Summer Heatwave

October marks the official start of the 2024-25 bush fire and heatwave season. Communities throughout NSW are encouraged to prepare well by taking simple steps to lower their risk.

Neighbourhood and Community Centres (NCCs) can play a key role in supporting local communities to prepare for natural disasters such as bush fires and heatwaves through the sharing of information, resources and collaboration. NCCs partnership and networking approaches means they are well positioned to work with other agencies to respond to these crises effectively.

Below are links to useful information and ideas from key agencies to enable individuals and communities to get summer ready.

NSW Reconstruction Authority

The NSW Reconstruction Authority has some useful information on getting ready for the summer and bush fire season.

https://www.nsw.gov.au/emergency/get-ready

NSW Health

NSW Health has a range of resources to help both individuals to stay healthy during the bushfire season and summer and to assist organisations supporting their local communities, especially vulnerable members during extreme weather events and the anticipated heat this summer will bring.

Beat The Heat NSW Health Beat The Heat campaign - https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/beattheheat/

Bushfires and bushfire smoke NSW Health - https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/bushfire

Australian Red Cross

Things to know and do before and during heatwaves and hot weather.

https://www.redcross.org.au/heatwaves/

Useful Apps

There are also a number of useful apps that NCCs can promote to their local communities. All of these can be found on either Google Play or the Apple Store.

  • ABC Listen – this app supports emergency management but is also the generic ABC app. It has podcasts, live radio and audiobooks
  • Australian Red Cross - Get Prepared – this is an easy-to-use app that empowers people to make important decisions ahead of time by completing your RediPlan. Co-created by Australian Red Cross and NRMA Insurance, it helps you create a personal emergency plan, so you can take care of yourself, your loved ones, and what's important to you.
  • BOM Weather – check weather forecasts and warnings
  • Emergency Plus – The Emergency+ app is a free app developed by Australia’s emergency services and their government and industry partners. The app uses GPS functionality built into smart phones to help a Triple Zero (000) caller provide critical location details required to mobilise emergency services.
  • First Aid IFRC – this has been created by The Global First Aid Reference Centre (GFARC), with the French Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). Customised by the Australian Red Cross for evidence-based first aid advice relevant to Australians.
  • Hazards Near Me NSW– allows you to set up a ‘watch zone’ to receive notifications on changing conditions
  • Live Traffic NSW– assists in planning trips and identifies hazards
  • Marine Rescue NSW – this app directly connects to Marine Rescue NSW, assists in tracking, and provides weather and sea conditions.
  • NSW SES Hazards Watch - Hazards Near Me shows current information about local emergencies, including floods, bushfire and tsunamis, and advice on what to do to stay safe. The app can send you push notifications when there are new incidents or when information changes.
  • RFS Fires Near Me – this app provides an overview of any fires, including planned burn-offs across the state. It can be set to specific locations
  • Willy Weather - delivering accurate local weather, from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology and other weather providers.

More Disaster Management Resources

For more information and resources, visit our Disaster Management Resources page on this website.

Disaster Management Resources