Burns survivor and farmer Tim Haslam to debut three-part series collab with Narrogin DFES for fire awareness

A Popanyinning farmer who survived life-threatening burns after being caught in a bushfire while harvesting will launch a tell-all video series this week in a bid to raise fire safety awareness.

Led by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services, Tim Haslam will share his story in the DFES Lived Experience Resource Pilot Project, a three-part short video series debuting at 3pm on Sunday at the Thomas Hogg Oval in Narrogin.

The series features exclusive interviews with the Haslam family who relive December 20, 2023 — the day Mr Haslam faced a bushfire unprepared during harvest, and the pivotal mistakes that changed the trajectory of his life.

The farmer sustained critical injuries and spent 10 days in Fiona Stanley Hospital intensive care unit — seven of them in a coma — with 38 per cent of his body severely burnt.

DFES Narrogin volunteer management support officer Susan Wettenhall said this event comes as a timely reminder to farmers as WA growers gear up for harvest.

“It’s a timely reminder that even the smallest mistake can cause catastrophic injuries and changes, not just for yourself, but to your family and community,” she said.

“If the farmers can take an hour to get off their headers, tractors and trucks, it’s a very worthwhile event to get to.

“It is such an important safety message for anybody, so the event isn’t just aimed at firey’s, but farmers and families.”

The series premier will include drinks, light snacks and live music.

The event will simultaneously launch the Fiona Wood Foundation Farmers Collective, a fundraising effort to ensure rural patients can access burns care.