ACT Fire and Rescue (ACTFR) has warned Canberrans living on the urban fringe that the SES is not door-knocking, following reports of “fire volunteers in orange” offering to help residents in the Garran area move their valuables.

Any door-knocking conducted by Community Fire Units (CFU) will only be related to preparing your home to withstand a fire, and not removing valuables from the premises, ACTFR says.

“The CFU coordination team have confirmed that any of these members will be in their blue ACTFR issued [personal protective clothing] and be carrying their ID card,” they said in a post on Facebook.

Last week, Emergency Services Agency (ESA) Commissioner Georgeina Whelan reiterated this point at a press conference.

“We have a number of official people out there in the community giving advice, but we have had no official door-knocking activity in the ACT. We have many emergency services personnel out there and community fire unit personnel checking around the suburbs,” Ms Whelan said.

“You will see them in a blue uniform. So, if you have somebody knocking on your door, that is not an ESA activity and I would question the advice that has been given and pass on your concerns to ACT Policing.”

If you are approached by anyone suspicious purporting to be from an emergency service, or they are unable to produce official ID, contact ACT Policing on 131 444.