Firey Tales – March 2025

Captain’s message

A few highlights from the year with some details of what the brigade gets up to:
60 call-outs for 2024, which is around the average for us.
Over 4100 hours of volunteers’ time going to incidents, training and maintenance.

Thanks must go to our dedicated bunch of volunteers who turn out, whether it is 40C in summer or after midnight in the middle of winter. Our number of members has stayed much the same but with some very experienced members leaving the area we are certainly on the lookout for new members to come through and join the team.

We would also like to thank those generous locals who supported us financially during the year and have enabled us to buy some very useful additional equipment, like our thermal imaging camera that enables us to do our job more efficiently and more safely.

– Captain Dusty 0412 865 638

Published 1st March 2025 By Compiled by Tracey Basman
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Incident calls

 

It’s been a busy holiday period for the brigade, with 23 call-outs since December. Most were storm or tree related and some motor vehicle accidents (MVAs). We had a Remote Area Firefighting Team (RAFT) request to assist in hard-to-reach areas of North Nowra/Bomaderry Creek and we had a bush fire very close to town before Christmas as a result of an unattended illegal pile burn without a permit.

 

Community engagement

 

A reminder that you require a permit during the Bush Fire Danger Period from October to March. Please also remember to notify your neighbours and register your burn notification with the RFS to prevent non-required call-outs from the brigade.

 

During storm events and high winds, it is likely that trees will drop branches onto powerlines. If you come across a tree over powerlines, please do not approach. The lines are most likely still energised and can be hazardous to your health! Please dial 000 and give the location of the incident. Emergency services will respond in a timely manner.

 

Pile burns and burning off 01/10 – 31/03

 

During the Bush Fire Danger Period (BFDP) there are three steps that must be completed prior to lighting up: APPLY / NOTIFIFY / ADVISE:

    1. APPLY: for a Fire Permit from a local Fire Permit Officer via:
    1. Phone: Shoalhaven FCC 02 4424 4424 between 8am and 4pm Monday to Friday
  2. NOTIFY: lodge a Burn Notification at least 24 hours before you light the fire and provide your issued fire permit number
    1. Online: www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/notify or via the QR code attached
    2. Phone: Shoalhaven Fire Control Centre (FCC) 4424 4424 between 8am and 4pm Monday to Friday.
  3. ADVISE: your immediate neighbours at least 24 hours before you light the fire, WhatsApp groups are acceptable.
  4. Adhere to any conditions listed on the Fire Permit. At least one responsible person must be present on site until the pile is extinguished.
  5. Check for any permit cancellations and the RFS or BOM web pages as fire permits will be suspended if the fire danger rating is HIGH or above.
  6. Check the upcoming weather conditions as the pile may continue to smolder for days.
  7. If you believe that you cannot safely control the fire once it has been lit, dial 000 immediately.

 

If you have concerns about burning off yourself, please contact the local brigade and we can possibly assist you with your pile burn or check your site for you.

 

– Compiled by Tracey Basman

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