The bushfire danger period for NSW began on October 1.

Steve Gee from North Arm Cove RFS said the current dry conditions were similar to those this time last year when the state was ablaze, even down the highway in Port Stephens.

Mr Gee said Great Lakes residents should be prepared for the bushfire season.

‘‘Clean up around the house and if anyone lives near a vacant block, tidy that up too,’’ he said.

‘‘Get rid of vegetation on the ground so there is no fire fuel.

‘‘Keep your gutters clean and have a bushfire plan done and ready.’’

The RFS  prepared for the season by applying for a NRMA Insurance Community Grant.

Across NSW, North Arm Cove was one of 92 organisations successful in its grant bid and  received $1390,  to buy a water tank filling system for  its trucks.

‘‘The current method used to fill the tanks in the fire trucks is to take the trucks to a waterhole or tank and use the fire fighting pump on the truck to draft water,’’ Mr Gee said.

The process took time to set up, bleed air from the lines and get running every time the truck tanks were filled.

‘‘This is a time consuming operation and takes the truck away from the fire or emergency for a longer period than necessary.’’

Mr Gee said the quick fill pump, compact and easily handled, would ‘‘greatly reduce the fill time’’ to as little as three minutes.