CHnJ

I'm interested in signing up as a rural volunteer firefighter when I get to NSW.

I've read over the website http://www.bushfire.nsw.gov.au but I'd be interested to hear from anyone who is, or has been involved before I get in touch directly.

Badge

Mate, I would also be interested in doing this, but Mrs B worries I'll get singed. I wanted to volunteer last year but you need PR.

Let me know how you get on.

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CHnJ

My wife is not too keen either, especially as we have a littlun, but I think the pros outweigh the cons. She is right about the risks though, there's an interesting page on how they're spending 100s of thousands of dollars trying to figure out how to turn the fire-engines into safe havens if the fire goes the wrong way.

Badge

I was reading the physical tests on the NSW site last year during the height of the bush fires, and they seem doable, but as I'm short, not sure if I there is a height requirement - in the UK there is a chest expansion minimum which I would be OK on...

their site is working strangely so I cannot reproduce here...

maybe we can also turn this thread in to a fire prevention one - eg. protecting your home, as we all have a need to protect our homes and fight our own fires on our own turf..

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CHnJ

Well I hope not too, as I may not always be as mighty as my avatar!

It's definitely something to think about if we wind up living rural. The practice of "burning off" is something I faill to understand.

bondipom

If I lived closer to the country I would but by the time I got to any fires from Bondi it would be too late.

CHnJ

And if you had to start fighting fires that had reached Bondi then I think you'd be a tad late too : )

Badge

My Aunt has almost lost her house in outer Sydney twice in 10 years now, had their bags packed and ready for the knock on the door..

BM

bondipom

That would mean the end of the Eastern Burbs.

downunderpom

I'd be up for that. One of the 'prevention' items I've specified in my house plans is a sprinkler system - for the house. I saw the plans in a DIY magazine, where the bloke added it to his house after the house was built, so the pipes were on the outside. I'd prefer them built into the framework. Then high pressure pumps to douse the whole house and surrounds if threatened by fire, backed up with a BIG water tank.

bondipom

Do not put mulch or plants near the house as the stuff is like tinder and once in flames will ignite the house. Regularly do hazard reduction eg remove broken branches, rakes up leaves.

Do not leg it from your house when a fire comes through but put out spot fires when the fire has passed. The heat radiation of the fire is not what ignites the house. It is the spot fires that ignite a house.

CHnJ

Don't worry BP .. that's what I meant,

bondipom

The end of the Latte set. Oh well.

Anyway back on bushfires. The CSIRO reckons well watered gardens reduce the risk of the house turning to charcoal. The advice does conflict with that given in a drought though.

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/...336890222.html