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Geographical Fire Information	Gas/Electricity
Gutterbungs	Going home - bushfire
Going home - flood

GEOGRAPHICAL FIRE INFORMATION (WHERE IS THE INCIDENT IN COMPARISON TO THE CALLER?)

Check the relevant emergency services website and Messages section for any incidents in the area of the caller. If there is information in State Incident Summary that relates to the caller's locality please use the information in the Bushfire Message issued for that fire.

If there is no information in the relevant emergency services website or messages section that relates to the caller's locality advise them to listen to the radio for news or incident updates and to continue to check outside for changing conditions. They may also like to contact neighbours.

GOING (BUSHFIRE)

Any fire expanding in a certain direction or directions. Any incident that is expanding or continuing to require an active or escalated response.

GAS/ELECTRICITY

Question: I have Gas Supply / Cylinder's at my house?

When a house is threatened by a bushfire or flood, irrespective of whether householders are leaving early or defending the house, it is prudent to turn off switch off your electricity at the switchboard and turn off the main gas valve at the meter. Also advisable to turn off the water at the meter also.

Natural gas supply should be turned off at the meter and LPG supply should be turned off at the valves on the cylinders. This removes supply from within the house and while it will not totally eliminate gas fires at the gas meter however, it will reduce the gas flow in a number of circumstances.
Fixed LPG cylinders should be left upright on a firm surface with the valve turned off and the pressure relief valve pointed away from the house. Do not place any foreign materials (e.g. wet blankets etc.) on or around LPG cylinders. More information can be obtained from the CFS website on LP Gas Safety or from CFS offices or Council offices

GOING HOME - BUSHFIRE

Check the State Incident Summary for any fires in the area of the caller. If there is information in State Incident Summary that relates to the caller's locality please use this information ONLY to ascertain the status of the fire ("going" or "controlled" etc).

If there is no information in the State Incident Summary that relates to the caller's locality advise them to continue to listen to the radio for news or incident updates. (ABC Radio (891) 5AA (1395) on the AM band or their local ABC Radio) on a battery operated radio.

While the fire is listed as "Going" or "Not yet under Control" the following applies:

• Residents of the area not currently at home should not at this time try to return to the area as access is limited and the roads may not be safe.
• If the fire is listed as "Contained" or "Controlled" then persons may return to their homes. BUT, it needs to be expressed that:
  • There may still be roadblocks in place
  • Caution will need to be used and drivers must be aware of the possibility for;
    • Power lines to be down across roads.
    • Trees to be down across roads.
    • Smoke to be present in the area, so drive according to these conditions and use caution.
    • Be aware of fire and other emergency vehicles travelling in the area around the fire.

Going Home - FLOOD

Check the SES Website for any incidents in the area of the caller. If there is information on the SES website that relates to the caller's locality please use this information ONLY to provide a status update.

If there is no information on the SES website that relates to the caller's locality advise them to continue to listen to the a battery operated radio for news or incident updates. Local ABC radio is the official Emergency Broadcaster. A list of radio frequencies can be found on the CFS website.

During an incident, the following applies:

• Residents of the area not currently at home should not at this time try to return to the area as access is limited and the roads may not be safe.
• When it is safe to return for people to return to their homes, it needs to be expressed that:
  • There may still be roadblocks in place
  • Caution will need to be used and drivers must be aware of the possibility for;
  • Power lines to be down across roads.
  • Trees to be down across roads.
  • Heavy rain, fog to be present in the area, so drive according to these conditions and use caution.
  • Be aware of fire and other emergency vehicles travelling in the area around the incident.