Meetings held about fires

Several public meetings have been held in the Peninsula area, following the New Year's Day fires.

They were part of a process of keeping residents informed of bush fire control.

Residents were able to ask questions of a number of agencies and to seek advice on future prevention.

One such meeting was held at Woy Woy South Progress Hall on Tuesday, January 10.

It was attended by representatives from the NSW Rural Fire Service, the NSW Fire Brigades, the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Department of Community Services (DoCS).

Residents received a "fire update" and learned that at that stage, fires burning in the Patonga area were the only remaining areas of concern.

Residents were advised not to climb onto their roofs to hose them as there were more injuries suffered by people falling off their roofs during bushfire emergencies than there were from any other cause.

"Roofs dry very quickly and it is more effective for residents to remain on the ground but vigilant with a water hose or bucket ready to put our embers and spot fires," said NSW Rural Fire Service spokesman Mr Bob McGrath.

Discussion also took place on areas of responsibility on land controlled by many agencies.

The meeting was informed that each case needed to be looked at individually and that in many cases a multi-agency agreement would need to be reached.

The DoCS officers present were part of the disaster recovery team and advised that they had been visiting occupants of fire affected residences offering counselling services and other assistance.

They also stated that they were likely to remain working in the area for some time.

Much of the meeting concentrated on future bush fire prevention and in particular, two initiatives from the NSW Fire Brigades that generated a great deal of interest.

The first was an attempt by the NSW Fire Brigades to identify properties with static water supplies in bushfire risk areas.

Mr Warren Page from the NSW Fire Brigades Region North said that often when fighting bush fires, there was a lack of water pressure because of the high usage by residents and this hampered fire fighting.

By having a small sign, supplied by the brigade, in a visible location with the letters SWS on it, fire fighters will know immediately that there is a static water supply available, such as a swimming pool and that they can use their pumps to draw the water for fire fighting purposes.

"The swimming pool provides an ideal emergency water supply for fire fighters using small portable pumps and hose lines to protect your home and possessions", Mr Page said.

Any pool water used for this purpose is replaced at no charge and residents were encouraged to contact the fire brigades to obtain a SWS sign.

The second initiative is the establishment of Community Fire Units (CFUs).

A CFU is a volunteer team of local residents trained to safeguard their homes during a bush fire until the Fire Brigades get there.

They are provided with basic fire fighting equipment to the value of $15,500 including pumps, hoses and protective clothing to hose down areas surrounding their properties to prevent a bush fire from gaining hold.

A team is made up of six to 12 members and the focus is on bushfire education, prevention and preparation.

Training is provided and team members need to remain informed of the latest techniques.

CFUs are not expected to fight raging fires.

There are already three CFUs established on the Central Coast.

Residents wishing to find out more information should contact their local fire station.

Bush Fire Wise advice cards with a magnet on the back were also given to residents to help with advice if needed in an emergency.

Cec Bucello, January 12