The Black Saturday Royal Commission report has been released, and it is suggested that it's recommendations will be studied by those responsible for fire safety in the Illawarra.
This area is unique in that we live with a forested escarpment that presents a huge fire danger. It last burned about 1968 - and since then there has been a steady increase in homes built on the edge of the tree line.
Just what evacuation plan exists in case of a major fire - and where can residents obtain a copy ?
Where are the emergency assembly points ? Where are the designated " safe spots " for residents to shelter ? How will evacuation warnings be conveyed to those in danger ?
The Black Saturday Royal Commission report is really nothing more than an investigation of the short comings of preparation for a fire event in Victoria that killed 197 people.
It should be taken as a warning for the Illawarra to get ready for the inevitable burning of the escarpment - which is a absolute certainty to happen some time in the future.
Otherwise - we will eventually be reading an " Illawarra Catastrophe Royal Commission report - detailing the short comings of preparation for a fire event that caused many deaths in this region.
It's not a matter of " if " it happens ! Merely a case of " when " !
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