DFES partner with Perth Scorchers to beat the Heat this bushfire season

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services has teamed up with the Perth Scorchers to encourage more Western Australians to find 15 minutes to make a bushfire plan.

Tomorrow’s Big Bash League match against the Brisbane Heat at Optus Stadium will feature promotion of DFES’ My Bushfire Plan app and website – a free platform for the community to make key decisions about how they would respond to a bushfire – and the Scorchers will switch off their trademark on-field flames.

The partnership comes after months of DFES appealing to the public to spend 15 minutes making a bushfire plan as their best defence against unpredictable bushfires.

Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm AFSM said attention to bushfire plans often spiked after major fires but there was still too much complacency.

“Only 1.5 per cent of households have a recorded bushfire plan compared to 93 per cent of the State that is bushfire prone,” he said.

“Firefighters have responded to 2706 bushfires since October, 38 per cent more than at this time last year, and with conditions not showing any signs of easing we want to see everyone prepared for a potential emergency in their area.

“More than 30 bushfires have hit emergency warning level since October and many of those were in the Perth metropolitan area. Use the My Bushfire Plan app or website to make those lifesaving decisions now.”

DFES officers and firefighters will be positioned at the front of Optus Stadium tomorrow to provide personalised advice on how to make a bushfire plan.

Perth Scorchers General Manager Justin Michael said the Scorchers were the ultimate family summer entertainment but they were prepared to sacrifice a popular aspect of their game-day package to promote the importance of bushfire safety.

“That's why we're proud to partner with the Department of Fire and Emergency Services on the Got 15 Minutes to Burn campaign,” he said.

“To raise awareness and encourage action, we’ve removed our on-field flames for our home match against the Brisbane Heat.

“Whether it's waiting for the first ball, during the innings break or on the bus ride home, we urge every Scorchers fan and all Western Australians to take time to create their own bushfire plan.”