NSW launches Hazards Near Me app

14 February 2023

The NSW state government has launched a new Hazards Near Me app, allowing residents to receive the most up to date warnings on their smart devices for both flood and fire.

The rollout expands and renames the Fires Near Me app, which has more than four million users and will now feature State Emergency Service flood alerts – delivering on a key recommendation of the independent Flood Inquiry.

Minister for Emergency Services and Flood Recovery Steph Cooke says empowering people with information is key to improving emergency response, and the inquiry had identified a need for a single source of advice warning on different types of hazards.

“This app delivers on our commitment,” Ms Cooke said. “In an emergency every minute counts.”

The app was jointly developed by the Department of Customer Service, SES and NSW Rural Fire Service. Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello says being informed in an emergency situation could save lives, and additional features will be rolled out in the future.

RFS Commissioner Rob Rogers says the NSW community has shown how important apps are during emergencies, with Fires Near Me attracting nearly three million downloads during the 2019/20 bush fire season.

“The Hazards Near Me app builds upon this experience, familiarity and extensive user base by allowing people to see localised and customised information based on the hazards in their area,” he said.

The app will show where floods are happening and what people should do, SES Commissioner Carlene York says, and will also alert users when new information is available so they can stay up-to-date and make safe decisions.

Existing users of Fires Near Me will need to update via their app store, while new users can download the service by searching for Hazards Near Me in their app store.