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• Fire Ready - Summer Planning for All Victorians
• Municipal Fire Prevention
• Neighbourhood Safer Places Plan
• Key Messages and Definitions
• Emergency Telephone 000
• Identification and Management of Risk
• Fire Safety Plan
• Statistics on Structure Fires
• Have a Fire Plan Prepared
• Practice a Fire Drill
• Community Fire Guard
• Educate Your Children in Fire Awareness
• Further Information

Things to be aware of in the cooler months.
In this current, cooler Autumn/Winter period you need to be aware of the following:

• A local laws permit is required (throughout the year) to burn off in Township, Residential (including Low Density Residential), Business or Industrial zoned land unless the fire is lit for purpose of cooking food or for heating - when contained in a fire drum. 
• CFA restrictions were lifted on 28 February 2011 in the Shires of Mansfield, Benalla, Strathbogie, Wangaratta, Greater City of Shepparton, Gannawarra and Campaspe. Fire restrictions have also been lifted for the Mt Buller Mt Stirling Alpine Resort area.
• Rural and other areas not listed above can light a fire to dispose of tree pruning etc.
• The CFA encourages those lighting such a fire to "Register' their burn-off with VicFire - 1800 668 511.  This will assist the CFA greatly in case a member of the public calls it in as an "out of control" fire. Should such a call be received, the operator will ask further queries before turning out a Brigade.
• A person lighting a fire is responsible for any damage caused.  Adjoining property owners are to be notified of any planned or proposed fire before ignition.
• Material to be burnt should not be burnt in a manner that will cause a 'nuisance'.

For further information, please contact Council's Emergency Management Officer, Mr Kevin Murphy, on 5775 8555.

A new fact sheet is now available, which has been coordinated by the Department of Human Services with input from Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV), other Government departments and emergency services agencies.The fact sheet complements the ‘Relocation’ fact sheet circulated to all councils late last year (and available on the CFA website).

The purpose of the 2 page Fire Ready – Summer Planning fact sheet is to bring together key messages relating to heatwave, bushfire plans and relocation to assist communities in understanding new arrangements. The 2 page fact sheet also includes some common Q and As that might be of assistance to you and your family or friends.

Also available from http://www.health.vic.gov.au/bushfire/individuals/prepare.htm is a copy of the detailed Fire Ready guide that featured in the Herald Sun during November 2009 - (40 page - 8 mb).
Council’s Fire Prevention Officers carry out property inspections during the commencement of the fire danger period - usually October to early December and issue fire hazard direction notices for the clearing of non-complying properties. Fire hazards will continue to be monitored and appropriate action needs to be undertaken by all property owners to maintain their assets throughout the declared fire danger period.

Where works are not completed within the time frame nominated on a Fire Direction notice, Council will arrange for the works to be done and invoice the owner. An on-the spot infringement of $220 will also be issued.

• Relocation options may include family and friends places located in a safer area or shopping centres, swimming pools, libraries, community centres, neighbourhood houses, public halls, cinemas, leisure centres and other community facilities out of a high risk area.
• A 'Drop-in-Centre' will be able to be opened at the Mansfield Community Centre (Bank Place - Senior Citizens Room) as has been past practice from late last Summer in the event that those self relocating as a precaution need a quite place to sit (no family or friends to visit). This facility will be able to be established at short notice - on a request from Victoria Police, CFA or other emergency authority. It would be closed in the evening / overnight unless activated as a formal 'relief centre'. Pets would not be welcome.
• An emergency relief centre may be operated during an emergency event. They will only open if there is a fire or other emergency in the area. Activation of an emergency relief centre is determined by the Emergency Management Agencies and Council once the location and scale of an emergency is known, to ensure the safety of those attending the centre.

• Propery address/number
• Nearest crossroad/street
• Details about the fire

• The community cannot rely solely on the Emergency Services to protect them from fires
• Identify potential risks to life and property both inside and outside your home with a view to minimising the impact of loss
• Develop an action plan that recognises methods and treatments of identified risk, with each member of the family involved in the plan development and implementation
• Managing the environment that you live in may be as simple as relocating or rearranging an identified risk to minimise the potential fire threat, i.e. wood heap away from the house, correct LPG gas cylinder storage

Measures that can be implemented

• Remove branch heaps, derelict building materials, rake and remove excess surface fine fuels (i.e.: leaves, twigs, bark) retaining a fine layer not in excess of 20mm depth
• Keep grass cut to a height not exceeding 75mm length
• Access tracks to dwellings kept clear of vegetation (airspace of 4m x 4m)
• Cutback branches/foliage overhanging within 2 metres of your roofline. Clean out twigs and leaves from your roof gutter
• LP Gas cylinder storage on east side with pressure relief vents pointing away from buildings
• Isolate chemical storage and toxic materials away from your home
• Do not burn off rubbish unless safe/prepared

Install smoke detectors near kitchen and bedrooms. Replace the battery each year when daylight savings starts.

Power failure often occurs during a severe fire. To be prepared you should have:

• A battery operated radio (car radio can be used)
• Candles and/or torches

Fire service records indicate fires that kill and injure people occur far more frequently in the family home environment and are not related to wildfire.

• Most fires occur between 5pm & 7pm
• One quarter of fires start in the kitchen - oil & fat igniting cause about 60% of these fires
• 13% start in the lounge room
• 7% start in the bedroom
• One quarter of fires occur on a Saturday in the kitchen
• Candles and oil burners also cause many fires
• Two thirds of children who die in household fires are under 5 years of age
• Smoke inhalation and asphyxiation are the major causes of death due to fire

Wild Fire Threat in Rural Areas

• Dams – make sure you have clear vehicular access at all times
• Static Water Supply Tank – keep full throughout the summer period for fire fighting purposes
• Check Fire Fighting Equipment – have fully functional petrol or diesel powered pump fully fuelled (electricity may fail) and garden hoses that reach all parts of the buildings
• Seal your buildings against spark and ember intrusion

Important Survival Tips

• CALL ‘000’ to report any fire at the earliest opportunity
• Know how to accurately describe your property (i.e. rural number, distance to intersection)
• Plan your exit – ensure that the phone number of the fire brigade is near your phone (or call ‘000’)
• Ensure windows open freely
• Designate a meeting place outside, known by all family members
• Deadlocks (internal security locks) – leave key in lock or on holder close to door

Stop, Drop, Roll
If clothes catch fire, this procedure helps protect your face and respiratory tract from flames and rising heat. Throw a woollen blanket over person to smother flames.

Know First Aid
If burns are evident use clean cold water to cool the burn. DO NOT USE – butter, ice, cotton wool or ointments – seek professional help.

Exit through toxic smoke by moving close to the floor as the air is coolest and cleanest there.

A community education program made up of small groups of neighbours sharing information and knowledge can minimise potential loss of life and property by developing fire safety strategies.

For further information contact CFA Regional Headquarters, telephone (03) 5721 4122.

• Keep matches and lighters away from the reach of children
• Only teach older children to use matches/lighters in the presence of an adult
• Children need constant supervision near open fireplaces and bar radiators, and should be made aware of the radiant heat transmitted

Further Information
Further information on fire prevention and community safety can be obtained by contacting Council’s Fire Prevention Officer.

Mansfield Shire Council
33 Highett Street, Mansfield
Telephone: (03) 5775 8555
Facsimile: (03) 5775 2677
Email: council@mansfield.vic.gov.au

This information is provided for information purposes only. Although all care has been taken in the preparation and updating of the information no claim is made as to the accuracy or authenticity of the content. The Mansfield Shire Council, its employees, agents, consultants and representative do not accept any liability to any person for the information or advice (or the use of such information or advice) which is provided or incorporated into it by reference. The information is provided on the basis that all persons undertake responsibility for assessing the relevance and accuracy of the information and determining if the information is current.