Code Red fire refuges

By Tania Martin
HILLS residents could soon have somewhere safe to evacuate to on Code Red fire danger days this summer.
Kallista’s Jo Tenner has formed a group to organise places for people to go out the danger zone.
She is calling for volunteers to help.
“Last year a lot of people hung out at shopping malls or fast food outlets.
“This project aims to give them a better place to go where they can wait out the day in relative comfort,” Ms Tenner said.
The proposed venues will be located within urban areas of outer eastern Melbourne and will feature air-conditioning and kitchen facilities.
Ms Tenner has researched a number of options including the possibility of opening one the Shire of Yarra Ranges relief centres.
However it costs more than $10,000 to open the centres for one day.
“They (relief centres) are not the most comfortable places to spend a long day in high temperatures. I realised we could do this at much less cost,” Mr Tenner said.
She has found a number of community houses, sports halls and churches that are willing to help out.
The aim is to find somewhere comfortable for residents to go for at least 12 hours.
A range of venues will be available from Wantirna South to Mitcham, Blackburn, Burwood and even to Box Hill.
They will be advertised a website which can be booked at short notice over the summer months.
“It turns out there are an amazing array of community facilities that are under utilised over summer,” Ms Tenner said.
She also hopes to discuss how to make arrangement to care for pets that residents want to evacuate.
“Some of the venues will not be able to accommodate large numbers of cats and dogs but we have some good ideas on how to manage that issue,” Ms Tenner said.
Bookings for the centres are not yet available but the group will let residents know when the website is up and running.
Anyone interested in joining the group should contact Ms Tenner on 0408 023 386.