COMMUNITY members have raised a number of issues at debriefing meetings following the Sampson Flat fire which started on January 2 and destroyed 28 homes, burned down 13,000 hectares of land and killed 900 livestock.
More than 400 people attended the session at Kersbrook, One Tree Hill and Cudlee Creek in January.
The Country Fire Service said information from comments, feedback forms and emails was being collated and would help improve responses to future bushfire incidents.
Topics raised included road closures, information dissemination, media behaviour, emergency alerts, social media, the CFS website, tree maintenance, relief centre locations, aircraft, and community meetings.
"The issues of most concern were the management of road closures and media behaviour," the CFS said.
"The concerns included not being allowed to return home, inconsistent management of the road closures, lack of consistent processes to identify residents, and delays in information flowing to road blocks from SAPOL."
The inputs are being analysed as part of CFS' After Action Review which is undertaken after every incident.
The CFS and SAPOL have also formed a Road Closure Working Group.
A number of seminars have been held to help residents and owners of livestock and horses manage the recovery process.
Natural Resources Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges is holding one more post-fire seminar on Saturday, March 7, 9am to 12pm, at the Kersbrook Town Hall.
Caring for pasture, confinement feed, facilities and suitable time to let animals back on paddocks will be discussed on the day.
Last week, funds donated by the South Australian community started flowing to families and individuals who lost their homes in the fire.
Communities and Social Inclusion Minister Zoe Bettison said the State Emergency Relief Fund had $1.5 million and the committee in charge had so far reviewed more than 220 applications.
"The response by South Australians to this disaster reaffirms the immense community spirit we have in this state, particularly during times of hardship and need," she said.
Those who had not applied for disaster relief were encouraged to do so, with more distributions planned in coming weeks.
Ms Bettison is also urging those affected by the fires to avail of the free counselling services.
Details: For the Natural Resources AMLR seminar contact Taryn Mangelsdorf 08 8523 7703. Information, counselling at the bushfire recovery centre 45 Albert Street, Gumeracha, Bushfire Recovery Hotline 1800 302 787 or www.sa.gov.au/recovery.
Karina Natt
Journalist at Stock Journal.
Journalist at Stock Journal.
