Schools emptied in extreme heat

By Tania Martin
SCHOOLS across the hills scrambled to close last Friday as the threat of fire had locals running scared.
Hills principals called on the Education Department to help make a decision with many parents and teachers fearing the worst with extreme weather conditions predicted for Friday 27 February.
This follows the chaos that was caused late last Monday (23 February) when a blaze broke out near the Birds Land Reserve in Upwey.
Parents rushed to pick up their children causing traffic gridlock.
Sassafras Primary School was one of the many who called on the department to take action.
Principal Alex Macdonald said the major concern was if a fire broke out in The Basin area it could be on the school’s doorstep within seven minutes.
La Trobe MP Jason Wood last week helped the schools work with the department to get a straight answer on the policy of closing during the high fire risk.
He said many schools had been given conflicting messages.
Some had been told they could close while others were instructed to stay open.
But in the end the department decided to close more than 300 schools across the state in fire danger areas.
Among them were 28 schools in the Dandenongs, both primary and secondary.
An Education Department spokeswoman said the decision had been made following advice from emergency services on the risks.
Mr Macdonald said most parents were relieved by the decision.
“We’re all very nervous about the whole thing … a lot of parents were already planning to take their children off the mountain for the day,” he said.
Belgrave mother Claire Blissendon told the Mail it was the only decision that could have been made.
“I wouldn’t have sent my daughter anyway,” she said.
“It should be made mandatory that schools have to close on extreme fire risk days.”
Schools may also be forced to close today (Tuesday) with warnings of more extreme conditions.