Flagstaff Group_Updated 2019_Outline

Meet the squad

Four real stories behind the mascots

Meet Ember & Friends

Four bushfire-inspired characters, each one guiding you through a different part of getting ready — noticing early, planning ahead, knowing your safe place, and acting before it's too late.

Flame the black cockatoo, waving hello
01 · Notice

Flame

"The earlier we notice, the safer we all are — and everyone deserves a warning they can understand."

Flame shows how warnings should reach everyone: visual, audible and tactile, in plain language, through more than one channel at once.

Their story Hi, I am Flame, the Black Cockatoo — the native bird to Nowra in NSW (Nowra is an Aboriginal word for the black cockatoo). My story is that I was a white cockatoo that turned black in fires on Red Rock, known as Cambewarra Mountain near Nowra. It's believed that when I give out a call, I represent the coming of rain.
Ember the koala with his red Flagstaff emergency backpack
02 · Plan

Ember

"Being prepared helps everyone feel safer — and everyone deserves to be included in the plan."

Ember helps people build a personalised plan — a support person, accessible transport, medications, communication needs — and pack a backpack ready to go. Build yours on the Plan page.

Their story I'm Ember, the Koala. In December 2020 the Black Summer fires hit most of the state of NSW. My namesake Ember, an 18-month-old koala, was a bushfire survivor spotted in the wild on the burnt ground in Northern NSW after fires swept through the area. She made a miraculous recovery from her burns, and I'm named after her to help you survive a fire.
Ash the wombat, waving hello
03 · Shelter

Ash

"Know your safe place before you need it — there's always room for one more."

Ash shows how to know your safe place in advance, and make sure it has room for the people who count on you.

Their story Greetings — Ash, the Wombat, is my name. A group of wombats is known as a Wisdom. I have much wisdom on survival in the bush and am a quiet achiever. During fires, I've been known to share my burrow with other animals who are escaping the flames. I'm here to remind you that you too need to have a safe place to go in a fire.
Blaze the kangaroo, wearing a red fire helmet and waving hello
04 · Act

Blaze

"When there's a fire close by, hop on out early — don't wait."

Blaze shows how to leave early rather than at the last minute: grab your emergency pack, gather your mob (family, support workers, pets), and get everyone to a safe place well before things get dangerous. See what that looks like on the Action page.

Their story Hop to it! My name is Blaze the Roo, and I'm here to remind you that when there's a fire close by, you need to hop on out of there early. Don't wait — just grab your emergency pack and your mob, and skip on out of there to a safe place.

Now you've met the squad — put them to work.

Notice early, build a plan, know your safe place, and act before it's too late.

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Hello and thanks for BEING A GOOD NEIGHBOUR AND pledging support for the Street Mate campaign!

Street Mate helps all of us be more aware of people in our community, especially those who are living with a disability, or may need extra support during a crisis.

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