Questions remain as businesses respond to first catastrophic fire warning
Posted by Kevin de Vries | 12/01/2010
Questions remain as businesses respond to first catastrophic fire warning
The Bendigo Business Council said today that many questions remain to be clarified in the response to the first Code Red fire warning of the season.
BBC executive officer Kevin de Vries said today, "The impact of a Code Red day has not been fully felt by business and the community as we are in the middle of school holidays and many employees are still on leave."
"Following Bendigo's first catastrophic fire warning I hope that authorities and the community examine and refine their response to these conditions. Questions that need to be clarified include ‘Who should evacuate? When? and Where to?' and whether it is necessary to close childcare services, schools and pools in urban areas such as Bendigo." Mr de Vries said.
"Businesses will face more significant operational challenges if a Code Red day is declared in February or March. Considerable numbers of employees will suddenly need to care for children, or may choose to repatriate to perceived safety in Melbourne or other centres. The economic cost of absenteeism and the social and health costs of moving large numbers of people back and forth around Victoria must be evaluated."
Despite a relatively uneventful day in the region, Mr de Vries warned against business and community complacency. "While today has seen little serious fire activity across Bendigo, residents and businesses must continue to heed the warnings of the CFA and government agencies, prepare their fire and emergency plans and be prepared to act."
The BBC believes that further fine-tuning of the community response to catastrophic fire warnings will follow. The business community calls for an appropriate and proportional response that maximises personal safety and minimises economic disruption.
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