Overview

Over 100 years ago the residents of the south-western New South Wales township of Berrigan formed Australia’s first official bush fire brigade. The residents joined together as firefighters for mutual protection against the ever-present threat of bush fires.

On 1 September 1997, The NSW Rural Fire Service (NSWRFS) was established by an act of Parliament as the successor to the first bush fire brigade, redefining the world’s largest fire service and building on a century of experience in protecting some of the most fire-prone areas on earth.

Today the Service comprises over 2,000 volunteer rural fire brigades with a total membership of just over 70,000. In addition, salaried staff are employed to manage the day to day operations of the Service at Headquarters, regional offices and district fire control centres.

(Extract from NSW Rural Fire Service: http://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/dsp_content.cfm?cat_id=1003)

Structure

The Rural Fire Service (RFS) is comprised of 2,094 brigades and has a total volunteer membership of approximately 70,000.

In addition, we have about 700 staff situated at Headquarters, regional offices and Fire Control Centres around NSW.

The RFS Headquarters, located at Lidcombe, comprises five Directorates, each headed by a Director.

They are:

• Executive Services
• Operational Services
• Regional Services
• Infrastructure Services
• Membership & Strategic Services

NSW is divided into four regions, each staffed by a Regional Manager and personnel in the functional areas of:

• administration
• finance
• community safety
• learning and development
• operations.

At the district or local government level, Fire Control Officers are appointed to manage the day-to-day affairs of brigades.

The role of rural fire brigades encompasses far more than bush fires. Members are regularly called upon to attend road accidents, assist in search and rescue operations, and storm and flood recovery. The RFS is responsible for structural firefighting in more than 1,200 towns and villages.

(Extract from NSW Rural Fire Service: http://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/dsp_content.cfm?cat_id=1129)

NSW Rural Fire Service Brigades

• NSW RFS – Bungonia Brigade (Southern Tablelands)
• NSW RFS – Yetholme Brigade (Chifley Lithgow)
• NSW RFS – Mandemar Brigade (Southern Highlands)
• NSW RFS – Captains Flat Brigade (Lake George)
• NSW RFS – Cherrybrook Brigade (Hornsby/Ku-Ring-Gai)
• NSW RFS – Regentville Brigade (Cumberland Zone)
• NSW RFS – Scotland Island Brigade (Northern Beaches)
• NSW Rural Fire Service – Wakefield (The Lakes Team)
• NSW RFS – Woronora Brigade (Sutherland District)
• NSW RFS – Ku-ring-gai Brigade (Hornsby/Ku-Ring-Gai)
• NSW RFS – Wisemans Ferry Brigade (The Hills)

NSW Rural Fire Service Vehicles

• NSW RFS – Valley Heights 6 – 2013 Varley build Isuzu
• NSW RFS – Bullawa Eulah 7 (2011)
• NSW RFS – Carrington Falls 1 (2010)
• NSW RFS – Narellan 1 (2011 build) Isuzu
• NSW RFS – Davidson 7 (2008 build)
• NSW RFS – Blackheath 1 (2000 build) Isuzu
• NSW RFS – Hoxton Park 1 (2008 build)
• NSW RFS – Catherine Field 1 (2014 build)
• NSW RFS – Wamberal 9 – Land Rover Dual Cab
• NSW RFS – Blaxland 1 (2002 build) Isuzu
• NSW RFS – Jerrabomberra Creek (1998 build Isuzu)
• NSW RFS – Jerrabomberra Creek (2012 build Isuzu)
• NSW RFS – Loftus 1B (2014 build Isuzu)
• NSW RFS – Woodford 7 (2004 build) Mitsubishi
• NSW RFS – Woodford 1 (2001 build) Isuzu
• NSW RFS – Wakefield 7 (2008 build) Mitsubishi Canter
• NSW RFS – Wakefield 1 (2002 build) Isuzu
• NSW RFS – Calderwood 7 (dual-axle Toyota Landcruiser)
• NSW RFS – Woronora PC
• NSW RFS – Woronora Boat C
• NSW RFS – Woronora Boat B
• NSW RFS – Woronora Boat A
• NSW RFS – Wisemans Ferry 7 (1998 build) Isuzu
• NSW RFS – Wisemans Ferry 1 (2009 build) Isuzu
• NSW RFS – Clarence Town 7 (2011 build) Isuzu
• NSW RFS – Hawkesbury 9 (2004 build) Toyota
• NSW RFS – Hawkesbury HQ 1 (2006 build) Isuzu
• NSW RFS – Ku-ring-gai 1A (2007 build) Isuzu
• NSW RFS – Ku-ring-gai 1B (2000 build) Isuzu
• NSW RFS – Illawarra Support 1 – Isuzu