A Neighbourhood Safer Place (NSP) is an identified local open space, clearing or building where people can gather for temporary protection from a bushfire.  

It is a place of last resort.

A NSP might be your back up plan when:

• Your Bushfire Survival Plan has failed.
• You are unable to evacuate to your planned safe location.
• Your plan was to stay but the extent of the fire means that your home cannot withstand the impact and it is not a safe place to shelter.
• The fire has intensified and your escape travel plans are no longer safe.  

A NSP will provide some level of protection from a bushfire, but your safety is not guaranteed.

• Firefighters may not be there if they are involved in fire response.
• Support persons may not be there.  
• There may be limited capacity.
• NSPs do not cater for animals or pets.
• There will be no facilities (meals, toilets, sleeping arrangements).
• NSPs may not provide shelter from the elements, particularly flying embers.
• You will need to leave your vehicle.  
• People with medical conditions or disabilities should think about what assistance they would need at a NSP. It may not be a suitable location.  

QFD use strict guidelines and calculations to assess NSPs. Not every local council area will have a suitable location.  

Back up plan

If you plan to use a NSP as a back up option in your Bushfire Survival Plan:

• Note down the location, travel time, and travel route to the NSP.
• Confirm your NSP is still available and update your Bushfire Survival Plan every year.
• Do not travel through fire affected areas to get to your NSP.

What do I do at the NSP?

Once you have arrived at your NSP:

• Continue to tune in to information channels and warnings (radio, mobile phone, internet) for further details on the fire.
• Shelter from embers and radiant heat.  
  • If indoors, make sure all doors and windows are sealed.
  • If outside, cover any exposed skin with wool blankets, and lie flat on the ground until the fire front passes.
• When the fire has passed, if safe to do so, put out any spot fires .
• Watch for new fire fronts from other directions. 

Where is my local NSP?