Bushfire Management Plans

Bushfire Management Plans are crucial to preparing for bushfires on an individual level.
We will be using the RFS scaffold and will provide an example for the following property:
31-33 Salisbury Avenue Mount Victoria, NSW

Step One: Discuss

When will I leave?

As this property is surrounded by many trees and grassy areas, it is crucial to leave as early as possible. This would be when the Fire Danger Rating reads extreme.

Where will I go?

In the event of a bushfire in this area, I would go to Sydney, as it is roughly 2hrs away, and being a city is very safe and rarely ever impacted directly by bushfires.

How will we get there?

To get to Sydney preferably we will use roads, however if roads are blocked, it would be worth investing in an off road car to help make transport safer and less dangerous. Worst case scenario you would have to call emergency services to help you get through.

What will we take?

It is best to pack light as we have to be prompt, therefore we will only take, people, valuables such as computers and sleeping bags, meaning that we can stay the night in inconvenient areas.

It would also be worth taking camping supplies just in case something happens.

Step Two: Prepare

Rural Fire Service | Prepare for a fire

Even though it is best to leave as early as possible we should prepare our property to be best equipped to survive a fire. In our property above we should:

  • Make fire breaks around the perimeter of the property. Fire breaks could include taking out all the grass and replacing it with stones, this means that when the fire comes to your property it should be hard for it to cross into your house.

  • Mow the lawn around the fire region.

  • Set up high-pressure hoses around the property to allow for easy fighting of the fires.

  • Seek permission from the local council to remove the trees within a 100m radius of the property as these trees currently pose a HUGE risk to a fire spreading. The council will likely agree.

  • Contact your neighbours and organise to share fire fighting resources amongst yourselves. This was especially useful in Kangaroo Valley as discussed earlier.

Step Three: Know

Rural Fire Service | Prepare for a fire

In my property I should be looking at the Fire Warnings and the Fire Danger Rating daily, to ensure that I am safe and can make the correct calls at all times. As a general rule:

  • Severe Fire Rating: Should either leave or stay at home and prepare to defend the property.

  • Extreme: Should leave or if my home is prepared well enough be ready to defend the property and try gather friends to help you.

  • Catastrophic: There is no point in staying I should leave no matter what.

Step Four: Keep

Rural Fire Service | Prepare for a fire

Keeping infomation is extremely vital as it can help prepare you. In my property I would be actively listning out to local radio channels and have the smart phone app on my phone, with notificaitons on as this can save lives.

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