Cumnock Rural Fire Brigade

01/06/2026

You won't have time to think it through when smoke is filling the hallway.
Walk through your home and find two ways out of every room.
Pick a safe meeting place outside.
Practise it with everyone you live with, kids included.
Plan it now, while it's still just a plan.
Be fire safe this winter. fire.nsw.gov.au/befiresafe

30/05/2026

Fires in the kitchen are the leading cause of house fires in NSW.
The cause is almost always the same. Unattended cooking.
If you have to leave the kitchen, turn the stove off. A hot pan only needs a minute.
Cold dinner beats a house fire.
Be fire safe this winter. fire.nsw.gov.au/befiresafe

27/05/2026

On Saturday, a number of members of the Cumnock Rural Fire Brigade completed their annual First Aid, and Advanced Resuscitation recertification at the Cumnock station with trainers from Orange putting us through our paces.

It was a long day, with theory and practical training assessments, but we had plenty of sustenance to keep us going thanks to the delicious morning and afternoon teas arranged by the Cumnock CWA - thank you ladies !

Having our skills current is not just for providing first aid on the fire ground. The Cumnock Rural Fire Brigade can be called upon to provide an initial first response to incidents such as Motor Vehicle Accidents and Medical Emergencies prior to the arrival of other emergency services including NSW Ambulance and Fire & Rescue. Its all part of our service to the community and what we train for.

This training is provided free of charge to RFS members by the NSW RFS - as are all our training courses. It's a great way to learn new skills and at the same time give back to the community.

If you are interested in being part of your local Rural Fire Brigade, get in touch - we need you to join our crew.

For more information or to submit an application, visit the RFS website today: www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/join

25/05/2026

Heaters need space. A lot of it.

Keep curtains, bedding, lounges, throws and drying racks at least one metre away.

Switch them off before you leave the room or go to bed. Never use outdoor heaters indoors.

Be fire safe this winter. fire.nsw.gov.au/befiresafe

25/05/2026

Phones, laptops, e-bike batteries.
They all generate heat while charging.
Charging on a bed, doona or pillow traps that heat against fabric. Lithium-ion fires can start fast.
Charge on a hard, flat surface.
Keep batteries off bedding.
Be fire safe this winter. fire.nsw.gov.au/befiresafe

24/05/2026

Pulled the electric blanket out of the cupboard for the first cold
night? Check it before you switch it on.
Look for frays, scorch marks, exposed wires or damage to the
controller. If anything looks off, bin it.
Never fold one while it's on. Never sleep on it switched on.
Be fire safe this winter. fire.nsw.gov.au/befiresafe

21/05/2026

A smoke alarm that doesn't work is just a plastic disc on the
ceiling.
Test yours every month. If it doesn't beep, replace the battery.
If it's older than 10 years, replace the alarm.
Be fire safe this winter. fire.nsw.gov.au/befiresafe

19/05/2026

Join us for the AGM of the Cumnock Rural Fire Brigade

The Annual General Meeting of the Cumnock RFB is to be held on Wednesday 10 June 2026 commencing at 7pm at the Fire Station.

All current Cumnock RFB members, and interested Cumnock community members are invited to attend.

For further information call Captain Jack Christie 0497 964 143 or Secretary Chris Sparkes 0438 791 606

07/05/2026

A timely reminder as the cold snap hits !

As we move into the colder months, fire agencies often see an increase in house fires as residents use their fireplaces and heaters to stay warm. With temperatures dropping and possible snow forecast across parts of the state in the coming days, it’s important you know how to stay safe.

Remember, you won’t smell smoke while you’re asleep, so make sure your bleeping smoke alarms are working. A working smoke alarm can save your life and give you and your family valuable time to escape a burning home.

28/04/2026

This is why its important to make sure any pile burns are not left unattended - here the North West Orange Rural Fire Brigade and Springside Rural Fire Brigade were called out to extinguish a grass fire caused by a pile burn that was left unattended and "got away ".

Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident. There have been a number of bush and grass fires across the state since the end of the Bush Fire Danger Period as a result of unsafe or unattended pile burns.

These following safety measures will assist you in conducting a safe, effective pile burn. Remember – safe burning is your responsibility.


• You must notify your neighbours and the NSW RFS at least 24 hours prior to conducting any planned burns. Notifying the RFS ensures there are no unnecessary call outs by local Rural Fire Brigades
• You can notify the RFS online at www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/notify or call the RFS Canobolas Zone office in Orange on 6363 6666 during business hours.
• Before lighting the pile, ensure you have suitable tools on hand (rakes and shovels) to conduct the burn and control any possible spot fires.
• Accelerants such as petrol must never be used in the pile.
• Ensure that you have a sufficient water supply and/or firefighting equipment that can reach around the pile to extinguish the fire (if required) and control any spot fires
• Ensure that you wear protective clothing.
• Consider the weather. Only light the pile if he weather conditions are calm. High wind speeds may assist in smoke dispersal but may also make the fire more difficult to contain.
• Light the fire at one point. A pile that is lit at multiple points may burn with more intensity and may be difficult to contain.
• If the fire is on a slope, the ignition point should be upslope of the pile so that the pile ignites slowly (burning in a downhill direction)
• Supervise the burn constantly after lighting to ensure there are no spot fires in surrounding vegetation.
• Completely extinguish the pile immediately after the burn is finished. The spreading of burnt material after the burn may assist in allowing for smouldering material to be extinguished.
• If the burn gets out of control, call Triple Zero (000) immediately – please do not call Cumnock Rural Fire Brigade members as this will only delay a response.
• For further information visit www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/plan-and-prepare/farm-fire-safety/safeburning