Yarra Valley fire prone Powelltown calling for State Government to change CFA siren to alert siren
The fire-prone community of Powelltown is bracing for another summer without a final warning siren alerting them to act after two previous requests were ignored by the State Government.
Outer East
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A fire prone Yarra Ranges town at the centre of a recent emergency exercise will confront another bushfire season without a community siren because of State Government inaction.
In the past three years, there have been two applications — 2016 and 2018 — made to Emergency Services Victoria (EMV), without reply, to turn the old CFA siren into a community alert siren, which would let residents know when they need to act.
Powelltown and neighbouring Three Bridges and Gilderoy residents took part in a drill on October 26, organised to test emergency plans in a bushfire scenario.
After Black Saturday, with Yarra Ranges Council, the community launched an emergency support plan to make sure it’s prepared if the town becomes isolated in an emergency.
The Powelltown Water Association has its own non-drinkable water supply, an emergency support plan in preparation if the town becomes isolated in an emergency and a collective SMS system.
The CFA siren has to be set off manually and is redundant now volunteers use pagers.
Cr Jim Child raised the issue urgently at a recent council meeting recommending the matter be raised with EMV and authorities and use the recent exercise as leverage.
The council has pledged to advocate on behalf of the town to Police and Emergency Services MP Lisa Neville, EMV commissioner Andrew Crisp and Eildon state Liberal MP Cindy McLeish.
Cr Child said the siren was a critical component for a resilient community like Powelltown. “It’s that message from that siren to tell the community something is imminent, you must seek further information,” Cr Child said.
“If someone missed the messaging or their plan failed this siren will be the final warning.”
He said the community had waited long enough and both requests had been officially supported by Yarra Ranges emergency planning committee, which included CFA, Parks Victoria, Victoria Police and DEWLP.
“It’s something that’s needed out there,” Cr Child said.
Powelltown Water Association secretary Kim Mallamaci said the siren would add to the awareness, particularly at night, and was another emergency tool.
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However, Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp said a siren was just one of a range of community information and warning systems that could be used in an emergency.
“Sirens have limitations in terms of audibility, coverage and meaning, and are not suitable for all communities because of topography, interference from wind and the need for those hearing a siren to correctly interpret its meaning,” Mr Crisp said.
Police and Emergency Services state Labor MP Lisa Neville said the Government backed the emergency services sector by giving them the resources and equipment they need to get the job done.