Handbook & resources

To help farmers fight fires safely we have developed a Farm Fire Unit Handbook, which provides:

  • guidance toward fire ground safety, behaviours and communications
  • recommendations for farm fire unit vehicles and equipment
  • recommendations for the wearing of personal protective clothing and safety equipment.

FAQs

Registering your FFU has many benefits, including access to:

  • CFS resources and information
  • vehicle stickers identifying you to SAPOL at Traffic Management Points
  • insurance coverage for owner/operators and their equipment used in support of CFS during fires
  • fireground safety awareness materials and online resources
  • easier access to logistics support during fires, including meals and water re-supply.

Your registration will also help CFS contact you with information about the ongoing improvements being made to support FFUs.

Registrations are open year-round. Registrations submitted from January 2025 are valid for three years. CFS will send registered FFU operators a reminder to renew their FFU registration approximately six months before it expires.

Registration is not compulsory. However, you will not be recognised as an FFU supporting CFS operations on the fireground. You will not be covered by the insurance protections offered to those who are registered. You will not have access to areas that are closed to members of the public during a fire.

Online registration is open now.

Many CFS Brigades and Groups also hold pre-fire season events with their local communities. Contact your local brigade or Region to find out more.

Once you complete the online registration, CFS will review your application to ensure it meets the requirements outlined in the FFU Handbook. Once your application is approved, you will receive a confirmation email with your registration certificate. This certificate should be printed and placed in each of your registered FFUs.

During the registration process, you will also be asked whether you require new FFU stickers. If so, these will be mailed to your nominated postal address within 14 days.

Your approved registration certificate confirms your formal FFU registration and may be used as evidence of registration until your stickers arrive, if required.

 

No. However, CFS has a duty of care for anyone working on a CFS-controlled fireground. If you are not operating safely or are not appropriately equipped, you may (in very exceptional circumstances) be directed to leave the fireground.

No.

A sticker provided to FFUs who register online will identify you to CFS crews on the fireground. It will also help you in accessing the fireground at SAPOL Traffic Management Points* (TMPs or 'road closures').

* The decision to allow any vehicle through a traffic management point lies with SAPOL and will only occur when it is safe to do so.

Registered FFUs can be permitted access to areas under Tier 1 road closures. However, on occasions, it may not be safe to do so. FFU owner/operators are required to comply with lawful instructions from SAPOL and emergency services personnel.

Registration is the administrative process CFS uses to collect information about FFU owner/operators. This allows CFS to contact operators and verify registration details for grant applications and insurance or damage claims. It also helps local FFU Coordinators keep you informed about pre-season events and important local updates.

Logging On/Logging Off refers to the requirement for FFUs to notify CFS when entering and leaving the fireground. CFS now issues registration stickers for FFUs that include a Log On/Off QR code. If you are unable to log on or log off using the QR code due to limited phone service, please continue to do so with the Incident Controller, either in person at the incident or via the dedicated UHF talk group.

Brigades and Groups are encouraged to hold local FFU events, such as pre-season briefings, to update FFU operators on any changes to processes and local arrangements for the fire season. These events are also a good opportunity to strengthen existing relationships and build new connections between FFU owners and local CFS members.

FFU operators who need support to register their FFUs are encouraged to attend planned events and seek assistance from local CFS members. Local members may be able to help with the registration process and provide FFU stickers once registration has been completed.

Review the Farm Fire Unit Handbook for more information.

We encourage you to contact your local CFS FFU Coordinator if there is one in your area. Alternatively, contact your CFS Regional Office and ask to speak to the Regional FFU Coordinator. You can also email our CFS Regional Operations team via cfs.ffu@eso.sa.gov.au with your enquiry.