FERN TREE FIRE BRIGADE

The Fern Tree Fire Brigade is a volunteer brigade which is part of the Tasmania Fire Service. The brigade's volunteer members are men and women who reside in the Fern Tree district and who are always on call and trained for all all sorts of fire, chemical hazard and rescue situations.

Always DIAL 000 and ask for the required service rather than contacting Brigade family members.

Advice and news for the neighbourhood December 2025

New officer group elected

The Fern Tree Fire Brigade recently held elections for its officer group following the decision of long-serving Brigade Chief Phil Sansom and the previous Second Officer to step down.
The Tasmania Fire Service has appointed the following officers:

Brigade Chief: Nick Barta
Second Officer: Matthew Calic
Third Officer: Richard Spalding
Fourth Officer: Matthew Sansom

Nick Barta and Matthew Calic return from the previous officer group, ensuring continuity and experience as the brigade moves forward.

Honouring 192 years of service

On Thursday 11 December, the brigade will host a special ceremony to recognise five of our longest-serving volunteers who are retiring:

Terry Gill AFSM – 48 years
Garry Sullivan AFSM – 46 years
Phil Sansom – 40 years
Chris Wagstaff – 31 years
Matthew Sheppard – 27 years

We thank these members for their extraordinary commitment and leadership. Their guidance has shaped our brigade and strengthened our community. Thank you Terry, Garry, Phil, Chris, and Matthew.

Now is a good time to reduce fuel loads around your house and on your property

Leaving early during a bushfire is always the safest option, but fires can catch people by surprise (at home or on the road) which is why we need to prepare our properties even if planning to leave early. Preparing your property is a neighbourly act and a legal requirement under the Fire Service Act.

Using kerb side collection for green waste, or a box trailer is often an option but not always timely or easy. The TFS recognises that often the most practical method of managing fire hazard is with a well planned private burn off of dry vegetation. This can be done around homes in high-risk areas, including all of Fern Tree without restriction on the size or location of the property. Burns must be well planned to ensure things are done safely and efficiently and without nuisance to others.

Your best source of information for preparing for bushfire can be found at https://bushfire.tas.gov.au

If you are burning off:

Register your burn with Tasmania Fire Service, and check for permit periods and total fire ban days on the Tasmania Fire Service website.
Moist or Green vegetation can be a nuisance for your neighbours when burnt, and does not burn efficiently and may not comply with council bylaws. Burning dry vegetation reduces nuisance to neighbours, and better achieves your goals.
Consider using a tarp to keep a pile dry, so that you can burn on a day when your pile is dry but the surrounding area is recently wet/damp.
You should have a hose available, and do not light fires on windy days, or when the Relative Humidity is less than 40%
Fire Permits will not be issued for non-compliant fuels. Residents who comply with their fire permit conditions will not be in breach of council by-laws.

Bushfire season forecast

Summer is here, and while winter was drier and warmer than usual, followed by a wet and windy spring, we’ve already seen significant bushfires, including one at Nugent, in the south and Dolphins Sands on the East Coast.

The current forecast indicates a normal bushfire season, which for Tasmania, means that bushfires are likely, and that there will be “spike days of higher risk” but we can’t predict exactly when and where they will occur. The east and southeast remain dry enough for bushfires to burn overnight, so these areas are a concern.

Bushfire Ready Neighbourhoods

Bushfire Ready Neighbourhoods (BRN) is a community-led, TFS-supported program that helps neighbours work together on bushfire preparedness.

Your local liaisons are:

Duncan Sinclair - duncan.sinclair@v.fire.tas.gov.au
Nick Barta - nick.barta@v.fire.tas.gov.au

Nearby safer places and Halls Saddle development

Fern Tree does not have any designated "Nearby Safer Places" which is important to remember when developing your Bushfire Preparedness Plan.

Many of you are aware the HCC are proposing a development at Halls Saddle to facilitate transport up Kunyani/Mt Wellington.

I encourage residents to engage with Hobart City Council on the proposed Halls Saddle development and advocate for a designated nearby safer place as part of the design.

Where to find information during a fire

TasALERT is the official source of truth for bushfire warnings in Tasmania.

Download the TasALERT app or visit www.tasalert.com
Tune into ABC 936 radio (AM) to stay currently informed of Bushfires in your area
Do not rely on local WhatsApp groups or social media during emergencies. Misinformation can cost lives.
Do not engage with emergency responders directly via social media during emergencies, this was a recommendation of recent coronial inquests.
If you see fire or are concerned, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.

Bushfire safety campaign: “Bushfire, Why Risk It?”

The Tasmania Fire Service has launched its 2025 campaign urging every household to have a bushfire plan.
Leaving early is always the safest option. Plan where you’ll go, when you’ll leave, and have an emergency kit ready.

Create your plan today at bushfire.tas.gov.au. Easy-read resources and templates are available, including versions for people with low literacy or who speak languages other than English.

Please don’t wait until it’s too late. Be prepared. Be aware.

Visit www.bushfire.tas.gov.au and create your bushfire plan today.

I wish you all a safe summer.

Nick Barta
Chief, Fern Tree Fire Brigade