The end of NSW's most devastating fire season in history is a bittersweet moment for my partner Cath and I.
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We can finally put the horror of losing our Rosedale home on New Years' Eve behind us, and fully focus on rebuilding.
I'll never forget the scene. I had planned to defend my home, but the fire was so ferocious and quick there was no chance.
Cath and our dog Douggy sheltered at the beach while I stayed back. But what do you do when the firestorm burns your fire pump before you can get to it?
In the end, I bunkered down in my neighbour's basement while our home of 13 years burned. Pretty much nothing is left now, but Cath and I feel fortunate we are alive.
We are so grateful we have a great community to lean on, and that a smooth experience with our insurers has meant that we can start to rebuild. We are still meeting with architects and others to finalise plans, but we know our new home will be a fire-resistant one.
We haven't seen the last of such horrific fires yet, because climate change is driving worsening bushfire conditions here. We need long-term solutions.
It was so hot and dry this summer that flames even ran across mown lawns.
- Jack Egan
Clearing more vegetation around properties isn't the silver bullet. It would destroy the little habitat native animals have left, and isn't even guaranteed to work; it was so hot and dry this summer that flames even ran across mown lawns.
I can tell you how to fire-proof your home: toughened glass windows that won't break if a burning branch hits them; roller shutters to keep out embers; a tiled deck and iron patio furniture; a fire-resistant water tank, hose, and pump, for starters.
But perhaps the biggest safety measure I've taken this fire season is to get serious about fighting climate change. I took early retirement last week from my job in aged care so that I could join the growing ranks of those in my community who are calling for our governments to phase out fossil fuels and invest in renewable energy solutions to quickly and dramatically reduce emissions.
After the bushfires, as well as the coronavirus pandemic, Australians have a lot of recovery ahead of us. For coastal communities like ours, for young people, and for our workers, let's rebuild with climate change in mind, so all Australians can enjoy a safe and thriving future for generations to come.
Jack Egan is a Rosedale resident and a bushfire survivor.