WEST Australians in rural and pastoral areas rely heavily on bush fire brigades for protection against the threat and devastation of fire.

Nearly 25,000 volunteers protect Western Australia from bushfires through fire prevention and risk management, fire suppression and fire safety education.

These volunteers operate through more than 600 bush fire brigades, which are administered by local governments and trained and supported by FESA in bushfire response and prevention.

Bush fire brigade volunteers are trained in:

• personal and team safety
• fire suppression methods
• vehicle driving – on and off road
• communications
• first aid
• leadership and emergency management procedures

Volunteer firefighters learn to operate the wide array of equipment, vehicles and appliances used in fire suppression operations. Equipment used includes charged hoselines, portable pumps, tankers and communications.

Not all of the work involves active fire suppression or rescue activities. Fire education programs involve volunteers visiting schools, service groups, seniors' homes and local businesses to promote safety messages. FESA also provides training for this type of work.

Some bush fire brigades on Perth’s urban-bushland fringe also operate as volunteer Fire and Rescue Service brigades, taking additional responsibility for fires involving man-made structures (such as houses and factories), chemical spills and road crash rescues.

There are many dimensions to being a volunteer bush fire fighter – those who join are encouraged to choose the type of activities that suit their capabilities and interest.

FESA strongly supports the recruitment of both male and female volunteers representing a wide diversity of ages, cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

If you would like more information about bush fire brigades, please contact your local government, bush fire brigade or the Volunteer Recruitment Information Line on 1800 628 141.

Bush Fire Brigade Contacts

For Bush Fire Brigade contacts, please click here

Burning Periods

Please note different burning restrictions are placed on certain times of the year. During the Restricted Burning Periods you will need to obtain a burning permit. You can do so by contacting the Shire Office or your local Bushfire Brigade. During Unrestricted Burning Periods no permit is required.

Restricted Burning Period

Permits are required to burn between 1st October and 7th November and 15th February to 31st March.

Prohibited Burning Period

No burning is permitted (except for protective burning – sheds, houses etc) from 8th November to 14th February.

Unrestricted Burning Period

No permit is required for burning between 1st April and 30th September annually.

SMS Harvest Ban and Information Service

The Shire of Cunderdin SMS service will operate during the summer months and all those persons registered in previous years will receive notices as appropriate to their mobile phones.

If you need to be notified of harvest bans because you are a farmer, service provider, transporter, or grain receiver and are not currently registered please contact Brooke at the Shire on 9635 1005 as soon as possible. There is no charge for this service.