Residents across NSW are being encouraged to get ready for the upcoming bushfire season and ensure their home is prepared and their bushfire plan is up to date.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the NSW Government has worked closely with the RFS and Resilience NSW to ensure the State is as prepared as it can be for the upcoming bushfire season.
“In May, we announced $45 million in additional funding for the RFS to fast-track hazard reduction, employ 100 new paid State Mitigation Crew positions and upgrade the firefighting fleet,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“We are as prepared as we can be, but it’s also important the community understands the important role they play in having a well-prepared property and fire plan.
“It takes five minutes to make or improve a plan that will give your property and your family the best chance of survival should you be threatened by a bushfire.”
Police and Emergency Services Minister David Elliott said Get Ready Weekend is a great opportunity for families to get to know their local firefighters and find out about the fire risk in their area.
“I encourage all residents to seek out and understand their bushfire risk, regardless of how your local Brigade is hosting their Get Ready Weekend activities,” Mr Elliott said.
“We saw last season how quickly fires can develop and threaten homes and lives, so now is the time to get ready.”
Commissioner Rob Rogers said recent wet conditions have seen an increase of vegetation growth west of the divide, bringing an unwelcome threat of grass fires.
“Grass fires can be especially dangerous because they start quickly and spread rapidly, destroying not only homes and stock but also lives and livelihoods,” Commissioner Rogers said.
“Last season was unprecedented, in terms of area burnt, lives lost and homes destroyed, but we cannot be complacent this season thinking that we won’t see fire activity again.”
The top four tips to getting ready for bushfire season are:
- Discuss what to do if a bushfire threatens your home;
- Prepare your home and get it ready for bushfire season;
- Know the bushfire alert levels; and
- Keep all the bushfire information numbers, websites and the Fires Near Me app handy.
Brigades have been taking part in more than 480 events this Get Ready Weekend, with a range of displays, demonstrations and online activities. Find out about local activities here.
To prepare your bushfire plan visit myfireplan.com.au/