Frankston City Council is committed to educating residents about fire safety and prevention in order to reduce the incidence of fires within our municipality.

Click on the following link for more details about applications for permits to conduct burning:  Application Form Fire Burning Permit

Frankston City Council receives many complaints about open air burning. This is regulated under a clause incorporated in Local Law No. 7.

Seaford Wetlands fire   (Acrobat PDF file -76 KB)
Seaford Wetlands fire trengthens partnerships between Frankston City and the Country Fire Authority (CFA).

Municipal Fire Prevention Plan   (Acrobat PDF file - 177 KB)
In Australia, fire is a major hazard, and Frankston City residents should be aware of and prepared for all year round.

• Kitchen stoves: never leave the stove on when unattended
• Faulty wiring: install safety switches and always use a qualified electrician
• Electrical appliances: repair or safely discard faulty appliances
• Electrical blankets: don't sleep with the electric blanket switched on, and check them annually
• Lamp shades: discard lampshades which are close to light globes
• Cigarettes: don't smoke in bed, and extinguish cigarettes properly
• Flammable liquids: store away from heaters and naked flames
• Home heaters: make sure they are professionally installed, extinguish all flames and embers, never leave children unattended near open fires and heaters, and don't dry clothing close to heaters or open fires
• Clothes dryers: clean lint filter after every load

What to do in a house fire

• Evacuate the property and don't return for any reason
• Have a meeting place known by every member of the household, e.g. the mail box
• Call 000 and ask for the fire brigade
• In case of a small fire, extinguish the fire if it is safe to do so
• Wait for the fire brigade to arrive and explain the situation
• Know basic first aid
• Collect basic fire fighting equipment such as a fire blanket and a fire extinguisher
• Install a smoke alarm, test it monthly and replace the batteries annually

Bush Fires

Preparation is the best protection against bush fire. This includes having a plan of action for you and your family of what to do in the event of a bushfire.

Safety preparation checklist:

• Develop a plan or checklist for your family
• Keep a list of emergency phone numbers handy
• Put together a safety kit and include drinking water, a first aid kit, torch and batteries, radio, wool blankets, towels, and appropriate clothing
• Stay alert during total fire ban days; listen to local radio reports and call authorities should smoke be sighted or smelt. For further information about fires in your area phone Victorian Bushfire Information Line (VBIL) on 131599 or 1800 240 667
• Know community fire evacuation procedures and the locations of community refuge centres; other good safe alternatives are shopping centres and residential areas well away from the fire

Fuel reduction

• Keep lawns mowed
• Remove twigs, leaves and undergrowth
• Relocate woodpiles away from the home
• Cut back/prune branches or trees overhanging the roof
• Keep shrubs and bushes trimmed so they don't touch walls of the house
• Keep gardens and lawns well watered
• Clean out leaves from gutters, spouting and downpipes
• Relocate and store gas bottles, fuel cans, petrol, diesel and paints away from the house

Stay or Go?

• Implement your safety plan and decide whether to evacuate early or stay to defend your home
• The greatest threat to safety is radiant heat and smoke inhalation; wear light clothes that cover your whole body, such as sturdy gloves and solid shoes, long-sleeved shirts and trousers or overalls, and protective eye wear such as goggles or glasses
• Keep house windows and doors shut to keep smoke and embers from entering the home
• Identify water sources to help fight fires such as dams and swimming pools; have handy large containers full of water
• Remember to keep up your fluids, drink plenty of water
• Care for pets; keep them away from heat and smoke or relocate to a safe area

For further information:

• Contact Council's Municipal Fire Prevention Officer on 1300 322 322 orthe CFA's Community Education Co-ordinator on 9793 4088.
• CFA   http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au
• Department of Sustainability and Environment   http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/fires/

The latest news from the Bushfire Preparedness Program is now published on CFA Connect, including news on;

• Household self assessment tool

• Community Sirens

• Neighbourhood safer places

Dial 000 for Fire, Police and Ambulance

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