Residents received no notification via the national warning text message system despite a fire threatening the township last Sunday week.

Some residents told the Journal the speed of the fire and lack of warning had made them panic.

As a result the Dandenong Ranges Community Bushfire Group has called for a more distinct CFA fire alert for the hills communities. The Emerald sub-branch of the community is also fighting to retain the town's old call-out siren.

Stewart Road resident Helen O'Sullivan, who lost fences and a water pump when the fire burnt five acres of her property, said they had turned to the CFA website for information when the fire trucks arrived.

"The fire came on so quick there would have been no time for anyone to warn or text us. When the water bombers came our neighbour evacuated.

"We had the car packed and ready to leave but decided to stay because the wind was blowing away from us, towards Patons Road and golf course."

Mrs O'Sullivan said the family, including her three teenage children, panicked, especially when the wind changed direction.

"But we were lucky. It rained and there were many, many fire trucks in the reserve, so many people helped put out the fire."

President of the Cardinia Hills branch of the Dandenong Ranges Community Bushfire Group Naomi Manson said her own network warned her of the fire danger at Emerald on Sunday afternoon.

"To my knowledge no one got the warning text as promised from the national warning system. The only information I found was from the CFA website."

Mrs Manson said the Cardinia Hills branch was pushing to retain the Emerald CFA call-out signal alert, which will be decommissioned soon.

"We are saying it costs $15,000 to maintain that signal, which is a drop in the ocean when the State Government proposes to spend millions of dollars on the West Gate Bridge and other projects.

"We are trying to drum up support from the community for the call-out siren."

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