Our 3-Step Escape Plan

  • First Escape Route
  • Second Escape Route
  • Meeting Place
Notes

Use this space to note any additional information about your escape plan, i.e. who will assist

Your checklist

  • Get low

    Smoke is poisonous and more deadly than flames.

    If you breathe smoke for more than a few breaths it can kill you.

  • Be fast

    A house fire can kill you in less than three minutes.

    Don't spend time trying to save possessions.

  • Close doors

    A closed door buys you time.

    It slows down the spread of fire, giving you more time to get to safety.

  • Get out - stay out!

    People have died by going back into a fire.

    Don't leave the meeting place to go back inside for any reason.

Call emergency services as soon as you are out and safe. Ask for FIRE.

Clearly state your address and let the operator know it anyone is still inside or has not made it to the safe meeting place.

Emergency call 111 Emergency text 111

St Arnaud taking charge of community preparedness

St Arnaud taking charge of community preparedness

30 June 2023

Located on the edge of the picturesque Nelson Lakes National Park, the small community of St Arnaud knows its own risks – surrounded by high flammability native forests, it has limited access in and out of the village and only the Lake Rotoiti Volunteer Fire Brigade as the sole emergency service.

In 2020, the Department of Conservation, Lake Rotoiti Volunteer Fire Brigade and the local community came together to establish the Rotoiti FireSmart Working Group and were given permission to form a ‘Green Firebreak’ alongside an important access road to thin out the highly flammable vegetation, kanuka and manuka, remove all dead fuel, and replant with low flammability species.

St Arnaud’s risk reduction and readiness activities are an excellent example of what can be achieved when a community, the local brigade and supporting agencies all work together to identify risks and get prepared.

The time to plan, and act, is now. We can help you prepare, just reach out to your local brigade.

Back to news hub