Cockatoo Rural Fire Brigade(CFA)

Should you come across downed lines, treat them as live and stay a minimum of 8 meters away. They could be carrying high voltage electricity.

If you observe sparking or fire coming from lines or associated equipment, call 000 immediately.

Stay safe out there everyone!

AusNet We monitor comments on this page 9am to 4pm.
For electricity faults call 13 17 99 (24 hours)
For gas

Over the next week new, upgraded roller doors to our engine bay will be installed. These replace the existing manual lift and lower doors and will greatly minimise manual handling risks for our members. They will also increase our response times to incidents.

You may see our Tankers moving around town and parking up at different locations while these important upgrades are being done.

Once installed, we're not too far off from having the upgrades to our station done!

Stand by for some exciting updates!

Earlier tonight we responded to a motor vehicle accident providing support to Emerald Fire Brigade and SES Emerald Unit.

Please take care on the roads, especially with the thick fog we get at night and if you see the red and blue lights please slow to 40km/h or less for the safety of all emergency service personnel on scene.

Front and centre at your Cockatoo Country Market. Come and say G'day!

Come on down to the market this Saturday where our members can answer any questions on preparing your home fire plan, about the progress of our upgraded station, and preparing for the bushfire season ahead.

We'll have little firies uniforms and our Tanker for the little (and big) kids to get up close to.

🦻 Did you know there are specialised smoke alarms for people who are deaf or hard of hearing? If you or someone you know might need a specialised smoke alarm visit www.cfa.vic.gov.au/smokealarms

Today we thank all SES personnel, particularly SES Emerald Unit who help our community when in need. Our Brigade is grateful to support, and be supported by, a dedicated and professional team of volunteers during challenging circumstances. Don the orange today to show your support!

Happy Mother's Day to the mum's who put on the yellows, the mum's who look after our members' families while they are out protecting the community, and to the mum's of our members.

It is a family effort deeply acknowledged and appreciated by our Brigade.

We hope all the mum's out there have a great day and get spoilt!

With two motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) along Pakenham Road today, requiring response from emergency services (Police, Fire, Ambulance), this is a timely reminder that when passing an emergency vehicle's red and blue flashing lights, slow down gradually so that you can pass at 40km/h or less. This applies to both sides of the road.

During an incident such as an MVA, you may see us and our supporting units, such as Gembrook CFA, Emerald CFA, Pumper 93 FRV, Emerald SES, Ambulance Victoria, and Victoria Police.

The 40km/h road rule is designed to reduce the risk of emergency service personnel, their patients, and other members of the public being hit by a passing vehicle.

Help us stay safe so we can help community members in their time of need and head back to our families after every turn-out.

Link for reference if needed: https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/safety-and-road-rules/road-rules/a-to-z-of-road-rules/law-enforcement-and-emergency-vehicles

Gembrook Rural Fire Brigade - CFA, Emerald Fire Brigade SES Emerald Unit

Today, on International Firefighter's Day, we recognise the efforts and sacrifices made by not only our current firefighters but also of past firefighters and firefighters who paid the ultimate sacrifice to protect the lives of others.

No matter the service or colour of uniform, we thank all who have stood up to serve, save, and protect.

Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) and Country Fire Authority (CFA) advise that the Cockatoo - Wright Forest Burn Heap planned burn, located at 1km W of Cockatoo will be ignited at any time within the next 10 days if conditions are suitable.

Weather conditions and fuel moisture levels at the burn site are being monitored and safety checks carried out in preparation for the burn. If conditions are not suitable, the burn may be postponed.

Some planned burns can produce heavy smoke.
Smoke can travel long distances. It may also settle in valleys and other low-lying areas, especially overnight.
Avoid physical activity during smoky conditions.
Remain inside, if possible. Close windows and doors to prevent smoke from entering buildings and vehicles.

If you are experiencing any symptoms that may be due to smoke exposure, the Department of Health and Human Services advises that you should seek medical advice or call NURSE-ON-CALL on 1300 60 60 24.

Road travel may be hazardous if smoke causes low visibility. Access to planned burn areas will be restricted during burn operations.

For more infor visit plannedburns.ffm.vic.gov.au, or call the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226

Callers who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech/communication impairment can contact via the National Relay Service on 1800 555 677

For further information about planned burning:
Visit ffm.vic.gov.au/plannedburn for information about why planned burns are carried out on public land (including forests, national parks and state government parks and reserves).

Visit cfa.vic.gov.au/about/planned-burns for information about why planned burns are carried out on private land (including private property, council parks and reserves, railway and road reserves).

Home Information about FFMVic, CFA and Forest Fire Management Victoria planned burning

Did you know that your fire brigade responds to not only grass fires, scrub fires and bushfires, but many other types of incidents such as structure fires, car fires, motor vehicle accidents, gas leaks, and more.

As we start to transition into cooler weather, our members train hard to prepare for responding to structure fires day or night. We stand by ready to respond and support the community in their time of need 24/7.

You will see us out and about, mostly on Wednesday nights, putting our skills to the test.

Make sure you give our members a wave or a toot if you see them, they certainly do appreciate it!

Community Notice: A roadside electronic sign, located towards the end of Wellington Road, Clematis (opposite the pub), displays that the fire danger period is ending on 15 Apr 24.

This date is for the Yarra Ranges Shire, not Cardinia Shire. (The message changes slowly on that sign, where the Shire name can be missed).

Our Shire's fire danger period remains unchanged, ending on 01 May 24.

Please hold your burning off until then to avoid our dedicated volunteers being called out unnecessarily.

As the temperature starts to dip and you start to fire up your wood-log fires after several months sitting dormant, it's important to have your flu/chimney swept to remove any built-up creosote or bird nest material.

Having your flu/chimney swept at least once a year reduces the risk of a fire breaking out in a location of your home that can be both difficult to reach and dangerous for our firefighters.

It's that time again! This weekend, when you're winding back your clocks (or when your smart phone magically changes the time), check your smoke alarms and change the batteries as required.

Only working smoke alarms save lives.

Happy Easter to our wonderful community, our amazing members and their families!

You may notice that some localities' Fire Danger Periods (FDPs) in Victoria are ending.

The Cardinia Local Government area's Fire Danger Period remains in force until the published end date of 01 May 24.

Locally, the soil and grasslands are still very dry. Fine fuel debris from the recent storms has added to fuel availability.

To see what you can or can't do during the FDP visit https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/warnings-restrictions/fire-bans-ratings-and-restrictions/can-i-or-cant-i

Can I or Can't I? Find out what you can and can't do during the declared Fire Danger Period, and on days of Total Fire Ban, when fires in the open air are legally restricted.

Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMV) has commenced a fuel reduction burn in Wrights Forest.

You will see and possibly smell smoke. If you are impacted by the smoke it is recommended that you close all windows and doors.

Further information can be obtained on the FFMV Planned Burns website at https://plannedburns.ffm.vic.gov.au/

Home Information about FFMVic, CFA and Forest Fire Management Victoria planned burning

Total Fire Ban for our District tomorrow.
Also please take care with the heat over the next few days. Check on Elderly neighbours if you can.

A Total Fire Ban has been declared for the Wimmera, South West, North Central, Central (includes Melbourne and Geelong), and West and South Gippsland fire districts.

No fire can be lit in the open air or be allowed to remain alight in the open air between 00:01 on Sat, 9 Mar 2024 and 23:59 on Sat, 9 Mar 2024. Know what you can and can't do - www.cfa.vic.gov.au/can

Check your Total Fire Ban status and Fire Danger Rating every day during summer, visit cfa.vic.gov.au, download the VicEmergency app or call the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226.

Have you checked Fire Danger Ratings today or checked-in on friends and family living in fire risk areas?
Wednesday will be a day of Total Fire Ban and Catastrophic Fire Danger for the Wimmera and Extreme in most other parts of the State.
Now is the time to assess your situation and talk to your family about your Bushfire plan and remember, leaving early is your safest option.

Leave early when the Fire Danger Rating is Extreme or Catastrophic. If you are still on your property, or in an area of high fire danger please be aware emergency services may not be able to help you if you decide not to take action when warned.

Wednesday is looking to be another day of increased fire danger, now is the time to assess your situation and review your Bushfire Plan. Consider having multiple travel routes included in your Bushfire Plan as highways and main roads can close suddenly if they are deemed too dangerous to travel on.

Continue to monitor conditions and stay informed. Never rely on a single source of information. Visit: www.emergency.vic.gov.au, download the VicEmergency app and tune into your local emergency broadcaster.

WORK HAS BEGUN! 🎉
You may have noticed a bit of change at the Fire Station this week. A site shed has arrived and temporary fencing has gone up. At long last work has started on renovating the station!

Around 6 years ago the brigade started making plans to put a new workshop on the side of our existing building, then convert the existing workshop and office into a "Turnout Room" a space to keep our protective clothing separate from the Vehicles.
Although the brigade had the funds to complete these works, we still hit a few hurdles along the way. But that didn't stop our Ex-Captain Chris White, he kept pushing, all with the safety of our members as a top priority. has since supported the brigade to complete our plan, and so much more. When the works are completed our brigade will effectively have a fully renovated Fire Station, bringing it up to current standards, every room on the plans is getting changed. We are grateful for this as we realise there are many Fire Stations across the state that could do with some work.

We are also very grateful for the support we have received from our Community, Some groups have donated Ten's of Thousands, and some individuals have also donated large sums of money, all of this gave us the ability to significantly contribute to the works. Thank you so much from our members and their families. ❤️

We will continue to respond to emergencies from this station for the duration of the works, however will hold our monthly meetings and weekly training sessions at other locations around town, Thanks also to the community groups who have offered their spaces for our use, I'm sure we will use them all over the next 6 months or so. 🚒

Please take care today.

Today a Total Fire Ban has been declared for Mallee, Wimmera, South West, Northern Country, North Central and Central.

No fires can be lit, or be allowed to remain alight, in the open air from 12:01 AM until 11:59 PM. Know what you can and can't do - www.cfa.vic.gov.au/can

An Extreme Fire Danger Rating has been forecast for tomorrow, Thursday, 22 February 2024, in the Mallee, Wimmera, South West, Northern Country, North Central, and Central forecast districts. Take action now to protect your life and property – fires will spread quickly and be extremely dangerous.

A Total Fire Ban has also been declared for the Mallee, Wimmera, South West, Northern Country, North Central, and Central forecast districts. This means no fires can be lit or be allowed to remain alight in the open air.

Stay up to date with warnings and incidents via VicEmergency: www.emergency.vic.gov.au

For those still without power.

COCKATOO……..FUEL AVAILABLE SATURDAY AND MONDAY 9AM - 12PM Cockatoo Bowls Club Car Park

Mini tankers of diesel and unleaded will be available for the community to refill jerry cans - a limit of 10L per person applies, byo jerry can

With thanks to the Victorian Government for this assistance