The Mittagong Fire Brigade recently presented Sunset Point Drive's 18-member Community Fire Unit (CFU) with a well-stocked fire equipment trailer after the team completed their initial training sessions.

The Sunset Point Drive CFU is part of a state-wide network of NSW Fire Brigade CFU scheme which trains and equips residents living in high-risk fire areas so they can protect their homes during a bushfire.

In the event of a fire, the trained volunteers can stay with their homes and monitor and extinguish any spot fires that could escalate and seriously damage homes.

The State Government allocated $15,000 in funding for the Mittagong Fire Brigade to set up the CFU in Sunset Point Drive following a feasibility study of the area by the NSW Fire Brigade.

"The CFU is now our first line of defence for fire fighting in this area," Mittagong Fire Brigade Captain Greg Blackwell said.

"Because they have an intimate knowledge of their street and their homes, they can act quicker in the event of a fire to protect their properties and the properties of others before we arrive."

As well as boosting the fire fighting capabilities of the residents in the street, Captain Blackwell said the CFU was also an excellent way for the residents to play a valuable role in their community.

"It's volunteerism in its purest form and everyone involved is enjoying the opportunity to meet other residents they've seen in the street for years but have never met," he said.

Captain Blackwell said the brigade was keen to encourage other residents to form CFU's, particularly for residents living in streets near bush land. For more information contact your local fire brigade.