Thanks for everyone's kind words and concerns._ My Threshing has really dropped off in the past few months due to working on the extension, and basically an almost complete break from a couple of weeks ago.
Even so, I have received emails, PM's, Text Messages, and so on checking on my welfare at this time._ The sense of community and genuine concern is something that I really appreciate beyond what words can really do justice, and is one thing that makes Threshold a truly remarkable place in the internet.
Thank you.
At this point in time it seems the biggest danger I'm likely to face is driving to work._ I'm pulling my hair out in total frustration that due to the manner in which these things are run at this stage I have not been deployed to the fires - or even to anything resembling a support capacity._ I am sure some of you have been in situations where you know you have the training and the experience to do something but fate decides not to let you help._
So while the world cries out at the desperation of the situation, exhausted crews working into their fourth straight day - I write this sitting at home in my comfy bed._ It is almost embarassing._ I know my brigade could do more, but policy and politics limit what we can do._ In the meantime the biggest assistance it seems I can offer is to hope and pray that nature and luck play into the hands of those still fighting the good fight.
The Metropolitan Fire Brigade (which I work for) has offered Urban Search and Rescue teams to assistance in searching the burned houses for victims, and there is a possibility if that offer is taken up I may be deployed as part of that group. A fairly safe job, although a horrible but necessary one._ But even as I write this Victoria Police are treating entire communities as crime scenes, stopping residents from returning while they conduct searches house to house and recover bodies - so it appears that such a deployment may grow less and less likely.
At the station I was working today we had 4 fire trucks, 12 firefighters, and another truck that carries 3300 litres (800 gallons??) sitting unmanned in the rear yard._ Throughout the ten hour shift we received absolutely ZERO calls._ Meanwhile just an hours drive up the road we are apparently amidst the worst disaster in Australia's history. Can someone please explain??
On top of that they have deployed multiple Pumpers to the fires (water capacity 1000 litres or roughly 250 gallons) while I know of several Pumper Tankers (water capacity 3300-3800 litres) are sitting in Metropolitan areas with good reticulated water supplies and hydrants readily available._ Some of these are the latest model, and specially equipped with crew protection sprays and cabin heat curtains specifically for safety during wildfire/bushfire! Something not present on the pumpers.
Meanwhile my frustration grows._ Its is only common sense and rational thinking stopping me from driving right up there and just begging to be given a task to help._ The nature of disaster relief is that if you're not plugged into the system somewhere you're more likely to be in the way. I've promised to let someone know if I head anywhere, and that I return safely._
So until then, I guess I'll just help keep you all up to date on details. Please excuse my ramblings while so many have suffered such great losses - but it amazes me how we can sit back in the face of such circumstances.
Oh, and Ros...in answer to your questions:
Safe would require two things I guess._ Firstly, fully extinguished so it won't go anywhere, or fully contained by substantial control lines such that the material still smouldering within the lines cannot spot over the lines. Its obviously not practical to extinguish every tree and stump, but things get to a point where they are unlikely to throw up embers that will carry in the wind - which is usually light material like leaves and twigs that burn quite easily.
