Canberrans will be encouraged to get “Bushfire Ready” for the long hot summer ahead, with the launch of a new, innovative community-based awareness campaign by Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Simon Corbell, today.
“The seasonal outlook indicates a busier than average bushfire risk in the territory,” Mr Corbell said.
“While the government reminds the ACT community at this time every year about the importance of getting prepared for the bushfire season, this year the ACT Emergency Services Agency (ESA) has developed a special #CBRBushfireReady program to assist residents get bushfire ready.”
The #CBRBushfireReady campaign involves:
- A dedicated #CBRBushfireReady weekend (22-23 November 2014) to encourage households to prepare ACT properties for bushfire.
- ESA volunteers doorknocking high risk properties in bushfire prone areas of Canberra to deliver important bushfire awareness information and advice.
- Distribution of ESA ‘Get Bushfire Ready’ information kits.
- Release of a new ESA ‘MyFirePlan’ mobile Bushfire Survival Plan application.
- A range of communications initiatives on local radio, television and online.
“The #CBRBushfireReady campaign is one of the key deliverables contained in the latest version of the ACT Strategic Bushfire Management Plan (SBMP) that I tabled in the ACT Legislative Assembly in September 2014,” Mr Corbell said.
“There are a number of very important actions all Canberra households should collectively undertake to be prepared for the 2014/2015 bushfire season in the ACT.”
To be ready for the bushfire season you should:
- Know your risk – Check if your house is located in a bushfire prone area. Search for your home or business on the Bushfire Prone Area Map at esa.act.gov.au Even if you don’t reside in a bushfire prone area, you may work or travel in high risk areas.
- Complete a Bushfire Survival Plan – Go to esa.act.gov.au to download the plan and the ESA’s ‘MyFirePlan’ app, and fill it in with everyone in your home.
- Prepare your property – Reduce the impact of bushfires on your home by undertaking preparedness activities including removing all combustible materials from your yard, keep your gutters, window eves and decks free of leaf matter and repair or replace missing or damaged roof tiles.
The #CBRBushfireReady campaign is being jointly funded by the ACT and Commonwealth Governments through the National Disaster Resilience Program.
(Simon Corbell Media Release)
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