The Romsey and District Fire Brigades Group is working with Victoria Police in implementing a 'zero tolerance' approach to our attendance at fires in our area during the Fire Danger Period. This means that CFA is obligated to request Police to attend the scene of ANY fire that a brigade responds to, where it is apparent that a fire has resulted from the actions of a person failing to comply with the conditions imposed on the lighting of fires by the restriction period. Police may then investigate the cause of the fire with the possibility of charges being bought against the offender.
The legislation is not new and has existed for many years, but has never really been strictly enforced. This formal policy has been introduced in accordance with those existing laws, with the intention of reminding our local residents that the onus of compliance with the conditions imposed by the Fire Danger period rests with them. Attendance at illegal backyard burnoffs and incinerator fires is an ongoing imposition on our brigades, that we hope may eventually be eliminated.