Powered by Tasmania Fire Service’s Bushfire Ready Neighbourhoods Program
Bushfire-Ready Challenge 2:
CREATE A BUSHFIRE PLAN
Watch the below video about this week’s challenge,
and then work through thefollowing information and activities, to help you write a bushfire plan!
Use your BUSHFIRE SAFETY GUIDE
Bushfire Safety guide
When planning for bushfire, the first place we encourage you start is with your Bushfire Safety Guide.
By now, you should hopefully be familiar with this. However, if you need another copy…
How can I use this guide to plan for bushfire?
ACTIVITY: Flip over to the ‘MY BUSHFIRE PLAN’ section of this guide.
Take the time to review this planning template to understand what considerations make up a bushfire plan.
You can then review an online version by clicking the button below. Or, find a QR code in your guide and scan to plan.
Now we know where we can write our bushfire plan, let’s watch the below video from our friends at the ABC. This should help you get started!
Hold a BUSHFIRE PLANNING MEETING with your household
Put the kettle on, and set a meeting, because the best plans are made together! To complete this week’s challenge, it will be important for you to sit down with your household and have a meaningful discussion about your plans for bushfire.
ACTIVITY: Refer to the ‘MY BUSHFIRE PLAN’ section of your Bushfire Safety Guide, and the online version. Work together with your household to answer the following questions:
Triggers
What are your household’s triggers to leave early?
Triggers to leave during a bushfire incident will differ from household to household.
Using the Australian Fire Danger Rating system, the Tas Alert website and staying tuned to ABC radio is always a good place to start.
Watch the video on the right to find out more about triggers.
*Please disregard websites provided in this video and refer to www.fire.tas.gov.au for Tasmanian specific information.
Where will you go?
Leaving early is always the best option and strongly advised by the Tasmania Fire Service.
Doing so you will allow you to consider a safe location such as friends, family, or alternative accommodation in another town.
These are all great options so you can put the feet up, grab a cuppa and see the fire out.
Can’t I just go to a Nearby Safer Place (NSP)?
A nearby safer place is somewhere you can shelter during a bushfire if you cannot carry out the first option of your Bushfire Plan.
It is a location somewhere close by that you can access quickly and safely, and that provides shelter from radiant heat.
Using a nearby safer place is not without risk. They are a place of last resort, not your only option.
To discover your local NSP and other information, click the button below to view available Bushfire Protection Plans.
You can also find more about NSPs at www.fire.tas.gov.au
*Please note that not all communities have a Bushfire Protection Plan
What will you take?
Figuring out what to take during an emergency is always tricky.
That’s why we advise to build an emergency kit and create a list of additional items you will need.
Check out page 9 of the Bushfire Safety Guide for further advice, and look out for Challenge 4 in a couple of weeks!
Do you need additional considerations for vulnerable persons?
If you have anyone in your household that is considered vulnerable, you will need to ensure you take further consideration regarding their:
- Capability to act in an emergency
- Well being & Understanding
- Environment & Accessibility
- Resources & Aids
Vulnerable persons should always consult with family, trusted friends and their carer when planning for bushfire.
Click the button below to access our Bushfire-Ready Carers guide.
What role will each person play?
Don’t forget, responsibility during an emergency situation is always important.
Within reason, no matter the age or ability of a person in your household, they can play a role.
The last thing you want is members of the household feeling lost, confused or useless to the situation.
If a person has a key role to play, they will be purposeful to the household’s success in leaving safely and early.
Use this time to discuss with each person what they believe they can be responsible for during an emergency.
Don’t forget your LIVE STOCK and PETS
We all know our animals are part of the family, so make sure you are planning for them too! Whether they are domestic animals or livestock, take time to consider how you will manage them in a bushfire emergency.
Pets
Animals, big and small Check out this great video from our friends at the Huon Valley Council, helping you ensure you plan for your pets!
Livestock
Livestock Take a look at this video from the Country Fire Authority, and learn more about preparing to manage livestock in a bushfire incident.
Are you prepared for every SCENARIO?
Sometimes plans don’t go to…plan.
It’s strongly advised to have multiple bushfire plans for every scenario of your household.
No doubt, you all have different hobbies, work commitments, school and by no means does every day look the same!
Ensure you outline all the variables you may face in bushfire emergency, and cater for these in your bushfire plan.
This will help you stay prepared, act and survive.
Hopefully now you’ve made a great start on your bushfire plan!
See you next week as we help you take on challenge 3 - Complete a Bushfire Property Assessment
Got a question?
Contact us via email at community@fire.tas.gov.au for any questions about the Community Bushfire-Ready Challenge.