Varroville Rural Fire Brigade

26/11/2020

Throughout the 2020 year, both Varroville and Minto Heights Rural Fire Brigades have been attending incidents, brigade training and other events together.

Some may have noticed that the Minto Heights station sign and appliance signage for both brigades have changed over the past few months.

We are excited to announce the amalgamation of the former Varroville and Minto Heights brigades to form the new Georges River Rural Fire Brigade.
We invite you to head over to the NSW RFS - Georges River Brigade FB page to keep up to date with the new brigade.

We look forward to continue looking after and engaging with our local community!

Georges River Rural Fire Brigade.

07/09/2020

Hazard Reduction | St Helens Park | Tues 8th September 2020

🔥 Hazard Reduction Burn 🔥

Tomorrow, Tuesday 8th September 2020, NSW Rural Fire Service members from NSW Rural Fire Service Macarthur and NSW Rural Fire Service - Cumberland Zone will be conducting a hazard reduction burn to the East of St Helens Park known as the Scattergood South HR.

Crews will be onsite in the vicinity of Rangers Road, St Helens Park from 9am.

30/04/2020

It is the end of an era at the NSW Rural Fire Service today.

After more than 30 years in the Service, and after more than 12 years as Commissioner, Shane Fitzsimmons leaves the organisation today. He's taking up a new role within NSW Government as the Commissioner of Resilience NSW and as Deputy Secretary of Emergency Management.

Shane has seen us, and the community, through some of the toughest of conditions and experiences during this time.

We say farewell and 'thank you'.

31/03/2020

Today marks the official end to the most devastating bush fire season in the state’s history.

NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said this season had been unprecedented in terms of conditions experienced, the loss of lives and property, and the threat to communities across large parts of NSW.

“NSW RFS crews and other agencies have responded to more than 11,400 bush and grass fires that have burnt more than 5.5 million hectares, the equivalent of 6.2% of the state,” Commissioner Fitzsimmons said.

Fires this season have destroyed 2,448 homes; however, the great work of firefighters saw 14,481 homes saved.

This season there were six days where areas across NSW recorded catastrophic fire weather conditions.

At the height of activity, there was on average around 2,500 firefighters in the field each shift with up to 4,000 on days of increased fire danger and impact.

From the entire crew at Varroville and Minto Heights Rural Fire Brigade, we say thank you!

Thank you for listening to the warnings and announcements on days of high fire danger.
Thank you to the employers of our members who allowed them time from work to assist with fires state wide.
Thank you to the families of our members for their understanding and patience when we were not home for the holidays.

But most importantly, Thank you for your kind donations and support through some of the most difficult conditions ever faced in this state to date.

We hope all of our local community remains safe and well during this time.

Today marks the official end to the most devastating bush fire season in the state’s history.

NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said this season had been unprecedented in terms of conditions experienced, the loss of lives and property, and the threat to communities across large parts of NSW.

“NSW RFS crews and other agencies have responded to more than 11,400 bush and grass fires that have burnt more than 5.5 million hectares, the equivalent of 6.2% of the state,” Commissioner Fitzsimmons said.

Fires this season have destroyed 2,448 homes; however, the great work of firefighters saw 14,481 homes saved.

This season there were six days where areas across NSW recorded catastrophic fire weather conditions.

At the height of activity, there was on average around 2,500 firefighters in the field each shift with up to 4,000 on days of increased fire danger and impact.

From the entire crew at Minto Heights and Varroville Rural Fire Brigades, we say thank you!

Thank you for listening to the warnings and announcements on days of high fire danger.
Thank you to the employers of our members who allowed them time from work to assist with fires state wide.
Thank you to the families of our members for their understanding and patience when we were not home for the holidays.

But most importantly, Thank you for your kind donations and support through some of the most difficult conditions ever faced in this state to date.

We hope all of our local community remains safe and well during this time.

08/03/2020

March 8th is International Women’s Day. 22% of members in the NSW Rural Fire Service are female and 14 out of 74 of Varroville and Minto Heights members are female.

We appreciate all of the hard work and time the women in the service put in both on and off the fire ground, with many holding executive roles and rankings as officers.

We cannot thank the women of our brigades more than enough. Thank you!

15/02/2020

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

Detailed Severe Thunderstorm Warning
for HEAVY RAINFALL
For people in parts of Wollondilly/Wingecarribee area.

Issued at 5:44 pm Saturday, 15 February 2020.

The Bureau of Meteorology warns that, at 5:45 pm, severe thunderstorms were detected on the weather radar near Berrima, the area west of Berrima, Bowral, High Range, Moss Vale and the area south of the Wombeyan Caves Road. These thunderstorms are moving towards the northeast. They are forecast to affect the Nattai National Park, Colo Vale, Hill Top, the Avon Dam and the Wombeyan Caves Road by 6:15 pm and Bargo, the western parts of the Wollondilly Shire, the area west of Picton, Yerranderie, Lake Nepean and the Nattai Tablelands by 6:45 pm.
Heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding is likely.
The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.
* Don't walk, ride your bike or drive through flood water.
* If you are trapped by flash flooding, seek refuge in the highest available place and ring 000 if you need rescue.
* Unplug computers and appliances.
* Avoid using the phone during the storm.
* Stay indoors away from windows, and keep children and pets indoors as well.
* For emergency help in floods and storms, ring the SES (NSW and ACT) on 132 500.

The next warning is due to be issued by 6:45 pm.
A more general severe thunderstorm warning is also current for the Illawarra and parts of the South Coast, Central Tablelands and Southern Tablelands districts.

http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDN21035.shtml

09/02/2020

⚠️ MAJOR FLOODING POSSIBLE AT AND MAJOR FLOODING CURRENT AT

- 10:45PM, Sunday 9th February

Moderate flooding is occurring along the Georges River at Liverpool and Major flood is current at Milperra. Major flooding is expected at Liverpool overnight Sunday into Monday.

▪️LIVERPOOL
- The George’s River at Liverpool Bridge May reach around 4.60m overnight Sunday into Monday with MAJOR flooding.

▪️MILPERRA
- The George’s River at Milperra Bridge is likely to reach around 4.60m overnight Sunday into Monday with MAJOR flooding.

▪️PICNIC POINT
- The George’s River at Picnic Point is likely to reach the minor flood level of 2.00m overnight Sunday into Monday.

If you require emergency help, call the on 132 500. www.ses.nsw.gov.au

22/01/2020

Last week Minto Heights Rural Fire Brigade and Varroville Brigades had a visit from My Sisters Keeper.

Both brigades were fortunate enough to have a mask donated to every active firefighter. These P3 masks will help protect our firefighters from inhaling dangerous levels of smoke and particles from other materials when working on the fire ground.

We would like to thank Ophelia and the team from My Sisters Keeper for all they have done to help raise money and promote this cause. We would also like to thank everyone who donated to help firefighters like us breathe easier both now and in the future. We only get one set of lungs and for this we are forever grateful.

Thank you once again for your generosity, from Minto Heights and Varroville

03/01/2020