Executive Director’s Update to Principals #129: Severe Weather Warning - 2 Dec 2021

Severe Weather Warning

Dear Colleagues,

Please find attached for your consideration the latest fire & heat intelligence briefing from the Grampians Regional Emergency Management Team. Statewide, there is potential for thunderstorm activity with low-moderate thunderstorm asthma risk. The attached PDF includes a map of the areas that may be impacted by the severe weather and the elevated fire danger areas across our school zones. The map also provides a seven (7) day forecast that may be relevant to any of our schools with camps, excursions or outdoor education activities arranged between now and 8 December, 2021.

The Grampians Regional Emergency Management Team are not expecting damaging winds which will hopefully keep the thunderstorm asthma risk low.  However, based on the Fire Danger Index being greater than 35 for more than 10% of the Grampians region, emergency readiness arrangements are being put in place by Emergency Services Victoria for today’s predicted weather.

The weather prognosis from Friday into the weekend is relatively stable so arrangements will be BAU over the weekend.

Readiness Arrangements:

After discussions with the Regional Control Team yesterday at 1530hrs the following readiness arrangements are being implemented for today, given the potential weather impacts and effects on fire danger ratings:

• Base Incident Management Team (IMT) will be in place at Horsham from 0900hrs 
• Regional Control Team (RCT) will have members available remotely from 0900hrs.
• Aircraft arrangements for today based on risk are being discussed with the State Response Controller 

Tom Sexton
Executive Director, Catholic Education Ballarat