NSW RFS Community Fire Units (CFU) have been established to support and assist Rural Fire Brigades in their role to provide for the prevention and mitigation of bush fires.

CFUs have been established for a number of years on the urban-bushland interface around Sydney and in some regional centres and the NSW RFS Commissioner and Minister for Emergency Services recently approved an expansion of the CFU program into the NSW RFS.
 
Under an expanded NSW RFS program CFUs can also be introduced into other areas of the state such as remote villages and isolated settlements.
 
CFUs operate under the direct management and control of either an existing Rural Fire Brigade or under a District Support Brigade.
 
Each CFU operates within a designated area of operation and is required to function under NSW RFS procedures that cover the membership, training, operations and maintenance of CFUs.
 
Rural Fire Brigades provide the highest standards of protection from the impacts of fire in the community by mitigating and suppressing fires.

The NSW RFS encourages full membership but recognises that not all volunteers can provide levels of commitment required for all roles within Brigades and the NSW RFS is therefore committed to providing a more flexible approach to roles and functions. 
 
CFUs are available to provide the Brigade membership with another resource to assist in bushfire education, preparedness and protection measures under this flexible approach to membership.
 
The aim of the CFU project is to implement 120 CFUs within Rural Fire Brigades across the State.