Firefighters get ready for storms
THE region’s firefighters are busy preparing for storm season and urging motorists to think before driving through flooded waters.
This comes as statistics revealed the number of motorists who still believed their vehicle was stronger than flood waters.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services director of operations Paul Smeath said while 67 per cent of people surveyed did take the If It’s Flooded Forget It initiative seriously, there were others who did not.
“The unfortunate part about the survey though indicated some fairly concerning statistics, especially with regards to males that live within the rural and regional areas that own four-wheel drives and utes,” he said.
“One in 10 of those individuals believe that they can actually still drive their vehicles through swift water.
“And another concern was that over 50 per cent of 4WD owners (that) were surveyed believed that their vehicles were capable of handling flooded waters.”
There are about 20 swift water operators and technicians who will be on hand this storm season, who are trained to rescue those who make the wrong decision in crossing flooded road ways.
According to regional rescue coordinator and senior firefighter Mark Haddow, jumping into the water for that type of rescue was one of the most dangerous.
“Even as professionals we don’t know what is underneath the surface of that water,” he said.
“We are just asking people to think about their actions before they drive through.”
Mr Haddow said while firefighters were up for the task, they preferred if people would make the right decisions.
“For the simple fact of taking an alternative route, planning where you need to go and having a plan b if the weather is the way it is,” he said.
“This day and age we have so many warnings, smart phones, things like that so there is really no excuse.”
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One in 10 of those individuals believe that they can actually still drive their vehicles through swift water.
— Paul Smeath