Fire & Rescue NSW continues to respond to bushfire crisis
Published: 18th October 2013
More than a thousand Fire & Rescue NSW (FRNSW) firefighters and 150 fire trucks were deployed to the bushfire emergencies across the Blue Mountains, Newcastle and the Hunter region, Central Coast, Charmhaven, South Coast, North Coast and Southern Highlands over the past two days.
Thursday 17 October
- All available firefighters from the greater Sydney area deployed to the outer lying suburbs most at risk from bushfire. 17 reserve fire trucks equipped and staffed and then deployed to bushfire operations.
- More than 200 fire engines and 1000 firefighters responded to hundreds of separate bushfire incidents as well as house fires, car accidents and chemical spills.
- Additional crews from the Southern Tablelands, Central West and Western Slopes were called upon to provide relief overnight to FRNSW fire crews in the Blue Mountains.
- FRNSW Communications Centre processed nearly 3000 Triple Zero calls between midnight and 8pm – 50% between 2-4pm.
Friday 18 October
- 20 fire crews (90 firefighters) from greater Sydney area deployed to the Blue Mountains and were tasked with mopping up and fire fighting operations around the Springwood and Winmalee areas.
- 16 reserve fire trucks staffed and deployed to support the fire fighting effort.
- Local fire crews were active in the Lithgow area.
- In additional to Newcastle and Central Coast fire crews, more than 50 firefighters from Sydney deployed to provide relief to firefighters battling bushfires in the Catherine Hill Bay area.
- More than 30 regional firefighters deployed in the Southern Highlands.
- Urban Search and Rescue specialists deployed to the Blue Mountains to conduct rapid damage assessments.
There are a number of incredible stories from FRNSW firefighters emerging from the field. Some of these are listed on the Fire & Rescue NSW Facebook page: http://on.fb.me/16jT6GN
FRNSW will continue to provide support and resources across the weekend and over the coming weeks.