5 tips to start your plan

Keep in mind that creating your plan takes time. It’s a commitment that our busy schedules don’t allow for so while you’re developing your plan, here's a few things you can be doing right now.

• Become a weather warrior - Thanks to modern apps, observing the weather is within easy reach and if we look closely, we can uncover little secrets that can aid our prep. Recognising hot days with low humidity can be a warning sign for the ease at which a fire can start and spread. Wind speed and wind gusts also provide valuable insights and wind speeds over 30km/h can significantly impact bushfire behaviour, making them uncontrollable and unpredictable. With wind changes added to the mix, a fire can arrive on our doorstep with little warning.

• Emergency Apps. In Victoria for example we have the VicEmergency App. Download the app applicable to your area, set up alerts and watch zones if possible. Keep an eye on fire danger ratings or flood and storm warnings but remember, in emergencies phone data and power can be affected so we can’t rely on apps alone. Have other sources like TV and radio, emergency agency websites and social media, and keep battery backup options to charge phones and other equipment you might need.

• Community unity. If you're someone who can keep an eye on the weather conditions and Fire Danger Ratings each day, reach out to your local networks! Establish communication channels through SMS, WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger groups and community pages to share vital information, observations, and emergency plans. Organise a meeting in your street and chat about the likely bushfire risks and consider programmes through your local fire brigade. Working together strengthens our ability to respond effectively to emergencies.

  
  

• Life saving lists. Crafting your bushfire plan offers great flexibility, ensuring it aligns with your specific preferences, whether you prefer simplicity or a more detailed approach. While creating your plan, kickstart the process by getting the family involved and begin with a few checklists to guide you. Your checklists could cover property maintenance before and during the season, triggers to leave, essential documents and valuables, emergency kit contents, evacuation routes (See our blog post 'Evacuation Routes) with clear directions, essential phone numbers, plans for pets and livestock, and a plan for your partners at work and one for your kids at school. And don’t forget to talk to your school and check their current Bushfire Emergency Plan.

  
  

• Time to Build Your Plan. By following these steps, you're well on your way to building a robust bushfire plan. Continue your prep by exploring resources on your local fire service website. Additionally, check out the webinar series from Bushfire Resilience Inc., featuring some of Australia’s leading bushfire experts in open discussion topics, including ‘Reducing House and Property Risk’, ‘Triggers to Take Action’, ‘Your Physical and Emotional Preparation’ and ‘Horses and Bushfires’. It's all relevant to us across the ranges, and it’s free!