Loftus Volunteer Bushfire Brigade

15/06/2026

Congratulations to the re-elected Field Officers (Captain, Senior Deputy Captain, Deputy Captains) and Executive Committee Members of the Loftus VBFB following yesterday’s Annual General Meeting. This year we welcome a new Deputy Captain, Marcus Stephenson, as well as new members in various other administrative roles.
We also congratulate David Croft who was awarded Life Membership of the Brigade for dedicated service, DC Sarah Paterson who received her National Medal Clasp for 25 Years service and an number of members who received the Premiers Flood Emergency Citation.
We acknowledge and thank all members who nominated for positions at this years AGM. The Brigade is in great shape.

08/06/2026

Congratulations to former Loftus Volunteer Bushfire Brigade Captain and Life Member Rodney Evans on being awarded the AFSM this Kings Birthday. Rod held a number of positions at Loftus in the 90s.

Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM)
New South Wales
Mr Rodney Joseph Evans,

For distinguished service as a member of an Australian fire service.
Mr Rodney Evans joined the Department of Civil Aviation, Rescue Fire Fighting Service (RFFS), a precursor
organisation to the Aviation Rescue Fire Fighting Service (ARFFS), a division of Airservices Australia, in
1985. He has maintained continuous and active service with the ARFFS for the past 40 years, diligently
serving in many capacities from aviation firefighter to his current role as a chief fire officer.
Mr Evans displays outstanding leadership and interpersonal skills and is highly respected by his colleagues
and peers at ARFFS locations across Australia. His career impacts include being part of the team that
developed the first Aviation Fire Fighting Manuals, developing the first comprehensive safety procedures for
Compressed Air Breathing Apparatus (CABA) operations, design and delivery of the Advanced Diploma
course and capability enhancement of the Water Rescue Service fleet.
On an international level, he led a project in Fiji under the AusAID program for Airports Fiji Limited to deliver
comprehensive operational training, including vehicle and equipment maintenance plus the development of
procedures. He is also an inaugural member of the International Water Rescue Working Group representing
Airservices and the ARFFS.
In 2014 and 2015, he excelled by leading the delivery to operational service for two new ARFFS locations at
Coffs Harbour and Ballina. This included engagement with the airport owner, local council and other
stakeholders through to the construction of stations, staff recruitment, documentation development, vehicle
and equipment acquisition plus integration into the local emergency service community.
During his fire and emergency service career, Mr Evans has demonstrated distinguished service and
professional leadership. His commitment and dedication to the development and continued service delivery
are of great credit to him, Airservices and the aviation community

15/05/2026

Vale, Oliver Stevenson.

It is with great sadness that this morning Loftus Volunteer Bushfire Brigade mourns the passing of a great friend, firefighter, and life member, Ollie (Old Fart) Stevenson.

Ollie officially joined the Bush Fire Brigades in October 1980. Followed by and in support of his sons. Ollie held numerous position on the executive of the brigade across numbers of years, including a seat on the Sutherland Shire Councils bushfire fund, established to support firefighters directly impacted by bushfire.

Ollie was a tireless member of the Brigade, supporting members and attending whenever he could, even when he became reliant on assistance, he was still at station for the big moments.

Known fondly for his cantankerous old man jocularity, he is remembered fondly by all members and will be sadly missed.

09/05/2026

The hazard reduction in the Royal National Park near Grays Point is well underway. With crews from NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and NSW RFS Illawarra Sutherland Team who are on scene and will be patrolling the fire over the next couple of days.

Smoke is visible in the area. Photo below taken from the railway bridge

NSW Rural Fire Service

08/05/2026

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

30/04/2026

🔥🚒Loftus crews will be involved in a Hazard reduction in Bangor, this Saturday🚒🔥

🚨 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

26/04/2026

Today Loftus Volunteer Bushfire Brigade have had multiple crews on the Cranberry Hazard Reduction in Loftus. Along side NSW RFS - Engadine Brigade NSW RFS - Illawong Brigade NSW RFS - Sandy Point Brigade Heathcote Headquarters Rural Fire Brigade - Station 10 NSW RFS Waterfall Brigade Menai Bushfire Brigade. NSW Rural Fire Service..

Loftus also has a crew out tonight on night shift patrolling the fire edge. There will be also another Loftus crew out tomorrow patrolling.

Smoke will be visible throughout the area continuing into the night and tomorrow.

Please remember to only call 000 if you see unattended fire.

25/04/2026

HAZARD REDUCTION: Cranberry HR

Tomorrow, Loftus and other shire brigades will carry out a hazard reduction between the Cranberry and Viburnum Fire Trail.

We expect smoke will linger in the valley overnight into Monday.Crews will patrol the area on Sunday night and Monday.

If you see an unattended fire, please call 000 and report the location.

18/04/2026

Today Loftus Volunteer Bushfire Brigade have had a crew out at the Still Creek Hazard Reduction in Illawong. Along side multiple other rfs crews.

Loftus also has a crew out tonight on a night shift patrolling the fire edge.

Smoke will be visible throughout the area continuing into the night and tomorrow.

17/04/2026

Loftus crews will be working with other NSW RFS Illawarra Sutherland Team crews to complete a 20 hectare hazard reduction burn in Illawong on Saturday 18th April.

Smoke will be visible in the area on Saturday and Sunday.