Rangers are an invaluable additional resource for emergency service agencies and are trained in incident control procedures, traffic control and other general skills. Rangers liaise with other agencies such as the WA Police Force, State Emergency Service, Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES), Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Water Corporation and Department of Communities to support and assist these agencies with emergency incidents as required. Rangers deal with various response and recovery measures in case of an emergency.
Bush Fire Notice
Owners/occupiers of land within the City of Nedlands are required under the Bush Fires Act 1954 to clear all flammable materials, immediately inside all external boundaries of the land and also immediately surrounding buildings on the land during the bush fire season.
The bush fire season begins 30 November and ends 31 March each year.
Please be advised that there are burning restrictions within the City of Nedlands. You cannot burn off at any time within the City of Nedlands under the City’s Health Local Law, except with the written approval.
Prohibited burning period – 15 December to 31 March each year
Restricted burning period – 2 November to 30 April each year
Rangers patrol for compliance with the Bush Fire Notice and Bush Fire Act 1954. Residents are also welcome to report properties or areas they think may be a fire hazard so Rangers can investigate. Rangers perform inspections and issue notices under Section 33 of the Bush Fires Act 1954, which requires landowners and occupiers in the City of Nedlands to make preparations on their land to reduce the risk of fire during summer.
Penalties apply for failure to comply with the Bush Fire Notice. Clearance of land is by mowing, slashing or grading to create a fire break or clearance of flammable material, subject to the type of property.
Residential land - slash all grass and clear all inflammable matter on the land and verge to a height no greater than 5cm and to maintain all grass and all inflammable matter on the land and verge at a height no greater than 5cm up to and including the 31st day of March in the following year.
All other land - slash all grass and clear all inflammable matter on the land and verge to a height no greater than 5cm, for a width of no less than three metres (3m), immediately inside the external boundaries of the property. In addition, trees must be trimmed back to provide a vertical clearance of a minimum of three and a half metres (3.5m) to allow fire appliances to drive along the firebreak.
Fire danger ratings and total fire bans
Visit the Department of Fire & Emergency Services website for today's fire danger rating and total fire bans.
Total fire bans may be imposed by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services, which prohibit the lighting of any fires in the open air and any other activities that may start a fire. The fire danger rating is further explained on the Emergency WA website.
The ban includes all open air fires for the purpose of cooking or camping. It also includes incinerators, welding, grinding, soldering or gas cutting.
Total fire bans will be advertised in local media, press, radio and television.
No fires are permitted when a total fire ban is in place.
Emergency management
The City provides support and assistance to hazard management agencies during emergency events if requested.
The City of Nedlands, under the Emergency Management Act 2005, is responsible for the recovery at a local level. Nedlands Rangers also participate in the Western Central Local Emergency Management Committee (WC LEMC). The WC LEMC develops appropriate preparedness, prevention, response and recovery plans to deal with emergency situations, both natural and man-made.
Local emergency arrangements for local government
Under clause 36 of the Emergency Management Act 2005, it is a function of local government to:
- Subject to this Act, to ensure that effective emergency management arrangements are prepared and maintained for its district.
- To manage recovery, following an emergency affecting the community in its district.
- To perform other functions given to the local government under this Act to have local emergency arrangements.
The emergency management arrangements provide a framework for hazard management agencies (HMAs) and local governments to manage an emergency event. The WC LEMC is a non-operational cooperative group that carries out emergency management planning activities and maintains local emergency management arrangements within the areas bounded by the following local government authorities:
- City of Nedlands
- City of Subiaco
- Shire of Peppermint Grove
- Town of Cambridge
- Town of Claremont
- Town of Cottesloe
- Town of Mosman Park
- City of Vincent
These arrangements have been compiled to address those areas where the WC LEMC provides support to hazard management agencies and other agencies and is responsible for recovery operations.
The Western Central Local Emergency Management Arrangements document can be found on the Shire of Peppermint Grove website as they are the current chair for the Western Central Local Emergency Management Committee. Link to the arrangements here.
Emergency WA Warning And Incidents
The Government have created a site so you can find emergency information easier at Emergency WA.
The site has a map-based display with the best available emergency information from across the State.
You can find information about fires, floods, storms, earthquakes, tsunamis, hazardous material incidents and traffic crashes.
Remember, we can’t be everywhere at once, so you may know more about what’s happening near you. Always be aware of your surroundings. If you think you might be in danger, act immediately for your own safety.
In a life-threatening emergency call triple zero (000).
Emergency and breakdown vehicles
Slow down, move over
Attending roadside incidents can be a risky business and it's important roads are safe for workers attending these roadside incidents. Flashing lights on a stationary vehicle means approaching vehicles must slow down, move over (if possible) and pass at 40kmh.
More information can be found on the Road Safety Commission’s website.
Emergency contacts
SES – call 132 500 if your property has been damaged by a storm and you require emergency assistance.
Western Power – call 13 13 51 to report a fault or if there is damage to a power line.
Atco Gas – call 13 13 52 to report faults or if there is damage to gas pipelines.
Water Corporation – call 13 13 75 to report faults or if there is damage to water lines.
Other helpful links and contacts
Emergency WA
Department of Fire & Emergency Service
Bureau of Meteorology