quickly looked up online if there were any generic fire safety plans that would be easily adapted to your home. Queensland has a help page
http://www.fire.qld.gov.au/communitysafety/bushfire/default.asp
Here because of forest fires most fire brigades will send out someone if asked to verify the fire risk. It is very admirable to be prepared as it is very scary seeing a wall of fire heading towards your home. Also try to do a dry run to give yourself an idea of how much time things take, remember pets become extremely stressed and may need more coaching so give yourself enough time to get everything done and to keep safe.
All the best.
1 person likes this
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
9 Dec 09
The trial run is a very good idea, especially in view of transporting 5 pets all at once!
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
8 Dec 09
I hope you don't have to, but you definitely need a plan just in case. I am glad they are coming up with a plan of action, to try to reduce the amount of casualties.
1 person likes this
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
9 Dec 09
It was essential for the fire authorities and the government to prepare people, as the casualities frtom the fires earlier this year were shocking.
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
8 Dec 09
Thank you. The best thing is for me to plan for the worst, and hope it never happens.
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
8 Dec 09
What a threat to live under Jenny. In your shoes, I'd most definitely have a plan though. I couldn't bear to lose certain things or animals in a fire. Let's just hope it doesn't come to evacuation for you, but I do hope you will be prepared...........
1 person likes this
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
8 Dec 09
I think its best to be prepared for the worst. Some of our countries recent bushfires have been catastrophic. Even with the advances in fire fighting techniques, fire fighters are unable to control wildfires. Our bush conditions, heat and wind direction & speed our too severe.
@FRANCISCOANDLEE (750)
• United States
8 Dec 09
It is a very good idea to have a plan made for evacuation no matter what the out come of these fires are. I know I lived in S Carolina for 8yrs and had to have a Hurricane plan.
Go to Walmart if you haven't already and get a clear plastic container with a secure lid to place all your important papers. birth certificates, ss cards, credit card and bank info, home deed and by all means do not forget insurance policies and important phone numbers (agents). Pack a suit case with enough clothes for a weeks or so and take cash. debits and credit cards are good and you will need them yes, but nothing like needing gas and finding the atm's not working and such. Also make sure the gas tank is full so you don't have to make a stop, you can just head out and get yourself,family and pets to safety.
Far as your pets start making calls now many hotels will accept pets especially in cases like this, even many animal hotels, groomers and spas will keep your pets for a very low cost if any at all during a crisis. Good luck . Keep and stay prepared you just never know.
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
9 Dec 09
A lot of your suggestions here are exactly what the fire authrorities recommend. I guess it would be similar in evacuating due to a hurricane.
I am already planning to ring the RSPCA to make sure they would take our pets in their kennels.
