Brigade Officers 2008/9
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Click on the link above for a list of our current Brigade Officers |
Permit Officers 2008/9
Permits will be required for any burning off at all from 1st of September, 2008, and this will be the case until Autumn, 2009. Hefty fines are in place if you burn off and you don't have a legitimate permit.
Permits are only available from our Permit Officers who are -
Steve Maginnity phone mobile 0428 602 312,
Dave Lucas on mobile 0419 938 423.
Permits are not available on the internet as the proposed burnoff site has to be inspected by the Brigade, and don't phone up Friday for a permit Saturday - allow a week to obtain one.
Any permit obtained over the internet will not be recognised by NSW Rural Fire Service and you could be in for a fine if you burn off without going through the proper channels. These procedures are in place to protect yourself and the community.
If you want to report a fire - phone 000 for the quickest response - please don't phone our Brigade Members or Fire Control.
Fire Permit Details
PERMITS -INTRODUCTION
Fire can be a useful tool for reducing bush fire hazards, removing rubbish or conducting agricultural activities. The inappropriate use of fire however, can endanger lives, property and the environment. Various approvals may therefore be required before you light a fire.
These approvals contain conditions that seek to minimise possible adverse impacts.
The following information will help you work out which approvals you need before you light your fire.
The Rural Fire Service (RFS) can provide you with the following approvals [or
advise you who to contact]:
FIRE PERMIT for fire safety; and/or
BUSH FIRE HAZARD REDUCTION CERTIFICATE
for bush fire hazard reduction works.
Other government authorities may provide you with other Environmental Approvals
FIRE PERMITS
A fire permit is a fire safety approval authorized under the Rural Fires Act
1997. Your local fire authority can assist you with any enquiries regarding fire
permits.
They will be either your local:
RFS Fire Control Centre, or
NSW Fire Brigade Station.
You can also learn more about fire permits by visiting the RFS website at
www.rfs.nsw.gov.au [then go to fire restrictions, and safe burning].
When do I need a fire permit?
If in doubt, contact your local fire authority to determine if a fire permit is required.
You will need to obtain a fire permit for most fires carried out in the open during the Bush Fire Danger Period. The Bush Fire Danger Period is normally from October 1st to March 31st but may vary in some localities. For example, fire permits are required all year round in some council areas (e.g. Kiama and Shellharbour) or may commence and end either earlier or later in other parts of the State..
You will also need a fire permit (regardless of the time of year) if the proposed- fire is likely to endanger a building.
Fire permits are not required for fires that are lit for the purpose of heating or cooking. However you must ensure that:
the fire is in a permanently constructed fire place and/or it is at a site with at least two metres cleared of all combustible materials;
a responsible person is in attendance at all times; and
the fire is completely extinguished before leaving.
HOW DO I OBTAIN A FIRE PERMIT?
To obtain a fire permit contact your local Fire Authority. If required, your local fire authority will arrange an inspection by a Permit Issuing Officer.
If an environmental approval is required (see Bush Fire Reduction Certificates page 5), you must have this approval prior to requesting a fire permit. This will ensure that conditions on the fire permit are consistent with the conditions of the environmental approval.
You must read the conditions on the fire permit carefully and abide by those conditions. These conditions include (but are not limited to) the following.
You must have the fire permit with you when you conduct your burn.
A fire permit is valid for the period specified on the permit.
When burning off you must give 24 hours notice of the intended location, purpose and time of the burn to:
the occupiers (or owners if vacant) of all adjacent properties — including properties separated by a road or waterway; and
your local fire authority.
When is my fire permit not valid?
Even it you have a fire permit, burning may not be allowed at certain times. A fire permit will be suspended or cancelled:
on days of Very High Fire Danger or EXTREME FIRE DANGER:
when conditions on the fire permit cannot be met e.g. on a declared NO BURN DAY:
when directed by an authorised officer; or
during a Total Fire Ban.
Total Fire Bans are declared on days where the predicted weather conditions would make it dangerous to light a fire. No Burn Days are declared when the potential for smoke pollution is very high.
No Burn Days are most common in the Greater Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong areas. These will be announced in the media, or you can check the following:
TOTAL FIRE BAN -
Call the NSW RFS on1800 654 443
or go to www.rfs.nsw.gov.au.
NO BURN DAY
Call the Environment Line on 131 555 or go to www.environment.nsw.gov.au.
