Community Fire Units

"Fire Brigades Working with the Community" - an ACT Fire Brigade Preparedness initiative

Introduction to Community Fire Units

The ACT Community Fire Unit Pilot is based on a successful program operated by the NSW Fire Brigades since 1994.

The success of the CFUs in the December 1997 Menai bushfires and in the Christmas 2001 bushfires within NSW highlights the invaluable role of these volunteer suburban firefighting teams.

Training provided by experienced ACT Fire Brigade Station Officers will prepare CFU members to undertake bushfire prevention strategies throughout winter and help save their homes during bushfires.

Six months after the devastating bushfires of 18 January, Police and Emergency Services Minister Bill Wood launched a Community Fire Unit Pilot Program for the ACT.

"I am pleased to be launching this Community Fire Unit Pilot Program as part of the Government's ongoing program of preparing for the bushfire season and building a safer community for the people of the ACT," Mr Wood said.

Community Fire Units will consist of members of the community trained and supplied with equipment to help protect their homes from bushfire before the ACT Fire Brigade arrives.

Equipment provided will include protective overalls, helmets, goggles and gloves, and fire fighting equipment such as hydrant standpipes, hoses, nozzles, backpack extinguishers, portable pumps, shovels and rake-hoes.

The ACT Fire Brigade is seeking volunteers for the Community Fire Unit pilot program, and interested people can phone the Brigade on 6207 8454, or by email.

The CFU email address has been changed! You can now contact the CFU team at actfb.cfu@act.gov.au (the email address in the pamphlet no longer works).

You can also download an information pamphlet (PDF 101KB).