Farm Fire Unit Project

Across South Australia there are hundreds (if not thousands) of farm fire units (FFUs). In some areas the FFU operators are well known to their local CFS brigades. In other areas they are not.

To help better support FFU owners, the CFS is developing a statewide program to register units and provide them with consistent support and resources.

All FFU registrations (and stickers) expired at the end of the last fire season. FFU owners will need to complete an online registration to receive an updated FFU registration sticker. The registration is now for 3 years and is due to expire at the end of the 2024/25 fire season.

Brigades and Groups are encouraged to hold local FFU events, such as preseason briefings to update FFU operators on any changes to processes and any local arrangements in place for a fire season. It is also a good way to build on existing relationships and establish new ones between FFU owners and the local CFS.

A sticker provided to FFUs who register online will identify you to CFS crews on the fireground. It will also help you in accessing the fireground at SAPOL Traffic Management Points* (TMPs or ‘road closures’).

* The decision to allow any vehicle through a traffic management point lies with SAPOL and will only occur when it is safe to do so.

Registration are now for 3 years and expire at the end of the 2024/25 fire season. If you change the vehicle you have been using then you will need to reregister.

Registered FFUs can be permitted access to areas under Tier 1 road closures. However, on occasions it may not be safe to do so. FFU owner/operators are required to comply with lawful instructions from SAPOL and emergency services personnel.

Online registration is open now.

Many CFS Brigades and Groups also hold pre-fire season events with their local communities. Contact your local brigade or Region to find out more.

Registering your FFU has many benefits, including access to:

• CFS resources and information
• vehicle stickers identifying you to SAPOL at Traffic Management Points
• insurance coverage for owner/operators and their equipment used in support of CFS during fires
• fireground safety awareness materials and online resources
• easier access to logistics support during fires, including meals and water re-supply.

Your registration will also help CFS contact you with information about the ongoing improvements being made to supporting FFUs.

Registration is not compulsory. However, you will not be recognised as a FFU supporting CFS operations on the fireground. You will not be covered by the insurance protections offered to those who are registered. You will not have access to areas that are closed to members of the public during a fire.

Registration is the administrative process of collecting information about FFU owner/operators so CFS can contact them during ‘peacetime’. (eg. invitations to pre-season events, information sharing).

Logging On/Logging Off refers to the need for FFUs to contact CFS when entering and leaving the fireground. Currently there are some local arrangements in place, many of which work well. Your local CFS FFU coordinator will provide information on these arrangements.

No. However, CFS has a duty of care for anyone working on a CFS controlled fireground. If you are not operating safely, or are not appropriately equipped, you may (in very exceptional circumstances) be directed to leave the fireground.

No.

The value of FFUs was widely recognised during last year’s catastrophic fire season. The Independent Review into the 2019/20 South Australian Bushfire Season (the Keelty Review) acknowledged the critical role played by FFUs and recommended they be better integrated into CFS’s bushfire fighting arrangements.

CFS has a critical role to ensure the safety of all personnel on a fireground, including FFU owner/operators.

A review of FFU procedures highlighted opportunities to provide increased support to FFU owners before, during and after bushfires. The project will give CFS better understanding of FFU capability across South Australia. This will lead to improved engagement, better communications with, and support to, FFU owners.

Registered FFUs will be easily identified when attending bushfires. This will improve the support provided to FFUs on the fireground, including access to water, meals, and other welfare. They will also receive more streamlined access to insurance cover for injuries or damages to equipment when attending a bushfire managed by CFS.

The FFU project provides a simple registration system, clear safety advice around fireground safety and communication.

Check out the information on this website. It will be updated regularly during the FFU project

We encourage you to contact your local CFS FFU Coordinator if there is one in your area. Alternatively, contact your CFS Regional Office and ask to speak to the Regional FFU Coordinator.