Woodgate Rural Fire Needs You !

Do you want to...learn new skills...make new friends...protect lives and property... be part of a team?

We have a number of vacancies and we need your help so that we can continue to provide an effective service to the local community.

While we mainly need those willing to train as a Firefighter, there are a range of roles available that would suit an extensive variety of people, recognising that individuals have different skills and backgrounds. Applications from Juniors and Adults are very welcome.

More details are available from Michael Campbell on 4126 5335 or 0427 536 150 and John Foster on 4126 8594 or 0411 481 437.

Want to join us? Can you help?

To become a member of our Brigade you need to be at least 16 years of age and be willing to undergo a Criminal History Check. Members aged between 16 and 18 years of age are considered Registered Juniors and require their parents’ permission to join. 

The Woodgate Rural Fire Brigade is based at the Emergency Services Centre on the corner of Acacia Street and Third Avenue.

We hold monthly meetings on the first Saturday of each month and training is conducted on the first and third Monday of the week after the monthly meeting. The monthly meeting commences at 8.30am and training at 4.00pm. 

Does it cost me anything to join?

• No, only your time for training and if you are available, during an incident.

Would I be trained?

• Yes, the Brigade has a training program that is augmented by formal training provided through the Area Office in Bundaberg.

For further information contact:

• First Officer: Michael Campbell 0427 536 150
• Secretary: John Foster 0411 481 437
• Email:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Woodgate Rural Fire Brigade is based at the Emergency Services Centre on the corner of Acacia Street and Third Avenue at Woodgate. As of April 2011 we had 28 active members and 8 support members.

The Brigade was founded in 1971, 2011 is it 40^th year of providing a service to the community of Woodgate.

We have two fire appliances designed to respond to rural fires as well as a support vehicle

Our monthly meeting is on the first Saturday of each month and training is held on the first and third Monday of the week after the monthly meeting. The monthly meeting commences at 8:30am and training at 4:00pm.

Training is usually proceeded by a short test of the fire sirens so if you hear them around 4pm on a Monday don't be concerned.

Want to join us? Call the First Officer, Michael Campbell on 0427 536 150. Application from Juniors and Adults are very welcome.

To become a member of a rural fire brigade you need to be at least 16 years of age and undergo a Criminal History Check. Members aged between 16 and 18 years of age are considered Registered Juniors and require their parents’ permission to join. More details are available from Application Process

What should you do if you see a fire?

 What happens then?

Your call will be referred to the North Coast Fire Communications Centre on the Sunshine Coast orFirecom as we know them. Do not call the local brigade.

Firecom will contact the First Officer and then set off the three sirens located in Woodgate. This alerts the volunteer firefighters who report to the Emergency Service Centre and then attend to the fire.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the siren I hear about 4pm on some Mondays?

• Every training Monday we test the sirens that alert our volunteers that there is a fire in the area and that they should report to the Emergency Services Centre in Acacia Street. The sirens are located at the oval near the Woodgate Club, at the ESC and at the water tanks near the hardware store.

Will the Brigade respond to a house fire?

• As our name implies we are a rural fire brigade and our members are not trained, or equipped to deal with a fire in a house. That said, the Brigade would certainly respond and do what it could to prevent a fire spreading, until an urban fire brigade arrived from Childers or Bundaberg.

Can I light a fire to burn off rubbish?

• Yes – under certain conditions you can burn off rubbish – but common sense should be used. And it must not have a greater volume than 2 meters in any direction if you don't have a permit. Don't burn toxic material and consider your neighbours. If in doubt check with a warden

What determines a Total Fire Ban?

• When fire weather conditions become extremely dangerous, The Commissioner, QFRS, with the approval of the Minister, can declare a State of Fire Emergency.
  • Local Fire Bans are normally imposed over an entire local government area and prohibit the lighting of all or only certain types of fires, depending on the severity of the emergency. (Gas and electric barbecues may be used).
  • When fire bans are in place either as a local Fire Ban or during a State of Fire Emergency:
    • ◦ The lighting of fires in the declared fire ban areas are prohibited subject to any special conditions or exemptions
    • ◦ All open fires are prohibited;
    • ◦ All Permits to Light Fire issued in the designated area are cancelled.
    • ◦ Other special conditions (or exemptions) may be imposed.
  • Fire bans are advertised widely and remain in force until cancelled. Information can also be obtained at any time by phoning free call 1800 020 440.

Do I need a permit?

• Fires that are exempt from requiring a Permit to Light Fire are:
  • Fires that are less than 2 meters in any direction. Note: These fires are not exempt during any Fire Danger Period and a permit must be obtained from a fire warden.
  • Fires lit outdoors in a properly prepared fireplace for the purpose of cooking (e.g. BBQ and camp fires). In this instance it is the responsibility of the person lighting or maintaining the fire to ensure adequate precautions are taken to prevent the spread of fire.
  • Certain fires used by primary producers and for industrial purposes.

How do I find a fire warden?

• The local warden is Henk Rappard on 0427 265 117 or 4126 5117, if Henk is not available contact the Chief Fire Warden in Bundaberg 4150 7999. For other wardens access the Fire Warden Finder

What does the warden do?

• Following receipt of your application the fire warden may impose conditions on a permit to reduce unwanted risk or nuisance to other people, property or to the environment. The fire warden may refuse to issue a permit if they believe that appropriate safety measures cannot be reasonably achieved.

Who pays?

• All ratepayers within the Bundaberg Regional Council area contribute to the upkeep of their local Rural Fire Brigade through a levy paid through the Council with their rates. There are no charges for a call out.

Does it cost me anything to join?

• No, only your time for training and if you are available, during an incident.

Would I be trained?

• Yes, the Brigade has a training program that is augmented by formal training provided through the Area Office in Bundaberg.

Am I bushfire prepared?

• In Woodgate we all carry some risk from bushfire. 
  For a copy of Are you bushfire prepared? Control + Click on the image, download and read this important document
• If you cant access it call Vaughan Cook on 0409 496 478 for a copy .