In the current Grey Nomad newsletter Gavin asked for information for caravanners on the road in regard to Bush Fire Safety Plans.
I have been a Blue Mountains Fire Fighter for the past 38 years and now have the role as Community Safety Facilitator for four communities in the lower Blue Mountains.
Bushfire safety plans are available from any Rural Fire Brigade in NSW and on the Blue Mountains RFS website on www.bluemountains.rfs.nsw.gov.au then click on community safety where you can access a range of information and download a copy of the Bushfire Safety plan.
I have asked our organisation for specific material to be developed for people travelling in caravans etc, when this is available I will post it on this forum.
A few simple things that can help are a smoke alarm in your van and on days where the fire danger index is classified as extreem, catastrophic or there is a total fire ban DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES FREECAMP at these times also be very selective and ensure that the caravan park you stay in is not surrounded by bush.
In all states it is advisable when fire is likely to listen to the ABC radio as they provide regular updates.
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Life was meant to be enjoyed Australia was meant to be explored
Happily doing both to the Max.
Life is like a camera, focus on what's important & you will capture it every Time
If you have a android phone there are apps that give you updates. I have Victorian one in mine.
This web site gives some examples on other ideas. http://m.smh.com.au/small-business/resources/emergency-service-alerts--updates-in-your-state-or-territory-20120111-1pu07.html
Google fire apps will give many, just select the state you are in
Regards Brian
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11 Mtr house Boat based at Mannum hoping to travel up the Murray as far as I can get then drift back again
There are also two other smart phone apps that I have on my android phone and i am told there are the same apps for any smart phone if you search apps for FIRES NEAR ME this is a NSW RFS app but it does identify fires in other states. There is another app which is national and covers all different types of emergency incidents its called DISASTER WATCH.
Both of these apps are worth having if you are touring
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Life was meant to be enjoyed Australia was meant to be explored
Happily doing both to the Max.
Life is like a camera, focus on what's important & you will capture it every Time
28 or 38 years as a volunteer firefighter is one big committment in any ones book I hope to be able to share a drink with you some time and swap tales.
Its a real pitty that there are not more young people prepared to volunteer in any area of community service I know in my region our numbers are down considerably in recent years in RFS and SES, and I dont know how many active years us long term members have left.
I also wonder how many other fire fighters or SES people are members of the forum it would be interesting to know.
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Life was meant to be enjoyed Australia was meant to be explored
Happily doing both to the Max.
Life is like a camera, focus on what's important & you will capture it every Time
