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Emergency Services
Last modified: July 15, 2009 - 3:23 PM
EMERGENCIES
For emergency help with Fires, Accidents and Rescues call 000
For emergency help in Floods and Storms call the SES on 132 500
The emergency management systems in Australia are based on the principles of:
§ all hazards, generic arrangements should be developed for all conceivable emergency risk
§ all agencies, a whole of government approach should be adopted
§ comprehensive emergency management should include prevention/mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery
§ a prepared community
As the closest level of government to communities, local government has a key role in community emergency management The Warrumbungle Shire Council Disaster Plans provide an outline for prevention, preparation, response and recovery. This includes disaster arrangements for our community and in partnership with other levels of government and volunteer agencies.The focus is to minimise the effects of a disaster.
The above Plans :
§ outline the disaster management system
§ specifies roles and responsibilities
§ addresses all phases of disaster management
§ provides a framework for sub-plans for our most likely threats such as bushfire, severe storms and floods
Download pdf files of sections of the following Disaster Management Plans by clicking on the attachments at the bottom of this page. Some pages containing personal contact details have been removed.
§ Warrumbungle Shire Council DISPLAN
§ Warrumbungle Shire Council SES Draft Flood Plans and Maps
§ Warrumbungle Shire Council RFS Operations Plan
BUSHFIRES
Planned Burning on Council Land
Managing fire is vital for protecting our homes and maintaining environmental habitats. Planned burning on Warrumbungle Shire Council land is used to lessen the impact of wild fires. Planned burning reduces the build-up of fire fuel, such as sticks and leaves, that makes bushfires hard to control. With planned burning, some areas of the bush are left untouched. These areas also help re-establish vegetation in the burnt sections.
Most planned burns in the Shire take place between May and August. Rural Fire Service staff use weather forecasts to determine the best day for each planned burn. Burns postponed due to poor weather conditions are rescheduled. Please contact the Rural Fire Service to report any build-up of fuel in any areas that threaten assets, or contact Council if these areas are council property, roads or parks.
Planned Burn Program
Neighbours adjoining the burn areas will be notified prior to burning as specific dates for burns are difficult to predict.
Planned burning for 2009/2010 is scheduled for the following areas:
1. Convert Hill Coonabarabran
2. Areas around the village of Leadville
3. Areas around the village of Rocky Glen
4. Deanne Street Reserve Coonabarabran
5. Newell and Oxley Highway north of Coonabarabran
Protecting your property
You can play your part in managing fire by:
§ being aware of fire management issues in your area
§ talking to your neighbours and the RFS about reducing the risk of fire if your property shares boundaries with bushland
§ asking your neighbours and the RFS about Fire Brigade membership
§ preparing an evacuation plan for your family and pets
§ reporting fires to 000
Building and living in the bush
When you are building and living in the bush you must consider fire safety issues. Subdivision and building plans for homes located in high fire danger areas must meet state government standards.
Bushfire hazard planning includes guidelines for:
§ building location, design and construction
§ power and water supply
§ access, firebreaks, clearings and maintenance
For more information on building in bushland, contact the Warrumbungle Shire Council or visit the Rural Fire Service Web Site www.rfs.nsw.gov.au
What contributes to the risk on my property
§ flying embers and spot fires starting in or beside your house
§ leaves in roof valleys and gutters, pot plants on decks, timber decks, vegetation planted next to the house
§ wood heaps and rubbish under or beside the house, doormats made of flammable material
How can I reduce my property from fire risks
§ maintain a fuel free zone around your fence line
§ do not place garden waste and other flammable materials in fuel free zones, firebreaks and fire access trails
§ never dump garden waste and other flammables in adjoining bushland areas
§ remove vegetation overhanging your house
§ clean decks, gutters and roof valleys
§ clear firewood, other flammables and rubbish from under and around the house
§ plant less flammable local plant species in your garden
§ point LPG safety valves away from the house
§ remove doormats made of flammable materials
§ have good access to water around your house such as tanks and swimming pools
§ do not rely on electric pumps and town water as these services can go down during fire emergencies
What can you do to protect your property
§ do regular maintenance work around the house such as roof repairs, general clean-ups
§ don’t have garden beds and vegetation next to your house
§ teach your children the dangers of wildfires
§ work with your neighbours to carry out fire management activities
Exploring some fire facts
§ fire weather occurs when a combination of air temperature, relative humidity and wind speed create an atmosphere conducive to easy ignition and rapid spread of fire
§ bushfires cost the whole community
Lighting a fire on private property
A permit from the Rural Fire Service (Local Brigade) is required to light a fire for Agricultural purpose during the Fire season. You cannot burn garden or any other rubbish in an incinerator in your backyard, on vacant land or on roads, without permission. You must contact the Rural Fire Service or, if in town, the NSW Fire Brigade, if you are planning to light a fire on your property for fuel reduction purposes. Hazard Reduction Certificates can be issued to burn on some road side areas controlled by Council, subject to the Rural Fire Service rules and procedures that you need to follow.
FLOODS
For emergency help in floods and storms call the SES on 132 500
Warrumbungle Shire Council advises residents to stay away from creeks and stormwater drains. It is recommended that residents using roads, bikeways and footpaths in flood affected areas use caution at all times during high rainfall events. Residents are reminded to stay well away from storm drains at all times. Parents are advised to warn children of the dangers of playing near fast flowing water.
Residents should avoid driving in the wet conditions and should not drive through flood waters under any circumstances. Due to a deluge of rain there may be hazards in lower areas, with raised creek and stormwater levels. Debris can remain and the ground becomes very wet and slippery. Residents should take particular care in creek side parks and catchment areas as silt may be deposited as flood waters recede. Rain, flood waters and debris can make footpaths and other paved areas slippery.
What can I do during a Storm
When a storm warning is broadcast, there are a number of things that you can do:
§ Listen to your local radio station for information and advice
§ Bring children and pets indoors
§ Stay away from windows
§ Park your car under secure cover and away from trees
§ If outside, seek secure cover away from trees
§ Do not walk, ride or drive through any flood water
§ Stay away from fallen trees and power lines
§ Put your Family Emergency Kit where you can find it easily
§ If you need help from the SES, call 132 500
§ For life-threatening emergencies, call 000
§ While the storm is passing through, stay indoors if possible
§ If you are driving, put on your hazard lights and pull over to the side of the road, clear of floodways, streams, creeks, causeways, trees and powerlines
PREPARE A HOUSEHOLD EMERGENCY PLAN
Discuss who in your household will do what in an emergency. For example, decide who will pick the children up from school or take care of the pets. Prepare an emergency plan and put the plan where everyone will see it. For example, you could place it on the refrigerator or bulletin board.
To prepare an emergency plan
§ discuss with household members the dangers of bushfire, severe storms, cyclones and other emergencies
§ protect your home by securing loose items, such as lawn furniture, refuse bins, children's furniture, and other objects that may damage property during severe storms
§ discuss how to respond to each disaster that could occur
§ discuss what to do in the event of power outages and personal injuries
§ draw a floor plan of your home and identify two escape routes from each room
§ learn how to turn off the water, gas and electricity at main switches. Write down where the main switches and values are located
§ post emergency telephone numbers near telephones. Include your local police, fire, ambulance, Council and State Emergency Service, together with gas and electricity suppliers
§ teach children how and when to call 000
§ instruct household members to turn on the radio for emergency information
§ choose one interstate and one local friend or relative for household members to call if separated during disaster teach children how to make long distance telephone calls
§ choose two locations where you can meet, if a natural disaster makes it impossible to return home. You could choose a location near your home (for example, in the event of a fire) and a location outside your neighbourhood
§ ensure your pets are looked after
CONTACTS
Phone Numbers for Business Hours
Warrumbungle Shire Council
Local Call Fee 1300 795 099
Coonabarabran Office 02 6849 2000
Coolah Office 02 6378 5000
Rural Fire Service
Fire Control Centre Coonabarabran Office 02 6842 2645
Fire Control Centre Coolah Office 02 6377 1556
Additional Information
For the preparation of an emergency plan the following web pages will provide additional information.
SES www.ses.nsw.gov.au
RFS www.rfs.nsw.gov.au
SEMC www.emergency.nsw.gov.au/beprepared
Emergency Plans - Published: 15 Jul 2009
The attached documents contain the Warrumbungle Shire Displan, Rural Fire Service Operations Plan and the State Emergency Services draft Flood Plan and Maps. more ..
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