Water access a burning issue

GUYS Hill resident Warwick Glendenning is concerned that CFA crews would be in big trouble if they had to fight a major fire in the Harkaway area.
Mr Glendenning said there were only two water points in the wider area from which tankers could refill.
My view is that this is something that authorities need to address with urgency.
The water standpipes are at Narre Warren East and Hessel Road near Berwick.
We are hearing news reports of horrific fires across the state, loss of life and injury to firefighters, and heavy loss of property and untold suffering to animals because of fires that at times are impossible to stop.
Some people may be surprised, but Harkaway does not have a mains pressure reticulated water supply.
It does have lots of trees and wild fires love trees.
Volunteer firefighters deserve better treatment; they should not be expected to drive heavy trucks 10 or 15 kilometres to refill.
The nature of their work and human nature is that they will want their trucks refilled as quickly as possible so they can return to fighting the fire so they inevitably push vehicles to breaking point.
This means undue haste and higher risk of accident.
Three tanks have been put in place at Harkaway with the view to providing water for fire fighting, but this is a drop in the ocean when it comes to a major fire.
Harkaway residents may not want a reticulated water supply system, but in fairness to those who protect their properties throughout the summer some thought should be given to Mr Glendenning’s concerns.
Don’t let it happen after the event.