NSW RFS South Western Area Command

05/09/2026

Happy Father’s Day to all the Dads and Grandpas! Thank you for everything you do for your families, your communities and the . We hope you have a relaxing day and are well and truly looked after by your kids.

18/08/2026

Huge congratulations to the NSW RFS - Mid Murray very own MMZ Women In Fire Network on receiving a Award for Excellence in Inclusion! 👏

SWAC are incredibly proud of the amazing work this network has been doing to support, connect and empower women in fire and emergency services.

A very well-deserved recognition of the difference you are making across the sector. Congratulations to everyone involved! 🔥👏

06/08/2026

A successful pre-season starts with strong planning and partnerships.

The Pre-Season Briefing for South Western brought together fire and emergency management stakeholders to discuss seasonal forecasts, operational priorities, local firefighting arrangements and inter-agency coordination ahead of the 2026-27 bush fire season.

These annual briefings are an important opportunity to align our efforts, share knowledge and ensure we are ready to meet the challenges of the season ahead.

Thank you to everyone who attended and continues to support the safety and resilience of our communities.

28/07/2026

The South Western Area Command recently delivered the pilot of the new Control Level 1 (CTR1.26) course, an important milestone in the rollout of the NSW RFS’s new training stream for incident controllers.

The pilot brought together a highly engaged group of candidates who embraced the learning, actively participated in discussions and practical activities, and provided valuable feedback throughout the course and again at its conclusion. While everyone recognised that becoming an effective Level 1 Incident Controller comes with ongoing practice and operational experience, the course has provided participants with a strong foundation on which to build.

A special thank you to facilitators Andrew and Jesse, who shared their extensive operational knowledge and experience throughout the program. They were supported by Subject Matter Experts Cal, Ross, Matt and Guy, whose real-world experiences added valuable context to the learning, supported candidates during activities, answered questions, and conducted the practical assessments. Their willingness to mentor and develop the next generation of fireground leaders is greatly appreciated.

Thank you also to the candidates for their enthusiasm and constructive feedback, the Subject Matter Experts and facilitators for their commitment, and the MIA staff for their support and contribution to the successful delivery of the pilot CTR1.26 course.

We look forward to seeing these future fire ground leaders continue to develop their skills and confidence as they apply their learning in the field.

20/07/2026

20/06/2026

07/06/2026

Congratulations to all of the recipients on this well-deserved recognition.

A special congratulations to South Western’s own Andrew Browning. Thoroughly deserved and a testament to his dedication, professionalism and commitment to service.

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.

Join us in congratulating the following members on their exceptional service to the RFS and their community:
• Group Captain Garry Bashford – New England
• Deputy Group Captain Peter Bennett – Blue Mountains
• Group Captain Andrew Browning – Mid Murray
• Acting Deputy Commissioner Viki Campbell – State Operations
• Group Captain Michael Kovacs – Cumberland
• Deputy Group Captain Bruce McGrath – Lower Hunter
• Captain Deborah Sharp – Illawarra/Sutherland

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

18/05/2026

10/05/2026

This Mother’s Day, we take a moment to recognise and thank the incredible mums across our SWAC team, along with the mums and families who support us in the work we do.

To the mothers within our organisation, your commitment, resilience, and ability to balance so much does not go unnoticed.
You bring strength, care and leadership both at work and at home.

We also acknowledge the mums and families behind the scenes, whose ongoing support enables our people to serve the community every day.

We recognise that this day may bring mixed emotions for some, and we’re thinking of you.

Thank you for everything you do. Wishing you all a well-deserved and meaningful Mother’s Day with your loved ones.

04/05/2026

Congratulations to the members from the NSW RFS - Mid Murray Zone,NSW RFS - Riverina Zone and NSW RFS - Bland Temora Zone who were recognised today.

More than 30 members and teams were honoured for their outstanding service across a broad range of incidents, reflecting the depth of commitment shown across the Service.

Held each year on 4 May, the ceremony aligns with the Feast Day of St Florian, the Patron Saint of Firefighters, and marks International Firefighters’ Day.

A full list of recipients and a link to the ceremony is available here:
www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/news-and-media/st-florians-day-2026





https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/news-and-media/st-florians-day-2026

St Florian’s Day is named after the Patron Saint of firefighters, and is the day where we come together to recognise our volunteers and staff who have gone above and beyond – showing incredible acts of bravery in protecting the community, or delivering the highest level of commitment to the Serv...