RFS New England Aviation Brigade

15/01/2026

Air Attack Supervisor view of a fire front

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1HrhaRM4ec/?mibextid=wwXIfr

18/12/2025

11/12/2025

New England Aviation members were deployed last week as Aviation Radio Operator and Air Observer on the Goulburn River fire. Their work provided critical support to firefighting operations, these aerial imagery highlights the severity and intensity of the fire conditions.

08/12/2025

Our thoughts are very much with our firefighting colleagues at the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service today, following the sad news that an experienced NPWS firefighter has tragically lost their life overnight while working on a bush fire at Bulahdelah on the Mid North Coast of NSW, Australia.

This is a true reminder of the risks every firefighter takes protecting our communities and the environment day in and day out. While words never feel enough at times like this, we stand shoulder to shoulder with the NPWS family, and pass on our sincere condolences to their fellow colleagues who assisted at the scene, the family of the firefighter and the wider firefighting community.

Rest easy, Sir - your job here is done

27/11/2025

We recently had the opportunity to tour the Fleet Helicopters hangar with Lachie Onslow. This visit provided valuable insight for RFS members, allowing them to familiarise themselves with the various types of helicopters used in aerial firefighting.

Great to have RFS members from Dumaresq & Digging Brigades join us for the tour

27/10/2025

Monday 27th, B254 was dispatched to Armidale due to the fire danger created by the high winds. First visit for a bomber aircraft, this fire season .

20/10/2025

Trainee Air Observer Aaron Bligh and Air Observer James Simmons from the NSW RFS recently conducted a fire detection flight over north-west New South Wales following recent storm and lightning activity.

The flight covered an area of more than 700 kilometres, during which two fires were identified requiring an RFS response.

During the storm season, these surveillance flights are conducted when the risk of lightning-induced fires is high, enabling early detection and rapid response before fires have the opportunity to spread.

16/10/2025

Senior Deputy Captain James Simmons recently participated in an advanced Air Observer training session at the RFS Dubbo Aviation Centre of Excellence, located at Dubbo Airport.

The training incorporated the use of a state-of-the-art flight simulator, enabling aviation specialists to engage in realistic virtual fire scenarios.

This technology ensures our personnel maintain their proficiency and readiness to provide critical aviation support during real fire events.

24/07/2025

Brigade President Graeme Taylor currently deployment Canada

His office, Silvertip Camp, Rainbow Lake, Alberta, Canada.

07/04/2025

FYI

23/03/2025

Aviation Brigade members James Simmons & Mark Stevens were recently deployed to Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred in Lismore, the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) was assisting with the multi-agency response, including reconnaissance, route clearance, welfare checks, and clean-up

10/03/2025

Flood Warning in Place for New England Region

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DURxDdXo1/?mibextid=wwXIfr

🌧️ Further rainfall has fallen across the upper parts of our catchments overnight with more possible throughout Monday. This is leading to the risk of renewed rises or prolonged flooding.

This image is from Wollomombi falls (East of Armidale), a perennial stream of the Macleay River catchment.

Do you have an image of the flooding where you are? Share them with us below!

📸: Image: Bernhard Racz

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