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“With one in six Australians affected by hearing loss, it is essential that everyone has a way to communicate and to access bushfire information and warnings,” CFA project manager Christine Elliott said.
Retired truck driver Murph Emond experienced a near miss in January 2008 when a bushfire threatened his home in Meredith, north-west of Geelong. His wife Jen tried calling him from her work but wasn’t able to alert Murph, who has hearing loss following a bout of childhood meningitis.
Since then, Murph and Jen have stepped up their level of vigilance and developed a Bushfire Survival Plan for the summer months.
Jen Emond said that an essential part of the couple’s plan was being able to communicate via the National Relay Service (NRS) - a government-run phone service for people who are deaf, hearing impaired or speech impaired.
“Having the relay service has taken much of the worry out of my life,” said Jen.
“It gives me comfort to know that if there’s an emergency, Murph can still communicate – he can stay in touch with friends and family and if needs be, call emergency services or the bushfire info line.
“Anything I need to speak to him about, now I can ring with confidence, knowing that he’s going to answer the phone and understand what I’m trying to say to him,” Jen Emond said.
CFA’s Christine Elliott said that the Victorian Bushfire Information Line - an important source of updates during major bushfires - is “relay friendly” for the first time this bushfire season.
“We would encourage anyone already set up with the NRS and living in a high bushfire risk area to keep the Victorian Bushfire Information Line number handy,” Ms Elliott said.
For more information on the NATIONAL RELAY SERVICE call their Helpdesk on 1800 555 660; email helpdesk@relayservice.com.au; or visit www.relayservice.com.au.
- The VICTORIAN BUSHFIRE INFORMATION LINE (VBIL) 1800 240 667 provides 24-hour information during major bushfire incidents. Throughout the year, VBIL also offers bushfire preparation advice.
- To report a fire, call Triple Zero (000). TTY users should dial 106.
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