Fires prompt call for fire safety, contacts
Firesprompt call for fire safety, contacts
1 February 2006
published by www.horsetalk.co.nz
Victoria, Australia — In the wake of a series of bush fires in Victoria last week, the Australian Horse Council has issued a reminder for horse owners about fire safety and preparedness.
Unfortunately Victoria is one of the most fire prone areas in Australia. Bushfire danger becomes serious in some part of the state every two or three years. Strong sudden wind changes, which can cause fires to become uncontrollable, are often common.
The Country Fire Authority emphasises that bush fire protection strategies include forward planning. Horse owners are responsible for developing a survival plan for their family and horses.
More information on fire safety is here.
The Australian Horse Council is urging all Australian horse owners to register their details on the Horse Emergency Contact Database(HECD). “In an emergency there will be times when authorities need to contact horse owners. It may be a fire, flood or a disease outbreak. Until now there has been no simple way to do this,” said the AHC.
The AHC has been assisted by grants from the NSW and Federal governments to provide a contact database for all horse owners. This will provide SMS alerts via mobile phone in an emergency, seasonal bulletins and information, and newsletters from the AHIC about industry wide issues.
“The horse industry has a large informal network from which people get information. To assist the availability of information in an emergency we encourage horse organisations and service providers to register on the HECD so that they can be kept informed and be able to assist their members or clients.”
