Why were we not prepared?

Dear Editor,

The fires that devastated our precious Blue Mountains during severe drought conditions this year and last could have been prevented or nipped in the bud had residents been educated in early firefighting techniques, trained to recognise potential danger, and acted promptly before the fire got out of hand.

For many years, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management has had representatives in our rural areas trained to deal with disaster preparation, including hurricanes, etc. Why isn't this cadre of community leaders also trained to recognise the danger of fires? Tools, gloves, masks and boots, and even simple river water pumps could be inventoried for safe storage in community centres or churches for urgent community use.

I am sure the excellent fire-prevention officers of the Fire Brigade would be only too happy to monitor this service that could save them having to be called out when a fire rages totally out of control and is sometimes unreachable.

Meanwhile,we must commend the fine work of our firemen and soldiers, who did not relent in the face of major danger posed by what amounts to ignorant behaviour on behalf of the public at large.

Marguerite Gauron

President Emeritus

Portland Environment Protection Association

hmgauron@gmail.com

Why were we not prepared?

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