Another Neighbourhood Safer Place
It’s good to see that another neighbourhood safer place has been confirmed.
It’s good to see that another neighbourhood safer place has been confirmed.
Initially, I thought that I would use this blog to comment on things that I have done and seen in the CFA. Sometimes, this is not always the most appropriate course of action; especially when you try to remain a bit anonymous.
Instead, I’ve decided to change the focus to answering questions that I or other people might pose. Why? I’ve realised that many people don’t really understand some of the tasks that fire fighters undertake, or why we do things a particular way.
How do you ask me a question? Send me a tweet to my @cfavolunteer account.
Some questions I’ll answer in following posts:
Anybody else notice that the new Fire Danger signs are almost impossible to read when you’re driving past them?
The text is so small that you can’t read it, and the sign no longer tells you what the Fire Danger is for the area you are in.
I also don’t like that you need to call a number or visit a web site to find this information out. (You should just be able to look at a sign). Many parts of country Victoria have poor or no mobile phone coverage.
Apparently, there are electronic versions of the signs under development. That to me seems like a very costly replacement for the old signs that worked well.
Also, who decided upon the hideous design for the graphic. The stepped graphic is very hard to comprehend, especially with the shaded ‘Code Red’ section.
In defending the new signs, a spokes person said, “We need to ensure that people are directed where to access up to date information on a daily basis, and that they have the advice and key information that accompanies those ratings, which can change throughout the day.”
The old signs did this, as local CFA members would adjust the signs when the conditions changed.
I think that we have wasted a lot of money on these signs. Money that could have been spent more wisely.
Watching the Bushfire Special on ABC1.
One year ago today, Victoria suffered a series of catastrophic fires that devastated entire communities.
I was unfortunate enough to experience the devastation that hit Callignee. I was also unfortunate enough to see some things that people should never have to see.
Fortunately, I also witnessed amazing acts of bravery from my fellow CFA volunteers and members of the public. I also saw amazing acts of survival.
Today, I commemorated the day in my own simple way. I travelled through some of the areas I attended on that day to reflect upon the events of the day.
19:30 (or a bit after) roughly marks the time we first ventured into the devastation that was the remains of Callignee on Black Saturday.
18:01 marks the time the violent wind change arrived at our location on Black Saturday. Almost damn near killed us.
Finding survivors was a rewarding relief. Finding victims was very sad. We came upon our first survivors about now one year ago.
Getting ready to observe 1 minutes silence at 12 noon for Black Saturday anniversary.
13:33 marks the start of my involvement in Black Saturday 1 year ago when we headed out to Churchill.
