Fire and Rescue NSW - Community Fire Units

05/12/2025

A big thank you to all our 5000 CFU Volunteers across 500 units today on International Volunteers Day!

25/09/2025

CFU Lights Up 🔦 | While out on weekend doing refresher drills, the Winmalee CFU got a timely delivery of new rechargeable Click LED torches. These will now be the team’s go-to lights, bringing stronger beams, longer run time, and easy USB charging.
These new torches give our CFU's a welcome boost in readiness for the season ahead.

23/09/2025

It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of our valued member, Peter Aldrigde.
Peter was a dedicated member of our CFU for 9 years, during which time he generously gave his time and energy to the community. He held important roles including Team Coordinator and Secondary Contact, always showing up with commitment and care.
Peter’s contribution, leadership, and friendship made a lasting impact on the CFU team, and he will be remembered with great respect and gratitude.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to Peter’s family and loved ones during this difficult time. He will be greatly missed.

It is with heavy hearts we advise of the passing of Captain Peter Aldridge Retd. 83001

Captain Aldridge joined the Riverstone Fire Brigade in 1965 and was promoted to the rank of Captain in 1974.

Peter attended numerous major incidents throughout the broader Riverstone district including the tragic Riverstone Meatworks Fire.

Peter served the Riverstone community diligently until his retirement in 2001, maintaining the reign as the longest serving Captain in the stations history.

Most recently Peter was recognised at the Riverstone Fire Brigade Centenary for his contribution to the community beyond his retirement.

We will deeply miss the shuffling of Pete's feet as he came down to the station for his regular cuppa or to gather around and hear about his stories of the past.

Peter was well known for his extravagant fire displays and regular balls hosted at the old bowling club.

We will miss you Pete, may you rest in peace and continue to watch over us with your steadfast guidance and stewardship.

19/09/2025

Want to make a difference where it matters most? Fire and Rescue NSW’s Community Fire Units (CFUs) are made up of local volunteers in bushland–urban interface areas who work alongside firefighters to help prepare and protect their neighbourhoods during bushfire season.

By joining the CFU Program, you’ll gain valuable skills, connect with like-minded people, and play a vital role in your community.

Ready to step up? Find out more and register today on the Fire and Rescue NSW website 👉 https://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/page.php?id=133

18/09/2025

ARE YOU READY? | This Saturday, 20th September, the CFU team will be down at Koola Park, East Killara ready to have a chat about the Community Fire Unit Program and how you can start a Unit it your street. We will also be there to answer any other questions you have about bushfire preparation. See you there!

09/09/2025

Last night marked the third Pre-Season Team Coordinator Meeting for the Fire and Rescue NSW Community Fire Units, held in the Hornsby area. These sessions are run by our CFU Officers and are a valuable way for Team Coordinators to come together, share information, strengthen connections, and ensure their Units are prepared for the season ahead.

These meetings will continue across parts of NSW over the next few weeks, helping ensure our Units right over the state are across all the latest information.

Fire and Rescue NSW

26/08/2025

NSW VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARDS | Congratulations Doreen!

We are so proud to celebrate one of our wonderful Community Fire Unit Members, Doreen on her outstanding achievement in being named both the Senior Volunteer of the Year 2025 and the North Western Sydney Volunteer of the Year.

Doreen’s commitment to the community is extraordinary. Through her involvement with the Fire and Rescue NSW Community Fire Unit Program, her service as a Justice of the Peace, her rescue and care of snakes and bees, and her contribution to the Riding for the Disabled Program, she has made a lasting difference across so many areas of the Windsor Downs community and beyond.

Her passion, generosity, and tireless efforts show the true spirit of volunteering. We could not be more delighted about Doreen's remarkable achievements and her award!

Please join us in congratulating her on this well-deserved recognition!

Photo 1 - Award recipient Doreen
Photo 2 - L-R: Robyn Preston MP – NSW State Member for Hawkesbury, Award recipient Doreen, Julian Leeser MP - Federal Member for Berowra, Mark Hodges MP - NSW State Member for Castle Hill.
Photo 3 - Doreen with all awards.

Fire and Rescue NSW
Mark Hodges - Member for Castle Hill
Julian Leeser MP
Robyn Preston MP
Fire and Rescue NSW Station 081 Windsor.
The Centre for Volunteering

19/05/2025

NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK 2025 | This National Volunteer Week, we celebrate the efforts of our dedicated Fire and Rescue NSW Community Fire Unit (CFU) volunteers who support their local communities.
A bit thank you to all our CFU Volunteers and all those who volunteer in other roles in the communities!

If you’re interested in learning more about, or joining our CFU program, head over to our website 👉 https://bit.ly/3bBhVWA

Fire and Rescue NSW Commissioner, Jeremy Fewtrell AFSM
Volunteering Australia
Fire and Rescue NSW

14/04/2025

CFU IN THE NEWS | A fantastic article by The Illawarra Flame showcasing some of our amazing CFU Volunteers from Austinmer with a combined 43 years of service!
As Jenny said, “What people don’t realise is how easy it is to participate.” So if you are interested in joining the CFU Program or learning more about what we do, head over to our website https://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/page.php?id=133 or email [email protected] to learn more!

https://www.theillawarraflame.com.au/clubs--community/time-to-join-your-local-community-fire-unit
Fire and Rescue NSW
Fire and Rescue NSW Station 461 Thirroul
Fire and Rescue NSW Commissioner, Jeremy Fewtrell AFSM
Fire and Rescue NSW Illawarra Command MS1

Janice Creenaune meets Jenny and Andrew Newland, long-time Austinmer residents who volunteer with the Fire and Rescue NSW - Community Fire Units https://www.theillawarraflame.com.au/clubs--community/time-to-join-your-local-community-fire-unit

26/03/2025

RECOGNISING OUR MEMEBRS | Congratulations to our Pennant Hills CFU Members! Four dedicated Community Fire Unit members in Pennant Hills were honoured over the weekend with Long Service and Good Conduct Medals, recognising their commitment and at least 10 years of service.

Your hard work and dedication to protecting to the CFU Program is truly appreciated. Thank you for the time and effort you’ve put in over the years!

07/03/2025

Celebrating International Women's Day 2025 | Today, on International Women’s Day, we proudly celebrate and honor the incredible women in our communities, especially those who volunteer with Fire and Rescue NSW’s Community Fire Unit program. Their dedication, leadership, and resilience play a vital role in protecting and strengthening our communities against the threat of bushfires.

Women make up approximately 27% of our volunteers, taking on essential roles in leadership, management, operations, and support. Their commitment and expertise helps drive our mission to enhance preparedness and resilience to bushfires.

This year’s International Women’s Day theme, “Accelerate Action,” emphasises the urgency of taking bold and decisive steps to advance gender equality and ensure women have the opportunity to lead and contribute in all areas of society.

Today, and every day, we celebrate their invaluable contributions and thank them for their service in building safer, more resilient communities.

If you are thinking about joining the CFU Program, head to 👉 https://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/page.php?id=133 to find out more!

Fire and Rescue NSW
Fire and Rescue NSW Commissioner, Jeremy Fewtrell AFSM
Volunteering Australia

26/12/2024

DOWN AT FROG HOLLOW | CFU units MHP-026 and MHP-041 at Fuller's Bridge, Chatswood West train together and activate together as we cover adjacent overlapping streets in an area affectionately called "Frog Hollow".

There is only one way into our area and one way out. We have trained together since we were formed many years ago when our hose post was upgraded from cabinets to CFU trailers. Training and activating together has many advantages including fostering community involvement, but the major advantage is that it gives us a bigger pool of operational members to activate when some members might be unavailable. We can activate one unit until enough members are available to activate both units.

This is very important as many of our members work and may not be home in an emergency situation. The pooling of operational members from both units means we can maintain a higher level of readiness and adaptability in emergencies, which is crucial.

Frog Hollow's history is quite fascinating. It is a recent shortening of Frogs Hollow which was coined in the early 1900s by the residents because the swamp opposite River Avenue had thousands of frogs, snakes, birds, and mosquitoes, and the area is located in the hollow next to the Lane Cove River at sea level. In the early 1960s, the swamp was filled in when the Lane Cove River was dredged for sand and the waste was pumped into the swamp. It was later further filled with building rubble. The name was forgotten except for a few residents but was rebirthed by the local Fullers Bridge Community group in the early 2000s who called their page Frog Hollow (without the s). Unfortunately, the thousands of frogs have long gone as have the snakes. The birds are still here.
Written by Graham and David - The Team Coordinators of MHP-026 and MHP-041



Fire and Rescue NSW
Fire and Rescue NSW Station 023 Gladesville
Fire and Rescue NSW Metropolitan West 2
Fire and Rescue NSW Commissioner, Jeremy Fewtrell AFSM