A recent deliberately lit grass fire at Bedford Park – which was extinguished swiftly and caused minimal damage thanks to prompt action by Metropolitan Fire Service units – provides a timely reminder for everyone at Flinders University campuses to be aware of bushfire safety protocols.

Flinders’ Bedford Park campus is susceptible to bushfire threats from adjacent undeveloped land on the southern boundary (Sturt Creek Conservation Park), the heavily wooded suburb of Belleview Heights on the eastern boundary, and the University’s own pine forest and native woodland adjacent to University Drive and Ring Road.

This is why Flinders has a bushfire action plan posted on the Flinders University staff website.

Noting that a bushfire threat could come from either an external bushfire that migrates onto the campus, or from a fire on University grounds, the University’s Emergency Control Coordinator is responsible for activating the University’s Bushfire Plan. Staff, students, contractors and visitors are required to follow the directions of Chief Wardens, Wardens, Security Officers and the Emergency Control Coordinator in the event of a bushfire.

In such a threatening fire situation, all people are reminded to:

• Close all windows and external doors.
• Remain, or go inside and await further instructions from Wardens, University Security or Emergency Services personnel.
• Do not evacuate from the campus or drive vehicles until or unless directed to do so by the incident Control Coordinator, Wardens, University Security or Emergency Services personnel.

Each of Flinders University’s campus sites has a local Bushfire Plan, which is to be followed in the event of a bushfire. Contact the University’s Emergency Control Coordinator or your local Chief Warden for further information.

South Australia is divided into 15 Fire Ban districts. As you travel around the State (and similarly interstate), be sure that you know which Fire Ban District you are in and whether a Total Fire Ban has been declared in that District.

On days declared as catastrophic weather events, people should not undertake, if possible, unnecessary travel. This includes for field work/placement and travel between rural and remote sites. And on total fire ban days it is best to postpone any trips into bushland or high fire risk areas, as the risk of fire starting and growing rapidly is extremely high.

In South Australia, the Country Fire Service (CFS) issues bushfire information and bushfire warning messages on: local ABC 891AM radio, fiveAA radio, CFS website, Alert SA mobile app and CFS Twitter @CFSAlerts