Community Fire Units

A Community Fire Unit (CFU) is a team of local residents living in urban areas close to bushland who are supported by Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) to enhance their safety and resilience to bushfires. As a volunteer CFU member you will learn how to prepare yourself, your family and your home ahead of the bushfire season. You will learn how to make informed decisions about whether to leave early or stay and defend your property when bushfires threaten.

Join the CFU Program

Applications received by FRNSW for the CFU Program are assessed based on:

  • application located within FRNSW jurisdiction
  • assessment of property/neighbourhood location and surrounds
  • distance from bushland and classified level of bushfire risk
  • established around a cooperative neighbourhood membership
  • volunteers who are 16 or 17 years old may only join a CFU if their parent or guardian is also a member of the CFU and gives permission for them to join
  • final selection is based on the resources allocated to the area you would like to establish your CFU in.

For more information on the CFU Program, please click on the below button to start the Overview of the CFU Program. At the end of the overview you can lodge an application to become a CFU member and either join an established unit or start a new unit. After approval, new members will be required to complete five mandatory CFU eLearning Modules. Upon completion of the modules you will attend a practical equipment session in order to be fully inducted into the CFU Program as an Operational Member.

Begin the Overview of the CFU Program