Elsie Lange
The Country Fire Authority (CFA) has revealed one of 10 new automated weather stations will have a permanent home in Trentham East, improving firefighter and community safety in the Macedon Ranges.
Remote Automated Weather Stations (RAWS) are used all over the world for hyper-localised weather data, fire spread predictions and community warnings.
CFA acting chief officer Garry Cook said the weather intelligence would be vital in helping firefighters, not only in ensuring their own safety, but also in fire response and preparation.
“Fire is a true force of nature and its behaviour can change in an instant, putting lives and property at risk,” acting chief officer Cook said.
“Accurate, localised and up-to-the-minute weather information on a fireground is critical to providing an effective emergency response.”
The CFA announced the $680,000 state government investment would deliver ten stations across the state, including seven portable stations and three permanent ones.
Data from the stations will be transmitted via satellite to the Bureau of Meteorology, which is then accessed by the CFA, agencies and the general public on the bureau’s website.
“The stations will help firefighters understand fire behaviour on the ground during a fire incident, or by measuring the weather conditions of an area in the lead up to and during planned burn events,” acting chief officer Cook said.
“They have a huge potential to improve our planning and responses, thereby improving firefighter and community safety as well.”
