Lismore City Council is encouraging families, friends and neighbours to use the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) 'Get Ready Weekend' this Saturday and Sunday to prepare for the bushfire season and start a broader conversation about being aware of, and prepared for, all hazards.

It was only ten short months ago that the Nightcap National Park fires at Mt Nardi were out of control causing many people to flee their homes and properties to evacuations centres at the Nimbin and Lismore Showgrounds.

“The 2019/20 bushfire season was devastating across the North Coast and much of Australia. It was a stark reminder of the danger of fire. It was also a reminder of the importance of being prepared and having a plan,” Lismore City Mayor Isaac Smith said.

"This is for everyone in our community to think about the coming fire season and managing your property amongst disasters. We're asking people in our community to know the risks, to plan how you are going to deal with those risks and, should an emergency happen, to look out for each other."

"The evidence shows over the last couple of years that preparation saves lives, it is all about preparedness. Have all your plans in place, be ready to go and have the solution before the problem occurs."

"After last fire season everyone is a bit scared, a lot like we were after the flood 2017. Then we were flood ready, after this fire season we will be fire ready."

Following the devastation of bushfires in late 2019 and early 2020 there is less of a risk this year and early 2021 with higher than expected rainfall in late spring and summer due to the La Niña influence but we are already seeing some fires across NSW.

Last years experience has allowed Lismore City Council to also prepare for this years bush fire season in a more complete way.

"We got some funding from State and Federal Government to make improvements on parts of our infrastructure such as turn-around areas for trucks in vulnerable areas, Mr Smith said, "We are working closely with the RFS to prepare those roads, to have more water tanks available and to have more access to emergency services should a disaster occur."

Scott Turner is the Local Emergency Management Officer for LCC, he said the biggest lesson learnt out of last seasons bushfires is that people need to be ready.

"There is a general feeling that the RFS do a great job and if there is a fire near me they will turn up and help", Scott said, "While this is true, if you get an event on the scale of last year there are not enough fire trucks to go to every house, not even enough fire trucks to go to every street and so the messages for this year are for people to be ready.

"Get your own plans in place and know what you are going to do because as much as the RFS want to turn up they may not be able to."

To support early planning and preparation, NSW RFS will once again host their annual Get Ready Weekend on 19/20 September, in person and online.

Please follow your local RFS brigade’s Facebook page for information as it becomes available. You can also visit www.rfs.nsw.gov.au for more information including how to prepare your home against a bush fire.

Please use the RFS Get Ready Weekend as the start of a broader conversation with family, friends and neighbours around being prepared for the multiple hazards.

Get Ready in five simple steps

1. Know your risk - think about the area you’re in and the types of disasters that could affect you;
2. Plan now for what you will do - sit down and talk with your family and plan for what you will do if a disaster affects your area;
3. Get your home ready - prepare your home by doing general home maintenance and checking your insurance coverage;
4. Be aware - find out how to prepare, what to do if there is a disaster in your area and connect with NSW emergency services to stay informed; 
5. Look out for each other - share information with your family, friends, neighbours and those who may need assistance.

A Bushfire Danger Period has been declared across the Lismore Local Government Area and Northern Rivers. This means anyone wishing to light a fire must first obtain a fire permit.

Permits, which are free, ensure that fire is used safely and minimises the danger to landholders, their property and the community.

While hazard reductions burns are an important part of preparations, landholders need to be extremely careful.

Never leave a fire unattended. If a fire does escape, make sure you call Triple Zero (000) immediately.