NSW Rural Fire Service has urged residents to get out to your local Get Ready Weekend 2017 on September 16 and 17.
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Brigades from Johns River, Hannam Vale, Killabakh, Lansdowne, Wherrol Flat, Coopernook, Harrington, Kundle Moto, Mitchells Island, Mid Coast (Taree), Rainbow Flat, Diamond Beach, Tuncurry, Gloucester Great Lakes, Green Point, Commba Park, Bulahdelah, Pacific Palms and Pindimar Tea Gardens will take part in the day, designed to assist residents with preparing for the bush fire season.
RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said the annual Get Ready Weekend campaign was a great chance for local families to learn simple but vital steps that would make a big difference in the event of a bushfire.
“Preparing for bushfires is easier than people may think, it could be as simple as mowing your lawn, clearing debris and flammable materials on your property, cleaning your gutters and talking to your family about what you would do if a bushfire was to start near them,” Commissioner Fitzsimmons said.
Research has found that around 90 per cent of homes destroyed by bushfire are due to burning embers.
Embers have the ability to travel many kilometres from the fire.
This means that even if you live well away from the bush you can still be at risk.
On Get Ready Weekend, local firefighters will be able to discuss your personal risks and how you can best protect you and your home from fire.
Getting ready for the bushfire season is easier than you think.
Little things you do now can make a big difference during a bushfire.
One of the most important things you can do is everyone in your home having a conversation about exactly what you will do in a bushfire.
Residents are advised to discuss what to do if a bushfire threatens your home, prepare your home and get it ready for the bushfire season, know the bushfire alert levels and keep all the bushfire information, numbers, websites and the smartphone app on standby.
To find out what your local fire station will be doing for Get Ready Weekend, visit www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/news-and-media/get-ready2017.