Community Fire Units

Working with the community An ACT Fire and Rescue preparedness initiative  

Community Fire Units

Working with the community

An ACT Fire and Rescue preparedness initiative

 

Introduction to Community Fire Units

A Community Fire Unit (CFU) is a team of local residents who live close to bush land areas across the ACT. These local volunteers are trained and equipped by ACT Fire & Rescue to safeguard their homes during a bushfire until the fire services arrive.

CFU volunteers utilise basic firefighting equipment (pumps, hoses and protective clothing) to prepare the areas surrounding their properties and prevent a bushfire from spreading from adjoining bushland to their houses and backyards.

A typical CFU team consists of 8 to 30 members and has a designated area encompassing 50 to 80 homes.

The focus is on bushfire education, prevention and preparation, covering areas such as:

  • Bushfire behavior
  • Safe housekeeping and gardening practices
  • Planning and preparation for bushfires
  • Operating fire-fighting equipment
  • Mop up operations

CFU members are a part of ACT Fire & Rescue and take direction from ACTF&R Officers but they are not fire-fighters.

The ACT CFU program began in late 2003. Following a successful trial of 8 units, the program has now expanded to 50 CFUs in high risk bushfire areas. There are around 850 volunteer members across the 50 units.