Bushfires occur every summer and often start without warning. If you live in, or near, bushland developing and using a Bushfire Survival Plan is critical.
A Bushfire Survival Plan helps local residents take action and avoid making last-minute decisions that could prove deadly during a bushfire.
“By now all residents should be aware that there have been dozens of fires in bushland around the Peth metropolitan area,” said Armadale Mayor Henry Zelones OAM JP.
“When developing your plan, decide if you will leave for a safer place - which may be the home of family or friends - or stay to actively defend your home, the plan also needs to take into account different circumstances and be based on the Fire Danger Rating
“Homes are not designed or constructed to withstand fires started in catastrophic fire weather conditions. You must decide in what conditions you will stay - if any - and when it would be best to leave. On these days you should put your survival first and leave early.
A Bushfire Survival Plan must be written down and practiced with every household member.
“Give everybody their own tasks and if you are on your own, you may like to develop your plan with a neighbour. Do not forget to think about what you will do with pets and livestock,” said Mayor Zelones.
While everyone’s Bushfire Survival Plan will be different, it needs to be flexible and cover a range of situations, including what to do if things go wrong. Conditions can change very quickly in a bushfire and often without warning, so a back-up plan is vital.
Practice your plan regularly and review it every year, keep it in an easy-to-find place and make sure everyone knows where it is.
Visit www.dfes.wa.gov.au for more information about preparing yourself, your family and your property for bushfire.
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