If you live or work on a rural property or rural business, there are specific things you should do to prepare for the possibility of a fire emergency.

Planning for fire

• Have two escape plans - one for getting out of the house, and one for getting off the property (or out of the way of an oncoming fire).
• Have a plan for contacting emergency services when out of phone contact.
• Understand the fire danger and fire season status.
• Maintain water supplies with good access and adequate sign posting for emergency services.
• Provide appropriate tank couplings or adequate access to static water for portable pumps, so that our responders can use these if necessary.
• Ensure fire trucks and large vehicles can access your property by clearing roads and driveways to a width and height of at least 4 metres.
• Display your Rural Addressing Property Identification (RAPID) number or road/street number clearly at the beginning of your driveway.
• Keep a list of important contact numbers by your phone.
• Teach your children to call 111 in an emergency.
• Have a battery-powered radio in case of power cuts.

For more tips on things you can do to protect your farm from fire, check out our rural landowner fire safety checklist.