INITIAL RESPONSE

While we are still in the midst of the bushfire emergency we have complied a list of immediate things that can be done to prepare for bushfires as they approach. This relates both to your property and to yourself. Mental preparedness is a critical component of bushfire safety and the following information addresses both those issues.
Please note: The below reflects our recent personal experience and does not constitute official advice. The resources below link to authorities who provide that.
Hopefully some things we have learned may nonetheless be helpful to others.

Plan Ahead

If you are in an area affected by bushfires, but there is no immediate threat there are a few things you can do to prepare for the coming days.

• Get some cash out. Enough to last for a few days and cover food and fuel. If power is out, eftpos machines and ATM’s don’t work.

• Fill up all cars and and have a full jerry can. Fuel and particularly diesel was not available for days after the recent south coast fires due to power outages and supply issues.

• Fill some water containers in case of water disconnection if you are on mains

• Have some water treatment tablets ready. Unscented household bleach (4-5% chlorine) will do the trick as well: add 2 drops of bleach to 1 litre of water (or 4 drops if the water is cloudy), mix well and allow to stand for 30 minutes before use.

• Ensure you have enough food to last for a few days. Focus on non-perishable items that do not need cooking. Don’t panic buy - share.

• Make ice blocks in plastic containers. This can be helpful if you loose power and the fridge stops working.

• A composting or basic camping toilet can be a life saver as sewerage systems may be impacted.

• Talk to the neighbours: Who has which resources? water, generators, pumps etc. What are their plans? How can you help each other?

First steps - Information and Communication

INFORMATION - Find out about the current situation.
The RFS Fires Near Me App or website should be the first point of call for up to date accurate bushfire information.
If you have lost your internet connection ABC local radio is the next best thing and your best bet is a battery powered radio, or the car radio if unavailable. Be aware that local radio stations may also be offline as we experienced during the new years eve fires around Moruya. In this case the adjacent broadcaster should take over until a different channel, often an AM frequency can be established. Search for your local frequencies here and make note of them in advance.
In addition there are a number of other resources you can use to find out more about the current information:

• Facebook is invaluable. Both NSW RFS and most local RFS stations maintain Facebook pages providing up to date information. In addition there are community notice boards that act as information exchanges and Councils Facebook pages with practical advice. Often very detailed information can be found in the comment sections of these pages, while it also gives you an easy opportunity to contact the local RFS and Council.

• Twitter and Instagram are useful tools. A hashtag search for your particular location can unearth a wealth of local knowledge.

• RFS radio channels. Beware that listening to the radio traffic during a bushfire emergency is informative, but also all consuming and anxiety inducing. Do this only if you are prepared for frontline news. Scanner Radio is an app that allows easy access and there is also the Broadcastify website for live streams.

• The local RFS station if in close proximity and it is safe to drive

COMMUNICATION - Gather the people around you.
Review your bushfire survival plan or make one if you haven’t done so and there is enough time. Download the guide here.
A bushfire survival plan helps you decide what you will do if fire approaches. This includes when to leave, what to do if you stay and who is responsible for what.
An important part of making your plan is also to agree on communication methods and meeting points if your plan is to separate.
If possible check in with more vulnerable people in your community, elderly neighbours, people with health conditions or young people and assist them.
We have found a local WhatsApp group (or similar group messaging service) incredible helpful to communicate across the community before during and after a fire event to share resources, information and kind words. This should be set up before bushfire season.

Personal Preparation

Ensure you prepare yourself and your family before you start preparing the house.

GENERAL

• Change into protective clothing - wool or cotton only, long pants and long shirt, sturdy shoes

• Charge all phones and keep them at 100% in case you loose power

• Let friends and family know what your plans are and where you will be

• Check that you have access to local radio

• Ensure you have plenty of water to stay hydrated and fill a few larger containers for personal use

• Don’t forget to eat (sounds silly, but take it from us or you might find yourself starving many hours later when things settle down)

• Find something for kids to do to distract and entertain them

• STAY CALM

LEAVE KIT
Gather the things most necessary in a backpack in case you need to leave quickly. Each person should have their own kit.
This allows you to be ready for evacuation, but it is important to note that a decision to leave should be made early. Do not delay until it is too late as driving in hazardous conditions or fleeing on foot may leave you more vulnerable than sheltering in a solid structure.
Ideally you will also have an emergency survival kit prepared before the bushfire season handy to help you stay or to throw in the car.

Your leave kit may contain:

• Drinking water

• Protective clothing (wool or cotton only)

• A warmer layer and a change of undergarments

• A cotton sarong or similar for warmth or smoke protection

• Hat, goggles and smoke mask

• Head torch

• Cash and credit cards

• Critical ID documents

• Important medications plus basic first aid supply: pain killers, antiseptic, adhesive wound dressing, an asthma inhaler may assist due to smoke impact

• Basic toiletries: toothbrush and toothpaste, hand sanitizer, tissues doubling as toilet paper

• Mobile and charger

• Pocket knife

• A snack such as muesli bars

• A soft toy for kids

EMERGENCY SURVIVAL KIT
It is recommended that to prepare an emergency survival kit before the bush fire season starts, so that you have easy access to things that can help you survive a bush fire or other natural disaster. This kit will help you regardless of whether you are going to leave, or stay and actively defend your home. Below is a non-exhaustive list of items you might include.
The Red Cross offers an emergency kit checklist non-specific to bushfires which can be downloaded here.

• Portable battery-operated radio

• Torch (ideally waterproof)

• Spare batteries

• First aid kit

• Candles with lighter/matches (ideally waterproof)

• Woollen blankets

• Emergency contact numbers

• Waterproof bag for valuables

• Drinking water container

• Some long life food

Property Preparation

There are many resources that describe how to prepare your property for an approaching bushfire. We have all heard of the obvious things, but there are a few additional items you can address that will assist you in a bushfire situation. Below both categories are included. This list does not include things that should be done prior bushfire season or that require building works. We will address this separately.

• Block gutters and fill with water. Thick socks filled with sand work well, but other things such as rags in plastic bags will do too. Do not get onto the roof in a state of panic. This is an accident waiting to happen. Use a hose from below.

• Clean up fallen leaves, twigs and debris around the property, particularly close to any buildings

• Move flammable items away from the house

• Turn off gas mains and/or bottle

• Spread containers with water around the house

  If your intention is to leave:

• Consider leaving the key with a neighbour who is staying or leave the house open to serve as refuge in a small community

• Leave hoses out for use by others

• Leave a note telling people where you are. This one is controversial as looting has been reported, but important in the first hours after a bushfire.

  If you are defending your home:

• Have hoses long enough to reach around your house connected and ready

• If you have a pump, set it up to connect to your water tank

• Patrol the house well before the fire arrives and in the hours after the direct threat passes to put out embers and spot fires - the single most common cause of property loss

• As the fire approaches, wet the side of the house and garden that faces the fire

• Move your firefighting equipment to a place where it won’t burn inside

  Inside:

• Close doors, windows and vents

• Fill baths, sinks, buckets and bins with water

• Confine pets to one room

• Place ladder next to roof access hole so you can check for spot fires

• Soak towels and rugs and lay them across external doorways

• Move furniture away from windows

RESOURCES:

RFS Website
The plan + prepare section of the website offers a number of helpful resources relating to home preparation and the importance of a bushfire survival plan, but also explains alert levels and fire danger ratings.

My Fireplan
A NSW government website in conjunction with the RFS and Fire & Rescue that assist in making an appropriate bushfire survival plan and also provides a number of helpful checklists.

Bushfire Resilience: Preparing Yourself and Your Property
This article by the CSIRO outlines some of the issues that should be considered in a concise manner.

ABC - Plan for an Emergency
outlining basic advice before during and after an emergency

Home Evacuation Checklist
an excellent resource to assist in planning for a possible evacuation compiled by Jeff Cook Real Estate