Boots, gloves and goggles are part of safety gear.By Kath Gannaway
HAVING the right equipment, whether it’s a bucket and mop, or a pump and a dam full of water, is critical for anyone whose fire-plan includes staying to defend their property.
John Schauble is a CFA Yarra Area Community Safety officer and active CFA volunteer.
His advice is to look at what you are defending, what resources you have on hand and what you need to do the job.
“In some cases there is going to be some independent water supply to start with and that will determine the level of equipment you can use,” he said.
“If you have a tank, swimming pool or dam – a lot of water – you will want to be able to move it efficiently and would be looking at a five or six horsepower petrol or diesel pump.”
Don’t rely on an electric pump, he cautioned.
In other cases a mop, bucket and backpack sprays will be sufficient to deal with embers and spot fires.
Mains water supply is also unreliable.
“When everyone starts using the mains water the water pressure drops. Add fire trucks hooking up and the pressure drops again.
“A couple of 44 gallon drums, a bathful of water, anything that will hold water, will help.”
Mr Schauble said most people on a suburban or bush block will already have some of the equipment needed such as rakes, shovels, mops and buckets, but it is also important to make sure they are in good condition.
It’s worth investing in quality hoses and if you are using pumps, canvas or rubberised hose will be needed.
Specialist pump outlets can usually advise on what is needed for particular jobs.
Knowing how to operate the pump is also critical and Mr Schauble suggested including neighbours in the loop.
“If they know a neighbour has a pump and how to work it they can help out if that person is not at home.
“It’s about sharing and co-operating,” he said.
Physically managing the equipment is another learning curve.
“People often don’t realise how hard it is to drag 30 metres of fully charged hose around so it’s important to practice using the equipment and to do it on a hot and windy day so they have a sense of what it will be like,” he said.
Other safety gear which needs to be part of the home-owner’s fire-fighting kit are a broad-brimmed hat, goggles, gloves, boots, non-synthetic clothing and a face covering to stop particles from being inhaled.
Mr Schauble said radiant heat in a bushfire is the killer so dressing appropriately and having plenty of drinking water on hand to stay well hydrated are vital.
“The Dandenongs and the Yarra Valley have some of the most fire-prone areas in the world and a long history of fires,” Mr Schauble said.
“People don’t need to let the expectation of fire ruin their summer, or run their lives, but they do need to accept that it will happen – we know that from history – and be prepared.”
