Bush Fire Assistance & Emergency Management Procedures
Published on 17 January 2020
It is important to be aware there are fires to the south and east of the Federation Council local government area which are indirectly impacting our region due to thick smoke and our community remains concerned.
Whilst it is important that we assist and support our community, in an emergency event, a coordinated response is led by the relevant control agencies such as the Rural Fire Service, State Emergency Service and Police.
Council would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the tough times being faced by the surrounding Council’s and would like to thank the volunteers who have been fighting the bushfires and our community for its support and generosity during the past few weeks.
Council’s role
In the event of a bushfire or another emergency event, Council’s role is to provide support and resources and take direction through an Incident Control Centre led by the relevant control agency (i.e. Rural Fire Service, State Emergency Service or Police).
If required, the Incident Control Centre determines when and where relief and / or evacuation centres are established. Once this happens, a multi-agency effort will swing into action and appropriate resources deployed.
Emergency Information
There is no current emergency event in the Federation Council area.
Stay up to date with the latest information, advice and warning through the following organisations;
In an emergency dial 000.
Emergency Services issue warnings about likely or actual emergencies through Emergency Alert which is the national telephone warning system to send voice messages to landlines and text messages to mobile phones within the affected area. For more information about the national Emergency Alert system visit: http://www.emergencyalert.gov.au/
Air Quality
We are experiencing poor to hazardous air quality due to smoke from the bushfires. The smoke is impacting on our communities and our swimming pools have been closed on a couple of occasions due to hazardous air quality. The air quality in our area is being reviewed daily and updates provided as required.
Our first priority is the health and welfare of our staff and the community. While air quality is compromised by bushfire smoke, Federation Council recommends the community adhere to the following advice:
- People sensitive to smoke should avoid outdoor physical activities as much as possible, stay indoors and shut the windows. That includes people with lung disease, children, older adults and pregnant women.
- Everyone should consider significantly cutting back on outdoor physical activities while the smoke remains in the area.
For further information and advice visit NSW Health website https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/air/pages/bushfire-smoke.aspx?fbclid=IwAR2lWDzusXc1DKwOpa9oliILrYYlB3ofIsp642rq7M6UASbJUhhiX6jw6vM
Support to Neighbouring Councils
We continue to provide support to our neighbouring Councils being impacted by bushfires. This includes the provision of machinery and staff. As the situation moves to recovery and rebuild phases, it is expected that further resources will be allocated.
Assistance to Bushfire affected evacuees
With our thoughts going out to all those affected by the bush fires around us, Federation Council wishes to advise the following Council coordinated support is available to genuine fire affected evacuees.
- Ball Park Caravan Park, Bridge Road, Corowa, NSW, P: 02 6033 1426
Up to 1 week powered or non-powered sites at no charge.
- Urana Caravan Park, Federation Way, Urana, NSW, P: 02 6920 8192
Up to 1 week powered or non-powered sites at no charge.
- Urana Recreation Reserve, Federation Way, Urana, NSW
Facility provides air conditioning, kitchen and toilets. Contact Rodney Anderson for details P: 0428 234 076
- Victoria Park Urana, Federation Way, Urana, NSW, P: 0428 234 076
Yards available for horse agistment. Contact Rodney Anderson for details P: 0428 234 076
Cool Relief Places
We encourage residents and visitors to be aware that extreme heat forecasts may continue during the remainder of the summer season. The following Council facilities provide cool relief from hot weather;
State and Federal Government Information
This page will be updated as information is received.
Last Updated: Friday 17 January, 8:30am.