Tourists in line of bushfire

By Tania Martin
DANDENONG Ranges Community Bushfire Group fears tourist could be in danger this summer despite the introduction of an early warning system (EWS).
Group spokeswoman Melanie Gajdek said although the system was a step forward there was still a lot more to be done.
Emergency Services Minister Bob Cameron announced the launch of the system on Wednesday last week (2 December).
He said people would now be alerted to emergencies through a voice message on landline telephones based on the location of the handset.
Text messages will also be sent to mobile phones based on the person’s billing address.
The system was fast-track this year following the devastating Black Saturday fires. It was highlighted as the number one concern for residents in the Dandenongs following the fires.
Gajdek said it was still not known if the alert would provide detailed localised information or direct people to seek further information.
The group told the Mail earlier this year that the system would not be good enough for the Dandenongs with numerous mobile phone black spots and possible power-outages during fires. Ms Gajdek has now urged residents to have their mobile phone registered to their home address and took at getting a Next G Telstra phone as it would have the best coverage.
She also said it would be better for people to have a phone that doesn’t rely on an electronic power source.
“We feel the more options available, the better off you will be,” Ms Gajdek said.
She said residents could also access a CFA pager message service from their nominated brigade for just 25 cents by simply logging on to www.19FIRE .com.au.
“This is the best warning we have seen yet and most of our members are registered and agree,” Ms Gajdek said.
She said the biggest concern was the tourist not being notified under the new system.
“We could have hundreds of tourists visiting the Dandenongs, wandering about completely oblivious to the fact that fire danger could be minutes away,” Ms Gajdek said.
“During the summer holidays daytime, periods of highest risk, tourists can outnumber residents… the unwarned exceeds the warned.”
Mr Cameron said the EWS was just another tool to use in bush fires and it was still crucial for communities to not rely on a telephone warning.
He said residents and visitors need to have an emergency plan.