Rural Fire Brigade (RFB) protecting and serving Gerringong, Gerroa, and surrounds since 1948.

New members

Congratulations to our newest firefighters! Six new members completed their bush firefighter practical training and assessment on 19 May, 2024. They will now join us on the road at incidents and other activities in our local area.

If you are interested volunteering with the Gerringong RFS Brigade, please contact us via: [email protected] or head to our Facebook page at: Gerringong Rural Fire Brigade.

Bushfire myths

• Myth: It won’t happen to me.
• Fact: No one can guarantee that it won’t happen to you. If you prepare and nothing ever happens, then you haven't lost anything. If you don't prepare your family and home to best protect them from a bushfire, you may not live to regret it.

• Myth: Filling the bathtub when a fire is approaching to sit in.
• Fact: The NSW RFS recommends that you fill your bath and sinks with water, in case the water supply to your home is cut off. This water can then be used to put out small spot fires that may start in and around the home.

• Myth: Standing on my roof, hosing it down with water will help.
• Fact: During a bush fire more injuries occur from people falling off rooves than from burns. Filling your gutters with water and hosing down your roof will help stop spot fires due to ember attack, but any hosing should be done from the ground.

• Myth: A house can explode, if it catches fire.
• Fact: Houses do not just explode; it is what you have stored under your home that may explode. You should consider what flammable and explosive items you have around/under your home and where you should store them to reduce the risk to your home.

• Myth: If I know the back streets in my suburb or town well, it will be ok for me to leave at the very last minute.
• Fact: Smoke from a fire can limit visibility. You may become confused or disorientated. Power lines and fallen trees on roads may be hard to see making driving dangerous. It is always better to leave early before the fire arrives.

• Myth: I’ll be fine, the bush is a few streets away.
• Fact: Most houses are burnt in bushfires because of ember attacks. Embers can cause fires many kilometers in front of the main fire and can start falling up to an hour before the fire arrives at your home. You need to make sure that your home is properly prepared to withstand ember attacks.

• Myth: There will always be a fire truck available to fight a bushfire threatening my home.
• Fact: There will never be as many fire trucks as there are houses. Do not depend on a fire truck being available at your home.

Most importantly, in an emergency always remember to: Call triple zero (000). If you are deaf or have a speech or hearing impairment, call 106.