Emerald and Cockatoo Emergency Support Team

13/02/2025

This post is from exactly a year ago and is worth a reshare as today’s widespread power outage is caused by the same thing.

The REFCL (in basic terms a giant safety switch) is designed to prevent power lines from starting bushfires. Its sensitivity to trigger is turned up on high risk days, and once tripped, can’t be reinstated without inspection of the lines (hence the choppers overhead).

Please factor into your personal safety plans that on high risk days, you are more likely to be without power due to the REFCL.

12/02/2025

Thanks Cockatoo Rural Fire Brigade(CFA)

Please prepare for the forecast conditions tomorrow (Thursday), know your plan and triggers to act.

26/01/2025

Please prepare now for the forecast conditions tomorrow (Monday).

Happy Australia Day everyone!

We hope you are enjoying this beautiful day where ever you are in our wonderful country.

CFA has recently declared tomorrow to be a Total Fire Ban for our weather district (Central), as well as North Central, South West, Wimmera, and Mallee districts.

The Fire Danger Rating for tomorrow is EXTREME which means 'Take action now to protect your life and property'.

Now is the time to enact your fire plan, not when you see smoke or fire.

If you haven't already, download the VicEmergency App to stay up-to-date with emergencies and community information.

We have members on standby to respond locally, and members standing by to deploy in strike teams to assist where required.

If you see any of our members out and about give them a thumbs up for volunteering for the benefit of our community! (They'll likely blush, but that's OK).

Keep hydrated, remain cool and stay safe.

23/01/2025

Congratulations to one of our long serving volunteers Magda Lane who was awarded Cardinia Shire Council Australia Day Senior Citizen of the Year!

04/01/2025

Please stay alert to the conditions, have a personal safety plan and know your triggers to act.

Thanks Clematis Volunteer Fire Brigade

🟠EXTREME FIRE DANGER & 🚫TOTAL FIRE BAN!

An Extreme Fire Danger Rating has been forecast for tomorrow, Sunday 5 January 2024, in the Mallee, North Central, Central forecast districts.
Take action now to protect your life and property - fires will spread quickly and be extremely dangerous.
Stay up to date with warnings and incidents via VicEmergency: www.emergency.vic.gov.au

26/12/2024

Please prepare your properties now - latest forecasts indicate locally strong winds from 8pm tonight (Thursday)

💨 We are expecting some very strong winds in the YARRA VALLEY & DANDENONG RANGES this evening from around 8pm, that will continue into the early hours of tomorrow morning.
🌳 If you're camping, be mindful of setting up in a safe space away from trees and waterways, and stay informed about weather warnings on the VicEmergency app.

💻 Visit VICSES website for more information about how to prepare for storms and wind events - www.ses.vic.gov.au/plan-and-stay-safe/emergencies/storm

25/12/2024

With extreme heat conditions today and strong, gusty winds expected this afternoon, there is an increased risk of localised power outages.

Make sure you have access to:

📱 a fully charged mobile phone with emergency contact numbers
📻 a battery-powered radio for alerts and updates
🥫 non-perishable foods and bottled water
⛑ an emergency kit
🔦 a torch or battery-operated light
If you lose power today, stay cool by wearing loose-fitting clothing and staying hydrated. Keep your doors and windows closed to keep cool air in. Consider placing towels under doors to block hot air draughts.

Stay safe by keeping clear of fallen powerlines – always assume they are live – and report any fallen powerlines to your electricity distributor.

If you are a registered power-dependent customer, ensure your power outage plan is updated and in place.

Find out how to prepare for power outages - and what to do if you are experiencing an outage: energy.vic.gov.au/about-energy/safety/power-outages or call 136 186.

24/12/2024

A TOTAL FIRE BAN has been declared for the whole State of Victoria on Thursday 26 December 2024. 🚫 🔥

No fires can be lit or be allowed to remain alight in the open air from 12:01 AM until 11:59 PM Thursday 26 December 2024. Visit www.cfa.vic.gov.au/firebans

Thanks Emerald Fire Brigade

A TOTAL FIRE BAN has been declared for the whole State of Victoria on Thursday 26 December 2024. 🚫 🔥

No fires can be lit or be allowed to remain alight in the open air from 12:01 AM until 11:59 PM Thursday 26 December 2024. Visit www.cfa.vic.gov.au/firebans

16/12/2024

The Junior Volunteer Development Program (JVDP) runs in over 160 brigades across Victoria Juniors aims to introduce young people 11-15 years to CFA by providing them with the opportunity to become good fire safe citizens.

15/12/2024

From Cockatoo Rural Fire Brigade(CFA)

Tomorrow has been declared both a day of Extreme fire danger rating and a Total Fire Ban day.

Info for TFBs on what you can and can't do https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/warnings-restrictions/fire-bans-ratings-and-restrictions/can-i-or-cant-i

Also, should schools remain open, think about pick up time as this can often be the hottest part of the day and can experience wind changes which can turn the fire flank in to the fire front very quickly.

Prepare for tomorrow.

A Total Fire Ban has been declared for the Mallee, Wimmera, Northern Country, North Central, South West, Central (includes Melbourne and Geelong), and West and South Gippsland fire districts – tomorrow, Monday 16 December 2024.

No fires can be lit, or be allowed to remain alight, in the open air from 12:01 AM until 11:59 PM. Stay informed: www.cfa.vic.gov.au/firebans

13/12/2024

This coming Monday 16 December is forecast to be particularly hot in our area. Please prepare now for the likelihood of power outages.

Remember that the REFCL (Rapid Earth Fault Current Limiter - technology designed to reduce the risk of power lines starting bushfires) in our area has its response triggered earlier on high risk days - meaning we are more likely to have power interruptions.

Please review your personal safety plans with this in mind.

It's time to get power prepared.

Temperatures of up to 40 degrees are expected across our network on Sunday and Monday (15-16 December).

On extremely hot days, the grid can be under a lot of pressure. We plan ahead for summer but outages can still happen.

For tips on how to prepare for an outage and stay comfortable during one, visit: www.ausnetservices.com.au/outages

• If your power goes out, check Outage Tracker for the latest restoration times: www.outagetracker.com.au
• Life support customers, please be ready to activate your emergency plan. Call our priority line anytime on 1800 818 832.
• Check on your neighbours to see if they’re ok – especially if they’re vulnerable or sensitive to heat, like the elderly, or families with young children.
• If you have an electric water pump, stock up on bottled water.
• Fill an esky with ice in to keep your food and drinks cool
• Keep your pets cool and indoors if you can. Leave a bowl of water outside for local wildlife.
• Charge your battery packs so they're ready to power your mobile phones

Please stay safe and share this information with friends and family.

More info: www.ausnet.com.au/power-prepared

11/12/2024

Important timely information and great resources shared by Cockatoo Rural Fire Brigade(CFA)

07/12/2024

Have a chat with Emerald Fire Brigade today about your plans for the summer season.

Come on down to the Main street of Emerald today and have a chat to our friendly team about the upcoming fire season.

We are located outside the newsagents.

Hope to see you all today.

Emerald Fire Brigade
CFA (Country Fire Authority)

27/11/2024

Possible severe thunderstorms, wind and hail forecast to impact our area this afternoon (Wednesday 27/11). Please be alert to rapidly changing conditions.

Remember - call Triple Zero 000 for emergencies, call SES on 132 500 for storm damage

**Update: This warning has been updated with the latest information.**

Severe Thunderstorm Warning for heavy rainfall and damaging winds.

Stay informed: http://www.bom.gov.au/vic/warnings/

Issued at 7:30 pm Wednesday, 27 November 2024.

Where:
For people in North East and parts of Central, East Gippsland, Northern Country, North Central and West and South Gippsland Forecast Districts.

Locations which may be affected include Wonthaggi, Wodonga, Wangaratta, Warragul, Moe and Falls Creek.

When:
Severe thunderstorms are continuing across central and eastern Victoria.

Situation:
A low pressure trough moving across Victoria continues to trigger showers and thunderstorms across central and eastern parts of the state in the warm and humid airmass ahead of the trough.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding and damaging winds in the warning area over the next several hours.

Impacts:
A 106km/h wind gust was recorded at Fawkner Beacon at 2:18pm.

What you should do:
The Victoria State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* If driving conditions are dangerous, safely pull over away from trees, drains, low-lying areas and floodwater. Avoid travel if possible.
* Stay safe by avoiding dangerous hazards, such as floodwater, mud, debris, damaged roads and fallen trees.
* Be aware - heat, fire or recent storms may make trees unstable and more likely to fall when it's windy or wet.
* Check that loose items, such as outdoor settings, umbrellas and trampolines are safely secured. Move vehicles under cover or away from trees.
* Stay indoors and away from windows.
* If outdoors, move to a safe place indoors. Stay away from trees, drains, gutters, creeks and waterways.
* Stay away from fallen powerlines - always assume they are live.
* Be aware that in fire affected areas, rainfall run-off into waterways may contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks. Heavy rainfall may also increase the potential for landslides and debris across roads.
* Stay informed: Monitor weather warnings, forecasts and river levels at the Bureau of Meteorology website, and warnings through VicEmergency website/app/hotline.

The next warning is due to be issued by 10:30 pm.

If severe thunderstorms develop in the Melbourne Area, a more detailed Severe Thunderstorm Warning will be issued to people in this area.

27/11/2024

Please be alert to rapidly changing conditions this afternoon.

Damaging winds and thunderstorms are expected across parts of the state this afternoon. To view current warnings, visit http://www.bom.gov.au/vic/warnings/

💨 Secure loose objects like trampolines and outdoor furniture.

🚗 Avoid travel if possible, and if you must be on the roads please drive to conditions.

🌲 Park your vehicle away from trees, drains, low-lying areas and floodwater.

🌧️ Driving hazards could include mud, debris, fallen trees and damaged bitumen.

💧 Drive slowly, obey all road signs and never drive through floodwater.

Call 132 500 for emergency assistance from Victoria State Emergency Service

21/11/2024

Dear Community,

The Fire Danger Period (FDP) will commence for our area at 1AM on Monday, 09 Dec 24.

For information on what you can and can't do on these days, please come see us at the Cockatoo Country Twilight Market, or visit http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/warnings-restrictions/fire-bans-ratings-and-restrictions/can-i-or-cant-i

Thanks for doing your bit helping us keep on top of fire risks during the FDP.

19/11/2024

Emerald and Cockatoo Emergency Support Team (ECEST), together with our auspice body “Recovery Ready Communities Inc” are thrilled to announce that we have applied for and been awarded funding under the AusNet Energy Resilience Community Fund program.

We will use this funding to support our communities’ preparedness for, and response to, energy resilience events (such as prolonged power and communications outages) with the following activities:
• Emergency Safe Energy Resilience Family Fun Day
• Ongoing training for our ECEST volunteers
• Volunteer recruitment activities to help us to keep helping you

Stay tuned for more details in early 2025 as we finalise arrangements with local emergency services, community groups and participants.

Our thanks to AusNet for supporting ECEST – local people helping local people.

08/11/2024

Today - Friday 8th November.