Shoalhaven Rural Fire Service Information

General Information The Shoalhaven Rural Fire Service Bushfire Prevention Starts With You Bushfire Prevention - Steps to Protect Your Property NSW Rural Fire Service Web Site

Bushfire Danger Season Information Total Fire Bans What are the Rules?

General Information

 THE SHOALHAVEN RURAL FIRE SERVICE

The Shoalhaven has 32 Rural Fire Service Brigades which cover areas outside the towns of Berry, Nowra and Ulladulla, responding to motor vehicle accidents, structural fires, bush fires and assisting other emergency services with emergency operations.

The most important job of the volunteers who donate their time to their Brigades is to fight fires, but many members area also involved in tasks such as equipment maintenance, fundraising and social activities. Members undergo comprehensive training to provide them with the skills and ability to deal with the role of the Rural Fire Service in the Shoalhaven, and these same skills enable them to assist the community during other emergency incidents.

Volunteer members are on call for fighting fires at all times, many hold down full-time jobs, are retired or are students. People who become involved in the Rural Fire Service get a great deal of satisfaction in providing an essential service to their community as a Volunteer. The support roles of Logistics (catering and transport) and Communications allow for all people who do not wish to be firefighters at the fire front to be involved in the Service.

If you are interested in becoming part of the team in the Shoalhaven Rural Fire Service, telephone 02 4424 4424 for more details.

BUSHFIRE PREVENTION – STARTS WITH YOU

Shoalhaven Rural Fire Service encourages all members of the community to take an active role in fire prevention.

The Shoalhaven City has experienced some serious fires over the years, in the urban fringe, as well as remote bush areas and whatever the causes, the losses in property and sometimes life have impacted severely upon the community. Fire is a frightening element when it is out of control and poorly managed, but it can be a good tool when used responsibly.

Increasing development on bush sites only heightens the importance of fire awareness. Taking preventative action and sensible precautions should become an accepted way of life.

Bushfires in Australia will never be completely prevented. Reducing the fire intensity is the best that can be achieved because, even if all avoidable and deliberate fires were forestalled, nature would continue the patters with such triggers as lightning strikes and spontaneous combustion. Nevertheless, the community has a responsibility to take action to prevent bushfire. Any fire, once started, which has the potential to cause damage, must be suppressed before it can get out of control. When weather and fuel combine to form extreme fire conditions, fire becomes difficult, if not impossible to control. Some fire s are just too dangerous to control and no amount of trained manpower and equipment can suppress them.

The inevitability of bushfires in Australia means a realistic response must include measures to mitigate or lessen the effects of fire. Bushfire intensity can be modified with the reduction of fuel quantities and the best way to do this is by burning it off, in controlled conditions.

By understanding the volatile nature of the Australian environment, with climate, terrain and vegetation and focussing on the need to mitigate fires, the intensity of fires can be reduced.

Community assistance and the continued support of land managers and fire authorities means people can ex-exist with the land without the need to be fearful of wildfire.

BUSHFIRE PREVENTION - STEPS TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY

The Shoalhaven contains multiple land tenures, with over 3,180 sq km of State Forest, NSW National Parks and Vacant Crown Land, in addition to the 1,480 sq km of freehold land, much of which is set amidst natural bushland. Many people will spend the summer camping out, taking day trips for barbecues and picnics and driving long distances to ‘get away from it all’.

In that sense, everyone should be concerned for the possibility of bushfire. Preparing property and following fire safety guidelines will help to minimise danger and possibly prevent tragedy.

When taking steps to protect property,

• clear dry timber, vegetation and rubbish well away from the house and keep grass around the house short and greet, a well watered lawn can act as a firebreak.
• clear a fuel break between the property boundary and the adjoining bush
• clear undergrowth from fences
• branches overhanging the roof should be removed and gutters cleared of leaves, bark and twigs
• remove flammable items from around the house, such as woodpile, paper, boxes, crates, hanging baskets and wooden furniture and store flammable liquids well away from the house.
• it is important to consider water supplies and fire fighting equipment and hoses attached to taps need to be long enough to reach all sides of the house.
• close in open eaves and the space under the house and fit wire screens to windows doors and vents.

Display emergency phone numbers and form an emergency fire plan with the family. School teachers and parents should consult in deciding a plan for the retrieval of children in the event of approaching bushfire. Children need to be supervised at their school until their parents are able to pick them up.

For further advice please contact your nearest Rural Fire Brigade.

Bushfire Danger Season Information

 TOTAL FIRE BANS

The bushfire danger season is from September 1^st to March 31^st and it is a time when Total Fire Bans can be put into force.

During a Total Fire Ban,

• no fire may be lit in the open, including incinerators and barbecues, which burn solid fuel, such as wood or charcoal.
• Gas and electric barbecues can be used but only if they are on a residential property within 20 metres of the house or dwelling , or in an area with Council approval. They must be under the control of an adult and the ground within three metres of the barbecues must be cleared of all flammable materials. A continuous supply of water must be available as well.

A Total Fire Ban can be declared on days of extreme fire danger when there is a combination of severe weather conditions and dry vegetation. Newspapers, Radio and Television will normally notify of Total Fire Ban days, however, if in doubt contact the local Council, Police or Fire Brigade. A Total Fire Ban usually lasts 24 hours from 12 midnight.

Further information on fire restrictions can be obtained on a recorded message on 4429 3586: providing advice on the current fire restrictions in the Shoalhaven.

The Bush Fire Danger Period in the Shoalhaven generally runs from the 1^st of September to the 31^st of March. During this time, should you wish to light a fire in the open, a number of regulations must be observed.

• Only light fires in permanently constructed fireplaces surrounded by ground that is clear of all combustible matter for a distance of at least 2 metres

Or

• at a site surrounded by ground that is clear of all combustible matter for a distance of at least 3 metres
• make sure that the fire is completely extinguished before leaving the area.

• don’t drop or throw down any lighted cigarette, match or anything burning on any land, bridge, wharf, pontoon or similar.
• don't light or carry a lighted cigarette or match within 15 metres of stacked or standing crops

• You need a permit from your local Fire Brigade (contact Shoalhaven Fire Control on 02 4429 4424 for your local brigade if you are unsure).
• Notify your neighbours at least 24 hours before the fire is lit, therefore it is necessary to plan ahead for the permit.
• Ensure someone remains in attendance at all times whilst the fire is burning.
• Observe all conditions on the permit.

In the Rural Fire District, Volunteers provide permits via their local Brigades as a community service.

Shoalhaven Ranger Service and Police enforce the Rural Fires Act throughout the City, members of the public are urged to become familiar with these regulations.

Recorded information in relation to the fire regulations can be obtained by telephoning (02) 4429 3586 or your local Fire Brigade.