Halls Gap CFA Brigade

12/06/2026

We can help with the smoke alarms — the escape plan is the bit only you can do. 🏠

A smoke alarm wakes you up. What you do in the next two minutes is what gets everyone out. Families who've actually talked through a fire escape plan get out faster and with far less panic — so take ten minutes this weekend and sort yours:

Know two ways out of every room — usually a door and a window
Pick a meeting point outside, well clear of the house (the letterbox, a neighbour's driveway)
Make sure everyone knows to get out, stay out, and call Triple Zero (000) — never go back inside for anything
Practise it with the kids so it's second nature, not a guess at 2am

If your alarms are missing, old, or not working, that's exactly what our free installation program is for — message us here on the page and we'll come to you.
And while you're getting set up: download the VicEmergency app and set a watch zone for Stawell so warnings for fire, storm and flood come straight to your phone. 📲

Stay warm, stay safe. 🔥

10/06/2026

Some of the most important work we do never involves a siren. 🧡

We're proud to launch the CFA's free smoke detector installation program for people in Stawell who need a hand. If you — or someone you know — has no smoke alarms, alarms that are old, or alarms that have stopped working, our brigade will come out and install new ones, free of charge.

It's aimed especially at older residents, people living on their own, and anyone for whom getting up a ladder or buying and fitting an alarm just isn't easy. No one should go without this basic bit of life-safety gear because of cost or mobility.
Here's why it matters: most home fire deaths happen at night, while people are asleep — and a working smoke alarm is what wakes you in time to get out. With heaters, electric blankets and candles all getting more use through a cold Stawell winter, now is exactly the right time to make sure every home is covered.

Know someone who could use this? Drop us a message here on the page and we'll arrange a visit. Looking out for each other is what a brigade is for. 💙

09/06/2026

Families who have a home fire escape plan are more likely to get out of their home safely and without panic.
Remember to include your emergency evacuation kit for everyone in your household too.

06/06/2026

Stop by and say hi to us and let the kids climb in the Big Red Fire truck at the market tomorrow!

03/06/2026

Our brigade members are always working on honing existing skills and gaining new skills, congratulations to Prit & Nicki who both passed their BA ( Breathing Apparatus) training last week which sets them well on the pathway to being able to tackle interior work on structure fires.
CFA members have a huge range of training opportunities open to them with skills that help in fire situations and life in general.
Get in touch if you want to know more about joining us.

31/05/2026

Today is Smoke Alarm Action Day, and together with fire agencies across Australia we are asking everyone to check the smoke alarms in their homes and holiday rentals.
Working smoke alarms save lives It only takes 3 seconds to push the buttonTake action today www.cfa.vic.gov.au/smokealarms

30/05/2026

You can't smell smoke when you're asleep 😴💤All smoke alarms in your home should be interconnected - this means that no matter where a fire starts - all alarms will sound.

26/05/2026

Upcoming AGM:

Notice:
Halls Gap Rural Fire Brigade
Annual General Election meeting
23 June 2026
7pm

Please get in touch if you have any questions.

23/05/2026

As National Volunteer Week draws to a close we'd like to introduce a couple of our brigade's newer members,( and just quietly, winners of the Brigade's Rising Star award at our recent awards evening) 👏
Firefighters Shane and Matt are local residents who have taken to life in the CFA like fish to water.
We have several couples in our brigade who have served long term and we are super confident Shane & Matt will join their ranks. It's a great thing to be able to do together.

Rural volunteer CFA (Country Fire Authority) Brigades are made up of a wide and diverse cohort of your friends, neighbours and colleagues and that is where our strengths lie.

We asked some questions, here's what they had to say:

Name: Matt
Age: 49
Time in CFA: Since .. September?

What made you want to join the brigade?

I figured it would be a way of getting some interesting training and meeting new people.

What's a fascinating fact about you?

I have a boat and a plane license, but I can't (yet) drive a truck!

What would you say to someone considering joining up?

It's one of the best things I've done. I've made new friends, learnt new skills, and had a lot of fun in my local community.

Where would you like to see your CFA career take you?

Anywhere my time gets a pay off for the brigade, the community or myself - it's all good.

What is your favourite thing about volunteering with CFA?

Truck time at farmers markets is a lot of fun - just when you thought kids would run out of questions, out come some more!

What is your favourite part of living in Halls Gap?

Plenty of peace and quiet, punctuated by busy periods of high activity like Easter.

What brought you to Halls Gap?

We used to bring our caravan and go hiking. These days I take the dogs for a swim at the lake in summer.

What do you hope to achieve being a member of CFA?

Gain more skills I don't get in my desk job and have fun working with others.

Name: Shane
Age: 51
Time in CFA: Since .. September?

What made you want to join the brigade?

Learn life skills. Connect with some great people. Help Halls Gap and broader communities during times of need.

What's a fascinating fact about you?

I'm yet to meet a person who can reverse a trailer better than me!

What would you say to someone considering joining up?

Don't hesitate. It's a great team of people in Halls Gap and very rewarding.

Where would you like to see your CFA career take you?

Strike team days, loads of training and experience, leadership and skilled driver training.

What is your favourite thing about volunteering with CFA?

The camaraderie that exists between members.

What is your favourite part of living in Halls Gap?

It is an amazing place often complimented by the many excited visitors. It is very much an outdoors lifestyle 24/7.

What brought you to Halls Gap?

Peace and tranquillity, wildlife, outdoor activities.

What do you hope to achieve being a member of CFA?

Friendships, adventure and life skills.

23/05/2026

When using your fireplace in winter, it’s important to be fire safe🔥✅Always use a fire screen in front of an open fire.
✅Keep items that can burn, such as clothes horses, at least 1m away.
✅Extinguish open fires before leaving home or going to sleep.✅Always supervise children near open fires.
✅Ensure ashes are cold before discarding.
✅Only burn dry, clean wood.Find out more www.cfa.vic.gov.au/homefire

About house fires in Victoria and how you can focus on kitchen safety, avoid electrical hazards in sleeping areas, and exercise caution with heating appliances and more.