Sandford Volunteer Fire Brigade

28/05/2026

Today our brigade responded - alongside Lauderdale Fire Brigade and other emergency services - to a single vehicle crash on a wet and slippery roadway.

Thankfully, the driver was able to receive prompt assistance from nearby members of the public before emergency crews arrived and was transported to hospital for assessment.

With the recent wet weather, today’s incident is a timely reminder for all motorists to slow down, allow extra stopping distance, and drive to the conditions. Roads can become unpredictable very quickly, particularly during periods of rain.

We would also like to thank the bystanders who stopped to assist, along with all responding emergency service personnel for their coordinated efforts on scene.

Please take care on the roads and arrive safely.

20/05/2026

This week is National Volunteer Week, and we would like to take a moment to recognise and thank all volunteers — not only within our own brigade, but right across the country.

Volunteering means giving up your time at a moment’s notice, often while sitting down for dinner with your family, heading out the door to meet friends, or just climbing into bed after a long day on the job. It means missing family events, interrupted sleep, and putting your community first when help is needed most.

Our volunteers do this not for recognition, but because they genuinely care about helping others and protecting their community. Whether it’s responding to fires, storms, motor vehicle accidents, smoke investigations, or supporting other emergency services, volunteers are always ready to answer the call.

To every volunteer out there — thank you for your dedication, commitment, and sacrifice. Communities across Australia are stronger and safer because of people like you.

From all of us at Sandford Volunteer Fire Brigade, Happy National Volunteer Week.

12/05/2026

Last night, members of the Sandford Volunteer Fire Brigade came together for a special medal presentation evening recognising the dedication and long service of our volunteers.

We are proud to congratulate the following members who were presented with the Tasmanian Fire Service Volunteer Medal:

• David Williams – 37 years service
• Benjamin Cox – 28 years service
• Axel Von Krusenstierna – 19 years service
• Steve Whelan – 18 years service
• Paul Lawler – 19 years service

The Tasmanian Volunteer Medal recognises operational TFS volunteers who have completed a minimum of 10 years of diligent and honest service, with additional clasps awarded for 20, 30 and 40 years of continued contribution to both their Brigade and the Tasmania Fire Service.

This is not an automatic service award, but one where volunteers are recognised by their peers for their commitment, dedication and service to the community over many years.

Thank you to all recipients for your outstanding contribution to the Brigade and to the Sandford community. Your dedication, commitment and years of volunteer service are greatly appreciated.

Congratulations to all recipients 👏🚒

04/05/2026

🚒 Today is St Florian’s Day - also known as International Firefighter’s Day.

❤️ It's a time for us to thank every firefighter - past and present - for their bravery, dedication, and commitment to protecting lives and communities.

❤️ We pause to remember and honour those firefighters who sadly lost their lives protecting others. May they rest in peace.

🤝 Photo thanks to Glengarry Volunteer Fire Brigade - Tasmania.

02/05/2026

Sandford Brigade has had a busy week responding to multiple vegetation fires and smoke investigations across the area.

On Wednesday afternoon, crews were called to a vegetation fire within one of the pine plantations at Seven Mile Beach. Due to the dense undergrowth and low tree branches making access difficult, the incident became a multi-day operation.

Last night, we were also called to a fire in an old dam that appeared to have been burning for many hours before it was reported.

This is a timely reminder to everyone:
🔥 Please ensure your fires are fully extinguished once your burn is complete.
🔥 Even though permits have ended, please continue to register your burns. This provides vital information that can prevent false callouts and helps crews locate fires quickly if one gets out of control.
🔥 If you do not have the proper equipment or resources to safely contain and extinguish your fire, please do not light it.

Please remember that emergency services cannot always be relied upon to put out private burns if conditions suddenly change. Many brigades are volunteer-based and may already be responding to other incidents.

A huge thank you to all of our dedicated volunteers who continue to give up their time to help keep our community safe. 👏🚒

16/02/2026

With a High Fire Danger rating forecast across much of Tasmania this week, there’s a few things we can all do to stay safe.

ℹ️ Be aware vegetation is dry and there is a High Fire Danger rating in Central North, East Coast, Midlands, Upper Derwent Valley, South East, Central Plateau and Western districts today.

🤔 Think carefully and be cautious if lighting a campfire or using machinery.

🔥 Check recent fires on your property, including fire pits and other outdoor fires, are fully extinguished. Soak it. Stir it. Soak it again.

🤝 Prepare your property and have a bushfire plan: https://bushfire.tas.gov.au/

📲 If you do see any signs of fire re-igniting such as smoke and flames, call Triple Zero (000).

➡️ Stay up-to-date with changing conditions in your area: https://www.fire.tas.gov.au/fire-danger-rating/

📓 Fire Permits are required across the state, to obtain a permit submit an application online at www.fire.tas.gov.au or free call 1800 000 699.

➡️ Keep up to date with warnings and information on the TasALERT app or at TasALERT.com, or by listening to ABC Local Radio.

➡️ For more information on how to prepare for bushfires, visit https://bushfire.tas.gov.au/

10/02/2026

🚒 Sandford Volunteer Fire Brigade was again kept busy last night responding to multiple incidents.
Our first call was to a vegetation fire at the North Clifton car park near Cape Deslacs, where crews were ably assisted by Lauderdale Fire Brigade - Tasmania and South Arm Volunteer Fire Station. As crews were returning from Clifton, Sandford and Lauderdale brigades were then redirected to attend a car fire in Honeywood Drive, Sandford.
We sincerely thank our neighbouring brigades for their continued support and cooperation — teamwork like this is vital in keeping our community safe.
It is disappointing to report that both fires are believed to have been deliberately lit. These actions place lives, property, and emergency responders at unnecessary risk and divert limited resources away from genuine emergencies.
If you witnessed any suspicious behaviour or have information relating to these incidents, please contact: 📞 Police on 131 444
📞 Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000
As always, thank you to our volunteers and partner brigades who give up their time to protect the community. Stay safe.
🚒🔥

06/02/2026

06/02/2026

🚒 Early Morning Multiple Fires Response 🚒

In the early hours this morning Sandford Volunteer Fire Brigade responded to multiple vegetation fires from Lauderdale to Calverts Lagoon, Sandford.

Our crews were initially deployed to assist Lauderdale Volunteer Fire Brigade at a fire on South Arm Road in Lauderdale, involving a large area of grass burning near the old tip. While efforts were underway to contain this fire, reports came through of additional fires igniting near Lazenby Sands and Calvert’s Lagoon, placing further strain on already stretched resources.

It is deeply disappointing to note that it is believed these fires were deliberately lit, seemingly with the intent to cause chaos. Actions like this place lives, homes, emergency responders, and the broader community at serious risk.

These fires occurred in an area with no reticulated water, resulting in ongoing water shortages. There was no air support available, and crews on the ground were operating with limited resources, making containment far more challenging. Despite this, volunteers from multiple brigades worked tirelessly through the night under difficult conditions.

We acknowledge and thank the outstanding efforts and cooperation of:

Lauderdale Fire Brigade - Tasmania

South Arm Volunteer Fire Station

Rokeby Volunteer Fire Brigade

Cambridge Fire Brigade - Tasmania

Seven Mile Beach Fire Brigade

Hobart Fire Brigade – Clarence Station

Parks and Wildlife Service firefighters

Thanks to the dedication and teamwork of all involved, the fires were contained prior to daylight and handed over to Parks and Wildlife crews to patrol and extinguish remaining hot spots.

To our volunteers: thank you for your commitment, resilience, and willingness to respond at any hour to protect our community. To the public: if you see suspicious activity, report it to the Police immediately. One careless or malicious act can have devastating consequences.

Stay safe. 🔥🚒

03/02/2026

After a review of current and forecast conditions, Tasmania Fire Service has declared statewide suspension of the issuing of fire permits from now until 2am, Saturday 7 February.

This decision has been made to keep the Tasmanian community safe.

A Total Fire Ban is also in place for Southern Region from 2am, today (Wednesday 4 February) until 2am, Thursday 5 February.

During the total fire ban period:
❌ No fires are permitted in the open, including:
❌ incinerators
❌ burn-offs
❌ campfires and fire pots
❌ wood-fuelled barbecues

You can find out more about the rules during a Total Fire Ban at: fire.tas.gov.au/about/rules-during-fire-permit-periods-and-total-fire-bans

🔥 Fire Permit Suspension
❌ No new fire permits will be issued
❌ Any fire permits already issued for this period are cancelled, as conditions will be unsafe for burning.

🔥Had a fire recently? Check it now and make sure it is fully extinguished – soak it, stir it, soak it again.

🏠 If you live in a bushfire-prone area:
📑 Review your Bushfire Plan now
📱 Stay informed at TasALERT or ABC Radio
🔥 See smoke or fire?
📞 Report it immediately to Triple Zero (000).

Keep up-to-date with:
🔴 bushfire.tas.gov.au - for the fire danger rating in your area.
🔴 bom.gov.au/tas/warnings – for the latest weather forecast and warnings.
🔴 tasalert.com – for current warnings and advice.
🔴 police.tas.gov.au/community-alerts – for road closures.