Got 15 Minutes to Burn?

Western Australians are being urged to use their time wisely and spare 15 minutes to create a bushfire plan as we enter another unpredictable southern bushfire season.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) new bushfire safety campaign ‘Got 15 Minutes to Burn?’ has started and is designed to challenge the perceived barriers to making a bushfire plan – that it is too difficult and too time consuming.

The campaign is encouraging Western Australians to use the My Bushfire Plan website or mobile application to develop an easily accessible plan that outlines what they will do if a bushfire occurs.

Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm AFSM said having a bushfire plan was vital.

“Having an established plan can help you to avoid making last minute decisions that could prove deadly,” Commissioner Klemm said.

“A bushfire can destroy your home or block your exit route in as little as fifteen minutes.

“If you dedicate that same amount of time to making a bushfire plan, you will be in the best position to keep yourself and your loved ones safe.

“If your plan is to leave, leave early. You should only stay if you are physically and mentally prepared to defend your property and you have all the right equipment.”

The My Bushfire Plan website guides users through the process of making a plan, and also provides the ability to create multiple plans per account and share plans.

Multiple plans on a single account are ideal for people with holiday homes or secondary residences and for people travelling or staying in high bushfire risk-areas who want to plan what they will do if a bushfire starts.

The ability to share plans ensures family or household members know exactly what they need to do if a bushfire starts.

To create your plan, visit mybushfireplan.wa.gov.au or download the My Bushfire Plan app from the App Store or Google Play. If you need support, contact your local volunteer bushfire brigade, group or unit.

Once completed you can access your plans at any time on your device, even without internet connection.

If you or someone you know can’t access the website or app, have a conversation about what you would do if a bushfire started, write it down and make sure everyone knows where it is.

During a bushfire, stay up to date with the latest alerts and warnings at emergency.wa.gov.au, 13 DFES (13 3337), facebook.com/dfeswa or your local ABC Radio.