NSW Rural Fire Service Evacuation Policy'

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NSW Rural Fire Service Evacuation Policy.
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The Facts

• Mass evacuations of communities should not be
  undertaken (reduces the loss of both life and
  property).
• A well prepared house with capable educated
  occupiers greatly assist fire fighting
  authorities.
• Structures dont explode, three phases as the
  fire impacts- ember attack, radiated heat, direct
  flame impingement.
• Statistics higher relating to deaths as a result
  of people trying to out-run/drive a fire.
• No fire authority can protect every house.
• Construction regulations relating to high risk
  wildland urban interface areas are often viewed
  as onerous.

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Local risk management

• The Policy
• Locally based District Bush Fire Management
  Committees have agency stakeholders develop an
  Operations Plan Risk Management Plan.
• The Plans detail areas at risk fuel management
  strategies.
• Also, Community Education strategies from
  street-based self-help groups to school
  education programs to reduce risk of
  Wildland/urban interface fires.

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What it says

• Effective management of fuel loadings on the
  urban interface irrespective of the land tenure
• The creation of effective asset protection zones
  (defensible space) and building designs on the
  urban interface
• Education programs designed to inform the
  community how prepare their properties to
  withstand a wildland fire.

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• and
• A well informed/prepared community becomes more
  of a help than a hindrance to the fire services.
• The aged and infirmed, the very young and those
  with medical conditions, would be better cared
  for by being taken away from the impact zone.
  They require credible advanced information in
  order to assess their situation.
• If they decide to evacuate they should do so well
  ahead of the arrival of the fire.

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Finally..

• Community understanding for the need for ongoing
  mitigation measures, to focus on properly
  prepared structures on the interface can, in the
  main, be safe havens for the occupants and
  withstand the impact of wildland urban interface
  fires.

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?

• More information?
• http//www.rfs.nsw.gov.au

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QUESTIONS ?