City and suburban firefighters gear up for bushfires
Published: 10th October 2013
Fire & Rescue NSW (FRNSW) has brought on line additional resources across NSW including reserve fire engines and recalled firefighters in anticipation of today's serious bushfire danger.
The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast a day of Severe to Extreme bushfire danger in many parts of the state and total fire bans are in place across much of NSW and the ACT.
Fire & Rescue Commissioner Greg Mullins said that in addition to 210 fire engines and nearly 900 firefighters available to respond from fire stations in the Illawarra, Blue Mountains, Sydney, Central Coast and Newcastle, a number of off-duty firefighters had been recalled to duty to crew about 30 reserve fleet and training fire engines. All non essential activities such as training have been cancelled, and specialist fire officers have been redeployed to front line duties for the duration of the serious bushfire conditions.
"This means that we will have around 250 fire crews – about 1000 firefighters – ready to respond immediately to any bushfires that start in suburban areas or to support Rural Fire Service crews. The 2 fire services and firefighters from National Parks and the Forests Corporation will coordinate responses throughout what looks like being a very tough day for firefighters and the people of NSW."
Fire & Rescue NSW will also redeploy 15 inner city fire crews out to bushland fringe areas in Sydney and the lower Blue Mountains to reinforce response capacity in areas jointly identified with the Rural Fire Service as being at high risk.
"Senior fire officers will work closely with our colleagues from the Rural Fire Service throughout the day to ensure a coordinated response to any bushfires that could impact on urban areas."
For the latest information about bushfires and total fire bans visit www.rfs.nsw.gov.au or download the 'Fires Near Me' app.