Northern Beaches RFS

𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫

Remembrance Day is on Saturday, 11 November. On this day we pay respect and pause for one minute to remember the service and sacrifice of our veterans and current serving personnel.

Help keep their legacy alive by attending a service, reflecting in silence, wearing a poppy, or supporting our veteran community.

LEST WE FORGET.

Remembrance Day 2023 | RSL Australia | Remember to Remember Remembrance Day 2023, RSL is asking all Australians to Remember to Remember. To commit to pausing for just one minute to remember those who gave their lives in service to their country

Congratulations to our newest volunteers, Claire, Mick, Tim & Grace who passed their assessment on the weekend. Welcome to Ingleside .

Congratulations to the eight NSW Rural Fire Service members receiving the Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM) in the 2023 King's Birthday Honour list. The AFSM was instituted in 1988 and recognises those who have rendered distinguished service as a member of the Australian fire service.

Join us in congratulating our eight members on their exceptional service to the NSW Rural Fire Service and their community:
• Group Captain Michael Amos – Far West District
• Catering Captain Stephanye Holden – Clarence Valley District
• Senior Deputy Captain Heather Jones – Central Coast District
• Deputy Captain Victor Judson – Shoalhaven District
• Group Officer Peter Lugsdin – MIA District
• Group Officer Andrew Macdonald – Macarthur District
• Senior Deputy Captain Linda Riley – Namoi-Gwydir District
• Group Captain Grant Wargren – Hornsby / Ku-ring-gai District

You can read more about our AFSM recipients here: www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/news-and-media/general-news/eight-rfs-volunteers-receive-kings-birthday-honours/

🎉 Terrey Hills Brigade warmly welcomes Murray Lowe as our newly elected Captain. Congratulations to Murray, we all look forward to seeing his smile around the station.

Murray brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Terrey Hills Brigade, with over 30 years in the Rural Fire Service.

A special thanks to our outgoing captain, Pete Duff. We thank him for his leadership and commitment to the brigade and tireless efforts in support of the Terrey Hills Community over his 4 year tenure as Captain. During his leadership he faced the devastating 2019/2020 fires, the global pandemic and catastrophic flooding events.

🎉 Congratulations also to all newly elected position holders!

Today our volunteer firefighters came together for our Annual General Meeting to elect the leadership, operational and administrative roles to keep our fire station running. A big shout out to those that have taken on positions for the next year, and a huge thank you to those that have stepped down from these roles after year(s) of dedication.

⚠️ Oil Spill - Galston Gorge ⚠️
Please be advised multiple RFS vehicles are currently in Galston Gorge working to make safe an oil spill along the length of the gorge. Traffic delays are expected, so please avoid the area if possible. We'll provide an update to this post once operations are complete.

Update @ 7PM: The oil spill has been made safe, RFS vehicles have departed scene and traffic conditions have returned to normal. There may be residual oil though so please maintain caution.

Today one of our volunteers, Warren Cree OAM, received the highest recognition possible for a member of an Australian fire service - career or volunteer. The ‘Australian Fire Service Medal’ (AFSM) is awarded by the Governor-General each year, and to say we are proud is an understatement.

Congratulations to the eight NSW RFS members named today as Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM) recipients in the 2023 Australia Day Honours list. AFSM's recognise the distinguished service of individuals in a fire service.

Well done and thank you for your commitment and service to the community.
• Group Captain Bruce Angel - Riverina
• Deputy Group Captain Jennifer Bamman – Far South Coast
• Group Captain Peter Bulliman – South West Slopes
• Group Captain Warren Cree - Northern Beaches
• Deputy Commissioner Peter McKechnie – Central Coast
• Group Captain Maurice McMillen – Chifley/Lithgow
• Captain Kym Stanford – Namoi/Gwydir
• Group Captain Craig Walters – Orana

More information available at www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/news-and-media/general-news/nsw-rfs-members-recognised-in-2023-australia-day-honours

AFAC News the National Council for Fire and Emergency Services has today released the summer bush fire outlook. Wet conditions has seen prolific grass growth in many areas of NSW, leading to above normal fire potential, particularly in western and inland areas.

Flood affected areas are expected to see reduced risk of fire activity in the early part of summer, however as more normal conditions return over summer and vegetation dries out, this may lead to increased fire potential later in the season.

Recent rain and reduced fuel loads will see below normal conditions for forested areas affected by the 2019/20 fire season.

Now is the time to update and discuss your bush fire survival plan and know what you and your family will do if fire threatens. www.myfireplan.com.au

Full outlook here: www.afac.com.au/docs/default-source/bushfire-seasonal-outlook/seasonaloutlook_summer_2022_v1-0.pdf

POSTPONED DUE TO OVERNIGHT RAIN. New date to be confirmed.

The NSW Rural Fire Service and Fire Rescue NSW will be conducting a Hazard Reduction in the Manly Dam (Allambie Heights) Area on Saturday, 26 November 2022. Patrols will continue on Sunday, 27 November 2022.

This Hazard Reduction is essential for the protection of local residential properties.

Residents in the area, take the following steps:
- Keep doors and windows closed to prevent smoke entering
homes
- Keep outdoor furniture under cover to prevent ember burns
- Retract pool covers to prevent ember damage
- Remove washing from clotheslines
- Ensure pets have a protected area
- Vehicles must slow down, keep windows up, turn headlights on
- Sightseers must keep away from burns for their own safety
- If you have asthma or a lung condition, reduce outdoor activities
if smoke levels are high and if shortness of breath or coughing
develops, take your reliever medicine or seek medical advice.

A shout out tonight for all our members behind the scenes.
The Communications and Logistics people and importantly our Catering Brigades. With almost a dozen hazard reductions today and crews still out assisting the SES it’s these people behind the scenes that play a crucial role.

Thank you.🙌

Photo: Catering support for Illawarra/Sutherland crews today.

The 2022 NSW RFS State Championships have officially wrapped up in Wollongong. Congratulations to Oakville Brigade from the Hawkesbury District who took out, for a third time in a row, overall winners for the Senior events. St Paul’s Cadets were the winners for the NSW RFS Junior events. Well done to all our teams who have travelled from across the state to compete and demonstrate their incredible skills and teamwork.