Coroner's Report:Dandenong Ranges 1997
The Media Reaction
The Coroner recently presented his report into the circumstances
surrounding the deaths of three people in the Dandenong Ranges in January
1997. Release of this report attracted considerable media interest, and it
was reported that the Coroner questioned the appropriateness of current CFA
advice to householders that late evacuation was an extremely hazardous
option in a bushfire. The Coroner made a number of observations about the
progress of the fire and problems of community vulnerability and warning.
Many of the media comments were quite out of context, and overall the
Coroner was not critical of CFA preparedness and response to the fires,
though he suggested a review of current policies following an actual
bushfire event.
Leave or Stay: Is the message still the same?
We accept the Coroners view that policies and advice, including the "active
defence" advice, should be reviewed in the light of accumulating
information from major fires. However, we are in no doubt that the CFA
"Leave or Stay - Your Decision" policy is the most appropriate message to
urban bushland residents. We strongly believe that late evacuation is
extremely hazardous, and that staying in a well prepared and actively
defended house is the safest option in bushfires. There is a constantly
increasing amount of information from major fires which clearly indicates
the sound basis of this advice.
Self Help Essential
We support initiatives such as Community Fireguard which promote
householder self reliance and mutual support groups in the community
because we believe that a well informed and well prepared community will
best cope with bushfires, resulting in the least losses of lives and assets.
Many people have asked that if it safest to STAY, why did three people die at their house in the 1997 Dandenongs fires ?
For a further report on a fire (Hobart 1998) and to emphasise the
current thinking about whether or not to evacuate, check
Wildfire Magazine.
Christmas Hills Fire Brigade