Our angels in yellow

An insight into the extraordinary lives of our volunteers at the recent Blue Mountains fires. Click on 'Read more' below for the link to the video.

2013 Open Day photo competition

NSW RFS Open Day was a big hit this year with over 350 brigades participating and that resulted in some fantastic entries for the Open Day photo competition.

Volunteer Recruitment and Retention Kit

At the recent Community Engagement Forums, Volunteer Relations Project Officer Kevin White introduced the NSW RFS Volunteer Retention and Recruitment Kit.

As we say goodbye to Kevin, he shares some ideas on managing the challenges of recruitment and retention.

2013-14 Prepare Act Survive Campaign

The 2013-14 Prepare Act Survive campaign is now underway across NSW - you can view the television ads on our YouTube channel.

New Bush Fire Survival Plan app

In an era where we are increasingly using online tools and many of us carry smartphones and tablets, the NSW RFS has launched an application which gives people access to complete their Bush Fire Survival Plan online.

2013 Community Engagement Regional Forums

Community Engagement are conducting Regional Forums and you're invited.

Regional Forums give staff and volunteers with a passion for community safety the opportunity to:

• Be inspired with fresh new ideas about how to drive the bush fire safety message home in your community;
• Learn from neighbouring Districts' experiences; and
• Hear from knowledgeable speakers

Community Engagement Best Practice: Sharing Between Emergency Services

In late May, the Ministry for Police and Emergency Services (MPES) launched the Case Study Library for Community Engagement.

This case study library provides examples of community engagement projects and practices undertaken by agencies within the NSW emergency management sector. It is hoped that the library will raise awareness and promote information sharing on ways to effectively engage communities in disaster planning, preparedness, response and recovery. 

Workshop for horse owners

Kate Carter is the District Technical Officer for Hornsby and an active volunteer in The Oaks Brigade.

Kate has developed a Bushfire Safety program for horse owners that has been welcomed by members of the equestrian community. It was Kate’s course and handout that inspired the new ‘Prepare your horse for bush fire’ brochure, released in late December and now available for order on the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) Resources Order Form.

No Plan Dan: Time for a Barbie?

Just in time for the summer holidays, No Plan Dan shows just what can happen when a barbeque goes terribly wrong.

Play it safe this summer, and always check if a Total Fire Ban is in force. Read about Total Fire Bans on the NSW Rural Fire Service website.

Phone Trees



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Community members sometimes ask the Rural Fire Service about using phone trees as a way to spread warnings about bush fires.

Phone trees usually work best when the community has full ownership and takes responsibility for the set up and ongoing management of the phone tree. Phone trees can be a good way to increase community connectivity and resilience but should never be relied on as the only source of information.