1. Fire Recovery Case Study

2. Case Study Rachel is 34 year old teacher who owns a house on a 1500m² block in Toodyay, Western Australia. Unfortunately her house was destroyed in December during the 2009 Toodyay fires. This presentation explains how Rachel was able to rebuild her home and natural environment after the event of a fire.

3. How Rachel was able to recover from the shock of fire Rachel was very upset after the fire so she called The Salvation Army who provided her with: Emergency accommodation Counselling and support services

4. The first steps to Rachel rebuilding her home First Rachel had to contact her insurance agency to let them know about the damages to her property Then Rachel had to contact the Fire Department to see if it was safe for her to return to her home to collect some essential items such as: Credit cards Passport Valuables Medications Car keys

5. The final steps to Rachel rebuilding her home Rachel collected the items that were not completely destroyed and then she secured her house the best she could to prevent: Theft Further damage due to weather Vandalism Rachel then had to wait for her insurance company to perform the appropriate assessments so that they could begin to rebuild her home In the meantime Rachel’s insurance company supplied her with short-term accommodation

6. The first steps to Rachel rebuilding her natural environment Rachel’s land consisted of a range of native plants including: Fox tail mulga grass Flowering shrubs Small eucalyptus trees Rachel called the Toodyay Land Conservation Committee to find out the best way to regrow these plants.

7. The final steps to Rachel rebuilding her natural environment The Toodyay Land Conservation Committee gave Rachel the following information: After a fire, plant seeds are exposed to more light and nutrients and therefore most Australian vegetation successfully regerminate. That as soon as the plants begin grow, that native wildlife would also return. To put a fence up around her property to prevent foxes and cats from preying on vulnerable wildlife immediately after the fire.

8. List of References Department of Sustainability and Environment. (2011). The effect of fire on the Australian natural environment. Retrieved 22 April, from http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/DSE/nrenfoe.nsf/LinkView/BCD05FC2B70E4C84CA25757A007FA7A943B88B001CE47BABCA257687007F5C50 New South Wales Fire Brigades. (2009). After the fire: What to do next? Retrieved 21 April, from http://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/gallery/files/pdf/brochures/recovery_kit.pdf Toodyay Land Conservation District Committee. Toodyay Shire local and regional native plants for revegetation of your garden. Retrieved 22 April, from http://www.toodyaylandcare.org.au/gardenplants.htm