Prepare your family’s bush fire survival plan now: that’s the message from Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders and the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) in the lead-up to bush fire season.
Mr Saunders said more than 500 community awareness events will be hosted by Rural Fire Brigades on Saturday, part of the annual Get Ready Weekend.
“With the official bush fire season fast approaching, now is the time to prepare. You dramatically improve the chances of you and your home surviving a devastating bush fire by doing a few simple things such as cleaning out your gutters, trimming overhanging branches, and completing a Bush Fire Survival Plan,” Mr Saunders said.
“Being aware and prepared is everyone’s responsibility, whether you’re at home, at work or away on holidays.
“Our Brigades are holding their annual Get Ready events, and I encourage residents right across the region to drop by and benefit from the fantastic advice our local firefighters will be sharing.”
Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said continuous, heavy rainfall has led to an increase in the growth of fuel loads.
“Grass fires can move three times faster than bush fires and are our greatest threat this season,” Ms Cooke said.
“A new system of Fire Danger Ratings is now in place which will help communities across the State to better understand the risks and make potentially life-saving decisions.”
For more information about the new Fire Danger Rating System visit: www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/news-and-media/newfdr.
For a list of community awareness events in your area visit: www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/news-and-media/getready.