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  4. Be Prepared for Bushfire Season

Be Prepared for Bushfire Season

The University of Canberra monitors bushfire risk throughout the ACT bushfire season and maintains emergency arrangements to help protect our staff, students, contractors and visitors. As a university located within Australia's "Bush Capital", bushfire and grassfire events may impact University operations, air quality, access routes and campus activities.

This page explains how to prepare for bushfire season, how the University will communicate with you, what emergency warnings mean, what to do if you discover a bushfire, and how to respond if an evacuation is required.

Quick Actions

Before Bushfire Season

  • Save Campus Security's phone number in your mobile phone.
    Campus Security (24/7): (02) 6201 2222
  • Ensure your University contact details are up to date.
  • Complete mandatory emergency and fire safety training.
  • Know who your Building Warden is.
  • Familiarise yourself with emergency procedures and evacuation routes for your building.
  • Understand the Australian Warning System and Fire Danger Ratings.
  • Monitor bushfire conditions throughout the ACT bushfire season.

These simple steps help ensure you receive important information quickly and can respond appropriately if conditions change.

How the University of Canberra Prepares for Bushfire Season

The University works closely with relevant authorities and monitors bushfire conditions throughout the ACT bushfire season.

Our preparedness measures include:

  • Monitoring bushfire conditions, warnings and alerts.
  • Monitoring Fire Danger Ratings throughout the bushfire season.
  • Planning for elevated, extreme and catastrophic fire danger conditions.
  • Maintaining emergency management and communication arrangements.
  • Conducting emergency exercises and evacuation drills.
  • Delivering annual bushfire awareness training.
  • Maintaining Emergency Control Organisation (Warden) capability.
  • Working with emergency services and specialist advisers where required.

Where conditions indicate an increased risk to University operations, preparedness communications and operational updates may be issued to staff and students.

How We Communicate With You

Depending on the situation, the University may communicate through a combination of channels, including:

  • Emergency notification systems
  • SMS alerts
  • Email communications
  • University website updates
  • University intranet announcements
  • Campus Security communications
  • Emergency Wardens
  • Digital signage and local instructions

Different communication channels may be used for different purposes. Urgent safety instructions will generally be issued through emergency notification systems, while broader operational updates may be distributed through email, the University website or intranet.

Understanding Emergency Warnings

The ACT Emergency Services Agency uses the Australian Warning System to communicate changing bushfire risk and the actions required to stay safe.

Advice

An incident has started. There is no immediate danger.

What you should do:

  • Stay informed.
  • Monitor official warnings.
  • Be aware of changing conditions.

Watch and Act

There is a heightened level of threat. Conditions are changing and you need to start taking action now to protect yourself and those around you.

What you should do:

  • Prepare to act.
  • Follow University communications.
  • Be ready for possible evacuation.
  • Review your evacuation route and assembly area.

Emergency Warning

An Emergency Warning is the highest level of warning. You may be in danger and need to take action immediately. Any delay now puts your life at risk.

What you should do:

  • Follow emergency instructions immediately.
  • Evacuate or take protective action as directed.
  • Do not delay.
  • Follow directions from emergency services and University officials.

Know Your Evacuation Route

Every staff member should know:

  • Primary exit route from their building.
  • Secondary exit route in case the primary route is unavailable.
  • Building assembly area.
  • Emergency contact numbers.
  • Location of their Emergency Warden and Deputy Warden.

Staff should familiarise themselves with evacuation diagrams displayed throughout University buildings and identify alternative routes before an emergency occurs.

If Directed to Evacuate

If an evacuation is initiated by the University, Emergency Wardens or emergency services:

  • Leave the building immediately using the nearest safe exit.
  • Assist visitors, students and persons requiring support where it is safe to do so.
  • Follow instructions from Emergency Wardens, Campus Security and emergency services personnel.
  • Proceed directly to the designated assembly area.
  • Remain at the assembly area until further instructions are provided.
  • Do not re-enter any building until authorised by emergency services or the Building Warden.

During a bushfire emergency, evacuation routes and assembly areas may be changed due to fire, smoke, road closures or other hazards. Occupants must follow the directions of Emergency Wardens and emergency services at all times.

Knowing your evacuation route before an emergency occurs can significantly improve personal safety and support an orderly campus response during a bushfire event.

What to Do if You Discover a Bushfire

If you see a bushfire, grassfire or significant smoke on or near campus:

1. Report the Emergency

Immediately call: 000

Then contact: Campus Security: (02) 6201 2222

Provide:

  • Your name
  • Exact location
  • Nature of the fire
  • Any immediate threats to people or property

2. Move to a Safe Location

If safe to do so:

  • Warn people in the immediate area.
  • Move away from the fire and smoke.
  • Proceed to a safe location.

3. Follow Instructions

Follow directions from:

  • ACT Emergency Services Agency personnel
  • ACT Fire & Rescue
  • ACT Rural Fire Service
  • Campus Security
  • Emergency Wardens

4. Do Not Self-Evacuate Unless Directed

Emergency conditions may require occupants to:

  • Shelter in place.
  • Relocate to another building.
  • Move to an assembly area.
  • Evacuate the campus.

Always follow official instructions and do not take independent action unless necessary to protect life.

Looking for Information About an Active Incident?

During a bushfire emergency, updates will be published on the University of Canberra Emergency Management webpage and communicated through approved University communication channels, including emergency notifications, SMS, email, the University website and other approved communication platforms.

Always follow instructions from:

  • Emergency services
  • Campus Security
  • Emergency Wardens
  • Official University emergency communications

Stay Informed

For official bushfire information and warnings, monitor:

  • ACT Emergency Services Agency Warnings and Alerts.
  • ACT ESA Incident Map.
  • Emergency Alert notifications.
  • University emergency communications.

Timely access to accurate information is critical during a bushfire emergency. The University encourages all staff to remain alert during the bushfire season and to act early when conditions change.