Bushfire plans: The five minutes that could save your family’s lives

Tasmanians are being urged to act now and spend the time to make a plan for what they will do if a bushfire threatens their home. SEE THE ADVICE >>

THE Grubb family at Tolmans Hill are better prepared than most for the coming Tasmanian bushfire season – but they are hoping they won’t ever have to put their five-minute bushfire plan into action.

Martin Grubb has been a career firefighter for 17 years and his wife Shannon knows he will probably be working if, or when, a fire hits the exclusive bushland suburb.

“We have our bushfire plan in place if he’s not here,” Mrs Grubb said.

“We have a good checklist and we know where our community evacuation areas are.

“The safety of our family and our pets is the most important thing to us.

“We have spoken to our neighbours and we hope they take the necessary precautions too.”

In the event of a fire, the Grubbs, with sons Stacey, 12 and Luke, 11, two cats and a dog, say they will be guided by advice from the Tasmania Fire Service.

“”We will monitor the conditions and get out early if we have to,” Mr Grubb said.

“If it is catastrophic we will head down the Southern Outlet to the beach at Blackmans Bay or to friends and family at New Town.”

The Grubb family, from left, Stacey, 12, Martin, Shannon and Luke, 11, at their Tolmans Hill home. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

The couple have lived at Tolmans Hill for about 15 years and have had only one fire in that time when they were building their home.

Every summer they clear the gutters and trim any trees.

Police, Fire and Emergency Management Minister Jacquie Petrusma on Saturday launched the government’s new advertising campaign Bushfire – Why Risk It, urging Tasmanians to “act now and spend just a few minutes planning for what they will do if a bushfire threatens their home”.

“Tasmanians will see and hear ads on social media and in newspapers, on television and radio, all with the same message – ‘Don’t wait until it’s too late, do your five-minute bushfire plan now!’” Ms Petrusma said.

“The five minutes you spend this weekend could be the best five minutes you spend this summer because it could save your life and the lives of your family as well.”

A template is available on the Tasmania Fire Service website to help people prepared a bushfire plan.

The plan covers all household members and includes a list of what people might pack to take with them including a mobile phone charger, medications, important documents such as passports and banking statements, spare clothes and personal treasures.

Police, Fire and Emergency Management Minister Jacquie Petrusma and Tasmania Fire Service chief officer Dermot Barry. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Tasmania Fire Service chief officer Dermot Barry warned people not to become complacent because of recent wet weather.

“Everything you do to prepare your property makes it easier for us when we’re trying to help you,” Mr Barry said.

“There’s potential for complacency but the wet weather encourages growth in the bush and homes.

“We’re expecting a normal fire season and that means there will eight to 10 fires burning out of control and we don’t really know where the fires are going to start. With lightning strikes the potential is for fires to start anywhere.”

He said the TFS would continue to undertake fuel reduction burns, postponed due to the wet weather, and had 5000 volunteers, career firefighters and extra aerial support to fight fires this summer.