TRANSCRIPT

The District News, September 25, 1952

Bushfire Prevention Supplement

The Shire President's Message

Image of a man in silhouette attempting to put out a fire which blazes in front of him. Caption reads 'Don't let it happen again'

In the following statement the President of the Shire of Sutherland Councillor R. H. Doneathy, who from the actual firefighting front with a beater in his hand in January last grimly resolved that the residents of the Shire would never again be faced with the mad devastation of the raging terror without adequate organisation and equipment, offers his blessing to the campaign against bush fires.

"The Council of the Shire of Sutherland has worked continuously since the devastating bush fires of January 1952 with one object in view of saving life and property in future bush fire periods. We have established a Liaison Committee and made fire fighting equipment available to brigades throughout the Shire and have made available Council's 2 way Radio Service if it be necessary.

On behalf of my Council I now call on all residents to take immediate precautions to police the conduct of visitors so that fire hazards are eliminated."

Ban on Phosphorous Baits

Extract from Bushfire Bulletin

Regulations under the Bush Fires Act now prohibit use of phosphorous baits during months of January, February, March, September, October, November or December. Action was taken by the Chief Secretary, Mr. Kelly, following a recommendation by the Bush Fire Committee in its recent report.

Strategic Fire Breaks

Extract from Bushfire Bulletin

In any campaign the success or otherwise depends primarily upon its organisation. A good general never attacks without his forces correctly deployed, his lines of communication established and the extent of advance and measures to meet a counter attach, fully worked out. This applies with equal force in the Battle of the Bush.

It is important that prepared lines of defense in the form of strategically placed fire breaks be available throughout the district. These fire breaks should compartment the district and should run as far as possible taking into consideration the contour of the district in a north to south direction as the main danger with come with a strong westerly or north-westerly wind.

Strategic breaks can be laid down only be detailed planning and local co-operation. The architects must be the local people themselves.

It cannot be done from an office chair in Sydney.

How to be a Good Fire-Fighter

When you volunteer for fire-fighting, don't expect to run the show. Don't criticise a brigade captain who may have been out of bed for three nights; unless you think he and his officers have been guilty of gross negligence. In any case, leave your criticism until the fire is out. If you have practical suggestions to make, make them. If they can be put into effect, they will be. In Heathcote, in November, somebody suggested using the front-end loader from the brickworks to clear a patch of scrub.

Shire of Sutherland: Bush Fire Brigades

The Bush Fires Act of 1949 places upon a municipal or shire council the responsibility of forming bush fire brigades where whole or part of the council's area is a bush fire district. A considerable part of the Sutherland Shire is a bush fire district.

Bush Fire Brigades have been in existence for a number of years in the following localities: - Kurnell, Bundeena, Engadine, Heathcote, Waterfall, Menai.

Since the disastrous fires that occurred throughout the Shire last summer, Council has approved of the formation of brigades in these centres: - Simpson's Bay, North West Arm, Gray's Point, Upper Woronora River, East Menai.

The responsibility for fire prevention in these closely settled parts of the Shire is the responsibility of the Fire Commissioners.

In either case, the Council is anxious to prevent the outbreak of fire and therefore urges all residents to keep fires in the open to a minimum by law regarding the lighting of fires and to take all suitable precautions about their homes; to report all fires promptly to the nearest post office, police station, fire brigade headquarters, etc.; to become active supporters of their local brigade.

David R. Kirkby, Shire Clerk.

Council Chambers, Sutherland, 18th September, 1952.