Mt Evelyn CFA 70 year logo


Mount Evelyn fire brigade has celebrated over 70 years of protecting the community. We are now looking towards the future by building on the last 70 years with up to date appliances and equipment and training.

We are working in partnership with the community to make Mt Evelyn a safer place to live.

 

 

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Fire Equipment Maintenance Information

Fire Equipment Maintenance (FEM) is a service offered by CFA brigades around Victoria. The FEM service is delivered in accordance with the Regulations and relevant Australian Standards.

Sales & Service

F.E.M. Fire Equipment Maintenance can service your equipment, and also offers a wide selection of fire safety products for sale.

These products range from fire extinguishers to fire hose reels and accessories.

Equipment Service

CFA Brigades service First Attack Fire Equipment including all styles of extinguishers and lengths of fire hose. Servicing is completed to Australian Standards.

Training Services

CFA and FEM provide a range of commercial training services. These include training for industrial, business and residential care clients. We also deliver the nationally recognised training  for fire equipment maintenance officers (Forms part of Cert. II Asset Maintenance).

for further information or quotation please contact the brigade

 

 

Brigades in Schools
Aims of Brigades in Schools
Children in particular are at risk from fire. By informing them about the dangers of fire and how it is used safely, the risk of death, injury and property loss can be reduced. Encouraging responsibility appropriate to their age enables children to become self-reliant and prepared in case of emergencies. It is also important that children learn behaviours to protect themselves and others in emergencies.
Curriculam Standards Frameworks
The Brigade in School modules have been designed to meet the specific Curriculum Standards Frameworks Learning Outcomes to meet the education needs of the Victorian Education Department
 
 
 
 
 
 

In an Emergency dial 000

 

 

Call ‘000’ in an Emergency

Knowing how to call Triple Zero (000) for a fire emergency can be the difference between life and death, or a building or other property being saved or destroyed.

The triple zero (000) service is the quickest way to get the right help from emergency services and should be used to contact Police, Fire or Ambulance services in life threatening or time critical situations.  
 

Calls to ‘000’ are free and can be made from mobile phones, home or work phones or payphones.  
 

The simple steps in making a Triple Zero (000) call to report a fire:  

  • Stay calm and call Triple Zero ‘000’ from a safe location
     
  • A Telstra operator will ask you if you need Police, Fire or Ambulance. Say ‘Fire’. If you are calling from a mobile or satellite phone the operator will ask you for other location information
     
  • You will be connected to an Emergency Services Operator to provide more details
     
  • Stay on the line, speak clearly and answer the Operator’s questions
     
  • Give them details of where you are including:
     
    • Street number
       
    • Street name
       
    • Nearest cross street
       
    • Locality
       
    • In country areas it is important to give the full address and distances from landmarks and roads, not just the name of the property.
       
  • If travelling on a Highway or on a country road, know the direction you are travelling and last exit or town you passed through to assist services to correctly locate the incident
  • Do not hang up until the Operator has all the information they need
     
  • If possible wait outside a pre-arranged meeting point or prominent location for Fire Services to arrive to assist them in locating the fire

Other things everyone should know in an emergency:

  • If a person is unable to speak English, if they call Triple Zero (000), say “fire” and leave the phone off the hook the call will be recorded and traced and a fire engine will be sent to that address.  
     
  • Record the Triple Zero (000) emergency number beside the telephone at home and work.  
     
  • Take time to teach children and overseas visitors how to make an emergency call.
     
  • Callers with hearing or speech impairments can call the one zero six (106) text-based emergency call service using a textphone.  

In an emergency fire situation DO NOT call:

  • A Victorian CFA District, Team or Region Office
  • A Fire  Incident Control Centre
  • A Local Fire Brigade
  • Any volunteer members

This action could lead to a delayed response or inappropriate resource being sent.

What if I need police, fire and ambulance together?

When your call is answered by the ECS, request the service which is most urgently needed in terms of threat to life.

That service will organise for other emergency services to attend, if needed.

 

When shouldn't I call Triple Zero (000)?

When it is not an emergency.

For example:

  • asking a question or advice
  • reporting something which has happened in the past
  • wanting to speak with a particular brigade member or to be connected to a fire station
  • making a complaint
  • wanting a non-emergency related service. Operators cannot connect to other non-emergency services (for example, taxis)
  • where the assistance of the State Emergency Service, local council or other government or non-government service is needed
  • annoying telephone calls

 

 

 For more info on how orr why follow this link

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/000_emergency

 
 
 


Living in the bush

 

Bushfire is not only a threat to those in the bush. If you live in an urban fringe or semi-rural area, you could also be at risk.

If you own a holiday house, caravan or shack in a bushfire risk area, you need to be prepared there as well.

Every summer brings several high bushfire risk days when temperatures climb, often accompanied by a hot north wind.

These days may be declared as a Total Fire Ban. On a day of high bushfire risk you need to have a clear bushfire plan.

If your decision is to stay and actively defend your property, then you need to put your bushfire plan into action.

If you have decided to leave the area, then leave before a fire threatens and road travel becomes hazardous.

 

Find out more about how to prepare for a bushfire:

CFA strongly emphasises the following messages:

 

Road travel

Radiant heat is the biggest killer in a bushfire. Being in a car during a fire is highly dangerous. Many recent fatalities have occurred on roads. Cars do not provide adequate protection from radiant heat. Roads are unsafe to travel on because of poor visibility due to smoke, falling trees and a large number of emergency services vehicles.


Leaving Early

People who intend to leave must leave before there is a fire in the area. Leaving early means going to safe places on all days when there is a severe fire risk. In extreme fire conditions fire travels very fast. It is too late to leave when there is already a fire in the area.

Staying to defend

People who stay and defend must be prepared to face a terrifying experience and be ready to protect themselves from a severe assault by the fire.
People who stay must be mentally and emotionally able to sustain a long and dangerous battle to defend their home.

People who commit to staying MUST:

  • Have a comprehensive plan, reliable water supply and fire fighting equipment
  • Have an adequate cleared space around their house
  • If residents do not have these things in place they should leave well before there is a fire.

Being caught by fire

If you are unable to leave before the fire is in your area, stay inside a building. Buildings whether they are weatherboard or brick protect people against radiant heat while the fire passes. Being outside is deadly. Seek shelter in buildings during the passage of the fire front.

Information

Agencies will be working hard to provide up-to-date information and communities in fire prone areas should listen for information and warnings on ABC radio. However, it is not always possible to provide timely information for each locality and all people must remain alert and monitor their surroundings for signs of fires.

 

CFA has produced a FireReady Kit to help you understand your bushfire risk, prepare your property and develop a Bushfire Survival Plan based on your decision to leave early or to actively defend your property.  Take the time to visit the following link to help you PREPARE. ACT. SURVIVE.

 

http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/residents/summer/firereadykit.htm

 

For a household bushfire self-assessment visit the following link

http://cfaonline.cfa.vic.gov.au/mycfa/Show?pageId=publicHouseAssess

 

 

 

 
 
 

Total Fire Bans

 

General Advice on a Day of Total Fire Ban

Tools and Equipment

Tools and equipment that use a naked flame or generate sparks such as welding or grinding, must not be used in the open air.

If essential works are required to be done a special permit may be issued, after a thorough investigation of each application. Apply to your CFA Regional Office. See: Obtaining a Permit

All barbecues which use solid fuel such as wood, charcoal or briquettes are banned. This includes closed oven or kettle-type appliances.

Gas and electric barbecues provided in public reserves/campsites may be used providing:

  • the barbecue is electric or gas fired
  • the barbecue is fixed permanent structure
  • the area for 3 metres around and above the barbeque is completely cleared of flammable material
  • an adult is in attendance at all times
  • a hose connected to a reticulated water supply or vessel containing at least 10 litres of water is on hand.

Portable gas and electric barbecues may be used provided:

  • the barbecue is located within 20 metres of a permanent dwelling (mobile homes, caravans or tents are not classified as permanent dwellings)
  • the area for 3 metres around and above the barbeque is completely cleared of flammable material
  • an adult is in attendance at all times
  • a hose connected to a reticulated water supply or vessel containing at least 10 litres of water is on hand.

Commercial caterers are required to obtain a special permit from your CFA Regional Office.

 

Lighting fires during the Fire Danger Period

Extreme caution is necessary throughout the Fire Danger Period because dry vegetation and hot weather increase the risk of fires accidentally igniting and spreading.

Fires in the open air are restricted throughout the Fire Danger Period

A general prohibition applies to the lighting of fires except when:

  • A permit has been issued. Find out more about permits...
  • The fire is lit for cooking or warmth, subject to certain conditions
  • Burning refuse in an incinerator
  • Welding, cutting or grinding subject to conditions
  • Fire is used for other industrial purposes subject to conditions

Can I or Can't I? is an information sheet which explains these restrictions in more detail

Note: Local municipalities may also place restrictions on lighting fires.  For more information on local burning off laws visit

http://www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/files/Open_Air_Burning.pdf

 

Lighting fires outside the declared Fire Danger Period

Although CFA places no restrictions on the lighting of fires in the open air during this time, lighting of fires may be fully or partly restricted under legislation and bylaws administered by municipalities and Department of Sustainability and Environment. Contact them for details.

How do I obtain a permit for activity during the Fire Danger Period?

Note: Permits are NOT VALID on a day of TOTAL FIRE BAN

Permits to burn during the Fire Danger Period under the CFA Act are generally issued by local municipalities and may be subject to additional requirements imposed by that municipality. These permits generally apply to the burning of grass, scrub and other vegetation for essential agricultural and industrial purposes.

Permits for lighting fires for other purposes, for example industrial burning, cutting etc, must be obtained from CFA. Find out more about permits...

 
 
 

Fire Restrictions

Fire Restrictions can be applied across most areas of Victoria by CFA, when fire danger is high. Typically this is over the summer period of November through to April. Restrictions are applied in small areas at a time.

View a map of current restrictions across Victorian municipalities

Lighting fires during the Fire Danger Period

Extreme caution is necessary throughout the Fire Danger Period because dry vegetation and hot weather increase the risk of fires accidentally igniting and spreading.

Fires in the open air are restricted throughout the Fire Danger Period

A general prohibition applies to the lighting of fires except when:

  • A permit has been issued.
  • The fire is lit for cooking or warmth, subject to certain conditions
  • Burning refuse in an incinerator
  • Welding, cutting or grinding subject to conditions
  • Fire is used for other industrial purposes subject to conditions

 

Fire Danger Ratings – an explanation

Victoria has adopted the new nationally agreed Fire Danger Rating scale to help communities understand information about fire danger. This new scale recognises the significant increase in severe bushfire conditions over the past decade and the subsequent greater level of danger to the community, as experienced on Saturday 7 February 2009.

Fire Danger

Every day during the fire season the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) forecasts an outlook of the fire danger index (FDI) by considering elements of the predicted weather including temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and dryness of vegetation. When determining the Fire Danger Rating, fire agencies, in consultation with the BoM, consider a range of other factors relating to that area and day.

These factors include:

  • the length of time the fire danger index has been elevated

  • extent of fire already in the landscape

  • fuel and dryness

  • likelihood of weather events such as lightning and grass fuel conditions.

Fire Danger Rating (FDR)

A Fire Danger Rating is a prediction of fire behaviour, including how hard it would be to put out a fire once it starts. It provides information on:

  • The sort of bushfire behaviour that could be experienced on that day

  • The type of threat bushfires may pose to life and property on any day given the forecast weather conditions.

A new Fire Danger Rating Barometer will alert you to danger so you can take action.

Fire Danger Ratings will be a feature of weather forecasts and alert you to the actions you should take in preparation for and on the day. It will be in newspapers, broadcast on radio, TV and on websites.

 

RATINGRecommended Action
CODE RED (Catastrophic): If you live in a bushfire prone area the safest option is to leave the night before, or early in the morning.
EXTREME: The safest option is to leave early in the day if you live in a bushfire prone area and your Bushfire Survival Plan is to leave. Only stay if your home is well prepared, well constructed and you can actively defend it.
SEVERE: The safest option is to leave early in the day if you live in a bushfire prone area and your Bushfire Survival Plan is to leave. Only stay if your home is well prepared and you can actively defend it.
VERY HIGH: If you live in a bushfire prone area and your Bushfire Survival Plan is to leave, the safest option is to leave at the beginning of a day.
HIGH: Check your Bushfire Survival Plan
LOW–MODERATE: Check your Bushfire Survival Plan

 

 

 

For more information download the full Fire Danger Rating Brochure - pdf 310k or
contact the Victoria Bushfire Information line 1800 240 667
 
 
 
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