Achmea urges farmers to brace for bushfires

Achmea Australia, part of major insurer Achmea Group, has urged farmers to prepare for bushfire risks as summer approaches.

Mark Vayro, business development manager at Achmea Australia and volunteer firefighter, urged farmers to prepare as soon as possible to reduce bushfire hazards on-farm to protect their families, properties, and communities.

“We have been so focused on floods, what should now be at the forefront of farmers’ minds is adequate bushfire preparedness,” he said. “The landscape has changed so much since the floods; record-breaking rainfall and flooding in recent years has accelerated plant growth across large parts of the country. With the arrival of hot, dry conditions, this vegetation is now primed for bushfire.

“Bushfires can strike within hours or minutes; we remember that from the catastrophic bushfire season three years ago. Fires can escalate rapidly, often in unpredictable ways, leaving little to no time to plan during an emergency. Prepare your farm now and have a bushfire plan ready well in advance, for the safety of your people, and the protection of your property and community.”

How to prepare for bushfire season

Achmea Australia outlined 10 risk mitigation strategies to help farmers prepare for the bushfire season:

• Create or review a bushfire plan.
• Share the bushfire plan with everyone involved in the farm and train them to ensure they understand their roles and responsibilities during an emergency.
• Maintain or remove long grass and debris around the house and farm buildings.
• Prepare a safe zone where you keep livestock during a bushfire event. It must have adequate access to water and has minimal vegetation.
• During hot, dry, and windy weather conditions, postpone work such as harvesting or slashing.
• Service your pumps, firefighting equipment, and vehicles.
• Ensure there is adequate water supply on the property.
• Equip yourself and your family and staff with essential protective clothing.
• Review your insurance policy to ensure it provides adequate coverage for your assets.
• Safeguard important documents.

Vayro emphasised the importance of knowing and understanding the updated Australian Fire Danger Rating System, which uses consistent rating levels across Australia. The ratings can be found on the website of your state or territory fire agency.

“Check the Fire Danger Rating for your area daily as it will help you understand your local weather conditions and the threat of bushfire,” he said. “Each of the four fire danger ratings – moderate, high, extreme, and catastrophic – come with clear messages to help keep you safe.

“It is also important to stay alert for emergency warnings. Know your local ABC radio station frequency, bookmark your state or territory emergency services website, and consider downloading their app.”

The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) also reminded Australians to prepare for bushfires to reduce risk and safeguard their homes and property.