NSW RFS Illawarra Sutherland Team

25/06/2025

Bush and Grass Fire - Bellambi Creek

Earlier today, multiple RFS crews responded to a fast-moving bush and grass fire near Bellambi Creek, just south of the transmission sub-station.

Fanned by strong winds, the fire quickly spread through grassland and bush, burning approximately 3 hectares before being brought under control.

A big thank you to all responding brigades for their work in bringing this fire under control quickly.

27/05/2025

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.

An information session will be held in the Illawarra Fire Control Centre, Sunday 1 June 12pm - 2pm

Applications close on Sunday 15 June 2025. For more information visit our website: www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/about-us/careers/mitigation
If you’re interested in a challenging but rewarding role with the NSW RFS apply now via the I Work for NSW website:
https://iworkfor.nsw.gov.au/job/mitigation-crew-opportunities-greater-sydney-522520

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!

19/05/2025

Kids fest is on, feel free to drop in

Get ready for some fun at KidsFest! 🔥🚒 We're once again supporting KidsFest Shellharbour for an awesome Emergency Services Expo on Tuesday, May 20th at the Illawarra Fire Control Centre! Kids can meet their local "helper" heroes, blast a fire hose, and jump inside a fire truck, ambulance, police car, and SES vehicle!

⏰ Time slots:

10 am - 12 noon: General public & special needs students
11 am - 2 pm: School Groups

Don't miss this chance to make kids feel safe and familiar with our emergency services!

Bookings can be made by contacting [email protected]

19/05/2025

Tomorrow is the day! The 2025 KidsFest Emergency Services Expo is running tomorrow May 20 from 10am 🚓🚑🚒

⏰ Time slots:
10 am - 12 noon: General public & special needs students
11 am - 2 pm: School Groups

Get ready for some fun at KidsFest! 🔥🚒 We're once again supporting KidsFest Shellharbour for an awesome Emergency Services Expo on Tuesday, May 20th at the Illawarra Fire Control Centre! Kids can meet their local "helper" heroes, blast a fire hose, and jump inside a fire truck, ambulance, police car, and SES vehicle!

⏰ Time slots:

10 am - 12 noon: General public & special needs students
11 am - 2 pm: School Groups

Don't miss this chance to make kids feel safe and familiar with our emergency services!

Bookings can be made by contacting [email protected]

12/05/2025

The team are exceptionally proud on the announcement of one of our own, Kelly Quandt AFSM being promoted to the position of Deputy Commissioner People & Corporate Services.

Kelly's dedication to the RFS is exemplified by her long-standing volunteer service with the Waterfall Rural Fire Brigade and Sutherland District, where she has held various roles such as Brigade Captain and Group Captain. Her 36-year commitment to the vision and purpose of the RFS has made Kelly a highly respected and influential leader within the organisation. This dedication was one of the many reasons Kelly was awarded the Australian Fire Service Medal in 2018.

As the first female appointed to a Deputy Commissioner role within the RFS, Kelly will oversee the delivery of Health & Safety, Finance & Procurement and People & Culture initiatives.

Congratulations Deputy Commissioner Kelly Quandt.

12/05/2025

Get ready for some fun at KidsFest! 🔥🚒 We're once again supporting KidsFest Shellharbour for an awesome Emergency Services Expo on Tuesday, May 20th at the Illawarra Fire Control Centre! Kids can meet their local "helper" heroes, blast a fire hose, and jump inside a fire truck, ambulance, police car, and SES vehicle!

⏰ Time slots:

10 am - 12 noon: General public & special needs students
11 am - 2 pm: School Groups

Don't miss this chance to make kids feel safe and familiar with our emergency services!

Bookings can be made by contacting [email protected]

09/05/2025

Truck Fire on Princes Highway, Gerringong

RFS crews from Gerringong, Dunmore, Jamberoo, Shoalhaven Heads along with Kiama, and Shellharbour Fire Rescue are currently on scene at a truck fire in the northbound lanes of the Princes Highway near Gerringong.

The incident was reported shortly after 9:00am, with firefighters arriving to find a semi-trailer carrying a mixed rubbish load fully alight. Crews are working to contain and extinguish the blaze and are expected to remain on scene for most of the day.

Motorists are advised to expect significant traffic delays and northbound lane closures on the Princes Highway, south of Gerringong, while firefighting operations continue.

30/04/2025

22/04/2025

A Safety Visit assists people to reduce their risk of an accidental fire in the home and to safely escape

16/04/2025

Public Exhibition of the Illawarra Bush Fire Management Committee draft Bush Fire Risk Management Plan

A Bush Fire Risk Management Plan (BFRMP) is a document that maps and describes the level of bush fire risk across an area and sets out treatment strategies to minimise and mitigate the risk to the community over 5 years. This plan is an important strategic document which aims to protect the community and assets. The treatment strategies within this plan may directly affect you and your property.

The Illawarra BFRMP has recently been reviewed. The Illawarra Bush Fire Management Committee (BFMC) consists of fire agencies, land managers and other stakeholders. They have been working to identify ways of reducing the impact of fires on this area.

Your comments are invited on the Illawarra draft Bush Fire Risk Management Plan from Tuesday 15th of April 2025, on public exhibition online at: https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/plan-and-prepare/managing-bush-fire-risk/bush-fire-management-committees/Illawarra

There are three ways to submit your feedback, listed below.

Online: www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/plan-and-prepare/managing-bush-fire-risk/bush-fire-management-committees/Illawarra

Email: C/- BFMC Executive Officer [email protected]

Post: C/- Executive Officer, Illawarra BFMC, PO Box 375, Albion Park 2527

All submissions should be received by 1 June 2025.

02/04/2025

The Bush Fire Danger Period (BFDP) has now concluded for Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama and Sutherland local government areas.

It is important to note the local council restrictions relevant to you. As such, Wollongong, Shellharbour and Sutherland LGAs have a "no burn" policy all year round without an appropriate bush fire hazard reduction certificate. If you wish to burn on your property for bush fire hazard reduction purposes, please contact the fire control centre for further advice.

Kiama LGA requires an “approval to create air pollution” permit all year round. Although a fire permit is no longer required, 24 hours notice is still required to the RFS and any neighbours nearby. Notification to the RFS can be done by using this link https://nswrfsprod.service-now.com/guardian_csp?id=guardian_cat_item&sys_id=9e19819bc361f1d04a9cdc31150131ad

Today, 31 March, marks the end of the statutory Bush Fire Danger Period (BFDP) for the majority of NSW. However, due to the ongoing fire risk, the BFDP will be extended in 11 Local Government Areas, including parts of the Central Tablelands and north-west regions.

While many landholders may no longer require a fire permit, you are still required to notify the RFS and your neighbours of your intention to burn at least 24 hours before lighting the fire.

For more information on the bush fire danger period and fire permits, visit the website: www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/BFDP