Planning for an Emergency

Do you have a bushfire plan?  Click Here(PDF, 4MB)

Planned Burning on Council Land

Managing fire is vital for protecting our homes and maintaining environmental habitats.  Planned burning on Warrumbungle Shire Council land is used to lessen the impact of wildfires.  Planned burning reduces the build-up of fire fuel, such as sticks and leaves, that makes of the bush are left untouched. These areas also help re-establish vegetation in the burnt sections. Most planned burns in the Shire take place between May and August. Rural Fire Service staff use weather forecasts to determine the best day for each planned burn. Burns postponed due to poor weather conditions are rescheduled. Please contact the Rural Fire Service to report any build-up of fuel in any areas that threaten assets, or contact Council if these areas are council property, roads or parks.

Planned Burn Program

Neighbours adjoining the burn areas will be notified prior to burning as specific dates for burns are difficult to predict. Planned burning that occur regularly are usually scheduled for the following areas:

1.   Newell & Oxley Highway, north of Coonabarabran
2.   Dandry & Timor Roads, Coonabarabran
3.   Areas around the village of Leadville
4.   Areas around the village of Ulamambri
5.   Areas around Council Waste Disposal sites 
6.   Areas around the Coonabarabran Treatment Works

Protecting your property

 You can play your part in managing fire by:

• Being aware of fire management issues in your area
• Talking to your neighbours and the RFS about reducing the risk of fire if your property shares boundaries with bushland
• Asking your neighbours and the RFS about Fire Brigade membership
• Preparing an evacuation plan for your family and pets
• Reporting fires to 000

Building and living in the bush

When you are building and living in the bush you must consider fire safety issues. Subdivision and building plans for homes located in high fire danger areas must meet state government standards. Bushfire hazard planning includes guidelines for:

• Building location, design and construction
• Power and water supply
• Access, firebreaks, clearings and maintenance

For more information on building in bushland, contact the Warrumbungle Shire Council or visit the Rural Fire Service Web Site www.rfs.nsw.gov.au

What contributes to the risk on my property

• Flying embers and spot fires starting in or beside your house
• Leaves in roof valleys and gutters, pot plants on decks, timber decks, vegetation planted next to the house
• Wood heaps and rubbish under or beside the house, doormats made of flammable material  

How can I reduce my property from fire risks

• Maintain a fuel free zone around your fence line
• Do not place garden waste and other flammable materials in fuel free zones, firebreaks and fire access trails
• Never dump garden waste and other flammables in adjoining bushland areas
• Remove vegetation overhanging your house
• Clean decks, gutters and roof valleys
• Clear firewood, other flammables and rubbish from under and around the house
• Plant less flammable local plant species in your garden
• Point LPG safety valves away from the house
• Remove doormats made of flammable materials
• Have good access to water around your house such as tanks and swimming pools
• Do not rely on electric pumps and town water as these services can go down during fire emergencies

What can you do to protect your property

• Do regular maintenance work around the house such as roof repairs, general clean-ups
• Don’t have garden beds and vegetation next to your house
• Teach your children the dangers of wildfires
• Work with your neighbours to carry out fire management activities

Exploring some fire facts

• Fire weather occurs when a combination of air temperature, relative humidity and wind speed create an atmosphere conducive to easy ignition and rapid spread of fire
• Bushfires cost the whole community

Lighting a fire on private property (Rural Agricultural Burn)

Bush Fire Danger Period [1st October till 31st March] 

The Bush Fire Danger Period for the Warrumbungle Shire Council Area is from the 1st October till 31st March annually. This may be varied, depending on conditions from the Castlereagh Bush Fire Management Committee (BFMC). During the Bush Fire Danger Period you require a FIRE PERMIT issued from RFS (see your local Captain or ring the Fire Control Centre) or for town residents, contact the NSW Fire & Rescue.  Legal conditions on the Fire Permits, must be followed. Infringement fines will apply if burning without a Fire Permit. For more information see www.rfs.nsw.gov.au or contact Castlereagh Zone Office during business hours on (02) 6842 2645 or FAX  6842 2932

Off Fire Season Agricultural Burn

During the non-Bush Fire Danger Period, Landowners must still give notice when lighting a fire to the RFS and Neighbours: under section 86 of the Rural Fires Act 1997 and Section 33 of the Rural Fire Regulations 2013.

To give notice of lighting a fire on your land, you must provide 24 Hours' Notice before lighting. Notification is by phone to the Castlereagh Zone, Fire Notification Line on 1300 557 876, any time.  

Leave details of your name, address, location from nearest town, type of burn and period of burn, with a maximum of 3 weeks' notice for each burn period.

Towns and Villages

You cannot burn garden waste or any other rubbish in an incinerator in your backyard, on vacant land or on the road, without permission. you must contact the Rural Fire Service, or if in town the NSW Fire & Rescue Brigade, if you are planning to light a fire on your property for fuel reduction purposes. Hazard Reduction Certificates can be issued to burn on some roadside areas controlled by Council, subject to the Rural Fire Service rules and procedures that you need to follow. See the 'Burning Off Flowchart(PDF, 573KB) ' for further information for overgrown areas of Crown Land or other unidentified areas please contact the Rural Fire Service.

Neighbourhood Safer Places (NSP)

Neighbourhood Safer Places is a recently new concept that has evolved out of the tragic Victorian ‘Black Saturday’ bushfires in February 2009. Neighbourhood Safer Places have been identified as an area of open space that can provide improved protection to human life, taking into account exposure to radiant heat, smoke and embers during the onset and passage of a bush fire. The primary purpose of a Neighborhood Safer Places is the protection of human life. Neighbourhood Safer Places still entail some risk, both in moving to them and while sheltering in them and cannot be considered completely safe. The safest option for residents of bushfire prone areas is to leave their property well before the threat of bush fire.

The following limitations to Neighbourhood Safer Places (NSP) should be considered within personal Bush Fire Survival Plans:

• Do not cater for Pets

• May not provide shelter from the elements, particularly flying embers

• Do not provide meals, accommodation or medical attention

• May not have Emergency Services present

 Survival when travelling to or gathering at the NSP is not guaranteed. Identify these areas on the list in your area and LOOK FOR THE SIGNS

*For emergency help in floods and storms call the SES on 132 500

Warrumbungle Shire Council advises residents to stay away from creeks and stormwater drains. It is recommended that residents using roads, bikeways and footpaths in flood affected areas use caution at all times during high rainfall events. Residents are reminded to stay well away from storm drains at all times. Parents are advised to warn children of the dangers of playing near fast flowing water. Residents should avoid driving in the wet conditions and should not drive through flood waters under any circumstances. Due to a deluge of rain, there may be hazards in lower areas, with raised creek and stormwater levels. Debris can remain and the ground becomes very wet and slippery. Residents should take particular care in creek side parks and catchment areas as silt may be deposited as flood waters recede. Rain, flood waters and debris can make footpaths and other paved areas slippery. 

What can I do during a Storm

When a storm warning is broadcast, there are a number of things that you can do.

•  Listen to your local radio station for information and advice.
• Bring children and pets indoors.
• Stay away from windows.
• Park your car under secure cover and away from trees
• If outside, seek secure cover away from trees
• Do not walk, ride or drive through any flood water
• Stay away from fallen trees and power lines
• Put your Family Emergency Kit where you can find it easily
• If you need help from the SES, call 132 500
• For life-threatening emergencies, call 000
• While the storm is passing through, stay indoors if possible
• If you are driving, put on your hazard lights and pull over to the side of the road, clear of floodways, streams, creeks, causeways, trees and powerlines

Health Issues

Flood waters contaminated with sewage may carry a range of viruses, bacteria and parasites.  To prevent illness, contact with floodwater should be minimised. Avoid swimming in rivers, lagoons and estuaries for at least three weeks after heavy rain.  When cleaning up, remember to look after yourself.  Drink plenty of fluids and do not wait until you are thirsty.  Have frequent breaks and take care not to get too cold or too hot. It is normal to feel a mix of emotions in emergency situations and these emotions should pass with time. If you experience a prolonged period of distress, please contact your local doctor. It is critical to practice basic hygiene during the flood and clean-up period. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and clean water after handling flood-affected items or participating in any flood clean-up activities, after going to the toilet and always before handling or eating food. Keep children away from flood-affected areas and avoid unnecessary contact with mud and floodwaters. Ensure feet are covered if they are likely to come into contact with mud and always wear gloves when handling flood-affected items or mud. If you don’t let your children play in the toilet DON’T let them play in flood water. All cuts and abrasions should be cleaned, treated with antiseptic and covered immediately.  If you have a deep cut or wound, if a wound has had contact with floodwaters or if a wound develops redness, swelling or discharge, seek immediate medical attention. Should you or any of your family have severe diarrhoea or vomiting, please

House and Yard Clean Up

Wear suitable protective clothing including boots, gloves and eye protection while cleaning up.  Be wary of snakes, spiders and rats that may have taken refuge in or near your home. Electrical equipment and hot water systems affected by floods should be inspected for safety by a licensed electrician before use.  Also, gas appliances and gas bottles should also be inspected by a qualified tradesperson. Mould or mildew may develop if items are not completely dried. Mould or mildew may be removed with household bleach; however, the strength of the product may ruin some household items. Mosquitoes spread human disease, such as Murray Valley encephalitis and Ross River virus. Avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. Use an insect repellent on exposed skin areas and reapply every couple of hours.  Cover up as much as possible with loose-fitting and light-coloured clothing. Farm Chemicals - Be aware about flood-affected farm chemicals, containers or spills.

Further information look at the NSW Health Web Page www.health.nsw.gov.au  

The emergency management systems in Australia are based on the principles of:       

• All hazards, generic arrangements should be developed for all conceivable emergency risk
• All agencies, a whole of government approach should be adopted
• Comprehensive emergency management should include prevention/mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery
• A prepared community

As the closest level of government to communities, local government has a key role in community emergency management The Warrumbungle Shire Council Emergency Management (EM)Plans (previously called DISPLAN or Disaster Plan) provide an outline for prevention, preparation, response and recovery. This includes disaster arrangements for our community and in partnership with other levels of government and volunteer agencies. The focus is to minimise the effects of a disaster.

 The Plans:

• Outline the Disaster Management system
• Specifies roles and responsibilities
• Addresses all phases of disaster management
• Provides a framework for sub-plans for our most likely threats such as bushfire, severe storms and floods    

Discuss who in your household will do what in an emergency. For example, decide who will pick the children up from school or take care of the pets.

Prepare an emergency plan and put the plan where everyone will see it. For example, you could place it on the refrigerator or bulletin board.

To prepare an emergency plan

• Discuss with household members the dangers of bushfire, severe storms, cyclones and other emergencies
• Protect your home by securing loose items, such as lawn furniture, refuse bins, children's furniture, and other objects that may damage property during severe storms
• Discuss how to respond to each disaster that could occur
• Discuss what to do in the event of power outages and personal injuries
• Draw a floor plan of your home and identify two escape routes from each room
• Learn how to turn off the water, gas and electricity at main switches.  Write down where the main switches and values are located
• Post emergency telephone numbers near telephones.  Include your local police, fire, ambulance, Council and State Emergency Service, together with gas and electricity suppliers
• Teach children how and when to call 000 and instruct household members to turn on the radio for emergency information
• Choose one interstate and one local friend or relative for household members to call if separated during disaster teach children how to make long distance telephone calls
• Choose two locations where you can meet, if a natural disaster makes it impossible to return home. You could choose a location near your home (for example, in the event of a fire) and a location outside your neighbourhood
• Ensure your pets are looked after