FYI Only – Parts of Winmalee are again experiencing blackouts. Time to power restore is unknown.

FYI Only – a blackout is currently effecting parts of Winmalee. Time to restore is unknown.

Help us to help you, get involved.
Community Protection Plans are another tool which can help you better understand the bush fire risk in your community, and how to prepare for it.
Community Protection Plans cover things such as:
• the level of bush fire threat to a community, such as a town or village
• options available to the community prior to and during the impact of bush fire
• access to the area, as well as ways people can leave in the event of a bush fire
• the current and proposed works, such as community engagement and hazard reduction, to help deal with the bush fire risk
• identifying important or ‘at-risk’ facilities such as schools, hospitals, nursing homes and child care centres.
The people in a community play an important role in developing a Community Protection Plan. Community meetings and workshops help explain the process, and give local community members a say in prioritising work.
The NSW RFS is establishing Community Protection Plans in many communities across the State. Not all areas will have a Community Protection Plan, nor will every area require one.
If you would like to know more about Community Protection Plans, or enquire about the potential for a plan to be made in your area, email CommunityProtectionPlans@rfs.nsw.gov.au or send us a message and we will point you in the right direction.

The AIDER (Assist Infirm, Disabled and Elderly Residents) program is a free, one-off service which supports some of our most at-risk community members.
The program helps people live more safely and confidently in their home in areas where bush fires may start. The AIDER program is designed for people who have limited domestic support available from family, relatives, friends or other services. This could include older people, people living with a disability, and people who are already receiving community assistance and services. Their property must also be on bush fire prone land (land that can support a bush fire or be subject to bush fire attack).
AIDER services can include:
• clearing gutters
• thinning vegetation around the home
• removing leaf and tree debris
• trimming branches from close to the home
• mowing or slashing long grass.
If you would like to know more about the free, one-off AIDER service, call 02 8741 4955 or you can also fill out the form found in the link below –
http://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/plan-and-prepare/aider

Winmalee Rural Fire Brigade updated their cover photo.

Winmalee Rural Fire Brigade updated their cover photo.

If you are concerned about bush fire hazards on your property, or the property adjacent to you, the NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) can provide advice regarding preparing your property against bush fires and what you have to do in the event of a bush fire. The NSW RFS is responsible for inspecting bush fire hazards, providing advice and if necessary, issuing notices to all landowners and managers to reduce hazards.
If you believe there is a bush fire hazard near your property, you can make a formal complaint by
• Contacting your local Fire Control Centre, in person, via email, mail, fax or phone (Blue Mountains Fire Control Centre 02 4784 7444)
• Filling in the online Bush Fire Hazard Complaint Form. ( Link attached below)
The NSW RFS will arrange for an inspection of the site to determine if a bush fire hazard exists. The landowner or the manager of the land will be notified separately of the results. Privacy legislation prevents the disclosure of your details.
If a hazard does exist the NSW RFS can issue a Bush Fire Hazard Reduction Notice, requesting the hazard be removed. This Notice can be issued to private and public landowners. If the Bush Fire Hazard Reduction Notice is not complied with, the NSW RFS will remove the hazard, and may pursue the cost from the landowner.
Report a bush fire hazard – http://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/plan-and-prepare/know-your-risk/Bush-fire-hazards-and-your-property/reporting-a-bush-fire-hazard

Last night Winmalee RFB firefighters attended Blue Mountains Bus Company for training. Firefighters received a brief from BMBC staff on hazards and issues to look out for whilst attending an Incident involving a bus. Winmalee CABA operators then completed simulated fire emergencies involving a bus. Thanks to Blue Mountains Bus Company for their ongoing support for the Brigade.

Winmalee Rural Fire Brigade with Ken Wade-Ferrell.

Two of our members attended a luncheon in the city last week on the invitation of the Newman’s Own Foundation. Their CEO Bob Forrester addressed the many not-for-profit organisations represented, detailing the very large financial grants made available in Australia during 2015.

Winmalee Rural Fire Brigade was the recipient of one of these generous grants which allowed us to purchase an additional specialist fire fighting appliance. The new Category 7 fire vehicle was on display at the recent opening of our new fire station at Yellow Rock. In appreciation for the generosity of the Newman’s Own Foundation the brigade presented Bob with a unique plaque to be displayed in the office when he returns home to the US. It happened to be Bob’s birthday on the day so the gift was warmly received.

Bob told all gathered how Paul Newman made salad dressings in the basement of his home and bottled them for friends for Christmas. One of his friends suggested they make his delicious dressings on a larger scale and as a joke Paul agreed. The business grew above all expectations and Paul chose to donate all the profits to charity. Since it started in 1982 the Foundation has donated US$460 Million to thousands of organisations worldwide of which US$22 Million has gone to over 1,000 Australian charities.

Bob was well aware of the October 2013 Fires and on behalf of all residents we thanked him and the Newman’s Own Foundation for their gift.

The Bush Fire Bulletin –
The Bush Fire Bulletin is the official journal of the NSW Rural Fire Service and has been in circulation for more than 60 years. The first issue was published on 1 September 1952.
This well-loved publication reports on all the activities of the NSW RFS volunteers and staff around the State – dwelling not only the present functions, but also honouring the significant role the NSW RFS has played over the past 100 years to protect the community of NSW from bush fire. The Bush Fire Bulletin is published quarterly and is read by the 70,000 NSW RFS volunteers and staff, students in schools across the State, staff in related government agencies and members of the general public. Around 23,000 copies of the magazine are distributed to brigades, fire control centres and educational institutions in NSW and around Australia. It is also available for download on the NSW RFS website.
The Bush Fire Bulletin galvanises the NSW RFS volunteer community by acknowledging the great and small achievements of our volunteers. We publish stories about events, awards, Open Days and station openings. The Bush Fire Bulletin showcases the achievements, the heroism and the everyday goodwill that fuels the NSW RFS and keeps the largest volunteer bush firefighting agency in the world running.
How to subscribe-
Postal mailing (free): Email your postal details to -bush.fire.bulletin@rfs.nsw.gov.au