"Moving into one of the most bushfire-prone areas in the world, I became aware of the risks quite quickly. I was lucky as my background in emergency management with the South Australia Police made me more aware of the risks and gave me skills to analyse and act on them. Unfortunately, most people who make a similar 'tree-change' into the hills would not have this benefit.

The SA Country Fire Service do a great job with promoting the 'Leave Early or Stay and Defend' message, but many people want more specific advice. I noticed this at the many CFS Community Awareness meetings which I have attended to give talks on police operations at bushfires. There was a thirst for more specific, tailored and detailed advice and information by people in the audience.

Through my work and personal interest on the subject, I knew there was an incredible amount of information available. Unfortunately, it would take most people a very long time to do the research, analysis and appreciation of all of this whilst maintaining focus on their individual needs and circumstances. I had already travelled this path and collected and interpreted a large amount of information and then used it to balance the risk of bushfire affecting my home with my family's desire to live in the Adelaide Hills.

Then in January 2015 my property was impacted by the Sampson Flat Bushfire.  Our house was saved but we lost sheds and trailers.  The responding CFS stated that my preparations of the house (sprinklers, defendable zones, water supplies and signage) and having a written Bushfire Survival Plan contributed greatly to the survivability of my home.  That said, I used further advice and learning to further improve my preparations and plans.

I wanted to help other property owners and pass on what I knew and what I have learned.  The idea of an advisory and guidance service for homeowners in bushfire-risk areas started to grow, and Bushfire5R was born."