PREPARE. ACT. SURVIVE

Being Bushfire Ready is a shared responsibility between the Government, fire agencies and the community. If you live, work or travel in an area where bushfires can occur, then you need to prepare a bushfire survival plan ahead of time and practise it regularly. Ensure that you are well prepared and stay well informed to assist you in making decisions to improve your safety and chances of survival.

Prepare

Preparing to leave early is the safest option for your survival.

Whether you choose to leave early to go to a safer place or to stay and defend your well prepared home, preparation is the key to survival:

• Prepare your Bushfire Survival Plan well before the fire season
• Prepare for those days when the forecasted fire danger rating is increasing
• Prepare for when a fire is close to you
• Prepare your home and your property to survive the fire front, showers of embers and radiant heat
• Even if your plan is to leave early, the more you prepare your home and property the greater the chance is that your home will survive the fire
• If you prepare your property but don’t feel able to stay and defend it, then plan to leave early. Make this part of your Bushfire Survival Plan
• If you prepare to leave early, consider where you will go, how you will get there safely and what you will take
• If you are planning to stay and defend, prepare for a frightening experience
• Find out what equipment you need and determine what you will do if things do not go according to plan.

Act

Fires can threaten suddenly and without warning. Be prepared to act without receiving any emergency warning. The CFS does not guarantee a fire truck will be there to protect your property so you need to:

• Know what the Bushfire Risk is for your area
• On a daily basis, know what the forecast Fire Danger Rating is for the area you are in
• Act decisively the moment you know there is danger
• Watch for signs of fire, especially smoke and flames
• Put your plans into action (avoid a ‘wait and see’ response)
• Look and listen for information on television, radio, internet, mobile phones and by speaking with neighbours:
• CFS website www.cfs.sa.gov.au
• CFS Bushfire Information Hotline: 1300 362 361
• On local ABC radio and FIVEaa.

Survive

Your survival and safety depends on the decisions you make. The safest place during a fire is away from a fire.

Being involved in a fire may be one of the most dangerous and traumatic experiences of your life.

Make sure you are Bushfire Ready this summer- it’s important you prepare a Bushfire Survival Plan.
For help and advice on what to do about your Bushfire Survival Plan visit the CFS website www.cfs.sa.gov.au or call your local CFS regional office or Council.