Victoria’s Surf Coast Shire has created a board game to educate people in high-risk areas about bushfire planning, including the importance of up-to-date insurance.

The Fire Game – developed with emergency services and the Anglesea Primary School – has been tested at community workshops across the area in recent weeks.

Project co-ordinator Lauren Watt told insuranceNEWS.com.au the project is inspired by similar climate-themed games created by the Red Cross Climate Centre. 

“We were wanting to explore new options to engage people living in high-risk bushfire areas,” Ms Watt said.

The game includes questions on fire preparation and responses, and offers “hot tips”, including checking the cost of rebuilding a house under new planning regulations.

Ms Watt says even people who are well versed on fire planning have learned lessons through playing the game, such as items to pack in their emergency kits.

The council is now working on ways to distribute the game through community groups, schools and kindergartens.

Ideally it will also be made available to other high-risk shires, Ms Watt says.