Wardell Rural Fire Brigade

Hey community!
You may have seen the Wardell crew members around the Fitzroy, Bath and Carlisle st areas
The crew have been out checking and clearing hydrant points around the town.

We found a few in pretty poor condition full
of sand and green ants but all cleaned and in working order now
Well maintained and visible hydrants are essential for crews to fill appliances in case mains water Is needed urgently

Every little bit helps the community and if you too would like to help.
Wardell is looking for new volunteers! 🚒
Whether you’re keen to help during bushfire season, support you’re community In emergency’s and incidents or learn new skills along side a great group of locals -
We’d love to hear from you! ❤️

🚒No experience needed
🔥Full trainings provided
🧑‍🚒Make a real difference where it matters most

A Total Fire Ban is in place across the North East of the state today (Monday 27/10/25), including Tweed, Byron & Ballina Local Government Areas.

No fires are to be lit outdoors and hot works such as welding and grinding are prohibited outdoors for 24hrs.

If a fire starts, take immediate action. If you and your property are not prepared to the highest level, go to a safer location well before the fire impacts.

Sugar cane burning is permitted between the hours of 5pm and 7am.

For more information on the rules surrounding a Total Fire Ban: https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/.../fdr.../total-fire-ban-rules

Tweed Shire Council
Shire Council
Ballina Shire Council

Due to the escalation of the Fire Danger Rating for tomorrow. Fire Permits are suspended for 24 hours starting from Midnight tonight.

Hey community! ☺️
It’s get ready time of the year again🙌🏻
We will be down at The Wardell River Festival tomorrow the 30th from 1PM onwards
So come on down to the big shiny Truck 🚒

It’s a good day to ask one of our firefighters on making (or helping) with a fire plan, many tips and tricks for the upcoming fire season and we have goodies/information packs to take home

You don’t have to live right near the bush to be at
risk. Even if your home is a few streets back, you may be at risk 🔥

How close is the bush to your house ?

Can you guess the main reason homes are lost to bush fires?

Not sure on the Answers? Come see us at the Get Ready weekend event Tomorrow we’re here to help

We also have games for the kiddies and bigger kids 😅
Know you’re fire risk this bushfire season

Good morning guys, tonight is our monthly meeting time again down at the station from 7pm 🚒
All interested members of the public are welcome
🙏🏻

Rest in peace cookie, our thought are with your family at this devastating time

VALE SUPERINTENDENT DAVID COOK

It is with great sadness we say goodbye to our friend and colleague, Superintendent David Cook.

Dave - fondly known as “Cookie” to most, unexpectedly passed away on Saturday 19 July 2025, following a short battle with illness. Tragically, Cookie had only recently commenced long service leave, with a plan to retire in September.

Dave had an impressive 33-year career with the RFS, having originally transitioned from his role as a high school science teacher in 2001. Throughout his tenure, he has been a highly respected leader, serving as Incident Controller for numerous bushfires across NSW. His extensive expertise in fire management has also been sought after in other jurisdictions, including Victoria and South Australia.

Cookie has been a fixture in the Far North Coast, starting as a volunteer with the Lennox Head Bush Fire Brigade in 1992. He later took on the role of Honorary Deputy Fire Control Officer for Ballina/Byron before beginning his paid career with the Service. His first appointment was as Fire Control Officer for Byron Shire under Byron Shire Council, before moving into the role of Manager of the Far North Coast Team when Tweed District joined the Ballina/Byron Zone in 2001.

An intelligent and charismatic manager, Cookie has always led with fairness, treating every member with respect—whether it was a newcomer seeking PPE or a long-time member stopping by for a chat. His dedication to the District has been unwavering, often prioritising the needs of others above his own.

A keen surfer, who had integrated his personal life into the local surfing communities of Lennox Head and Bali, Cookie always stood out as “the surfie” in an RFS crowd and “the Aussie” in his Indonesian community.

Cookie will be sorely missed by many across the RFS and partner agencies as a compassionate leader and mentor, who would give you the shirt off his back.

We pass on our deepest condolences to his family and thank them for allowing him to dedicate his life to the RFS, in service to the community.

Rest in Peace, Cookie.

David's funeral will be held at 1:00PM on Monday 28 July 2025 at the Lennox Head Cultural Centre (1 Mackney Lane Lennox Head).
Live Stream Link: https://www.fwhlive.com/davc/

All who knew Cookie are welcome to attend.


Tweed Shire Council
Byron Shire Council
Ballina Shire Council

The Fire Alarm at the Wardell Fire Station will sound at 5.00am on Anzac morning.
This will be followed by the live ABC broadcast of the Dawn Service at 5.30am at the cenotaph next to the Wardell Hall.
Everyone is welcome to attend and remain for light refreshments at the conclusion.

Happy international women's day! The station is being manned today by female members if you have any questions or just want a chat by

Wardell Fire brigade has a strong female membership who not only hold Senior positions within the brigade but are also incredible role models for the rest of their community 🚒

For crew safety the RFS will now only be responding to life threatening situations. Essential Energy will cease responding to power lines down and also only respond to life threatening situations, Transport for NSW had a maintenance vehicle crushed by a tree overnight and have also ceased all tree down operations. The M1 has been closed between St Helena and Chinderah. Stay home and stay safe but keep an eye on evacuations and flood levels.

Yesterday Wardell Brigade 👨🏼‍🚒👩🏻‍🚒had a familiarisation with the Light duty Police Rescue unit with Operator and local Police officer Michael 👮‍♀️
It was a good afternoon getting to know the capabilities of the unit and although we are different agencies, we all have one common goal

Stay tuned for some interagency training in the near future