Over 90% of WA is bushfire prone. By putting a bit of thought and planning ahead of the season you can prepare your family for an emergency.
- Developing a plan is the first step in keeping you and your family safe. Do your Bushfire Plan today with the help of the Department of Fire and Emergency Services' useful Bushfire Plan App and save yourself valuable time in an emergency.
- Know where to get current information and keep up to date with alerts through the Emergency WA website and continue to monitor conditions and follow advice.
- Prepare an emergency evacuation kit before bushfire season and ensure the contents are regularly checked, accessible, and your family are aware of its location. Remember to include items for pets and vulnerable family members.
- Practice your evacuation plan and think about safe places to evacuate to. In emergencies, roads may be closed and your usual access routes diverted.
- Prepare your property by installing firebreaks and slashing any long, dry grass, clearing gutters, cutting overhanging branches and removing hazards from around the property.
firebreak inspection team van 
Firebreaks are a legal requirement under the Bush Fires Act 1954. Firebreaks are intended to minimise the spread or extension of bushfire and provides safe access for emergency vehicles to your property.
Storms are the most common natural hazard in Australia. While storms can happen at any time of the year, in Western Australia (south of Geraldton) they occur more frequently between May and October.
People who take action to prepare for severe storms before they happen are more likely to keep themselves, their families, their pets and their property safe.
Once the Burea of Metereology (BOM) issues a severe weather warning, DFES will provide alerts and updates through Emergency WA.
There are four alert levels to be aware of:
Alert | Meaning |
---|
Prepare | Severe weather is more than 24 hours away. You need to start preparing for the storm. |
Get Ready | Severe weather is six to 24 hours away. You need to prepare now for the storm. |
Take action | Severe weather is less than six hours away. Stay indoors and unplug electrical items if there is lightning. |
Cancellation | The severe weather has passed. Proceed with caution as dangers such as fallen trees and powerlines may be present. |
Call 132 500 for urgent property repairs that you cannot fix yourself. Due to the high demand during a natural disaster people need to remain patient and be prepared to wait.
For life threatening emergencies call 000.
Having a good understanding of how you will manage your animals as part of your personal emergency survival plan may significantly improve outcomes for your animal(s) and yourself.
Some key considerations when emergency planning for your animals:
- practise your animal emergency plan as part of your personal emergency survival plan
- discuss your plan with neighbours, friends and family
- Ensure that your animals are microchipped, registered and wear ID tags.
- insure your animals
- put together an animal emergency kit that can be easily relocated with your animal if necessary.
We a have produced a handy leaflet to help guide you to prepare for your pets ahead of any emergency.