From last summer’s bushfire crisis to the COVID-19 crisis, 2020 has been a year dominated by stress, worry and anxiety for many of us. Summer is coming around again. In the event of a bushfire, you need to have a plan in place ready to act on. Are you ready?
Last summer, we faced an unprecedented natural disaster, but it was not a one-off. The Royal Commission into National Disaster Arrangements heard evidence this year that climate-driven natural hazards, like bushfires, storms and floods, will happen more often and be more intense due to climate change. This is our new normal, and we need to adapt and be ready.
As an information provider for people with disability, IDEAS was uniquely placed to hear the impacts the lack of access and inclusion in disaster and emergency planning had on people with disability at the height of the crisis. We submitted to the Disability Royal Commission on emergency planning and response. See what we had to say here.
Some quick stats from last summer
- 33 people died directly from the fires
- A further 445 deaths are linked to smoke inhalation from the fires
- Over 3000 people were admitted to hospital for respiratory problems, and 17,000 people presented for asthma.
- Over 3000 homes were destroyed.
- Billions of animals died or were displaced.
- An estimated 18.6 million hectares burned between July 2019 and March 2020.
The 19/20 bushfire season changed our understanding of a natural disaster. This was a nationwide and indiscriminate disaster. Many people became trapped by huge mega-fires, the biggest on record, and planning to make a plan or planning to “just pack up and go if the fire comes this way” is not enough to ensure your safety in this climate. If the fire comes your way, there may be no way out. In many instances, if the fire comes your way, you need to be already gone.
Although last year’s scorching and tinder-dry conditions are not forecast for this summer, much-needed rain over the spring has meant an abundance of growth. Where there was little risk from grass fires last summer, this season grass fires pose a real threat to properties and life.
Last year, we made and shared lots of resources for bushfire preparation and planning for people with disability. We are reviewing and updating these and will add them here for your use.
Bushfire planning for people with disability
Fire SafetyBushfire Crisis InformationPacking for an EmergencyAIDER Program (NSW Rural Fire Service)Beat the Heat: ways to stay well in a heatwave Look after your health in the bushfire emergency Moving Forward After a CrisisGovernment planning and policy for people with disability in crisis
IDEAS Has A Say: Disability Royal Commission - Emergency Planning and ResponseIndependent fire emergency information for people with disabilitiesNeed more information?
If you need to talk to someone, you can call us for free on 1800 029 904, text us on 0458 296 602 or connect with us on LiveChat. Open Monday to Friday from 8 am to 8 pm AEDT.
If life is in danger, call Triple Zero (000). For information on bushfires, contact your state fire authority.
If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you can call the National Relay Service on 1300 555 727 or use other contact options provided by the NRS to contact any of the above.
If you need an interpreter or translation services, please call the National Translating and Interpreting Service or TIS on 131 450.
