DURING

Multiple information sources help you make better decisions:

• TasALERT: Your primary source for official warnings and advice
• Local observations: What you can see and hear around you
• Bureau of Meteorology: Local weather forecasts
• Trusted networks: Information from family, neighbours, and support workers
• Emergency services: Direct advice from Police, Fire Service, or SES

Information you need:

• Current conditions in your area
• Expected changes and timing
• Road closures and access issues
• Service disruptions (power, water, communications)

If you have communication support needs:

• Ask someone in your network to monitor information and relay important updates
• Use multiple information sources to confirm important decisions
• Have backup communication methods if your usual method fails

Now is the time to put your emergency plan into action.

For staying at home (shelter-in-place):

• Move to the safest part of your home
• Gather your emergency supplies
• Check on household members and pets
• Prepare for potential loss of power, water, or communications

For evacuation:

• Leave early if possible – don’t wait for conditions to worsen
• Take your emergency kit and essential items
• Secure your home if time permits
• Follow your planned evacuation route
• Let someone know where you’re going

Special considerations:

• Health needs: Ensure you have medications and medical equipment
• Mobility needs: Allow extra time for evacuation and moving around safely
• Communication needs: Bring devices, chargers, and backup communication methods
• Support needs: Contact support workers or family members who are part of your plan
• Pets/assistance animals: Follow your animal emergency plan

Every situation is different. Consider your specific needs and capabilities:

Questions to ask yourself:

• Is my current location safe for my specific needs?
• Can I manage my health and support needs where I am?
• Do I have the supplies and assistance I need?
• Are my usual support networks available?
• What are my evacuation options if conditions change?

If you need to make quick decisions:

• Refer to your written emergency plan
• Contact your designated emergency contact person
• Follow official advice from emergency services
• When in doubt, choose the safer option

If your usual supports aren’t available:

• Activate backup plans you’ve discussed with your network
• Contact alternative support people
• Consider evacuation if you can’t manage safely at home
• Ask trusted neighbours or community members for assistance

Evacuate immediately if:

• Emergency services tell you to leave
• You are in immediate danger
• Your home is not safe for your specific needs
• You cannot access essential supports or services
• Your planned triggers for evacuation have been reached

Consider evacuating early if:

• Conditions are deteriorating and may affect your ability to leave safely later
• You have complex support needs that require specific arrangements
• Your support network advises you to leave
• You feel unsafe or unable to cope in your current location

Your evacuation options, in order of preference:

1. Family or friends in a safe area who can accommodate your needs
2. Pre-arranged accommodation (hotel, motel, short-term rental)
3. Other safe location you’ve identified in your planning
4. Evacuation Centre (if activated)

Evacuation centres:

• In the event of a major emergency, Huon Valley Council may open an evacuation centre
• Primary evacuation centre: Huon Valley PCYC Building located in the Huonville Recreation Grounds
• Once an evacuation centre has been activated, the location and other details will be promoted via TasALERT, Council website, social media and ABC Local Radio
• Pet accommodation: Cats, dogs and small domestic pets may be accommodated at the Huonville Recreation Ground
• Large animals: Council may also open a Large Animal Refuge at the Ranelagh Recreation Grounds for horses and livestock that have nowhere else to go
• Important: Pets and livestock are not always allowed at evacuation centres, so you need to consider what you will do with the animals in your care in your emergency plan – evacuation centres should be your last option for animals
• Facilities may be basic – bring what you need for comfort and accessibility

For complex support needs:

• Contact your service providers about alternative accommodation
• Evacuation centres may not be suitable for all accessibility needs
• Plan early evacuation to family/friends with accessible homes

Your evacuation options, in order of preference:

1. Family or friends in a safe area who can accommodate your needs
2. Pre-arranged accommodation (hotel, motel, short-term rental)
3. Other safe location you’ve identified in your planning
4. Evacuation Centre (if activated)

Evacuation centres:

• In the event of a major emergency, Huon Valley Council may open an evacuation centre
• Primary evacuation centre: Huon Valley PCYC Building located in the Huonville Recreation Grounds
• Once an evacuation centre has been activated, the location and other details will be promoted via TasALERT, Council website, social media and ABC Local Radio
• Pet accommodation: Cats, dogs and small domestic pets may be accommodated at the Huonville Recreation Ground
• Large animals: Council may also open a Large Animal Refuge at the Ranelagh Recreation Grounds for horses and livestock that have nowhere else to go
• Important: Pets and livestock are not always allowed at evacuation centres, so you need to consider what you will do with the animals in your care in your emergency plan – evacuation centres should be your last option for animals
• Facilities may be basic – bring what you need for comfort and accessibility

For complex support needs:

• Contact your service providers about alternative accommodation
• Evacuation centres may not be suitable for all accessibility needs
• Plan early evacuation to family/friends with accessible homes

⚠️ Important: Nearby Safer Places are NOT evacuation centres and should only be used as an absolute last resort during bushfire emergencies.

What are Nearby Safer Places?

• Locations assessed by Tasmania Fire Service where people should be able to survive a bushfire attack
• Places to go only if your bushfire plan has failed and you have no other options
• Not available in all communities – some areas have no suitable locations

Critical limitations:

• No facilities or services – no toilets, water, food, or shelter
• No emergency service support – you may be completely alone
• No guaranteed access – vehicles, pets, and livestock may not be able to enter
• Basic survival only – designed for surviving the fire, not comfort or accessibility

What to expect at a Nearby Safer Place:

• You may need to actively move around the site to avoid radiant heat
• If it’s a building, you may not be able to get inside – you might need to shelter behind it
• Expect heavy smoke, falling ash and embers, intense heat, and loud noise
• Visibility and breathing may be severely impacted
• You could be there for hours without support

The better option: Prepare and leave early

• Develop a bushfire plan before fire season
• Identify multiple evacuation destinations
• Leave early when conditions deteriorate
• Don’t wait until Nearby Safer Places become your only option

For more information:

• Community Bushfire Protection Plans
• Nearby Safer Places – A Place of Last Resort
• How to prepare a Bushfire Plan