Steps being taken to reduce fire hazard in Darling escarpment

8/12/94

The fire hazard in the Darling escarpment this summer was being significantly reduced with the adoption of key recommendations contained in a wide-ranging report.

Emergency Services Minister Bob Wiese said fire-fighting agencies, Government departments, local government authorities and the general community had joined forces to address ways of decreasing the fire threat.

Mr Wiese said more than half the 55 recommendations in the Darling Escarpment Fire Hazard Report had been, or were in the process of being implemented.

He said the findings by the Day Report - an Emergency Services Ministerial working party chaired by Darling Range MLA John Day - had highlighted several weaknesses in emergency response systems.

The report found that the bushfire threat in the Darling escarpment could be substantially reduced if there was better public education about risks, improved fire forecasting, greater co-ordination between the fire fighting and emergency services and more appropriate building standards.

"Highlighting public awareness to the dangers and the safety precautions necessary during an emergency is of paramount concern," Mr Wiese said.

"A major step in relaying what could prove to be life-saving information is an undertaking by the Minister for Education for a comprehensive review of the existing curriculum in schools relating to all fire awareness programs."

The Minister said that since release of the report a number of key recommendations had been addressed for this year's bushfire season, including:

·       Integrated training exercises between the three fire-fighting agencies - the Bush Fires Board, the WA Fire Brigades Board, Conservation and Land Management; Police; the State Emergency Service and other support organisations.

·       The Water Authority and fire authorities developing a strategic plan to overcome water supply problems in the event of a loss of power to pumping stations.

·       The Water Authority and State Electricity Commission setting priorities on restoring power supplies during an emergency.

·       Maintaining the strategic placement of water reservoirs, dedicated to firefighting.

·       Fire-fighters being able to access water in swimming pools or tanks when necessary.

·       Arrangements between SECWA and local authorities to ensure tree pruning near power lines has been completed.

·       SECWA maintains its policy of not using wooden power poles and installing underground cables in high risk fire areas.

"The report serves as a warning to those living in the escarpment that there are real dangers from bushfires," Mr Wiese said.

"Their safety depends on fire awareness and the quick and co-ordinated response by trained fire and emergency authorities."

Media contact:  Mark Thompson 222 9595: 322 2311