NSW RFS Illawarra Sutherland Team

The KidsFest Emergency Services Expo is still on despite the rain! Come down and meet your emergency service helpers and see all we have to offer!

🚨 Join us at the KidsFest Shellharbour Emergency Services Expo! 🚒🚑🚓

Bring the kids along for a hands-on day of fun, learning, and community connection with your local emergency services crews. Meet the people who help keep our community safe and check out the vehicles, equipment, and live demonstrations up close!

📅 Tuesday 26 May 2026
⏰ 10am - 2pm
📍 Illawarra Fire Control Centre, 37 Airport Rd, Albion Park Rail

Kids can explore emergency vehicles, chat with first responders, and enjoy interactive activities designed especially for ages 0-12.

A great opportunity to build awareness, confidence, and curiosity around emergency services in a relaxed family-friendly environment.

🌐 www.kidsfestshellharbour.com.au

Shellharbour City Council

🚨 Join us at the KidsFest Shellharbour Emergency Services Expo! 🚒🚑🚓

Bring the kids along for a hands-on day of fun, learning, and community connection with your local emergency services crews. Meet the people who help keep our community safe and check out the vehicles, equipment, and live demonstrations up close!

📅 Tuesday 26 May 2026
⏰ 10am - 2pm
📍 Illawarra Fire Control Centre, 37 Airport Rd, Albion Park Rail

Kids can explore emergency vehicles, chat with first responders, and enjoy interactive activities designed especially for ages 0-12.

A great opportunity to build awareness, confidence, and curiosity around emergency services in a relaxed family-friendly environment.

🌐 www.kidsfestshellharbour.com.au

Shellharbour City Council

HAZARD REDUCTION NOTICE

Please be advised that the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), with assistance from partner agencies, intends to conduct the Grays Point Hazard Reduction Burn (Stage 3) tomorrow, Saturday 9 May.

Smoke may be visible in surrounding areas throughout the day. Residents are encouraged to keep windows and doors closed if affected by smoke and motorists should drive to conditions in areas of reduced visibility.

We thank the community for their understanding as this important work is carried out to protect lives, property, and the environment.

For updates, visit 👉https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information/hazard-reductions
Sutherland Shire Council
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service

🚨 Community Notice: Hazard Reduction Burn 🚨

The NSW RFS will be conducting a hazard reduction burn in our area to help reduce bush fire risk.

📍 Location: Bushland between Bangor Bypass and Woronora River, Bangor (Sutherland LGA)

📅 Date: Saturday 2 May 2026

⏰ Time: Commencing from 09:00am

✅ This burn has been carefully planned and will be implemented and monitored by firefighters until deemed safe.

⚠️ You may notice smoke in the area – please keep windows closed where necessary, drive to conditions, and follow health advice if sensitive to smoke.

We thank the community for their understanding as we carry out this important work to protect lives, property, and the environment.

For updates, visit 👉 https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire.../hazard-reductions

Over the coming days, crews will be conducting a series of planned hazard reduction burns across the community:

🔥 Sunday 26 April
• Gills Gully (Helensburgh)
• Cranberry St (Loftus)

🔥 Monday 27 April
• Purrungully Woodland (Horsley)

🔥 Tuesday 28 and Wednesday 29 April
• Wollongong Coal 1 (Russell Vale)

These burns are a critical part of our ongoing work to reduce fuel loads and help protect our communities, firefighters, and the environment ahead of the next fire season. Planned burns like these play an important role in lowering the intensity and spread of bush fires.

We understand that smoke from these operations can impact local communities and surrounding areas. We acknowledge the effects this may have already had and appreciate your patience and understanding while this important work is carried out.

Smoke may be visible and may settle in low-lying areas, particularly overnight and early in the mornings. Motorists are reminded to drive to conditions if encountering smoke on roads.

We encourage residents to stay informed and take simple steps to minimise exposure to smoke where possible.

Thank you for your continued support as we work to keep our communities safer.

NSW Rural Fire Service Mitigation Recruitment

The NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) is the lead agency for bush fire management and mitigation in NSW. Fighting fires and protecting the community from emergencies is what we do!
The NSW RFS is currently hiring Mitigation Crew Members and Leaders, with several exciting ongoing opportunities across Greater Sydney with many roles on offer.

As a member of our Mitigation crews, you can expect to:
• Undertake hazard reduction work
• Assist with AIDER (Assist Infirm, Disabled and Elderly Residents) program activities
• Work closely with local communities
• Undertake operational and logistical support roles at incidents.

Why work for the NSW RFS?
• Make a difference to the community you live in
• Full-time ongoing employment
• 35-hour working week and generous entitlements
• Ongoing training, learning and development opportunities
• Attractive annual salary

It’s a rewarding role with great opportunities for professional development and a career path with the NSW RFS.

Two information sessions will be held in Greater Sydney at the following dates, times and locations:

Saturday 18th April 2026 - Cumberland Fire Control Centre 8-12 Jeanette Street, Regentville. 13:00-15:00

Sunday 19th April 2026 - Illawarra Fire Control Centre, 37 Airport Road, Albion Park Rail.13:00-15:00

Applications close on Monday 27 April 2026. For more information visit our website: https://careers.rfs.nsw.gov.au/jobs/search/mitigation-crew

If you’re interested in a challenging but rewarding role with the NSW RFS apply now via the RFS Careers website:
https://internalcareers.rfs.nsw.gov.au/jobs/mitigation-crew-member-leader-opportunities-statewide-nsw-australia
The roles are open to all individuals of any background, if you are interested in the available locations, we’d love to hear from you!

The NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) is the lead agency for bush fire management and mitigation in NSW. Fighting fires and protecting the community from emergencies is what we do!

The NSW RFS is currently hiring Mitigation Crew Members and Leaders, with several exciting ongoing opportunities across Greater Sydney with many roles on offer.

As a member of our Mitigation crews, you can expect to:
• Undertake hazard reduction work
• Assist with AIDER (Assist Infirm, Disabled and Elderly Residents) program activities
• Work closely with local communities
• Undertake operational and logistical support roles at incidents

Why work for the NSW RFS?
• Make a difference to the community you live in
• Full-time ongoing employment
• 35-hour working week and generous entitlements
• Ongoing training, learning and development opportunities
• Attractive annual salary

It’s a rewarding role with great opportunities for professional development and a career path with the NSW RFS.

Two information sessions will be held in Greater Sydney at the following dates, times and locations:

Dates: Saturday 18 April 2026
Times: 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Locations: Cumberland Fire Control Centre
8-12 Jeannette Street, Regentville

Sunday 19 April 2026
1:00pm – 3:00pm
Illawarra Fire Control Centre
37 Airport Road, Albion Park

Applications close on Monday 27 April 2026. For more information visit our website: https://careers.rfs.nsw.gov.au/jobs/search/mitigation-crew

If you’re interested in a challenging but rewarding role with the NSW RFS apply now via the RFS Careers website:
https://internalcareers.rfs.nsw.gov.au/jobs/mitigation-crew-member-leader-opportunities-statewide-nsw-australia

The roles are open to all individuals of any background, if you are interested in the available locations, we’d love to hear from you!

Hazard Reductions

Some across the Community may have seen smoke coming from Hazard Reductions across the Greater Sydney over the past few days. Where these Hazard Reductions are being carried out the conditions are far more favourable than what we currently have across the Illawarra Sutherland Team.

However, we along with our partner agencies are monitoring the Fuel Moisture Content across all our planned Hazard Reduction sites. This means we are calculating the percentage of moisture in the ground fuels, which is decreasing with the fine warm and dry weather.

The current readings we are seeing across sites in the Sutherland Shire and Northern Illawarra are almost within the parameters of what we would consider the ideal conditions for us to carry out safe, viable burning to mitigate the risk of wildfire across future fire danger periods.

The RFS, NPWS, FRNSW are monitoring these conditions with a view to potentially commencing Hazard Reduction works in the middle of next week. This is a timely reminder to ensure you have “Hazards Near Me” downloaded, monitor the NSW Rural Fire Service website and your local Brigades social media page. I also invite you to download and review the local Bush Fire Risk Management Plans for the Local Government Areas of Illawarra and Sutherland. https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/plan-and-prepare/know-your-risk/bush-fire-risk-management-plans

We are committed to bush fire hazard mitigation and will continue to prepare for every opportunity to undertake this vital work

Bush Fire Risk Management Plans - NSW Rural Fire Service Everyone has a role to play in planning for bush fires – fire authorities, landowners, land managers, planning authorities, local councils and the community.

Today, 31 March, marks the end of the statutory Bush Fire Danger Period (BFDP) for the majority of NSW. However, due to the ongoing fire risk, the BFDP will be extended in four Local Government Areas, including Gwydir, Mid-Western, Moree Plains and Narrabri.

While many landholders may no longer require a fire permit, you are still required to notify the RFS and your neighbours of your intention to burn at least 24 hours before lighting the fire.

For more information on the bush fire danger period and fire permits, visit the website: www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/BFDP

The Illawarra/Sutherland Team was proud to join Real Life Community Group in Coniston this week for their Independent Living Expo.

Our team had a fantastic time connecting with community members, sharing important safety information, and showcasing our AIDER program (Assistance for Infirm, Disabled and Elderly Residents). This program helps people remain confident and independent in their daily lives while preparing for the upcoming fire season, keeping their homes safe, and ensuring they have a plan in place.

It was also great to see the energy and support from all the exhibitors involved and a true reflection of community spirit.
A big thank you to Real Life Assistance for bringing everyone together and for the valuable work they continue to do in supporting our community. If you would like more information please visit our website on www.rfs.nsw.gov.au