Additionally the World finds itself in the grip of Terrorism and the effects of Global Warming & Climate Change.  Through professional training courses and under the leadership and strategic planning from the WA Rangers Association, rangers will meet the challenges of a rapidly changing World and assist our emergency services, when and where required.

Rangers are very often the first on scene at road traffic accidents and other situations where they are required to render first aid, call emergency services and provide backup when directed by police or fire services.

Along with the West Australian State Emergency Service (SES), rangers assist police in search and rescue or any other incidents.

The global threats of terrorism & climate change are here to stay and must be taken seriously!

We must be prepared!

Terrorism

Earthquakes

Storms & Cyclones

Tsunamis & Floods

Bertha Bashes Perth

"I have never been prouder to say I am an Australian, particularly a Western Australian than I am now "; said Prime Minister Kim Beasley.

With the leader of the opposition Peter Costello and Premier Allan Carpenter he had just surveyed Perth by helicopter and seen the damage done by Cyclone Bertha 5 days ago.  The aircraft landed at a number of locations so the Prime Minister and his party could to speak first to victims and Emergency Services Officers.

An area of special interest to the Leader of the Opposition was the animal welfare centres set up at the Royal Show Grounds and the Kwinana Council Depot.  Present were animals of every type, including dogs, cats, pet mice rats, and birds.  The party made a quick exit from one section of the Kwinana Centre, when warned it contained pet snakes that had not eaten for 5 days. 

Bertha has been described as the largest cyclone to hit the Perth area in living memory.  It caused major flooding in the northern suburbs and the Swan River over flowed causing flooding and damage to homes from the City of Swan to Fremantle.  The Canning River also over flowed with a number of homes badly damaged in Shelley and Salter's Point.

Melville, Canning, Cockburn, Kwinana and Rockingham suffered the worst from Bertha's strong winds with gusts of up to 350 KPH recorded.  "This looks like a war zone, yet everything seems to be so co-ordinated.  The Emergency Services Officers know what has to be done and are doing it.  I have noted that there are Building Inspectors, Health Officers, Rangers and other professions from the WA bush helping in the city.  Evacuation Centres are well run, and have plenty of food and entertainment, and although people are understandably concerned, they have complete confidence in authorities.  This is just amazing, " stated Mr. Beasley.  "Are you sure that only 2 people were killed, and 20 hospitalised with minor injuries?" Mr. Costello asked the Commissioner of Police.

"I can assure you that the Opposition and I are in complete agreement on this matter.  We will do whatever it takes to help Perth recover from this disaster.  I have asked the Attorney General, the head of Emergency Management Australia [EMA] to work as closely with the WA and Local Governments to assist in this matter" Mr Beasley said.

It is estimated that up to 30% of Perth homes have some damage, with up to 15% beyond repair.  Council Officers and Insurers believe it will take at least another 14 days to complete property inspections to decide which homes are habitable and which ones will have to be demolished.  Besides for help within Western Australia, Health, Building Inspectors, Rangers, and SES Officers have arrived on 3 Air Force planes to help locals.

Across Australia tradesmen of every description have offered to give up their annual leave to help with home repairs. The Federal Government is considering accepting the offer of using military aircraft if accommodation can be found for these volunteers.  Besides for the 9 billion dollars of help offered so far by the Federal Government, residents in the eastern states have raised 30 million dollars.  Across the world help has been offer from many nations, including third world countries.

Privately, Senior Emergency Services Officers are breathing a sigh of relieve and glad things went so well.  There was some friction between Local Governments and the State Government when the Emergency Management Act was introduced in December 2005.  Then there was friction between the Governments about control and use of Bush Fire Brigades during emergencies. The SES had identified areas where improvements could be made from the Perth storms of May 2005, then made changes to the way they managed incidents.

The WA Rangers Association had helped Local Governments develop Animal Welfare Plans, and a mutual aid system.  Besides for Animal Welfare, Rangers had trained to assist with security, and other emergency duties.  FESA's small team of EMA trainers had provided a large amount of training in a short period of time, particularly to Local Government Officers.  In turn many Local Governments had written and tested their Local Emergency Arrangements.  On the day all the blood, sweat, tears and hard work had paid off; every-one had pulled together and Perth is on the road to a quick recovery.......

Ok, by now you have realised this story is fictional.  After all John Howard has stated he intents to be Prime Minister until he dies.......There’s no way he is handing over to Costello or Beasley!

However, us older people know that history always has a way of repeating itself.  How we re-act to this repeat of history is up to us to decide now.  In 1978, Cyclone Alby did a considerable amount of damage to Perth when we had about a third of the present population.  Are we better prepared now?  A large section of Perth is built on a one in one hundred year flood plain; when is that flood due?  We know very little on how Perth will with stand an earthquake and forecasted climatic changes and associated extreme weather.

Let’s forget all the political games that governments are playing, we have a duty to our children, grandchildren and country to get our act together.  Do you know your local Emergency Arrangements?  Do you have a local animal emergency welfare plan?  If there were an emergency in another Local Government would you be prepared to help?  I am proposing that the WA Rangers Association take a lead role in Emergency Management.  If you need help of any form, you should be able to call for assistance within your own and /or from other districts.  The Association has district and central committees who could co-ordinate such a response.

I am interested in your views on this matter.  I am willing to help you develop your plans and give you help if I can on the day.  Of course, being selfish I would also appreciate help if the need arises.

All the best,

Ray Sousa

Ranger and Emergency Services Co-ordinator

TOWN OF KWINANA

Be Prepared !

Are you ready for a natural disaster?

Be aware of the risks in your area.

Plan in advance where to meet if family members are separated and whom you will notify of your whereabouts.

Keep emergency supplies on hand:

Food, water & some personal hygiene products.

First-aid kit.

Appropriate clothing & blankets.

Radios (if possible with FM & LW frequencies) & spare batteries.

Waterproof flashlights & spare batteries.

A camping tent would be a helpful bonus.

Have enough so you can be self-sufficient for several days!