Do you have a fire plan? As summer approaches so does the annual bushfire season. The Country Fire Authority offers an Emergency Planning Advice Service (EPAS) to support people who live with a disability, are older, or have a chronic or acute medical condition to create a fire plan.
The program is an in-home based service where Red Cross and CFA facilitators visit you at your home. They’ll have a conversation with you about your circumstances and give you basic fire safety advice, answer your questions, and offer suggestions to help with your plan.
Contact the CFA at communityprograms@cfa.vic.gov.au for a list of participating Council areas.
Do you have a plan?
Bushfire planning is crucial, particularly for people living in rural and remote areas who may have limited mobility or limited access to resources. We recommend you work through actions and decisions prior to experiencing the stress of an imminent fire. You can make your own plan at www.myfireplan.com.au, or use the guides from the NSW, QLD or VIC Rural Fire Service:
NSW: rfs.nsw.gov.au/ plan-and-prepare/bush-firesurvival-plan
QLD: qfes.qld.gov.au/ prepare/bushfires
VIC: cfa.vic.gov.au/planprepare/ before-and-during-afire/ your-bushfire-plan
Be prepared!
There are simple things you can do around your property to prepare it against the risk of fire, and now is the time to enlist family and friends to:
- Keep lawns short and gardens well-maintained, trim overhanging trees, and take a way all cuttings.
- Remove flammable materials from around the outside of your home, such as door
- mats, wood piles, mulch, outdoor furniture and gas bottles.
- Prepare an adequate hose, or hoses, from a reliable water system that will reach all around the house.
Stay informed.
It could help if you download the app, and store these important numbers on your phone or somewhere safe:
- Website: Australian Warning System – www.australianwarningsystem. com.au
- Radio or TV: ABC/SBS
- Mobile App: Fires Near Me Australia
- Telephone
- NSW: 1800 679 737
- QLD: 13 74 68
- VIC: 1300 367 617.
Website
- NSW: fire.nsw.gov.au
- QLD: qfes.qld.gov.au
- VIC: frv.vic.gov.au
- cfa.vic.gov.au