Online help for bush fire season
24th October 2009Ministerial media release
NSW Minister for Emergency Services Steve Whan has urged residents living in bush fire prone areas around the state to try the RFS latest home fire danger assessment tool.
Mr Whan said the service is available online at the RFS website and is called the Bush Fire Household Risk Assessment Tool.
"This is an important feature and will assist residents with assessing the level of bush fire risk to their property and help them prepare for bush fire season," Mr Whan said.
"The Bush Fire Household Risk Assessment Tool allows you to enter simple details about your property, such as the slope and vegetation.
"It then calculates the level of risk to your property, whether it be from direct flame, radiant heat or ember attack, and provides valuable advice on how to reduce that risk," he said.
Mr Whan said the online tool also lets people assess their own ability to defend their home from bush fire.
"By answering a few simple questions about your own preparation and your ability to defend your property, the tool can assist you in making the important decision of whether you will stay with your property and defend it during a fire.
"The online tool gives people clear and simply advice, which can then be used to complete your Bush Fire Survival Plan.
"Everyone should have a Bush Fire Survival Plan, setting out important information like what you will do during a bush fire, where you'll go and what you'll take," Mr Whan said.
"It is vital that people do all they can to prepare for the coming hot summer days ahead of us, and I strongly urge all householders in fire prone areas to use this new tool to help them make their bush fire plans.
Mr Whan said the Household Risk Assessment Tool and Bush Fire Survival Plan is now available to be accessed on the Rural Fire Service website at www.rfs.nsw.gov.au
Online help for bush fire season (PDF 32KB)