The NSW Rural Fire Service has issued fire weather advice for Tuesday 12 November 2019 with the following areas rated as at or above SEVERE:
- Far North Coast SEVERE
- North Cost EXTREME
- Greater Hunter CATASTROPHIC
- Greater Sydney Region CATASTROPHIC
- Illawarra/Shoalhaven EXTREME
- Far South Coast SEVERE
- Southern Ranges SEVERE
- Central Ranges EXTREME
- New England SEVERE
- Northern Slopes EXTREME
- North Western EXTREME
- Lower Central West Plans SEVERE
Vulnerable Facility Managers play an integral role in taking the necessary steps to prepare their sites, staff and clients for the threat of bush fire in their local area. Advice from the Rural Fire service is that Vulnerable Facility Managers within affected areas should:
- Stay well informed of current fire activity by monitoring local media & regularly checking for updates on NSW RFS website www.rfs.nsw.gov.au or information line 1800 679 737
- Enact their facility Bush Fire Survival Plans and review the Evacuation Decision Making Guidelines for Residential Care facilities
- Contact their local fire authority to discuss implications and possible requirements.
Please also ensure that you have updated daily lists of all of your residents who are on site.
If you think evacuation is a possibility, please consider preparing Go Bags for residents with a change of clothes and essential medications or emergency aids.
Reducing the impact of bushfires is a shared responsibility between government, emergency service organisations and the community.
Fires can threaten suddenly and without warning. At a Fire Danger Rating of SEVERE or above, fires are likely to be uncontrollable. When SEVERE (or above) Fire Danger Rating is forecast, Vulnerable Facility Managers need to take warnings seriously and be prepared to act.
If an evacuation is required, this should be done early. Do not rely on emergency services to assist with evacuation as this may not be possible.
In an emergency please ring 000.
If you need assistance in finding vacancies or resources to support you in managing an emergency please ring the department on 0413 011 185. This number is monitored at all times.