Family focus for bushfires

By Tania Martin
A KALORAMA couple last week highlighted the importance of having a bushfire plan for the upcoming fire season.
Chris and Roy Clark opened their property to the Minister for Emergency Services, Tim Holding, and the Minister for Environment, John Thwaites, to help promote bushfire readiness.
Mr Thwaites said Victoria was one of the most bushfire-prone areas in the world and those who choose to live in high-risk areas such as the Dandenong Ranges need a fire plan.
He said residents need to decide whether to stay and defend their homes or leave early, and they need a plan for whatever actions they decide to take.
Mr Holding said it was vital for people living in risk areas to have a plan in place to leave home early or to stay and defend their property on days of extreme danger.
“Having a bushfire survival plan can significantly minimise the danger to people’s lives and their homes,” Mr Holding said.
The Clarks have decided to stay and defend their home and have set about planning for a bushfire.
Chris said after experiencing the 1998 fire she and Roy decided on a plan if a bushfire again threatened their home.
Preparing for the summer fire season, the Clarks spoke to the CFA about what they needed to do to prepare and found out what was involved in defending their home.
Chris last week showed Mr Thwaites and Mr Holding a number of items they have prepared to fight a fire threatening their home.
She said that she and Roy were confident that if a fire did threaten their home they could fight it.
“If we weren’t confident we would leave,” she said.
Anyone wanting to know more about making a bushfire plan should contact the CFA on 9262 8444 or the Australian Bushfire Information Line on 1800 240 667.