Northern Region Operational Support Group - Rural Fire Service

Northern Region Operational Support Group - Rural Fire Service Supporting Northern Region Rural Fire Brigades

This morning, NROSG members came together for a last minute training session focused on our districts Western Shelter ha...
19/03/2026

This morning, NROSG members came together for a last minute training session focused on our districts Western Shelter habitat tents, as part of our preparation for potential deployment to Far North Queensland for cyclone and flood assistance.

The session allowed us to achieve two key outcomes at once — refreshing our skills in assembling the shelters while also ensuring all tents and components are checked and ready for deployment.

A valuable opportunity to keep skills current and make sure we’re prepared to respond when required.

13/03/2026

🔥 *20 Brutally Honest Truths About Volunteer Firefighters* 🔥

1. The pager will go off the moment you start cooking dinner or just sit down to relax.
2. Fires love weekends and public holidays.
3. Someone will always say “it’ll be a quick job.” It never is..
4. Smoke follows you home
5. Everyone suddenly becomes a weather expert during fire season.
6. The truck always seems to need something just as you’re about to leave.
7. You learn to get dressed very quickly at 2am.
8. Everyone says they’ll only stay for a short time.
9. You’ll meet some of the best people you’ve ever known at your brigade.
10. Coffee and energy drinks become extremely important.
11. Weather apps suddenly become the most-used apps on your phone.
12. Fire season somehow feels both very long and very fast.
13. The smell of smoke instantly gets your attention.
14. Every firefighter secretly enjoys a good truck photo.
15. The phrase “just mop up a few hotspots” can mean many things.
16. Your family learns that plans may change suddenly.
17. You gain a whole new respect for the bush.
18. You realise how important teamwork really is.
19. You become very good at telling stories that start with “this one time at a fire…” (You thought I was going to say band camp didn't ya ;) )
20. Despite the long hours, smoke, and chaos… you wouldn’t trade the experience or the people for anything.

👨🏻‍🚒Volunteer firefighters are a special kind of person 🔥

On Saturday, NROSG deployed to Ingham to complete a capability test of our skills and equipment — ensuring we remain res...
02/03/2026

On Saturday, NROSG deployed to Ingham to complete a capability test of our skills and equipment — ensuring we remain response-ready for any disasters or emergencies.

Forward Control Points were established, on-site catering was provided (along with some ice cold slushies!) and tilt trays were utilised to transport office containers to assist with running the exercise. The day provided a valuable opportunity to thoroughly test our team’s ability to do what we do best — coordinate, respond, and deliver when it matters most.

We were also pleased to have local brigades attend, giving them the chance to see firsthand the capabilities and resources available to support them during incidents.

A big thank you to everyone involved for their professionalism and teamwork, especially the few extras from Townsville who deployed with the NROSG team to assist, and the Toobanna Rural Fire Brigade for allowing the use of their station. Preparedness is a team effort, and we’re proud to stand ready alongside our local brigades.

A big thank you to RFBAQ - Rural Fire Brigades Association Queensland Inc for giving us the opportunity to share our bri...
04/02/2026

A big thank you to RFBAQ - Rural Fire Brigades Association Queensland Inc for giving us the opportunity to share our brigade’s history and our plans for the future. It means a lot to reflect on how far we’ve come and to be supported as we look ahead. We’re grateful for the ongoing encouragement and opportunity to share our journey.

🌀Cyclone Koji 🌀As Cyclone Koji - Category 2 cyclone approaches, we hope everyone is prepared to bunker down and ride it ...
10/01/2026

🌀Cyclone Koji 🌀

As Cyclone Koji - Category 2 cyclone approaches, we hope everyone is prepared to bunker down and ride it out safely.

Please ensure you have your emergency kit ready, secure loose items around your home, and stay informed through official warnings and updates.

📞 Important emergency numbers:
000 – Life-threatening emergencies
132 500 – SES assistance (roof tarping, sandbagging, storm damage, and flood help)

Check in on neighbours where it’s safe to do so, look after one another, and most importantly don’t take unnecessary risks.

Stay safe,
NROSG – Northern Region Operational Support Group

BOM Cyclone tracking map;
https://www.bom.gov.au/warning/tropical-cyclone-forecast-track-map/IDQ65002

Townsville Disaster Information page;
https://www.facebook.com/share/1F8gFfk2s7/

04/01/2026

🌧️ Ross River Dam update – Controlled gate opening expected

With ongoing heavy rainfall across the Townsville region, the Ross River Dam is expected to reach 100% capacity in the next 12–24 hours.

When this occurs, the dam’s radial gates will automatically open by 0.25m to allow a controlled release of water as part of the standard operating procedure.

What you need to know:
• The dam is currently sitting at around 93% and rising.
• The controlled release flow will remain within the Ross River.
• No significant downstream impacts are expected, and there is no cause for alarm.
• If the dam continues to rise further, gates may open further in line with the Ross River Dam Emergency Action Plan.

👉 Please keep clear of the Ross River and swollen creeks.
👉 Our teams are closely monitoring conditions and will provide updates if the situation changes.

For more information, visit https://www.townsville.qld.gov.au/water-waste-and-environment/water-supply-and-dams

19/12/2025

2025 Year in Review – NROSG 🚒

As 2025 comes to a close, we’re taking a moment to reflect on a year of readiness, support and service for the Northern Region Operational Support Group.

The year began with assisting communities impacted by the North Queensland floods 🌧️. NROSG helped move meals, vehicles and specialist equipment across the district to support flood recovery efforts.

Throughout the year, our teams also assisted at a number of fires across Townsville and Charters Towers 🔥, including Hervey Range, Black River and Nome. Support included catering 🍽️, logistics, equipment and personnel to assist firefighters on the ground.

Behind the scenes, members continued training and maintaining capability across a range of assets — including our large catering trailer, generators, accommodation habitat and support vehicles 🚛 — ensuring we’re always ready when needed.

While 2025 has been a slower-paced year compared to previous seasons, our commitment hasn’t changed. NROSG remains ready and waiting to support brigades across the Northern Region whenever called upon.

Thank you to our volunteers, partner brigades and the community for your continued support throughout the year 💛

📸 Here’s a small snapshot of what 2025 looked like for NROSG.

04/12/2025

🌟 **International Volunteer Day – 5th December** 🌟
Today we honour the remarkable spirit of volunteering and the powerful difference it makes in our communities.

NROSG extends our deepest gratitude to every volunteer who steps up, stands strong, and gives their time to support others. Your commitment, your drive, and the energy you bring to helping those in need are truly extraordinary.

We also extend a heartfelt thank you to the families behind every volunteer — the ones who hold down the fort, make sacrifices, and support their loved ones as they spend countless hours protecting and serving our communities. Your strength and understanding make this vital work possible.

Volunteers are the backbone of our region — and their families are the foundation that keeps them standing. The value you all bring cannot be measured, only appreciated.

Thank you for showing up. Thank you for caring. And thank you for making our communities safer, stronger, and more supported every day. 🙏🔥

25/11/2025

Yesterday the Hon. Anne Leahy MP highlighted two excellent new Tropical Coast District assets — a volunteer transport bus and a tow truck. These vehicles are a huge win for the entire district and will support all brigades, improving how we move volunteers and equipment during operations.

These additions strengthen the district’s overall capability and ensure safer, more efficient support for our communities. It’s great to see continued investment in resources that benefit everyone, not just one brigade or group.

NROSG is excited to see these district assets put to use across the Tropical Coast and to support them however we can.

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