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

The threat of rural fire

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If you live in or near a rural area, be Fire Smart and protect your home and property from the threat of rural fire. Rural properties, or those bordering a rural area, could be at risk of damage, or loss, due to the spread of rural fires. Homes that far away from urban areas, could also face a longer response time of rural firefighters and urban first response units.

Urban–Rural Interface

Communities can work together to prepare and protect against fire, by understanding the unique fire risks that exist in a rural, or urban–rural interface.

Properties that are residential, industrial or agricultural, are on the urban–rural interface if they are next to vegetation, whether it is forest, scrubland, or in a rural setting.

Get fire safe at the interface PDF cover

Get fire safe at the interface

Community responsibility to the threat of rural fire

If you live or own property in a rural area, or on the urban–rural interface, you are part of a community that has a responsibility to manage the risk of fires on your property. The community is responsible because there is no single individual, group or agency that is able to manage all the risks associated with rural fires, and the types of fires that could eventuate in this interface setting.

Together, the community can be responsible for assessing hazards, being aware of fire risk, and preparing for fires. The Community includes:

  • Homeowners
  • Businesses 
  • Farmers 
  • Fire and Emergency New Zealand 
  • Civil Defence Emergency Management 
  • Community Officials 
  • Media 
  • Schools

Community member responsibilities

Homeowners, Businesses and Farmers:

  • Establish and maintain a Fire Smart property.

Officials:

  • Understand the role of emergency services.

  • Contact Fire and Emergency New Zealand or your council to find out about local fire emergency plans.

  • Understand fire hazards, fire danger information and fire season status.

  • Predetermine whether to stay or to go in an interface fire emergency.

Fire and Emergency NZ:

  • Provide rapid response to fires.

  • Promote and carry out fire control measures.

  • Provide information and fire-safety education.

  • Monitor fire danger and the fire environment.

Media and schools:

  • Inform the public.