Cockatoo Rural Fire Brigade(CFA)

29/08/2026

Last night we held our annual presentation night to recognise all of our members and their partners for their time and dedication over the last 12 Months.

The following Awards were presented to members
Firefighter of the Year - Comms Officer Ben Bonollo
Captains Award - Secretary Rob Turner
10 Year Service Medal - FF Connor Moore
20 Year Service Medal - Ex Captain Chris White
20 Year Service Medal - 1st Lt Michael Wake
30 Year Service Medal - Captain Marcus Harris

FF Jon Hillis was also to be presented his 5 Year Certificate, but unfortunately was unable to attend.

Thanks to all all of our members and their families for your service to the community for the last 12 Months.

Thanks to Deputy Group Officer Peta Waterhouse and Commander Marty Newstead for presenting the awards, and to the Crew from Emerald CFA for looking after our area for the night.

Thanks to Emerald RSL for hosting us, Fell Estate for the Catering and Tanya, Caillin and Liam for the Entertainment.

20/08/2026

A massive THANK YOU to Julie and Andrew from Bendigo Bank Upwey & District for donating $10,000 to our Brigade.

These funds will go towards essential emergency response assets to help keep our community safe.

We are incredibly grateful for such a generous donation and thank you and all of your customers who make something like this happen!

18/08/2026

Damaging winds are expected across the central ranges tomorrow morning, Wednesday 19 August, with average winds of 60 to 70 km/h and peak gusts around 90 km/h possible.

Keep up to date with information from the SES and the VicEmergency app or website.

Damaging winds are expected across Greater Melbourne and the central ranges tomorrow morning, Wednesday 19 August 2026.

📍 Central ranges
Winds averaging 60 to 70 km/h with peak gusts of around 90 km/h are possible from early Wednesday morning.

📍 Greater Melbourne
After sunrise, these winds may extend into Melbourne and parts of the Mornington and Bellarine Peninsulas.

🕝 Conditions are expected to ease by the afternoon.

You should prepare tonight:
🚗 Park your car undercover.
☂️ Secure outdoor furniture, umbrellas and trampolines.
📲 Stay informed by creating a watch zone on the VicEmergency app.

Take care when travelling tomorrow morning. For emergency storm assistance, like fallen trees on roads or blocking access, call the Victoria State Emergency Service on 132 500.

09/08/2026

Last night, our Brigade responded with both tankers (Cockatoo 1 and Cockatoo 2) to a significant structure fire in Yellingbo requiring a substantial multi-brigade response.

Crews worked alongside neighbouring brigades to contain the incident and safely manage the fireground. Our members provided Breathing Apparatus for both internal and external attack, incident management, pump operations, decontamination, and general operational support.

Attending resources included Yellingbo 1, Yellingbo 2 and Yellingbo Rehab; Macclesfield 1 and 2; Cockatoo 1 and 2; and appliances from Hillcrest, Emerald, Seville, Wandin and Silvan. Group and other command vehicles also supported incident management and coordination.

Other agencies involved include Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria, and Ausnet.

The main thing was that no residents or emergency services members were injured. This is testament to both training and risk-based decisions under pressure.

Thank you to every firefighter and support member who turned out and worked across brigade boundaries throughout the incident. Responses of this size rely on clear communications, coordinated command and crews quietly getting on with the job, which was evident last night.

This incident is a timely reminder to test your smoke alarms and make sure everyone in your household knows the escape plan.

In an emergency, get out, stay out and call Triple Zero (000).

A pleasure as always working with our mates from Yellingbo Rural Fire Brigade, Macclesfield Fire Brigade (CFA), Emerald Fire Brigade, Hillcrest Fire Brigade, Wandin Fire Brigade, Seville Rural Fire Brigade (CFA), Silvan Fire Brigade (CFA), Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria

03/08/2026

Our thoughts are with the families, friends and colleagues of the Greek coordinator and Danish pilot who lost their lives when two Australian-owned firefighting helicopters collided while battling a wildfire west of Athens. We also extend our support to the surviving crew members and the emergency services continuing to confront severe fire conditions across Europe.

Members of our Brigade have operated on firegrounds alongside highly skilled aviation firefighting pilots. We have seen the precision, judgement and courage required to fly heavy aircraft at low altitude, through smoke, turbulence and rapidly changing fire behaviour, often while ground crews work directly beneath them.

Aviation crews are an integral part of modern firefighting operations. Their work protects communities and gives firefighters on the ground options that would otherwise not exist, but this tragedy is a grave reminder of the hazards they accept in carrying out that work.

To our fallen firefighting brethren, duty done.

Requiescant in pace.

26/07/2026

Hopefully this system is never needed. Reminder for tomorrow.

15/07/2026

Our Brigade members were out and about tonight sharpening our skills in pumping operations, creek drafting, multi-tanker boosting, branch and hose handling, radio communications, driving and most importantly, teamwork.

Our members come from a wide range of backgrounds and professions, but all have one thing in common, a desire to protect the community we live in and respond to those who need our help.

11/07/2026

Have you spotted your local volunteer firefighters from Cockatoo Rural Fire Brigade training at the Alma Treloar Amphitheatre recently?

There is a good reason for it. Nine of our members have accepted the challenge of completing the Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb, racing up 28 floors of Crown Metropol while wearing full firefighting gear and breathing apparatus.

The event raises funds for the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Lifeline and the 000 Foundation. These organisations provide critical support to people affected by cancer, mental illness and emergency service-related trauma.

Firefighters are not bulletproof, although we might occasionally think otherwise (and will often brag to the SES that we are...). Firefighters can be exposed to hazardous conditions and traumatic incidents that increase the risk of cancer and psychological injury, and members of our brigade have faced these challenges throughout our proud history.

You can support the team by making a donation, whether large or small. Every contribution supports these worthy causes and helps keep Cockatoo near the top of the fundraising leaderboard.

Donate online at:
https://www.firefighterclimb.org.au/station/cfa/cockatoo/

You can also stop and say hello when you see us training on Wednesday evenings or Sunday mornings, then scan the QR code displayed on our sign.

Learn more about the event at:
www.firefighterclimb.org.au http://www.firefighterclimb.org.au

14/05/2026

Although the weather has been fine this week, colder days will be here soon. If you haven't already please inspect and clean your chimney before it's first use this Winter.

11/05/2026

Our thanks to Community Bank Dandenong Ranges for their ongoing support, especially Elkie for nominating us for this generous donation.
It's fantastic to be recognised by the community for what we do.

At Community Bank Upwey & District and Emerald & District, we’re excited to share something special… our 2026 Staff Grant Program!

Each of our staff members was given the opportunity to choose and surprise a local community group they’re passionate about supporting. Because our team works with the community every day, they see firsthand the incredible work being done and were absolutely thrilled to support a local group with a surprise $1,500 donation. 💛

We’re excited to share these moments with you over the coming weeks.

9️⃣ Our ninth presentation was made by Jenni on behalf of Elkie Duck, our Customer Service Officer, who works in both our Upwey and Emerald branches.

Elkie chose to support the Cockatoo CFA, recognising the important role it plays in the community and the dedication of its volunteers.

📷 Jenni is pictured with Captain Marcus Harris.

Stay tuned as we continue to celebrate the groups our team has selected to support!