Prepare for bushfires
As a primary producer, it's vital to take charge of your bushfire preparedness, wherever you live in South Australia.
This involves developing a survival plan and taking steps that reduce your bushfire risk.
Priorities in an emergency
All aspects of your farm operation need to be considered – from the safety of lives that you are responsible for, to land and assets that are at risk.
Think about the consequences of a bushfire and what you need to save most, such as:
- people – family members, employees, and visitors on your property
- animals – pets and livestock
- houses and other accommodation on your property
- sheds, storage, or facility buildings
- feed, fertiliser, and hay
- machinery, equipment, and fuel stocks
- crops and orchards
- farm inventory.
Make a survival plan
Your survival plan should outline what to do during a bushfire, as well as how to handle the recovery process after it has ended. Decisions need to be made, covering:
- When you, and others onsite, will evacuate.
- Which essential items you need to bring in an emergency kit.
- Where you can take refuge, both if you leave or need to stay on your property.
- Who will help if you're not home at the time of a bushfire warning.
- How you can access water points.
- What the backup options are if your plan fails –
- if your car won't start
- if electricity or mobile coverage is out
- if your animals are too spooked to cooperate.
Use the CFS survival plan template to become bushfire ready.
Your arrangements must also include an animal emergency plan if there are animals on your property or in your care.
Training
Your staff and anyone who is regularly on the property must know your survival plan and be able to carry it out it in your place if needed.
Conduct drills so that everyone knows what to do in the event of a bushfire emergency. Find out more about preparing your staff and worksite for bushfires.
Stay informed
Make sure you know the fire danger rating for your area. Be ready to activate your plan at the beginning of code red fire days.
You can make informed decisions on high-risk days by monitoring several alert sources – do not rely on a single platform of emergency warning information. Some options are:
- CFS warnings, which are updated every 5 minutes
- CFS social media
- the CFS information hotline 1800 362 361
- ABC radio, which is the official emergency broadcaster
- Emergency alert.
