Council Urges Community to Get Bushfire Ready

Published on 12 October 2023

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Snowy Valleys residents are urged to start preparing their homes and properties ahead of the start of bushfire season.

Council Mayor Ian Chaffey said it was vital that residents heeded advice from the NSW Rural Fire Service to get prepared.

"Our region has experienced what a bushfire disaster can do, which is why it is so crucial that residents play their part in ensuring their homes and families are as prepared as possible," Cr Chaffey said.

“We are entering an El Nino phase which brings hot and dry conditions and below-average rainfall. We have already seen bushfires on the NSW south coast and Hunter regions so we can’t be complacent thinking it won't happen here again.

“We need to ensure we have cleared around our homes including things like moving the firewood stacked on the front veranda away from any buildings. The last thing we want is to leave more fire fuel lying around.

“It’s not only up to the RFS to keep us safe, as residents we have a responsibility to ensure our own safety and preparedness too,” Cr Chaffey said.

According to the NSW Rural Fire Service the more you prepare your home, the more likely it will survive a bushfire or ember attack.

  • Clean gutters of leaves and twigs and install metal gutter guards
  • Repair damaged or missing tiles on the roof
  • Install fine metal mesh screens and seals on windows and doors
  • Enclose the areas under the house and repair or cover gaps in external walls
  • Attach a fire sprinkler system to gutters
  • Keep lawns short and gardens well maintained
  • Cut back trees and shrubs overhanging buildings
  • Clean up fallen leaves, twigs and debris around the property
  • Have hoses long enough to reach around your house
  • If you have a pool, tank or dam, put a Static Water Supply (SWS) sign on your property entrance, so firefighters know where they can get water
  • Check and maintain adequate levels of home and contents insurance. Ensure it is up to date.

The RFS also recommends that residents:

  • Develop a bushfire survival plan and talk about it with family and friends
  • Know your fire risk using the NSW bushfire household assessment tool
  • Know the new fire danger ratings and how to use them as a trigger for action
  • Know where your local Neighbourhood Safer Places are located, should you need to seek shelter
  • Create a watch zone on the Hazards Near Me app to be notified of any fires in your area

For more about how to prepare visit www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/plan-and-prepare

-ENDS-

 

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