NSW RFS Greater Sydney Area Command

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

07/06/2026

Congratulations everyone within the Hornsby/Ku-ring-gai Rural Fire District! Thank you for everything you and your families do for the RFS.

Congratulations to our recipients of Long Service and National Medals. These volunteers have given up many years worth of their spare time in service to others, a most worthy commitment deserving of formal recognition.

Many RFS members are reluctant to receive medals, showing the humility typical of so many volunteers in our communities. However their service is so important to public safety, that these medals are just a small token of public recognition and thanks for performing a vital role.

Thank you to Commissioner Trent Curtin, Mayor Warren Waddell, Julian Leeser MP, James Wallace MP - Hornsby, and Cr Matt Devlin (representing Christine Kay Mayor of Ku-ring-gai) for attending and presenting our members with these well-deserved awards.

04/05/2026

The today honoured more than 30 volunteers, staff, and teams who have gone above and beyond in their duty.

Held on 4 May each year, the St Florian’s Day Award Ceremony coincides with the Feast Day of St Florian — Patron Saint of Firefighters — and International Firefighters’ Day.

The Greater Sydney Area Command would like to make special mention of this year’s recipients from within our command, whose achievements span from bravery in the most challenging conditions to years of dedicated leadership and service:

• Captain Ron Bolton – RFS Southern Highlands Support Brigade
• Berrima Rural Fire Brigade & Mittagong Rural Fire Brigade – Southern Highlands
• NSW RFS - Mt Keira Brigade – Illawarra/Sutherland
• Inspector Nathan Barnden – The Hills
• Group Captain William Lee – Austinmer Rural Fire Service, Illawarra/Sutherland
• Firefighter Nicholas Moir – Ingleside Rural Fire Brigade, Northern Beaches
• 2025 Queensland Floods (Rotation 1 – Townsville Interstate Deployment) – Operational Coordination with various brigades
• NSW RFS - Middleton Brigade – Cumberland/Macarthur

Congratulations all!! Well deserved.

For the full list of recipients and to watch the ceremony, visit:
👉 www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/news-and-media/st-florians-day-2026

01/05/2026

Fire Agencies and Land Managers will continue to take advantage of suitable conditions to execute critical hazard reduction burns across the Greater Sydney Area this weekend.

If there is a hazard reduction burn planned for your area, consider taking 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

For health information relating to smoke from bush fires and hazard reduction burning, visit the NSW Health website or Asthma Australia.

Not sure if a Hazard Reduction Burn is taking place near you?

Visit the NSW RFS Website: https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information/hazard-reductions

Or Download the Hazards Near Me App for current advice on Hazard Reductions and other incidents that may be occurring near you.

📸: Bertie’s Hazard Reduction Burn, Liverpool LGA.

21/04/2026

Thank you to the NSW RFS Greater Sydney Area Command Mitigation Crews for meeting with Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib MP and Commissioner Trent Curtin, showcasing the important work our mitigation staff carry out every day.

We are currently recruiting and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. If you’re interested in joining our team and want to learn more about available locations, we’d love to hear from you.

Applications close Monday, 27 April 2026.
For more information, visit: https://careers.rfs.nsw.gov.au/jobs/search/mitigation-crew

16/04/2026

The NSW RFS Greater Sydney Area Command would like to thank all NSW Rural Fire Service members, and supporting agencies including NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Fire and Rescue NSW, and other land managers, for your ongoing collaboration and contribution to hazard reduction burns over recent weeks and those planned in the coming days.

Your commitment to this important work helps create safer, more prepared and capable communities as we head into the next fire danger period.

A list and map of planned hazard reduction burns is available on the RFS website: www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/HR You can also stay informed by setting a Watch Zone in the Hazards Near Me app to receive alerts about burns in your area.

📷 Aeroplane Hills Hazard Reduction, Bullaburra (Blue Mountains LGA)

14/04/2026

The NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) is the lead agency for bush fire management and mitigation in NSW. Fighting fires and protecting the community from emergencies is what we do!

The NSW RFS is currently hiring Mitigation Crew Members and Leaders, with several exciting ongoing opportunities across Greater Sydney with many roles on offer.

As a member of our Mitigation crews, you can expect to:
• Undertake hazard reduction work
• Assist with AIDER (Assist Infirm, Disabled and Elderly Residents) program activities
• Work closely with local communities
• Undertake operational and logistical support roles at incidents

Why work for the NSW RFS?
• Make a difference to the community you live in
• Full-time ongoing employment
• 35-hour working week and generous entitlements
• Ongoing training, learning and development opportunities
• Attractive annual salary

It’s a rewarding role with great opportunities for professional development and a career path with the NSW RFS.

Two information sessions will be held in Greater Sydney at the following dates, times and locations:

Saturday 18 April 2026
1:00pm – 3:00pm
Cumberland Fire Control Centre - 8-12 Jeannette Street, Regentville

Sunday 19 April 2026
1:00pm – 3:00pm
Illawarra Fire Control Centre - 37 Airport Road, Albion Park

Applications close on Monday, 27 April 2026. For more information, visit our website: https://careers.rfs.nsw.gov.au/jobs/search/mitigation-crew

If you’re interested in a challenging but rewarding role with the NSW RFS, apply now via the RFS Careers website:
https://internalcareers.rfs.nsw.gov.au/jobs/mitigation-crew-member-leader-opportunities-statewide-nsw-australia

The roles are open to all individuals of any background. If you are interested in the available locations, we’d love to hear from you!

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