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Ten minutes now could save your life this summer

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Cameron NewboldAlbany Advertiser
DFES community preparedness adviser Jenna Honey-Smith with the My Bushfire Plan mobile phone app.
Camera IconDFES community preparedness adviser Jenna Honey-Smith with the My Bushfire Plan mobile phone app. Credit: Laurie Benson

As WA’s bushfire season officially started this week, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services launched its $1 million How Fireproof is Your Plan? campaign.

The plan involves a My Bushfire Plan mobile phone app and website designed to help West Australians be better prepared in the case of a fire emergency this summer.

The website and app aim to help people make critical decisions ahead of the bushfire season.

DFES Great Southern Supt Wayne Green urged residents to download the app.

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“The app caters for those who are confident they have a reasonable plan and also for those who need further assistance,” he said.

“It is very intuitive and user-friendly and only takes about 10 minutes to complete.

“Do it now. People still have time in the Great Southern.

“Taking 10 minutes today might very well save our lives in the weeks or months ahead in the event of something kicking off.”

DFES Great Southern Superintendent Wayne Green is looking to be fire ready.
Camera IconDFES Great Southern Superintendent Wayne Green is looking to be fire ready. Credit: Laurie Benson

Mr Green said creating a bushfire plan, which was broken up into segments in the new campaign, was important for emergency situations.

“People need to be aware of their surroundings and make clear decisions,” he said.

“This app makes you consider alternatives, how you are going to leave, and the route you will take, and it gives you options like if you are not at home and picking the kids up, so it’s quite flexible.

“Ninety per cent of the State is at risk to bushfires but only one in 10 people across WA have a bushfire plan and that is far too low.

“People need to identify a good plan and have a clear trigger on fire-danger ratings rather than waiting for an emergency or us to tell them to leave.

“It’s vital people have a better understanding of fire-danger ratings.”

The app is available from the app store, Google Play or mybushfire plan.wa.gov.au.

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