How will we know what's going on?

There are a few key sources of information...

• Download the 'Hazards Near Me’ free smartphone app on Google Play for Android (Samsung etc) and the App Store for iOS (Apple iPhone). You can set a radius around you and get automatic alerts of any fires and other hazards in your area.
• You can also go to the RFS website to see the status of any fires.
• In an escalating emergency, the ABC (92.5FM or 702AM) will take up its role as our Emergency Broadcaster and give updates.

How will we know to evacuate?

Refer to your Household Bushfire Survival Plan.

One of the most important things to do before a bush fire is to decide what you’ll do if one should start. This is covered in Step 1 of your household Bushfire Survival Plan.

Step 1 covers deciding on whether you will “Leave Early” (your safest choice) or “Decide to Stay” (only if you are well prepared).

Having this pre-determined will help reduce stress levels on the day of the bushfire.

As a household, you may decide to leave based on the RFS Alert levels as shown on the Hazards Near Me App and the RFS website. Eg. When the bushfire reaches a “Watch and Act” alert level, you may decide to leave to go to a family or friend’s house away from the bushfire.

Alert Levels

During a bush fire, Alert Levels are used to give you an indication of the level of threat from a fire.

There are three levels of Bush Fire Alerts:

Advice

A fire has started. There is no immediate danger. Stay up to date in case the situation changes.

Watch And Act

There is a heightened level of threat. Conditions are changing and you need to start taking action now to protect you and your family.

Emergency Warning

An Emergency Warning is the highest level of Bush Fire Alert. You may be in danger and need to take action immediately. Any delay now puts your life at risk.

For some fires, you may hear a warning message over your radio or television, such as a siren, or you may receive an Emergency Alert text message or phone call. Other fires may start so quickly that there will be no time for any warning at all.

Emergency Alert is the national telephone warning system used by emergency services to send voice messages to landlines and text messages to mobile phones within a defined area about likely or actual emergencies.

Emergency Alert is just one way of warning communities and will not be used in all circumstances. Emergency Alert relies on telecommunications networks to send messages, and message delivery cannot be guaranteed.

Where will we evacuate to?

Refer to your Household Bushfire Survival Plan.

As part of completing your Household Bushfire Survival Plan, you will decide where you will go when you leave. It may be a family or friend’s house away from the bushfire.

We also have two 'Neighbourhood Safer Places'. These are a refuge of last resort if you are unable to leave the area. These are...

• Wagstaffe Wharf, at the end of Mullhall St Wagstaffe (///successes.ventilation.meltdowns)
• Killcare Wharf, opposite the end of Killcare Rd Killcare (///napkin.pans.monochrome)

Please note that travelling to or sheltering at a Neighbourhood Safer Place does not guarantee your safety.

Remember:

• Your safest option will always be to leave early.
• People with special needs, such as the elderly and people with a disability, should always leave before the threat of bush fire.
• If it is unsafe to leave the area or stay and defend your property, and the path is clear, you should move to your pre-identified Neighbourhood Safer Place, or other safer location, prior to the impact of a bush fire.
• Be aware that when you are travelling to your Neighbourhood Safer Place there may be heavy smoke and poor visibility.
• It is important that you are familiar with the area. Gather at the Neighbourhood Safer Place location and remain there until the bush fire threat has passed.
• The conditions at the Neighbourhood Safer Place may be uncomfortable and you may be affected by heat, smoke and embers.
• Water, toilets and food may not be available at the Neighbourhood Safer Place and emergency service personnel may not be present.
• Neighbourhood Safer Places are not intended for pets and livestock.

Who should I contact?

If you are in immediate danger, call 000.

Otherwise listen to the radio, keep an eye on your phone, answer the door to Police and take all advise offered by the Emergency Services.

I have an elderly or vulnerable neighbour/friend/relative in the area. How will I know they are OK?

Killy Cares maintains a list of vulnerable people in the area. Please contact or have them contact Killy Cares at killycares@gmail.com to be placed on the register.

In the event of an emergency, we will work with the Police and community to ensure they are checked on and cared for.