The Greater Sydney basin is heading towards another hot, dry fire season. Longer grass from a wet year has already browned off, and forecast El Niño conditions point to an active summer. For anyone on acreage, the question is simple: will your gear work when flame and ember arrive? The list below distils the latest advice from NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS), industry standards and recent case studies into a single pre-season action plan.
Decide Your Position—Leave Early or Stay and Defend
Every purchase that follows hinges on this choice. Leaving early remains the safest option. If you and at least one other fit adult intend to stay, commit in writing, tell family members, and identify a backup refuge (inside the house or a cleared paddock). This mindset encourages disciplined equipment checks rather than last-minute scrambling.
Build a Layered Extinguisher System
A single red cylinder near the switchboard is not enough. Think in zones:
| Location | Likely fuel | Best extinguisher | Notes |
| Kitchen | Cooking oil, plastics, small appliances | 2 L wet chemical or 4.5 kg ABE powder | Add a fire blanket on the wall beside the stove |
| Workshop & machinery shed | Petrol, diesel, welders, rags | 4.5 kg or 9 kg ABE powder | Mount near the exit, not at the back of the shed |
| Vehicles (ute, tractor, UTV) | Oil, grass buildup on exhausts | 1 kg–2.5 kg ABE powder in a metal bracket | Check the gauge before each paddock run |
| Dedicated electrical room | Switchboards, inverters | 3.5 kg CO₂ | Gas leaves no residue on circuit boards |
Monthly visual check
Confirm each unit is on its hook, unobstructed, and the pressure needle sits in the green zone. Broken tamper seals or dented cylinders mean a trip to the service agent.
Quarterly powder agitation
Invert every dry-chemical model and shake firmly for half a minute. Powder compacts over time; this step costs nothing and prevents a dud discharge.
Five-year hydro test
Mark the manufacture date in your calendar. At five years the cylinder must be emptied, pressure-tested and refilled by a licensed technician.
Install an Independent Water Supply and Pump
Power and mains water routinely fail during major fires. A dedicated system stands between you and a burnt-out shell.
- Water source – Minimum 10,000 L reserved for fire use; 20,000 L is better. Fit a 65 mm Storz outlet so RFS crews can couple a hose if they arrive.
- Pump – Petrol or diesel, at least 5 hp, housed in a metal shed or brick enclosure with a mesh door for ventilation. Run the motor for five minutes each month. Replace stale fuel at the end of winter.
- Hose reels – A 19 mm fire hose on a steel reel mounted near the main exit, with 36 m of hose reaching all sides of the dwelling plus a four-metre water jet. Use brass fittings; plastic will soften and split under radiant heat.
Commissioning drill (September)
- Service the engine: fresh oil, clean filter, new spark plug.
- Fill the tank, prime the pump, start and warm for one minute.
- Open the nozzle, walk the full hose length and check flow.
- Shut down, rewind evenly, and lubricate reel bearings.
Assemble Personal Protective Equipment
A well-maintained hose is useless if you cannot stand near it. Each defender needs:
- Long-sleeved cotton shirt and trousers
- Leather lace-up boots and gloves
- Goggles and a P2 respirator
- Wide-brim cotton hat
Pack the kit in a marked bag beside the back door—never in a shed you might not reach.
Common Pitfalls and How to Dodge Them
- Garden hose reliance – Lightweight hoses kink, melt and leave you empty-handed.
- Incorrect aim – Direct any extinguishing agent at the base of the flames, not the top.
- Water wastage – Save the tank for ember attack; wetting the roof hours beforehand rarely saves a house.
- No escape route – Always work with a clear path indoors or to a ploughed paddock.
Legal Duties
Under Section 63 of the Rural Fires Act 1997, every landowner must take practicable steps to prevent fire spreading from their land. Failing to keep serviceable extinguishers or an adequate water supply could expose you to liability, not to mention personal loss. If you are renovating or building, consult AS 3959 and Planning for Bush Fire Protection for construction and siting rules.
Extra Safety Touches
Suppliers that stock extinguishers often carry site lighting as well. While you’re auditing gear, consider upgrading exit signage; bulk buying through an exit light wholesale channel can trim costs. The same distributors frequently handle emergency light wholesale fittings, and some offer combo units—look for an emergency light exit sign wholesale bundle to streamline installation inside sheds and the farmhouse.
Five-Minute Pre-Season Checklist
- Finalise your written bushfire plan, including triggers to leave.
- Mow or slash the Asset Protection Zone to bare earth where possible.
- Sweep gutters, fit metal mesh, and seal gaps around eaves and underfloor vents.
- Complete the extinguisher gauge check and powder agitation.
- Run the pump, test the hose, top up the tank, and log the results.
- Download the “Fires Near Me NSW” app and program local ABC radio on the ute stereo.
Ready for the Heat
Preparation is neither glamorous nor expensive compared with replacing a home. By following this checklist before the first 40-degree day, you give yourself a realistic chance of beating the ember storm that destroys most rural houses. Equip, test, and stay alert—then enjoy summer knowing you’ve done the work.
