Wandin Fire Brigade

ABOUT THE POLICY AND ITS OPERATION

Q: How quickly will water be replaced?
A: Our aim is that essential water supplies are replaced as soon as possible and when safe to do so. Where essential water is exhausted the aim will be to replace this within 48 hours. This generally occurred in 2006 Grampians Fires and the 2006/7 Great Divide Fires.

Q: Who will replace the water?
A: The policy is designed to operate within the normal municipal recovery arrangement and will be coordinated and implemented at a local level by the relevant Municipal Emergency Coordination Centre (MECC) and local water corporation, or other arrangements put in place by the Municipal Emergency Response Coordinator (MERC). Local water cartage contractors may be engaged to replenish essential water.

Q: What does essential water supply mean?
A: Essential water is defined as enough water for people, stock, and crops. Stock and domestic water will be replaced to provide for essential stock and domestic needs only. Water taken from licensed/registered dams used for irrigation will be replaced to provide for agricultural and horticultural crops or permanent plantings.

Q: What if I don’t have a tank?
A: We want to avoid placing drinking water into dams wherever possible so tanks are preferred. But where there is no tank, water will provided to a dam.

Q: If I am not in a drought declared area, will my water still be replaced?
A: Yes, this is state-wide policy and all water required for essential stock and domestic services will be replaced.

Q: Will water taken from aesthetic or recreational dams be replaced?
A: Aesthetic or recreational dams are not in this case considered to be used for essential purposes and therefore water used for fire fighting will not be replaced.

Q: Who keeps track of where water is taken from?
A: When possible fire agencies will record where water has been taken and pass this onto the relevant local emergency relief personnel. Municipal Emergency Coordination Centres, or where these are not in action, local municipalities also keep records of where fire fighters have accessed water, and who has requested relief.

Q: What is a Municipal Emergency Coordination Centre (MECC)?
A: Municipal Emergency Coordination Centres are activated from council offices across the state to respond to an emergency in the municipality. Centres are staffed by council, emergency services  representatives, and recovery organisation representatives. The centres provide logistical support to the agency responding to the emergency, and helps with community recovery as well.

GENERAL QUESTIONS

Q: Do the CFA and DSE have a right to take water from my property?
A: Yes, The Country Fire Authority Act 1958 (s30 and s33) provides powers to the Country Fire Authority and Department of Sustainability and Environment to take water from any waterway or any other source of water supply without any person being liable to any penalty or claim.

Q: How much water can the Erikson Air Crane (Elvis type helicopter) pick up in one stop?
A: Approximately 9,000 litres

Q: Can fire fighters take drinking water from my home tank?
A: Yes, in extreme situations where life or property is threatened all water available will be used.

Q: How much water fire fighters use to control a bushfire?
A: The volume of water used on fire fighting across the state is relatively small; the government understands that the impact of taking water from farm dams could be severe this summer.
As a guide, about 12 mega litres (a mega litre is one million litres) in total was used for fighting the Mt Lubra fire in the Grampians in January 2006 which covered more than 120,000 hectares. Following the Grampians fire, as part of recovery, local arrangements were made through the MECC to replace limited amounts of water taken for fire fighting into tanks. Local arrangements replaced about 100,000 litres (0.1 ML) taken from private dams. The Great Divide Fires of summer 2006/07 saw approximately 1,116,000 hectares burnt after 69 days. The estimated water replaced was 10 mega litres. 10 mega litres equals approximately 4 Olympic sized swimming pools.

Q: Why is potable water used for replacement?
A: Potable water is used for replacement water and as such the preference is to deliver this to tanks when possible. Where there are no tanks, water will be provided to a dam. Potable water is the most efficient and timely means of delivering replacement essential water. Cartage tanks would require cleaning and disinfecting if recycled or river water was used (dependant on availability)

Q: What preparations have CFA and DSE made to ensure water supplies during the forthcoming bushfire season?

1. Sources of water for fire fighting on public land have been mapped state wide.
2. Victoria has State wide Emergency Water Supply Points for farmers. The Government is upgrading existing sites and establishing new sites in consultation with water corporations, the CFA and DSE.
3. Within 1-2 km of the coast, sea water can be used for aerial fire fighting.
4. CFA and DSE strategies for ensuring water supply during the bushfire season also include:

• The purchase of additional floating collar tanks/portable dams.
• The establishment of a bulk water carrying fleet to ensure continuity of supply from more reliable water sources during ongoing suppression.
• Guidance Document - Essential Water Replacement Policy – Released December 2008
• Working with Local Water Steering Groups to enhance our network of permanent water access through the use of standpipes and access to reticulated reserves and/or tanks and pumps at bores.
• The location of pre-filled reserves (fixed or temporary tanks) in public land areas and at aircraft refilling points.
• The placement of local bulk water tankers on standby to ensure water availability for first attack operations.

Q: Can DSE and CFA increase their use of dry fire fighting techniques?
A: DSE uses mostly dry fire fighting techniques however water is used as necessary, especially for water bombing and to try and extinguish a new fire while it is still small. Both DSE and CFA are exploring greater reliance on fire fighting techniques that use less water and rely more on constructed fuel breaks. Water is an effective fire fighting tool and can lead to more rapid containment and mop up of bushfires.
Bringing a bushfire under control by rapid and aggressive first attack is a critical part of fire fighting. A fire is easier to control and suppress when it is small. Sourcing water from the nearest source is critical to prevent a fire from spreading.

Q: How does DSE locate water for fire fighting during a fire?
A: Water points across the state have been identified by DSE Office of Water, where it is feasible to obtain water for first attack or for a sustained attack on the fire. These points are mostly located on public land i.e. National Parks and State Forest.