Our 3-Step Escape Plan

  • First Escape Route
  • Second Escape Route
  • Meeting Place
Notes

Use this space to note any additional information about your escape plan, i.e. who will assist

Your checklist

  • Get low

    Smoke is poisonous and more deadly than flames.

    If you breathe smoke for more than a few breaths it can kill you.

  • Be fast

    A house fire can kill you in less than three minutes.

    Don't spend time trying to save possessions.

  • Close doors

    A closed door buys you time.

    It slows down the spread of fire, giving you more time to get to safety.

  • Get out - stay out!

    People have died by going back into a fire.

    Don't leave the meeting place to go back inside for any reason.

Call emergency services as soon as you are out and safe. Ask for FIRE.

Clearly state your address and let the operator know it anyone is still inside or has not made it to the safe meeting place.

Emergency call 111 Emergency text 111

Search results for Now, the roofs are coming off the houses! Evacuation in New Zealand! Cyclone Gabrielle!

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Check the forecast before you light - Canterbury

News and media|17 September 2020

Fire and Emergency New Zealand wants Cantabrians to think about the weather if they are planning to burn this spring.

New Zealand firefighters leave to assist in New South Wales

News and media|17 November 2019

Twenty-six New Zealand firefighters are departing for Australia on Sunday (Sunday 17 November) to help fight the wild fires that have been raging in New South Wales since the start of September.

Smoke visible from controlled burn at Bottle Lake Forest Park in Christchurch

News and media|7 April 2025

Fire and Emergency New Zealand is advising the public of large, controlled burns being undertaken beside Bottle Lake Forest Park in Christchurch.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand back to bargaining with the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union next week

News and media|14 November 2025

Fire and Emergency New Zealand is committed to good faith bargaining with the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union (NZPFU) that achieves a fair outcome.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand extends consultation deadline

News and media|21 November 2025

Fire and Emergency New Zealand is extending the closing date for its consultation on organisation-wide structure change.

Regulations for evacuation schemes

Found in: Building fire safety | Evacuation Schemes and procedures

Contact us

Find out how to contact Fire and Emergency New Zealand. Use one of our online contact forms for general enquiries, OIA requests and disputes or complaints.

Message to landowners: you are responsible for the fires you light

News and media|26 June 2026

Landowners whose unattended burn piles caused a string of vegetation fires across Canterbury last Saturday are being visited by Fire and Emergency New Zealand to ensure they understand their responsibilities for land management fires.