Fire and Rescue NSW Station 277 Dapto

17/11/2023

This is what Fire and Rescue NSW Station 277 Dapto was confronted with on Thursday at 4 am. A late model Ford utility alight in the Kanahooka Service station. The crew worked quickly to stop the fire from spreading to adjoining vehicles and the nearby fuel bowsers. The fire appeared to be caused by an electrical short at the front of the engine. In the video you can see how Magnesium alloy in an engine component reacts with water, flaring up as the Magnesium burns so hot it converts H20 (water) into Hydrogen and Oxygen, increasing the combustion process of the Magnesium.

30/10/2023

Just a reminder that there's a total fire ban in place for the Illawarra and Shoalhaven today (31/10/21). For more information about what this means see the following post.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=310311051714784&id=100082076745794&mibextid=Nif5oz

29/10/2023

A total fire ban is in force in the Illawarra/ Shoalhaven today, the 30th of October, as well as the Greater Sydney region and Southern Ranges. For the Dapto, and surrounding areas no wood-fired barbeques or fire pit fires are allowed. Lighting a fire on a day of Total Fire Ban attracts an on the spot fine of $2200. If the matter goes to court, you could be subject to a fine of up to $5500 and/or 12 months gaol.

Penalties for a fire that escapes and damages or destroys life, property or the environment can attract much greater fines and gaol terms with maximums at $132,000 and/or 14 years gaol.

Civil lawsuits can also be brought against the person responsible for a fire by those seeking compensation for losses sustained. It is already shaping up to be a difficult fire season so keep vigilant and report any illegal fires by calling 000. Also for smokers, don't throw your butts out your car window or onto the ground. What are the penalties? There are heavy penalties for discarding a lit cigarette from a vehicle. Fines of $660 and five demerit points apply. If a motorist commits the offence during a total fire ban, 10 demerit points apply and fines of up to $11,000.

25/10/2023

24/10/2023

The start of our annual grass fires at Berkeley has commenced. This one is in a small forest of She-oaks, where the underlying mulch layer burns slowly but can re-ignite if the fire travels below the mulch layer. This is in Hooka Creek Road, near the netball courts. The fires are suspected to have been deliberately lit. 277 Dapto and 207 Albion Park from NSWFB as well as two RFS tankers worked to extinguish the fire quickly. Both organizations use thermal imaging cameras to find below-ground hotspots to help extinguish the fire.

28/09/2023

Dapto station was called to a car fire in Berkeley this morning just after 5am. We arrived to find a Volkswagen Polo well alight in the car park at the southern end of Bedford St. The fire was rapidly extinguished although the car was totally destroyed.

20/09/2023

UPDATE 5.58pm: The fire has been downgraded to 'Advice' as the threat to properties in the area has eased. Firefighters will remain in the area to work on further containing the fire. Residents should continue to take the advice of firefighters on the ground and stay up to date via the Hazards Near Me app and the website: www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fnm

Watch and Act: Rondanella Dr, Kanahooka (Wollongong LGA)
Firefighters are working to contain a fire burning in the vicinity of Rondanella Dr, Kanahooka. Residents in the area of Rondanella Dr should prepare now and continue to monitor conditions through the Hazards Near Me app and the website: www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fnm

14/09/2023

Pre incident plans (PIP's) are an important part of the non emergency work carried out at by the crews at a fire station. They give the crews a chance to check out the installed fire fighting systems at a business and to update our contact list for the staff and security services, all of which makes our job easier if a fire does occur.

06/09/2023

Quick action by firefighters from Shellharbour and Dapto saved this business at Port Kembla from being destroyed by fire after a clothes dryer caught alight. Local workers used a powder extinguisher to slow the fire spread before fire crews arrived. Whenever an electrical appliance catches fire, the model and details are recorded and forwarded to the Department of Fair Trading for investigation as to possible manufacturing faults. Make sure you clean your lint filters regularly.

18/08/2023

Interesting job at Albion Park, with compressed blocks of scrap metal catching fire. Firefighting Foam was used to suppress the burning blocks and limit the spread of the fire to machinery and adjoining buildings. Thanks to all involved.