Fire and Emergency Management
Permits no longer required. Please only burn when safe to do so and follow the guidelines provided at https://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/documents/BurnSmart_Guide_2021.pdf
Lighting fires on your property can be extremely dangerous. To reduce the risk, PROHIBITED and RESTRICTED burning times are set. These dates indicate when you are required to seek a Burning Permit (Restricted Burning Time) and when lighting of fires is prohibited.
These dates may vary due to seasonal conditions. For current information, please phone 9892 1111.
Firebreak Requirements
2022/2023 Annual Bushfire Mitigation Notice
Bushfire Resilience in the Great Southern (BRIGS)
Aimed to implement sustained resilience or disaster mitigation strategies that directly benefit
the WA community. For more Information please click on the links below.
Mount Barker BRIGS Report 2020
Kendenup BRIGS Report 2020
Emergency Contacts
TO REPORT A FIRE OR LIFE THREATENING EMERGENCY PLEASE CALL 000
For Harvest and Vehicle Movement Ban information call 9892 1102
| Ambulance: |
000 |
| Hospital: |
9892 1222 |
| Doctor: |
9892 1000 |
| Police: |
9851 1122 |
| Town Fire & Rescue: |
000 |
Bushfire Prevention and Control
Bushfires are an inevitable part of life in rural areas. Bushfires can happen at any time during the year especially during spring, summer and early autumn and can put properties and lives in danger. The only way to protect you and your property is through early preparation.
How do I prepare for bushfires?
Remove bushfire fuels around your property even if you live in a town or built up area, including in your gutters, eaves and around any sheds and buildings. Wind blown embers can travel a very long distance from the fire front and these embers are the cause of houses burning down across Australia every year.
Sit down with your family and work out a bushfire plan so that everyone knows what you will do if a bushfire threatens. This should include where to go if threatened by a bushfire, will you stay and defend or evacuate and don’t forget to include pets in your plan.
Burn SMART Campaign
The Burn SMART campaign aims to educate community members about planned burning on private land. It has been designed in response to a report from the Office of Bushfire Risk Management regarding escaped burns in the South West and Great southern regions in May 2018.
How to use Burn SMART.
Planned burning fact sheet.
Talking Points.
What do I do if a bushfire threatens?
The safest place to be if a bushfire threatens is as far away from the fire as possible, but this only applies if you leave early. Traveling on smoke covered roads is very dangerous and could put you in worse danger so if you can’t leave early, it’s best to shelter in your home. This is where the preparation you undertook in the cooler months really pays off.
Where do I evacuate to?
The Shire has a number of evacuation centres which may be used in long duration fires however due to the speed and unpredictable nature of a bushfire, it may be several hours before one can be set up. The best option is for you to identify a safe place that you and your family will evacuate to and make sure your friends and extended family are aware of the location and that you plan to use it during an emergency.
What about my pets?
Include pets in your bushfire plan but remember that evacuation centres cannot cater for a large number of pets. It is best if you can prepare your home and property so that pets and / or stock have a safe place of refuge such as a cleared area or an eaten out portion of the paddock with a simple shelter. It is important to remember to never cut fences, it will only put stock in more danger and could inadvertently cause car accidents. For more information about horses and bushfires click here.
What are my Legal Requirements?
The Shire of Plantagenet produces an Annual Bush Fire Mitigation Notice which outlines your responsibilities. This is sent to all properties with their rates notice and copies are given to real estate agents to deliver to rentals. The Annual Bush Fire Mitigation Notice is a legally enforceable document. If you don’t comply with your requirements you could be fined or have legal action taken against you.
Please take time to read and understand the Annual Bush Fire Mitigation Notice. A copy can be found here. For any clarification, please contact the Shire on 9892 1111.
Bush Fire Brigades
The Shire’s 11 bushfire brigades are spaced throughout the Shire and have some of the most technically advanced bush fire fighting appliances in the State. It is important to remember that the bushfire brigades, like all of the other emergency services in the Shire, are staffed by volunteers. If you are new to the area, it’s a good idea to meet the brigade so they know who and where you are.
The Brigade Contact List can be found in the Annual Bushfire Mitigation Notice (See link above).
Bush Fire Brigade Training
Training courses are offered to all brigade members to help them in their current role or to give bush fire fighters an opportunity to improve their skills.
Fire Control Officers
Each brigade in the Shire has Fire Control Officers (FCO’s) who are empowered under the Bush Fires Act 1954. Among other things, an FCO has the power to enter a property to inspect fire prevention and hazard reduction activities, instruct a property owner to conduct hazard reduction activities and issue permits to burn during the Restricted Burning Period.
Emergency Service Volunteering Information
The community of the Shire of Plantagenet relies upon the dedication and commitment of volunteers for all of its emergency services. Our volunteers take great pride in the work they do and as a result, are held in high regard amongst the community. Not only is volunteering with an emergency service an avenue to learning new skills and challenging yourself, it’s also a great way to meet people.
For information about joining a Bush Fire Brigade click here.
For information about joining the State Emergency Service click here.
For information about joining St John Ambulance click here.
For information about joining a Volunteer Fire and Rescue Brigade click here.
Bush Fire Advisory Committee
The Shire of Plantagenet supports a Bush Fire Advisory Committee which meets half-yearly to discuss all fire related matters. The Committee is made up of delegates from each bush fire brigade, the Chief Bush Fire Control Officer and an executive team.
Harvest Bans, Vehicle Movement Bans and Total Fire Bans
From time to time, on days of high threat periods, the Shire may impose a Harvest and / or Vehicle Movement Ban. When one of these Bans has been imposed, you cannot conduct any harvesting activity or operate any internal combustion engine unless on a formed road or the driveway to your property. To find out if a Ban is in place you can call 9892 1102 for a recorded message or you can subscribe to a free SMS service by calling 9892 1111 during business hours. On days of high threat periods, a Total Fire Ban may be imposed by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES). This Ban prohibits any activity likely to cause a fire but does not include agricultural activities. To find out if a Total Fire Ban is in place or for more information call the DFES Total Fire Ban Information Line on 1800 709 355 or visit www.dfes.wa.gov.au
Community Education Program
The Shire supports a comprehensive community bushfire education program. In the lead up to and during the fire season, Bushfire Street Meets are held in high risk areas throughout the Shire. When a Street Meet is planned for an area, a sign will be placed on the roadside on a Monday advertising the Meet for the following Saturday or Sunday and either 10.00am or 2.00pm.
Bushfire Warning Systems
During a bushfire, DFES and the Department of Parks and Wildlife issue community alerts and warnings for bushfires that threaten lives and property. They are issued once firefighters have arrived at the scene and determine that there is a threat or potential threat to the community.
Understanding the Bushfire Warning System is extremely important in helping you and your family to stay alert and informed when a bushfire starts.
The Bushfire Warning System operates using three levels of warnings.
Advice: A fire has started but there is no immediate danger. Stay alert and watch for signs of a fire. Be aware and keep up to date.
Watch and Act: A fire is approaching and there is a possible threat to lives or homes. You must start to act. If your plan is to leave, make sure you leave early. If your plan is to stay, check all your equipment is ready. Only stay and defend if you are mentally and physically prepared.
Emergency Warning: An out-of-control fire is approaching fast and you need to take immediate action to survive. If you haven't prepared your home it is too late. You must leave now if it is safe to do so, or seek shelter.
These levels change to reflect the increasing risk to your life or property and decreasing amount of time before the fire arrives.
Know the warnings and stay alert when a bushfire starts. Do not wait and see what happens, this could be deadly.
For more information about Bushfire Warnings:
Local emergency management arrangements
These arrangements have been produced and issued under the authority of S. 41(1) of the Emergency Management Act 2005 , endorsed by the Shire of Plantagenet Local Emergency Management Committee and the Council of the Shire of Plantagenet . The Arrangements have been tabled for noting with the Great Southern District Emergency Management Committee and State Emergency Management Committee.
Click here to download the current Local Emergency Management Arrangements (LEMA). Please refer to the Shire CESM, Mike Barnes (Telephone: 9892 1149) for up to date contact information and other attachments that have not been included in this web version.
Local Emergency Management Committee
The Shire of Plantagenet also supports a Local Emergency Management Committee which meets quarterly to discuss emergency management and preparedness. The Committee is made up of representatives of all emergency services, Shire staff and support agencies such as Western Power and Main Roads. For minutes of the Local Emergency Management Committee Meetings click here and scroll down to the relevant minutes.
Bushfire Mitigation Works Program
Information regarding the Shire's Bushfire Mitigation Works Program can be found here.