Malcolm Arthur and Michael Robson, volunteer Community Fire Unit members. (Julie Nance)
Story by Julie Nance
The preparation and resilience shown by the Blue Mountains community in the 1994 bushfires helped create Fire and Rescue NSW’s Community Fire Unit (CFU) program. There are now 5,000 CFUs spread throughout NSW – teams of residents preparing and protecting properties in their street. Their support enables emergency services to focus their efforts on the fire front and saving lives. Writer Julie Nance spoke to the head of the Statewide program who grew up in Blaxland, and a dedicated CFU member of 20 years in Winmalee.
Key Points:
Fire and Rescue NSW Deputy Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell says: “With the changing climate resulting in longer and more dangerous bushfire seasons, the CFU program is more important than ever to help support Fire and Rescue NSW’s bushfire strategy.” (Source: Introduction to the Community Fire Unit Program eLearning video)
From the Nepean River to Mount Victoria there are 94 CFUs, boasting 867 volunteer members.
The roar of the fire and the loud explosions are what Michael Robson remembers most clearly about that unforgettable day: 17 October 2013.
The father of four was sheltering inside his home in Semana Place, Winmalee, unaware three houses at the top end of his street were on fire.
This wasn’t Michael’s first experience of a bushfire emergency threatening his property. He’d been here before in 1994 and 2000.
But this time was different. The fear was greater but there was a stronger sense of “I know what to do”. Michael had 10 years of preparation and practice behind him as a coordinator of a Community Fire Unit.
“My wife was a teacher and she was helping walk students from St Thomas Aquinas to safety at the shopping centre,” Michael recalls.
“My daughter was at St Columba’s in lockdown. There’s a lot of emotion that happens and the fact that I had things to do – to prepare and get things ready – probably helped calm me a little bit.”
When it was safe to emerge from his home, Michael and his neighbours – fellow CFU members – got to work, putting out embers.
“There were three homes lost at the top end of the street and they didn’t have a CFU,” Michael says.
“Down here I believe we would have lost more homes if we hadn’t had the CFU. Certainly, the ember attack, we did a fair bit of work.”
View a 60-second video – Community Fire Unit members shows off their equipment (Julie Nance)
A total of 185 homes were lost in Springwood, Winmalee and Yellow Rock in what became known as the ‘Linksview Road fire’.
Superintendent Brendan Hurley is Manager of the CFU program for Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW). He echoes what governments are increasingly saying: “We cannot have a fire truck in every street, protecting every house, when we have a major bushfire event.
“Sometimes we struggle to keep up if we have a large breakout day where a number of bushfires start. When resources become stretched, we are very much relying on the local communities and the volunteers.”
Superintendent Brendan Hurley, Manager of Fire and Rescue NSW’s CFU program. (Photo supplied)
The deployment of the CFUs in 2013 meant firefighting crews could keep moving with the fire front and direct resources to areas that needed protection such as Winmalee High School, where hundreds of students and staff were in lockdown.
FRNSW’s CFU webpage provides a snapshot of the program: “A Community Fire Unit is a team of local residents living in urban areas close to bushland who are supported by Fire and Rescue NSW to enhance their safety and resilience to bushfires. As a volunteer CFU member you will learn how to prepare yourself, your family and your home ahead of the bushfire season. You will learn how to make informed decisions about whether to leave early or stay and defend your property when bushfires threaten.”
The difference between Fire & Rescue NSW CFU volunteers and the Rural Fire Service (RFS) volunteers, is that the RFS volunteer firefighters respond (in fire trucks) to anywhere in the state to undertake bushfire firefighting operations, whereas FRNSW CFU volunteers stay and defend their own properties and communities within a defined area of operations (FRNSW fire district) using assigned resources and equipment contained in trailers or cabinets.
Having grown up in Blaxland, Superintendent Hurley has a strong interest in, and knowledge of the lower Blue Mountains. He began his journey in emergency services as a Rural Fire Service volunteer and enjoyed the camaraderie within the local community.
Superintendent Hurley says although the Blue Mountains community and emergency services were overwhelmed during the 1994 bushfires, it became clear afterwards that a lot of people were well prepared.
He explains: “A number of local residents said ‘we can actually help out a lot more. Once the fire front goes through, we can stay around to help clean up, mop up and put embers out. We can make sure houses are safe once the main fire front goes through and the initial danger is gone’.”
This valuable feedback contributed to the development of the CFU program.
While CFU members have an active part to play in preparing and protecting their neighbourhoods, they are not classed as firefighters.
“Their job is preparing for bushfires and taking a bit of pressure off emergency services,” Superintendent Hurley says. “CFUs free emergency services up to move where the dangers are: life saving or life-threatening situations.”
I’ve often wondered what’s inside the little red CFU trailers dotted around the streets in my lower Mountains neighbourhood.
When Michael lifted the doors of his trailer, parked on a neighbour’s lawn, my first impression was “wow, this little trailer certainly packs a punch with equipment”.
Michael says: “It’s quite amazing the amount of equipment we have, and that provides a level of comfort.” (Julie Nance)
The trailer includes 10 hoses, nozzles, two standpipes and pumps that are checked regularly and can access water from pools in the street. There’s also a small water dam that can be quickly constructed, rakes, walkie talkies and the list goes on!
“The trailer is fantastic,” Michael says. “We’re all trained on the equipment and know what to do and our role. And it’s not to fight fires. It’s just to prepare for fires and mop up afterwards.”
Michael secures a hoseline after fitting the standpipe. (Julie Nance)
Michael and Malcolm fill the water dam, another water source in addition to 3 pools in neighbouring properties. Malcolm says: “It’s a good feeling knowing we can get things prepared for the firies and help protect our street.”(Julie Nance)
Applications received by FRNSW for the CFU Program are assessed based on a number of factors including distance from bushland and classified level of bushfire risk.
You need a minimum of four members to have a Unit but the preferable number is 10. FRNSW provides the trailer as well as online and practical training and full uniforms.
Michael says his Unit, currently comprising seven members, meets from August to March or April, depending on the fire season. The commitment is one, to one and a half hours, on the first Sunday of the month.
“Working on the backburn trails is the most important element and then checking all the equipment to make sure it’s ready,” he says.
“We have very good guidance and education from Fire and Rescue NSW. If the conditions are rated as catastrophic, we’ve got no choice. We can’t even activate. We have to go.”
CFU members cutting a backburn trail in case it’s needed by fire services during a wildfire. (Photo supplied)
Superintendent Hurley says there’s a strong element of sharing by CFU members: resilience, information, and preparedness and prevention activities to enable communities to be better prepared for the upcoming bushfire season.
Michael says an unexpected bonus from being involved has been the strengthening of community ties.
“The CFU has been very bonding for our street. We know each other a lot better now,” he says. “You know when people are sick and you can support each other.
“We’re fully prepared for this season and we’ve got our neighbours prepared, even the ones who aren’t in the CFU. They know we’re here and I think it helps just create that community aspect. It has been tremendous.”
Take Action:
If you are interested in joining a Fire and Rescue NSW CFU, or starting your own Unit, visit the FRNSW website; phone: 1300 238 238, Email: cfu@fire.nsw.gov.au or visit Facebook.
This story has been produced as part of a Bioregional Collaboration for Planetary Health and is supported by the Disaster Risk Reduction Fund (DRRF). The DRRF is jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales governments.
How can we engage our hearing to connect more deeply to nature around us? Join us at the Planetary Health Wellness Weekend on 28 February and 1st March to hear from one of the most inspiring and engaging presenters we’ve ever had at the Planetary Health Centre. Author and acoustic ecologist Andrew Skeoch will guide us into hearing the languages of nature. Learn how we can develop our auditory awareness, identify species by ear, recognise behaviours and repertoire, and find empathy with the voices of other beings. Andrew’s presentations are an immersive weaving of evocative recordings, fascinating spectrogram analysis and original ideas. You’ll hear the natural environment around you in a whole new way. Each morning at the Wellness Weekend Andrew will also lead Deep Listening Immersive Field Workshops demonstrating how to increase your sensitive auditory perceptions of the extraordinary natural world around us. Tickets available here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/planetary-health-wellness-weekend
This event has been made possible because of the generous support of Greater Blue Mountains Rotary and the Katoomba and Upper Blue Mountains Bendigo Community Bank.
We are looking forward to this (Em)power(ing) tools presentation being delivered by Robyn Catchlove, Sherlie McMillan, Suzie van Opdorp and Teja Brooks Pribac at our Planetary Health Day on Sat 28 Feb. It`s free but you need to register to attend here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/planetary-health-wellness-weekend
This interactive presentation explores an unexpected but deeply empowering practice: using power tools. With the help of co-presenters and their favourite tools, the session demystifies DIY and shows how accessible practical skills really are. Beyond the satisfaction of building and repairing, working with power tools fosters confidence, patience, and problem-solving skills. It can also be financially empowering, reducing dependence on paid labour, and reinforces the belief that challenges—practical and personal alike—can be worked through with focus, persistence, and curiosity. This session invites participants to reconsider what empowerment can look like, and how hands-on making can translate into resilience in everyday life.
It`s one of many events during our Planetary Health Wellness Weekend at the Planetary Health Centre in Katoomba on 28 Feb and 1 March and has been organised in collaboration with Rotarians 4 Planetary Health and Greater Blue Mountains Rotary
Medicine and healthcare is changing. Join Dr Madhu Tamilarasan, a Lithgow based GP and sports medicine doctor on Sat 28 Feb at our Planetary Health Day and Wellness Weekend, for a conversation about Lifestyle Medicine. The tagline for her practice is "General practice done differently". The practice is encouraging physical activity in the community because research clearly shows that going from no exercise to just 10 minutes of physical activity per day is where the biggest health benefits come from. Any patient who attends an appointment by "active transport" - such as walking, running, cycling - instead of by motorised transport, receives a small discount on their consultation fee that day. Lifestyle medicine focuses on treating the root causes of disease rather than just managing symptoms. Register here to attend Dr Tamilarasan`s session to learn more about its benefits for individuals, community and globally (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/planetary-health-wellness-weekend
Places are booking out quickly for the inspiring talks and workshops at the Planetary Health Wellness Weekend in Katoomba on Sat 28 Feb and Sun 1 March. View the full program and register to attend here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/planetary-health-wellness-weekend
Each morning, you have the chance to join Andrew Skeoch, renowned wildlife sound recordist and author of `Deep Listening to Nature`, for an immersive workshop and walk to hear the intricate conversations happening in the natural world around us.
There will also be: • nature journalling • mindfulness • creativity • (Em)power(ing) tools • Ikebana • Shared Reading • Tai Chi and Qigong • Chair Yoga • Mental Health First Aid • exercise, sleep and your health • how to share loss and grieving for and with animals • and a celebration of the many faith-based groups in the Blue Mountains focused on healing our land, healing ourselves.
A huge thank you to Greater Blue Mountains Rotary and Katoomba and Upper Blue Mountains Bendigo Community Bank for sponsoring this wonderful weekend.
We’d love you to join the Planetary Health Centre for an inspiring Planetary Health Wellness Weekend on Saturday 28 February and Sunday 1st March in Katoomba! We’ve collaborated with Rotarians 4 Planetary Health (part of Greater Blue Mountains Rotary) and the Blue Mountains Interfaith Group, to create a program focused on the many ways we can improve our physical, mental, spiritual and emotional health in a weekend of community and nature connection, talks, workshops, stalls and delicious food.
The weekend kicks off with our third Planetary Health Day on Saturday and finishes with an Interfaith Gathering on Sunday.
Each morning, you have the chance to join Andrew Skeoch, renowned wildlife sound recordist and author of `Deep Listening to Nature`, for an immersive workshop and walk to hear the intricate conversations happening in the natural world around us.
View the full program and register to attend here (link in profile):
• Deep Listening immersive field workshops • Mental Health First Aid • nature journalling • mindfulness • creativity • (Em)power(ing) tools • Ikebana • Shared Reading • Tai Chi and Qigong • Chair Yoga • exercise, sleep and your health • how to share loss and grieving for and with animals • and a celebration of the many faith-based groups in the Blue Mountains focused on healing our land, healing ourselves.
A huge thank you to Greater Blue Mountains Rotary and Katoomba and Upper Blue Mountains Bendigo Community Bank for sponsoring this wonderful weekend.
We had a thoroughly enjoyable final Skill Share Saturday for the year yesterday with Qigong, Fashion Upcycling, Seed Saving and Bushcare! We shared seeds from local gardens and harvested carrots, as well as Mizuna, Broad Bean, Daikon and Land Cress seeds from the Planetary Health garden. We then packaged up (and shared) our first Upper Mountains Seed Savers packs for our fledgling Seed Bank. In Bushcare it`s very exciting to see whole new areas of the Planetary Health Precinct open up as we remove invasive weeds. It`s been a year of great progress as we`ve restored habitat for wildlife and given local native plants the opportunity to flourish and re-establish on the site.
Join the Planetary Health Centre this Sat 6 Dec for the last Skill Share Saturday of the year: Qigong at 9am, Seed Saving & Gardening Group at 10am, and Bushcare at 1.30pm. One perfect day with great company, great coffee and food, and great steps for living a healthy balanced life, while also contributing to the health of our planet for present and future generations. All ages welcome!
Registration links in profile and below.
Register for Qigong here: https://bit.ly/48wlHjD Register for Seed Saving & Gardening here: https://bit.ly/4prcRe7 Register for Bushcare here: https://bit.ly/4oAFDrz
We have a rare opportunity to learn about the newest and best possible ways to support family and community members struggling with mental health issues, at a free talk and afternoon tea provided by Upper Blue Mountains Sunrise Rotary at the Planetary Health Centre at 2pm this Saturday 29 Nov. Hear from Peter Joseph AM, Chair of the Black Dog Institute, and Professor Helen Christensen AO, Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science and former Executive Director and Chief Scientist at the Black Dog Institute. They`ll be in conversation with journalist Emma Rossi. Dr Christensen is a pioneer in using the internet to reach young people struggling with depression. Her digital mental health interventions are used by millions globally, delivering evidence-based therapy for depression, anxiety, and suicide prevention. Her research uses data from smartphones and wearables – like movement, screen use, and sleep – to detect early signs of mental health issues. Bookings essential here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4oOnYxz
This Saturday Sherlie McMillan from Rotarians 4 Planetary Health will be running a workshop on How to use a sewing machine from 9am at the Planetary Health Centre in Katoomba. Learn how to set up a machine, service it, troubleshoot when it`s not sewing correctly, and learn some basic sewing skills.
Bookings essential here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/how-to-use-your-sewing-machine
NB. This class is a prerequisite for our very popular Fashion Upcycling classes held once a month.
We`re thrilled to announce that Professor Helen Christensen, a pioneer in using the internet to reach young people struggling with depression, will be joining the conversation with Peter Joseph AM from the Black Dog Institute and journalist Emma Rossi at the Planetary Health Centre at 2pm this Saturday 29 November. Helen was the Executive Director and Chief Scientist for the Black Dog Institute for 10 years and has now been elected a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science. Her digital mental health interventions are used by millions globally, delivering evidence-based therapy for depression, anxiety, and suicide prevention. Her research uses data from smartphones and wearables – like movement, screen use, and sleep – to detect early signs of mental health issues. This free event is being co-hosted by Upper Blue Mountains Sunrise Rotary and the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Initiative. Afternoon tea will be provided. Bookings essential here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4oOnYxz
Human composting is increasingly being legalised around the world. Read about it in Katoomba Area Local News here (link in profile): https://www.katoombalocalnews.com/legalising-human-composting/
If you’d like to see this option available in NSW you can now sign a live petition to the NSW Parliament here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/43QIHbz
Thanks to everyone who contributed to deliver a fantastic Disaster Risk Awareness Expo and Family Day yesterday. @mark_greenhill_mayor opened the event at which we celebrated the 13th birthday of Betty the Asbestos Education House; @firecoat_au demonstrated and launched its range of fire retardant products that can help protect homes, gardens and even electricity poles; the Bushfire Retrofit Toolkit was launched; Santa arrived and delighted young and old; and @plantinspired99 and Action for Animals fed us all with a delicious plant-based sausage sizzle. The day was filled with talks, workshops, stalls and the sharing of a huge amount of expertise to keep us, and the other species we share our planet with, safe and healthy! @southkatoomba.rfb @nswses @fireandrescuensw @nswrfs @redcrossleura @redcrossau @shelter.building.design @firehalo.au @asbestosawareness @amelie_ecology @bbagsbluemtns @wireswildliferescue @handsheartfeet
Julie Nance is a community storyteller with the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Initiative. In her coverage of the Lower Mountains area, she brings 30 years’ experience in communications, publishing and journalism.
After specialising in health and social issues as a journalist, Julie led creative teams in the government and not-for-profit sectors including the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, YMCA NSW, Cancer Council NSW and The Children’s Hospital at Westmead.
Julie is passionate about empowering people with quality information to help them make informed choices.
Blue Mountains Planetary Health Centre will host the Disaster Risk Awareness Expo and Family Day on Saturday, 22 November, offering a fun and informative day focused on building safer, healthier and more resilient communities.
