The SA Country Fire Service is forecasting CATASTROPHIC fire danger ratings across a number of regions on Wednesday 20 November 2019. All other regions have severe or extreme ratings forecast, including the Adelaide metropolitan area.
Service providers play an integral role in taking the necessary steps to prepare their sites, staff and clients for the threat of bush fire in their local area and should:
- stay informed of current fire activity by monitoring local media and regularly checking for updates on SA CFS website www.cfs.sa.gov.au
- contact their local fire authority to discuss implications and possible requirements
- ensure you have updated daily lists of all of your on site residents.
If you think evacuation is a possibility, please consider preparing go bags for residents with a change of clothes and essential medications or emergency aids.
Ensure you have an evacuation plan that includes realistic arrangements for transportation and alternative accommodation relevant to different scenarios (e.g. only your facility is affected or all facilities in the region are affected) and includes provision for care recipient identification and care-plan documents.
Speak with other service providers to identify alternative accommodation in the event that evacuation is required.
Reducing the impact of bushfires is a shared responsibility between government, emergency service organisations and the community.
Fires can threaten suddenly and without warning. At a Fire Danger Rating of SEVERE or above, fires are likely to be uncontrollable. When a SEVERE (or above) Fire Danger Rating is forecast, providers need to take warnings seriously and be prepared to act.
Please note that if an evacuation is required, this should be done early. Do not rely on emergency services to assist with evacuation as this may not be possible.
In an emergency please ring 000 (triple 0).
If you need assistance in finding vacancies or resources to support you in managing an emergency please ring the department on 1800 288 475. This number is monitored at all times.
