Last weekend I attended a Get Ready Weekend event in Engadine with the local emergency services, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, WIRES, Red Cross volunteers, the SES, NSW Ambulance and the NSW Police Force. The Get Ready Weekend is an annual initiative organised by the NSW Rural Fire Service to help local communities prepare for bushfire season. With bushfires posing a significant threat to our homes and landscapes, Get Ready Weekend serves as a timely and essential reminder that preparation is key to protecting lives, properties and our natural environment. Each September the RFS hosts the Get Ready Weekend across approximately 500 locations in New South Wales, connecting local brigades with their communities to raise awareness and share practical advice. As we have seen in recent years, bushfire seasons are becoming increasingly unpredictable and intense, meaning preparation must start early. The RFS has already seen increased fire activity in certain parts of the State, underscoring the urgency for everyone to be aware of their risk and take the necessary steps to safeguard their properties.

This year, the RFS is forecasting a normal start to the bushfire season, but let us not be lulled into complacency. With warmer than average conditions and moderate rainfall predicted, certain areas, particularly in western New South Wales, are at risk of severe fire danger due to the build-up of dry grass fuel loads. As the hotter, drier months of summer progress, those fuel loads could rapidly become dangerous, leading to significant bushfire threats. The message is clear: Every household needs to be ready. Get Ready Weekend is the perfect opportunity to engage with the experts and ensure that we are doing all we can to mitigate those risks.

One of the key elements of Get Ready Weekend is the promotion of the bushfire survival plan, which the RFS strongly recommends every household develop and regularly review. The plan outlines the necessary steps residents should take when a bushfire threatens, whether they plan to stay and defend their homes or leave early. In the lead-up to the bushfire season, I encourage residents in my electorate to take a close look at their homes and surrounding properties to identify any areas that may be vulnerable to fire. Maintaining a defensible space around your home is one of the most effective strategies for improving the chances of survival during a bushfire. Simple tasks such as cleaning gutters of leaves and twigs, cutting back overhanging branches and ensuring that lawns are kept short can significantly reduce the risk of embers causing fire. Insurance is another critical aspect of bushfire preparation. Residents are urged to check their home and contents insurance policies to ensure they are up to date and provide adequate cover for fire damage.

While we hope that this summer will be a mild one, the reality is that we cannot predict with certainty how the fire season will unfold. The RFS has already begun preparing for what could be a challenging season, and it is up to all of us to do our part as well. Bushfires can ignite with little to no warning. Having a plan in place, preparing your home and staying informed about fire danger ratings and local conditions are the best ways to stay safe. I thank our local RFS brigades and volunteers, whose dedication and hard work keep our communities safe. Their efforts in educating the public during Get Ready Weekend are invaluable, and their bravery during the fire season deserves our deepest gratitude. In closing, I urge everyone to take bushfire preparedness seriously by reviewing your bushfire survival plan and taking practical steps to protect your home. Together we can ensure that our community is ready to face whatever this bushfire season may bring.