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Wilberforce Rural Fire Brigade

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23.01.2022 Wilberforce 1 is currently responding to a serious MVA on Freemans Reach Rd. Road is closed in both directions. Please avoid the area.

23.01.2022 Today marks one year since the Gospers Mountain fire first made contact with an inhabited area, violently tearing through the Mellong region North of Colo Heights. On this day in 2019, just about every fire truck in the NSW RFS - Hawkesbury District had a crew standing by nervously, ready to head into the unknown. We knew it wouldn't be enough but we were all there was. With so many fires already raging across Northern NSW there was simply no one else - helicopters and aeropl...anes were few and far between, reinforcements from Victoria were yet to arrive and all of our neighbours had trucks committed up North. And so we waited, watching the smoke stack grow. The first trucks headed up the Putty Rd to try and work out where the monster would rear it's ugly head. Morning became afternoon and all was still quite calm - "maybe we'll be OK?" many of us optimistically pondered. But then mid afternoon came and the radios squawked, the fire had made it up the escarpment and into property. Away we went, making the nearly 60km drive North to simply do whatever we could. All any of us had was the water in our trucks - dams were dry and tanks empty after years of drought. The fire jumped the Putty Road like it didn't exist, cutting crews to the North off from the rest of us. Day became night and those crews continued to battle the blaze back from whatever properties they could when suddenly a Southerly change sent the fire front careering straight at them. Those brave men and women had no choice but to take shelter and in some cases activate their protection systems - thankfully everyone was OK. As night time fell conditions eased but the battle raged on through the night. Multiple structures, at least one of them someone's home, were lost that day but remarkably many were left still standing, and most importantly no lives were lost. November 12th, 2019 will go down in Hawkesbury history as the first of many difficult days, in a campaign that lasted for nearly 3 months.

22.01.2022 Last night Breathing Apparatus operators from Wilberforce and Oakville were called in to assist our mates at Blaxland Ridge Rural Fire Brigade with a large structure fire at Comleroy Rd. Compressed Air Breathing Apparatus (CABA) allows our specially trained members to work in toxic, smokey and hot environments without harm to our repiratory system. This allows us to work in much closer to a burning structure, extinguishing it sooner and with less water. It also allows us to enter a burning structure if required, in order to access a fire or rescue trapped persons.

20.01.2022 Welcome back Gypsy Lady! Last season some of our crew had the pleasure of meeting the Gypsy Lady crew, who operated out of Wilberforce (Woodlands Park makeshift airbase) for a good portion of last summer. She certainly is an impressive piece of machinery and her friendly crew are a great bunch of guys. Give them a wave if you see them overhead!

19.01.2022 Today on our return from the incident at Macquarie Park. When our appliance drove past the Butterfly farm on Wilberforce road we noticed an echidna attempting to cross the road. By the time we turned around he was gone and a good samaritan had turned him around. When one of our deputy captains was on his way home he noticed it again and with the help of another good samaritan they managed to pick him up and release him on the edge of Buttsworth creek in the Butterfly farm. The residents at the premises were very stoked to see him as they have not seen him since December last year and said he has lived locally in Buttsworth creek for around 6 years. So please be aware when traveling in this area that he could be trying to cross again. The Hawkesbury Gazette Hawkesbury City Council NSW RFS - Hawkesbury District

16.01.2022 Hazard reduction burns are scheduled to continue today with smoke from yesterday's works settling across the area. Only call Triple Zero (000) if you see an unattended fire. Willmott HR, Stuart Lowe #nswrfs #hawkesbury

16.01.2022 This afternoon at 16:00 Wilberforce brigade were alerted to a reported car fire at Ti Tree Pl in Woodlands industrial estate. Wilberforce 1 arrived initially to find a single vehicle fully alight, with fire spreading to an adjacent power pole and fence, dangerously close to stored chemicals and warehoused pet food. Quick actions by brigade members in Breathing Apparatus prevented further spread of the fire and quickly brought the vehicle under control, before backup arrived in Wilberforce 7 as well as Hawkesbury Police Area Command.

14.01.2022 We've heard there's a rumour going around that someone special might be visiting Wilberforce soon on a big red truck ... Could it be true? Shhhh it's a secret

13.01.2022 Wilberforce brigade finally got to catch up with our 3 trainees that had their BF assessment on the weekend. We are proud to say all three passed. So congratulations to our new firefighters. If you are local and interested in joining the brigade we meet on Monday nights at 7pm. Or send us a message if this time doesn't suit.

12.01.2022 The single most important thing every family can do is have that five-minute conversation about important decisions like when to leave and what to take if a fire threatens your home. You can check how fireproof your bush fire plan is in just five minutes at www.myfireplan.com.au

12.01.2022 Reminder to motorists that Freemans Reach Rd is open again as of today. Please take extra care at the new roundabout, remembering that traffic will now be entering. LET'S NOT MEET BY ACCIDENT!

11.01.2022 **BUSH FIRE DANGER PERIOD STARTS TODAY** The statutory Bush Fire Danger Period (BFDP) starts today, 1st October for the Greater Sydney Region. What does this mean for us in the Hawkesbury?... - Pile burns and other open burning activities require a Fire Safety Permit from your local brigade before they can be commenced. This is in addition to the usual council notification process which must still be followed. - Pile burns may now be conducted between 8am and midnight on any same day; fire must not be left to burn all night. - Although a permit may have been issued, it is your responsibility to ensure that a Total Fire Ban, or other suspension of permits has not been declared prior to lighting. - Increased penalties apply for breaches of the Rural Fires Act and other relevant legislation during BFDP. - The only instance a fire safety permit is not required is for a cooking fire provided it is: 1. Contained in permanently constructed fire place 2. The ground around the fire is cleared of combustible materials for at least 2m 3. The fire is completely extinguished before leaving.

11.01.2022 What a difference a year makes. On 29 October 2019 there was nearly 100 bush fires burning across the state, with some fires at Emergency Warning level. Twelve ...months to the day, weather conditions are very different, as is the level of fire activity. Remember fire conditions will return, so why not take the time now to discuss your plan with your family. See more

10.01.2022 Very sad news from our friends at Yarramundi Rural Fire Brigade. Wilberforce Brigade sends our deepest sympathies to Ed's loved ones and RFS family

09.01.2022 ***UPDATE*** Poco is now safely back home!! Thank you all for sharing! Have you seen Poco?? Poco the friendly red Cavalier is well known and much loved around Wilberforce, and despite going for the odd wander to visit the neighbours, doesn't usually travel far and always makes his way home. Unfortunately yesterday Poco never arrived back home and his humans are worried sick. If you know where he might be please get in touch with Megan (below) or the brigade and we'll pass your details on.

08.01.2022 The NSW RFS is proud to have the single largest aerial fleet of any fire agency in Australia.

08.01.2022 Getting ready for a bush fire is easier than you think. By taking 20 minutes with your family to discuss what you’ll do during a fire, you could save their lives, as well as your home. https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/resources/bush-fire-survival-plan

08.01.2022 Wilberforce 1, as well as NSW SES Hawkesbury Unit, NSW Ambulance and Hawkesbury Police Area Command are currently returning from a rescue involving a lady who's foot had become trapped between decking on the Kayak ramp at Macquarie Park. Thankfully our skilled friends from the SES were able to carefully cut away a section of the decking to free the casualty, before she was transported to hospital with minor injuries. Please be aware - the Kayak ramp is now closed until repairs can be made and it is deemed safe by council. It has been taped off and must not be used.

05.01.2022 Just after 08:00 this morning Wilberforce Brigade was called to assist Ebenezer Rural Fire Brigade at a vessel fire on the river at Sackville. On arrival crews located a ski boat well alight on the water. Initial attack from the shore proved difficult and so the vessel was towed, still alight, to the boat ramp and brought ashore to be extinguished by members in Breathing Apparatus using firefighting foam. The removal of the boat from the waterway also served to prevent furthe...r contaminants from entering the river. With the weather warming up this serves as a timely reminder to ensure you have all your safety gear - including a suitable fire extinguisher - on board before you go boating, and make sure it is all in date and operational. Complete the RMS Boating Safety Checklist which can be found at https://www.rms.nsw.gov.au//boating-safety-checklist-broch

05.01.2022 Seems to be a little damp outside! Please take care on the roads this afternoon - with Freemans Reach Rd still not open yet, Wilberforce is seeing double the usual traffic leading to a number of near misses. Thankfully we haven't had an serious accidents since FR Rd closed in May (yes it's been that long) so lets not ruin it now on this wet and miserable Friday. Take care!

02.01.2022 Wilberforce 1 is currently on scene at the corner of Beecroft and Cobcroft Rds where a tree has fallen into power lines. Endeavour energy are on scene and should have it cleared shortly but please avoid the area. This is Wilberforce Brigade's second Power Line related incident already this morning. In this wet and wild weather please take extreme care around trees and power. If you see power lines down do not approach them. Stay 10m or more away and call 000.