NSW RFS Greater Sydney Area Command

12/09/2026

🎓 Greater Sydney Area Command and Leadership Program – Class of 2026 🚒

This weekend, the Greater Sydney Area Command facilitated the final workshop of the Command and Leadership Program for the Class of 2026 at the Hornsby Ku-ring-Gai Fire Control Centre.

These members were identified by their Districts as having the potential to progress into senior volunteer leadership positions. Over the past 12 months, they have completed a comprehensive program combining command and leadership training courses, practical activities and valuable guidance from experienced commanders and organisational leaders.

Congratulations to every participant for the dedication, enthusiasm and commitment they have demonstrated throughout the program.

We also extend our sincere thanks to the members from across the Area Command who generously shared their time, knowledge and experience to support the development of our future leaders.

Well done to the Class of 2026! 👏

Northern Beaches Rural Fire District
Hornsby/Ku-ring-gai Rural Fire Service
NSW RFS - Hawkesbury District
NSW RFS Illawarra Sutherland Team
RFS Blue Mountains District
NSW RFS Southern Highlands

03/09/2026

Important information from the Southern Highlands District. Please see below.

Bush Fire Danger Period to start on 14 September 2026

The Bush Fire Danger Period of the Wingecarribee Shire Council and Wollondilly Shire Council areas has been brought forward to 14 September due to prevailing dry conditions. This means that a Fire Permit will be required from 14 September to light or maintain fire in the open.

Residents and land holders should also ensure they understand the rules around the use of fire. Along with required fire permits, you must also notify your local fire authority and neighbours of your intent to burn 24 hours in advance.

To apply for a Fire Permit visit www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/notify and be sure to give us as much notice as possible as a Fire Permit Officer will need to visit your property prior to issuing a permit.

Know the risks for your area, have a bush fire survival plan and discuss what you and your family will do if threatened by fire.

For more information, visit the RFS website: www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/BFDP

fans

31/08/2026

🔥 Blaxlands Ridge East – Stage 2 Hazard Reduction 🔥

A great collaborative effort from NSW Rural Fire Service and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service crews undertaking the Blaxlands Ridge East – Stage 2 Hazard Reduction Burn.

Crews have worked together throughout the operation to safely complete this important hazard reduction work, supported by significant planning and preparation both on and off the fireground.

NSW RFS Greater Sydney Area Command would like to thank all RFS members, NPWS crews and supporting personnel involved for their professionalism, teamwork and commitment.

Hazard reduction is an important part of preparing for the upcoming bush fire season and reducing risk to communities across the Greater Sydney area.

Thank you to everyone involved in making this operation possible. 👏🔥🚒



NSW RFS - Hawkesbury District

30/08/2026

🎉 Celebrating 75 Years of Freemans Reach Rural Fire Brigade🚒

Last night, NSW RFS Greater Sydney Area Command was pleased to attend the Freemans Reach Rural Fire Brigade’s 75th Anniversary, within the NSW RFS - Hawkesbury District.

It was great to hear stories from the brigade’s past and reflect on just how different firefighting and brigade life were in the 1950s and 1960s compared with how we operate today.

Thank you to the Freemans Reach team for the invitation and for allowing us to be part of such a significant milestone.

Congratulations again on 75 years of service to the community — an incredible achievement! 👏🚒

30/08/2026

Congratulations Catherine Field Rural Fire Brigade! This new station is a testament of your brigade strength and commitment to protecting the local community.

NSW Rural Fire Service - Cumberland/Macarthur District Camden Council

15/08/2026

Our Volunteers across Grester Sydney continue to monitor and take advantage of favourable weather conditions to undertake critical Hazard Reduction activities such as this one on Seventh Ave Llandilo today.

Even after some rain this past week, the landscape is continuing to dry out as we move towards the warmer months.

We’re doing everything we can to be ready for a fire - What are you doing? Perfect opportunity this weekend to start getting ready by cleaning out the gutters, clearing debri away from your house or even having that conversation about what you and your family will do on those higher fire danger days or if there is a fire.

05/08/2026

Yesterday, members from across the NSW RFS Illawarra Sutherland Team came together to participate in an Incident Management Exercise, providing a valuable opportunity to strengthen skills, test processes, and enhance our ability to work together during major emergencies.

Exercises like these are essential in ensuring our members and Incident Management Teams remain ready to support operational crews and communities when they're needed most. They also provide an opportunity to build relationships, share knowledge, and learn from one another in a realistic, collaborative environment.

A big thank you to everyone who participated, facilitated, and supported the exercise. We'd also like to extend our sincere thanks to all of the supporting agencies such as Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW Police Force, NSW Ambulance, WaterNSW, City of Wollongong, Sutherland Shire Council, Kiama Municipal Council, Shellharbour City Council and all Emergency Operations Centre Agencies who contributed their time, expertise, and support throughout the day.

Strong partnerships and collaboration between agencies are critical to effective emergency management, and your involvement helped make the exercise a valuable success.

30/07/2026

Over the last week, Incident Management Specialists from across Australia and New Zealand have deployed to the United States to assist with ongoing wildfires. This also includes a number of members from the Greater Sydney Area.

Over the weekend, the NSW Rural Fire Service will deploy two firefighting aircraft and support crew to assist France with their devastating wildfires.

Next week, further Incident Management Specialists will depart Australia - this time bound for Canada to assist with a number of large and devastating fires. This again includes members from the Greater Sydney Area.

We couldn’t be prouder of the members from Grester Sydney giving up an extended period of time to assist communities overseas.

Wishing everyone travelling and assisting with these devastating fires across America, Canada and Europe the best and to be safe! Our thoughts are certainly with the affected communities and those battling these blazes!

This weekend, the will deploy its CH-47D Chinook helicopter and a Bell 412 support aircraft to fight fires in France. This will mark the Service’s first-ever European deployment.

The aircraft will be accompanied by 24 highly skilled aerial and ground crew, and transported to France in partnership with the Australian Defence Force.

The Chinook, equipped with an 11,300-litre belly tank, has the largest payload of any firefighting helicopter in Australia. Working with the Bell 412, it is also capable of conducting waterbombing missions at night. Should it be tasked to do so in France, it will be the first time night-time waterbombing has been undertaken in the country.

Commissioner Trent Curtin says the deployment is a testament to the expertise of our aviation crews.

“We're proud to share that expertise with our international partners while strengthening the relationships that are so important when disasters occur around the world."

14/07/2026

It's time again, for Get Ready Weekend this 19th and 20th of September, 2026.

Meet your local RFS brigade's across the Greater Sydney Area on the weekened of the 19th and 20th September 2026 to learn how to prepare your home and family for the bush fire season.

Don't wait until September though to begin your preperations... start now!

07/06/2026

Congratulations to the seven members receiving the Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM) in the 2026 King's Birthday Honour list.

The AFSM recognises distinguished service by members of Australian fire services and is awarded to paid and volunteer members.

A special congratulations to the following NSW RFS Greater Sydney Area Command members:

• Deputy Group Captain Peter Bennett – RFS Blue Mountains District
• Acting Deputy Commissioner Viki Campbell – State Operations and Hornsby/Ku-ring-gai Rural Fire Service
• Group Captain Michael Kovacs – NSW Rural Fire Service - Cumberland/Macarthur District
• Captain Deborah Sharp – NSW RFS Illawarra Sutherland Team

To read more about the recipients, visit the website: www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/news-and-media/general-news/seven-rfs-members-receive-kings-birthday-honours