You should be able to make a submission, **kambuckta **. There will be a web page up when the terms of reference are announced. FWIW, I think there are competing concerns in the media coverage issue, even amongst victims. Yes, some of the reporting has been exploitative, but some of the victims really want their grief to be heard and felt.
Maybe the Royal Commission will find otherwise, but my guess is that the go early or stay and implement your fire plan is the right policy - it’s just that some days there’s nothing you can do. That leaves pretty unpalatable things like compulsory evacuations based on expected weather conditions alone and planning schemes that turn country towns into razed zones as the only real options other than just running the risk.
I know it won’t reduce the death toll, but I hope the fires do turn out to be accidental. The idea that someone could set them deliberately, especially in Australia where the consequences are so well known and so potentially devastating, is almost as upsetting as the stories coming out of this.
I’m in Victoria now and will give what I can to the fund - not much though - does anyone know if any volunteers are needed? I’m not an expert or firefighter obviously, but even helping out at temporary shelters…?
I’m just appalled that anyone could be thinking of lighting more fires in the conditions currently prevalent down there. My heart goes out to all those who have taken losses during the,and more to the rescue workers who are having to sift through the debris.
The sad thing is, without wanting to comment on the validity of this claim, the accusation that firefighters might engage in arson is pretty believable. A lot of people get into firefighting for reasons similar to one of the motivations for arsonists: a fascination with fire. Then there can those firefighters who see arson as a way to increase a public perception of a need for their services.
From the coverage given in Ireland; this situation looks utterly apalling, my heart truly goes out to all of those affected, in any way by this tragedy.
I will not comment further on my feelings toward anyone who would conceive to carry out such grotesque and cowardly acts, and hope against all certainty that none were actually started maliciously.
I also agree with comments made; that the mercinary way some of the media are interviewing people who are medically ‘in a state of shock’, this is particularly callous.
I Arrive into Melbourne in early March, and if I can offer anything towards assistance it’s a pair of willing hands - again I’m not a firefighter but if anyone local knows of links to voluntary aid/assitance needed, pls get in touch.
The picture at the top of this page shows metal running off the wheels of a truck caught in the fire.* Molten metal*. That was one hot fire.
I only watch the ABC (public free-to-air TV) and they’ve not shown or had anyone do this. Watch commercial TV news at your peril; if their ratings drop when they do that maybe they won’t do it any more.
Roughly 1000C (1800 - 2000F for us Yanks). Water starts to split into hydrogen and oxygen at around those temps (few hundred degrees more, IIRC). To put it in a grimmer frame of reference, the fires inside the WTC were equally as hot.
On a brighter note, there is this photo of a firefighter and a koala, which is utterly adorable.
Lets hope this nightmare ends soon.
Yup, you’re right, Bathsheba. Also checked the Red Cross site but only permanent residents or visitors with a work visa are allowed to volunteer. Don’t want to hijack the thread with this, so will say no more about it, but if anyone does know a way I can help let me know.
