CFA Ferntree Gully

Ferntree Gully CFA volunteer fire fighters attend regular training every Tuesday evening and Sunday morning.  On top of that they often make extra effort to attend specialised training courses that may run on other nights in addition to their regular training.

Recently some of our fire fighters attended the CFA's "South East Training Ground" facility in Bangholme, South East of Melbourne.  This specialised facility gives fire fighters from the CFA and MFB an opportunity to work with live fire in a safe and controlled manner.  Exercises on the day included practice using fire extinguishers on flamable liquid fires (pictured), search and rescue in a smoke-filled building and breathing aparatus skills maintenance. 

Regular, realistic training ensures our fire fighters remain up to the challenge of responding to community emergencies 24x7.

CFA has produced the FireReady Kit to help you understand your bushfire risk, prepare your property and develop a Bushfire Survival Plan based on your decision to leave early or to actively defend your property.

Not all homes can be defended from bushfire and survival must be your main priority.  The Kit includes additional publications to help with your preparations.

The Kits are now available for download on the CFA website.

Former Ferntree Gully Captain Bill Watson was surprised on Saturday evening when Chief Officer Ewan Fergusson presented him with the CFA's Outstanding Service Award.  This rare honour is one of the highest awards within CFA. 

Bill is credited with outstanding service in the community for behind the scenes efforts such as arranging food parcels for needy CFA families affected by drought and coordinating the repair of many fences for land owners post Black Saturday.  In addition to Bill's many "non core" activities he managed to turn-out to 30% of brigade calls in 2012.

Ferntree Gully Brigade members are proud to serve with Bill and are thrilled at the recognition of his sustained and outstanding service to the community.