Lessons from the bushfires - preliminary notes for later

It is too early to properly, comprehensively learn all the lessons from the devastating fires that are destroying so much of Australia at the moment, but these are some preliminary thoughts of mine for later.

I'm going to look at these in three categories:

1. At the fire front; 
2.  Fire-fighting logistics; 
3. Prevention and minimisation

A language warning here: I am going to be forceful, and will swear where I consider the importance of the issues merit it.

At the fire-front 
This is the area where the firefighters themselves will take most of the lead, just as they have from past fire-fighting events. As an example, firefighting trucks now have an internal reserve to ensure that they have enough to fight fires that overtake them.

In that vein, the firefighting truck blown over by the wind of a fire storm may be an example of the area that firefighters will take a lead on.

Other possible points:

• improved coordination between states - e.g., I understand radio frequencies didn't match; 
• adapt Tweet and other warnings services so minor alarms can be excluded. One of the reasons many people don't keep those switched on is because of the amount of trivial or irrelevant noise that comes through. It is important to understand human beings, and know that too much of the minor stuff creates a "boy who cried wolf effect", so allow people to cut the crap out (I've been doing this for decades at wastewater treatment plants, so I know it can be done); 
• better preparation for large scale evacuations: not only centres for people to go to, but registers for people who will house others temporarily.
  Sadly, the issues of people's biases need to be considered as well for such schemes - are either party anti-LGBTIQ+, for instance.
  Also, consider pets - and when choosing pets, think about the possible need to evacuate! Make sure your dog, for instance, will not chase cats!; and
• I may add some other points from time to time.

I think another point that needs to be made here is where things work well. Despite the staggering ferocity of these fires, it appears we have a good possibility that the death toll will be nothing like 2009.

Logistics
Points to be dealt with:

• automatic involvement of others states and the ADF after a certain times, or given X number of major fires; 
• better thinking, planning and allowance for prolonged firefighting periods - which is not just about the individual, it is also about considering the contributions they make to local economies; 
• preparation: all states and the Commonwealth need to make the same sort of preparations the Andrews Government in my home state has made, things such as https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/victorias-firefighting-air-fleet-ready-for-fire-season/; and
• I may add some other points from time to time.

Prevention and minimisation
The big one here, of course, is: deal with climate change. I read a comments that although Australia generates around 1.3% of planetary greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, our exported coal takes our contribution to around 5%.

And set that against the fact that we could generate enough solar power to supply almost all the planet, if we weren't dilly-dallying about renewables. We need massive government investment in that sort of export scheme to:

(a) save human existence on the planet;
(b) provide a "just transition" with sustainable jobs.

Stop f**king around, Commonwealth government.

The second point is: use cold burns, mosaic pattern burns, and other Indigenous firefighting techniques. In view of the economic and social costs of massive fires like those of this season, pay people to be taught and use these techniques.

The next big thing to do, if build better bl**dy houses!!!

I've been writing about this ad nauseam for years, on this and other blogs, with no discernible result. The major problem  is the fallacy that houses are a "valid" or "acceptable" way to build wealth, rather than being a place to live. That means people - selfishly, stupidly, and IRRESPONSIBLY - reject any change that might affect their re-sale value.

THAT HAS TO BE STOPPED - NOW!!!

The industries built around that wrong concept is directly contributing to climate change, the devastation of the bushfires, and social class/alitism damage to Australian society.

We need, in my opinion, the following changes:

• allow houses to be build using earthship and other principles so that they are more bearable for those who get trapped - heat can and does kill, and the current moronic system of relying on air conditioning is stupid beyond all belief, as well being bad in terms of the climate crisis (I'll add some links to my writing on this in the near future); 
• require all houses in regional areas and city areas near fire hazards, such as those just a few kilometres away from where we live, to follow the South Australian practice of having a 10 kL water tank dedicated to firefighting and, during bushfires seasons, firefighting alone - and DAMN THOSE WHO THINK IT LOOKS TOO AGRICULTURAL, UNATTRACTIVE, OR DAMAGES RE-SALE VALUES!!! These tanks are BETTER if they're concrete, so allow concrete tanks.
  These tanks need to be connected to off-grid operated (diesel / petrol / off-grid electric) pumps feeding roof sprinklers etc
  (my ideal would also be to have hoses pumping onto any large trees nearby from extra tanks [possibly underground], but that's going to be beyond most people's capabilities); 
• also ensure houses (including those in cities) have off-grid firefighting capabilities, including pumps, sprinklers on roofs, etc; 
• allow and promote houses to be built of concrete, earthship principles (thick earth walls), and as has been demonstrated previosuly by architects - see, for example https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2016/feb/09/bushfire-proof-houses-black-saturday-innovations; and 
• I may add some other points from time to time.

Local and other building regulations should be overridden to allow the above - and only go to experts in they are NOT set in their ways.