BUSHFIRES come, go and unfortunately will come again, Grose Vale Rural Fire Brigade’s deputy captain Greg Walker warned.
‘‘Even though they’ve heard all the advice before, many people don’t think about it,’’ Mr Walker said.
‘‘Last year during the fires at Winmalee, some in the community thought, gee, we might get caught.’’
He and other firefighters discussed bushfire survival strategies with residents at Bowen Mountain Park hall on Saturday.
‘‘We wanted to make the community aware of the potential threat of bushfires,’’ Mr Walker said.
‘‘Are people prepared? If not, what are they going to do?’’
He said everyone should take simple precautions going into the fire season including clearing leaves and other debris from gutters, eaves and around the house.
‘‘We can help people prepare a bushfire survival plan,’’ Mr Walker said.
‘‘Unfortunately, a lot of people think they can stay and defend their home.’’
He said during an emergency he once saw a man standing on his roof with a hose, wearing only shorts and a light shirt.
‘‘That’s an accident waiting to happen and if it happens, we have to go in and rescue someone,’’ he said.
He also said fire could cut power to a house, rendering the water pump inoperable.
‘‘People may then decide to go, but there could be fire all around and if there’s smoke it could be like driving through fog,’’ Mr Walker said.
He said even if the fire front passed without much damage, homes could still be in danger.
‘‘Embers could be lodged under eaves or in gutters, smouldering and able to start burning again, even 24 hours later,’’ Mr Walker said.
‘‘People need to know what the fire danger rating is when deciding whether to leave.
‘‘They need to make an educated decision and ask questions, such as what to do if the kids are in school at the time.’’
He also urged people to check their home insurance cover.
