Lancelin Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service

27/05/2026

Two of our members picking up some awards recently.. Tom Kusters (Captain): NSW Premier's Flood Emergency Citation for his contribution and service to the 2022-2023 NSW Floods emergency response . Frank Peczka: 15 Year Long Service Award
Congratulations!

16/04/2026

It was great to share in the presentation of a few Long Service medals to some of our members.
And these were for looooong service.
Well done to those involved. Your dedicated service to the community is well appreciated.
The awards were presented by our DFES Superintendent, Andrew Duckworth, assisted by our Captain Tom Kusters..
Also in attendance our District Officer, Phillip Hay.

Ashley Merrett: 25 years
Michael Armitage: 15 years
Colin Walker: as a Marine Rescue volunteer: 10 years

04/03/2026

When you want to mow the lawn but there's a Total Fire Ban (TFB) 🔥

🚩 RED FLAG 🚩

🚩 Firing up a Weber, BBQ, smoker or pizza oven that burns solid or liquid fuel in an area that is not fully enclosed.
🚩 Mowing with equipment powered by an internal combustion engine.
🚩 Off-road driving – using 4WDs, quad bikes, motorcycles and other similar petrol or diesel vehicles over areas containing vegetation.
🚩 Hot works outdoors – including angle grinding, welding, soldering and metal work
🚩 Campfires, bonfires and any open-air fires.

Restrictions apply to the general public, while businesses and industries can proceed under the regulatory framework.

✅ GREEN FLAG ✅

✅ Using gas (enclosed flame) or electric BBQs (no flame) with a five metre clearing around the BBQ at home or signed public BBQ area.
✅ Power tools – as long as the power tool does not create a spark.
✅ Electric and battery-operated lawn mowers can be used as long as they don't create a spark (avoid using on dry grass).
✅ Harvesting is allowed, but only if the local government has not implemented a harvest Vehicle Movement Ban.
✅ Generators in an area clear of vegetation.

Remember the red flags! Failing to follow the rules of a Total Fire Ban could land you a fine of up to $25,000, 12 months in jail, or both.

For a full list of activities you can and cannot do during a Total Fire Ban and the applicable conditions, visit dfes.wa.gov.au/totalfirebans

11/02/2026

11/02/2026

Once again, our captain, Tom Kusters, on deployment. This time helping to make a difference at the Deep Creek fires in South Australia.
For those who know Tom, you'll agree that he's in his element.
All the best Tom, and stay safe.

11/01/2026

Lancelin and surrounds helping out.
Included in the WA fire-fighters deployed to assist in the Victorian fires are:
. Tom Kusters: Captain Lancelin VFRS
. Colin Walker: First Lieutenant Lancelin VFRS
. James Morton: Captain Gingin West Bushfire Brigade and Deputy Chief Bushfire Control Officer

We wish them a safe deployment as they represent our local volunteers and DFES.

27/10/2025

Fire permits and the Fire Danger Rating

🔥 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 = 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗕𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱

It's warming up... which means you need to be mindful of the Fire Danger Rating (FDR) if you have obtained a Permit to Burn. As a condition of your Permit, you are not to undertake permitted burns when the FDR is High or above. Tomorrow, Tuesday 28 October the FDR is high, which means you are not to undertake permitted burns.

In our Shire, we have two FDR districts, to view the FDRs in our Shire, visit our website gingin.wa.gov.au, and scroll down to the bottom of the landing page where both FDRs are displayed.

👀 If you spot a fire or smoke, call 000, not our CESM, bushfire brigades or a Bush Fire Control Officer.

📲 Please refer to the Emergency WA app for daily and forecasted Fire Danger Ratings.

09/10/2025

As we head into the part of the year where fires are more likely to occur, we all wonder about terms like:
- the Australian Fire Danger Rating System (AFDRS), and
- the Australian Warning System (AWS)
and what our response should be.

Here are some explanations, as provided by DFES, that should help clarify this all a bit.

**** Australian Fire Danger Rating System (AFDRS) ****

The Australian Fire Danger Rating System (AFDRS) tells you how dangerous a bushfire could be on any given day, using four easy-to-understand levels - Moderate, High, Extreme and Catastrophic, so you know when to prepare, act, or leave early to stay safe.

What you need to know:

Ratings are based on weather and vegetation conditions.
There are four levels:
Moderate – Plan and prepare
High – Be ready to act
Extreme – Take action now to protect life and property
Catastrophic – For your survival, leave bushfire risk areas


What you can do to stay safe:

Check the daily fire danger rating at Emergency WA and plan your activities accordingly.
Avoid activities that could start a fire on high-risk days.
Avoid using machinery or open flames on days rated High, Extreme, or Catastrophic.
Prepare your property by clearing dry vegetation, cleaning gutters, and removing flammable materials.
Have a bushfire plan and share it with your household
Stay informed by checking Emergency WA and listening to local alerts.


**** Australian Warning System (AWS) ****

The Australian Warning System (AWS) is a nationally consistent approach to emergency warnings that uses three clear levels - Advice, Watch and Act, and Emergency Warning, each with color-coded icons and action statements to help people understand the risk and know exactly what steps to take during bushfires, cyclones, floods, storms, and heatwaves.


What you need to know:

Three warning levels:

Advice (Yellow) – Stay up to date in case the situation changes.
Watch and Act (Orange) – Conditions are changing. Start taking action now.
Emergency Warning (Red) – You may be in danger and need to take action immediately.
Each warning includes an action statement to guide your response.


What can you do to stay safe:

Know the warning levels and what each one means.
Prepare your emergency kit in advance with essentials like water, food, medications, and important documents.
Have a clear emergency plan and share it with your household.
Stay informed by checking Emergency WA and listening to local alerts.
Follow action statements in warnings immediately—don’t wait to act.

16/09/2025

It's not often we get called to HAZMAT incidents in our area. But you can be assured we're ready for one if we are 👍.
Training at the station last night.