2002
Picture inset right the Black Christmas fire storm 2001
As the fire approaches homes at Helensburgh,
residents were arming themselves with garden hoses
as they prepared for it's impact.
Emergency services were overwhelmed by both it's size and speed.
Residents battled in vane and in some cases had seen their lives
devastated as this monster fire storm destroyed many properties.
We were fortunate not to have lost any lives
during one of the largest and fastest moving
fires in our history.
After the fires a town meeting was attended
on the 8th May 2002 by a large number of
local residents and representatives of the
emergency services.
The New South Wales Fire Brigades listened
and agreed that a community fire unit program
was needed.
The Helensburgh District Community Emergency
Liaison Group Representative Warwick Erwin
working with Chief Superintendent Hans Bootsma,
Station Officer Terry Munsey and Captain
Don Hope NSWFB
organized a plan of action.
As a result of all the hard work the first
unit was delivered on Saturday 11 May 2002
with all units expected to be installed by
November 2002.
Training will begin with all groups meeting
and training together in their local areas.
Two training officers will be present and
the local Helensburgh NSWFB crew.
All CFU members will meet the local crew
and work with them during ongoing drills.
These drills will be ongoing with the local
Brigade and also within the CFU groups.
At least 15 CFUs will be operating in the
above areas.
Community Fire Units will soon be starting
their own web pages.
We will post addresses as they are on line
at our links page three.
About Community Fire Units
Community Fire Units are street-based groups
of neighbors who are trained and equipped
by the NSW Fire Brigades.
They are trained in what to do when a bush
fire is present in their area, prior to the
arrival of both the
NSWFB and Rural Fire services