Bushfire prone communities are safer when they understand how to act in a bushfire situation, such as:
- when to call ‘000’
- what a Total Fire Ban means
- how to prepare their property
- what to wear when protecting their home.
Bush FireWise Action Plan
This is a plan that residents in bush fire prone areas should complete, considering all members of the household. Information on how to complete the Bush FireWise Action Plan can be found on the Bush FireWise Action Plan page.
Community FireWise Groups
This is a coordinated program where residents can become involved with fire safety in their community. Trained facilitators help to set up and maintain Community FireWise Groups.
Static Water Supply (SWS) Marking System
The SWS marking system provides specially designed markers for landowners with useable water supplies such as dams and pools. Brigades record these as part of pre-incident planning to source readily available water.
Blue Hydrant Markers
Reflective markers are placed near the centre of a road adjacent to a water hydrant, enabling brigades to quickly identify where hydrants are located. Residents are encouraged to ‘adopt a hydrant' to ensure it is clear of debris and always visible. Unhindered access to hydrants in emergency situations benefits everyone.
Visits to schools, field days, agricultural shows and fetes
The RFS has a mobile education unit housed in a pantechnicon truck. On board are 5 computers with fire safety games for children, fire prevention information for adults and a variety of audiovisual information.
Cadet Volunteer Program
The community relies on people, from all walks of life, to give their time to become members of the RFS. Cadets learn new and marketable skills that assist them in their day-to-day life. They get to help make their community a safer place to live in and enjoy the support of the rest of their community for their efforts. Cadet membership is not only about being future firefighters, a range of roles are available including:
- Radio Communications
- Welfare Support
- Catering
- Equipment Maintenance
- Community Education
- Administration
- Fundraising
- Community Activity
- Competition Championships
- Recreational Activity
- Social Activity
- Firefighter
- Fireguard for Kids
The Fireguard for Kids program targets children from kindergarten to year 6. Firefighters visit schools to teach fire prevention and personal safety.
The RFS has also worked closely with the NSW Board of Studies and the Department of Education and Training to produce a range of educational material and resources to complement the curriculum taught in schools across NSW. Publications include Firesafe for primary school students, and FireScience and Fifty Years of Fire for secondary students.
Courtesy of the NSW Rural Fire Service Website