FOLLOWING deadly bushfires on the Adelaide Plains, farmers and locals will be more protected than ever with the manufacture of 260 firefighting suit packs through donations from the region’s businesses.
At an Owen Agricultural Bureau meeting in December, members realised the lack of preparation for the Pinery and Nantawarra fires, and were determined to prepare all farmers in the event of another catastrophic fire.
Local businesses Gilmac, Balco, JT Johnson & Sons, GrainFlow and Casella Family Brands, with local agriculture bureaus, raised $50,000 to make the firefighting suits, associated with farm fire units.
Gilmac Balaklava operations manager Mark Heaslip said making the fire suits available to farmers would help to reduce the chance of injury when worn during a fire event.
“The suits will provide farmers a source of preparation, in the event of a fast moving and unpredictable bushfire,” he said.
In consultation with the Country Fire Service, the $250 suits will be light green to distinguish farmers from emergency personnel on a fireground.
“The fire suits are designed for wildfire fighting activities and protect the wearer from the radiant heat and skin exposure,” Mr Heaslip said.
Mr Heaslip hoped the packs would be stocked in merchandise stores for everyone to purchase.
Salter Springs farmer Michael Day, who lost 240 hectares and suffered burns to 55 per cent of his body during the Pinery fires, said the pack was a vital piece of preparation before harvest.
“They are really good size to leave behind your seat,” he said.
“In hindsight everyone should have one. In my situation, with a pack, I would have been fine.”
Mr Day said any kind of preparation was crucial.
“I had no protection. The fire was just so quick,” he said.
The pack will contain a two-piece, high-visibility overall with Australian-certified fabric which meets the same fire safety rating of the CFS garments and has been designed to be pulled on on top of clothing in an emergency.
CFS operational infrastructure and logistics director Lee Watson said the farmers should be commended for their initiative.
“When people are near a bushfire they need to have the proper clothing protection from fire and radiant heat,” he said.
“This group has sought independent advice to design this personal protective clothing to achieve this.
“CFS is supportive of all steps to protect the community during bushfires and farm fire units are an important asset in achieving this.”
The suits are due for delivery before harvest.
