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An effective response to bushfires relies on accurate predictions of fire behaviour, particularly the rate of spread, intensity and ‘spotting’. This field guide has been developed to provide a systematic method for assessing fuel hazard and predicting potential fire behaviour in dry eucalypt forest. It will assist in making vital decisions that ensure the protection of fire crews and the community. This guide integrates Project Vesta research findings with the Victorian Overall Fuel Hazard Guide and is applicable to dry eucalypt forests throughout southern Australia. Fuel assessment is based on the hazard scoring system employed during Project Vesta which investigated the effects of fuel age and understorey vegetation structure on fire behaviour in these forests. Information provided in this guide can be used to: Define and identify different fuel layers and components of fuel structure and hazard; Determine the hazard score of surface and near-surface fuel layers and the height of the near-surface fuel for fire spread prediction; Determine elevated fuel height for flame height prediction; and determine surface fuel hazard score and bark hazard score for spotting distance prediction. The Field Guide provides tables to predict the potential rate of spread of a bushfire burning in dry eucalypt forest under summer conditions, and can also be used to predict flame height and maximum spotting distance. The guide also allows users to determine the moisture content of fine dead fuels throughout the day, and to account for the effect of slope on the rate of spread of a fire.

Structured exercise has been shown to improve intermittent claudication symptoms in patients with peripheral arterial disease, and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommend it as a first-line treatment. A community-based podiatry-led lower limb arterial assessment service implemented a structured exercise programme for claudicants by liaising with a cardiac rehabilitation team to incorporate claudicants into an existing exercise programme for cardiac patients, thus using the skills, manpower and facilities already in place. Key findings of an audit of the first 12 months were: (1) higher than average uptake by claudicants compared with other supervised exercise programmes; (2) 72% reported an improvement in claudication symptoms; (3) 24% reported no deterioration in walking distance; (4) only 17% of patients were referred on for a surgical opinion on completion of the programme: prior to the community-based exercise programme all claudicants were seen in secondary care for assessment before being offered hospital-based structured exercise; (5) high level of patient satisfaction. Patients were supported to address modifiable cardiovascular risk factors such as smoking cessation, weight management, increasing physical activity and commencing best medical therapy. The audit indicates a high level of patient satisfaction, improvement in claudication symptoms and prevention of unnecessary surgical referrals. Patients were empowered to take ownership of their cardiovascular health. This has implications for financial savings and better use of resources and may contribute to a long-term reduction in cardiovascular-related morbidity and mortality, although further research into long-term outcomes should be considered. Br J Diabetes 2016;16:193-197

Continuous water-level records from 105 wells, and more than 2,000 water-level measurements made in Georgia during 1982 provide the basic data for this report. Selected wells illustrate the effects that changes in recharge and pumpage have had on the various groundwater resources in the State. Daily mean water levels are shown in hydrographs for 1982. Monthly means are shown for the 10-year period 1973-82. Mean annual water levels ranged from 10 feet higher to 1 foot lower in 1982 than in 1981. This is a significant reversal of the downward trend of the past few years. Waterquality samples are collected periodically throughout Georgia and analyzed as part of areal and regional groundwater studies. Along the coast, chloride concentrations have remained stable in the Savannah area, but invasion of brackish water into the aquifer has increased the chloride concentration at Brunswick. xv This report continues a series of publications that annually presents both water-level and water-quality data for Georgia. Forty-nine wells have been selected to illustrate the effects that changes in recharge and pumpage have had on the various aquifers in the State. Daily mean water levels are shown in hydrographs for 1982. Monthly mean water levels, as well as chloride concentrations in selected areas along the coast, are shown for the 10-year period 1973-82. Because the 1982 hydrographs are plotted from daily mean values, the record low or high water level occurring on a day will be lower or higher than that shown on the hydrograph, which shows the mean for that day. The cooperation and assistance of the following agencies in collecting water-level and water-quality data during 1982 are gratefully acknowledged: Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Georgia Geologic Survey; Chatham County; Glynn County; the cities of Brunswick and Valdosta; and the Albany Water, Gas, and Light Commission. 2.0 GROUNDWATER LEVELS Mean annual groundwater levels in Georgia ranged from 10 feet higher to 1 foot lower in 1982 than in 1981. Of the 40 wells in the 1981 report, 23 had water levels that were the lowest on record. Of the 49 wells in this report, only 2 had new record lows. Above-normal precipitation in 1982 resulted in a reduction in pumpage for irrigation. There was also a reduction in industrial water use, chiefly in the pulp and paper industry. These factors enabled water levels to recover from the record lows of 1981.

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