• Hume Star
• Wallan, Kilmore, Broadford Star
• Whittlesea, Mernda, Doreen Star

By Michael Esposito

9th March 2010 11:05:35 AM

Continued on Page 3

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RESIDENTS in fire-prone areas should not expect a Neighbourhood Safer Place in their township, according to a senior CFA officer.

Alex Caughey, community education co-ordinator for region 12, which covers Mitchell Shire, said the community has been given the wrong message about safer places.

“There are lots of communities that haven’t got locations and will never have locations, so it’s not a case of ‘we have to find something’.

If there is nothing there that’s suitable then there’s nothing there,” he said. “We’ve set a standard. We can’t turn around and say here’s a standard but if we can’t find anything of this standard, we’ll find something of a lower standard.”

Mr Caughey also criticised the term “Neighbourhood Safer Place”, saying it has misled the public about the life-saving capabilities of these refuges.

“They are not neighbourhood safer places, they are places of last resort. The idea is that when all of your plans have failed, try this one and you just might live.

“Our danger is that people will turn round and think that just because there is a Neighbourhood Safer Place they don’t have to do anything else.”

Mr Caughey said developing a “go” and a “stay” plan was still the most important fire protection action people should take.

He said safer places were for people who have “screwed up in a big way”.

“If you’re using (a safer place), it means all your plans have gone out the door, and you have left it too late.”

Mr Caughey’s comments have come amid reports of confusion surrounding neighbourhood safer places in Mitchell Shire.

Several councillors have expressed concern that residents were still unsure what constituted a safer place.

Cr Graeme Coppel said: “There’s a lot of confusion within the community about what is the criteria for a safer place or place of last resort. There’s also a misunderstanding that the Mitchell Shire has done nothing (to identify one). The shire is nominating sites, and it’s up to the CFA to investigate and report back.”

The council released a statement last week clarifying its position on safer places, emphasising that they were last- resort options.

The statement, on the council’s website, read: “Mitchell Shire’s communities need to understand that neighbourhood safer places of last resort are not relief centres which provide some level of amenity.

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