Stanwell Park Rural Fire Brigade

19/08/2026

Today, AFAC News released the Bushfire Seasonal Outlook for Spring. NSW experienced unseasonably warm conditions over winter, while rainfall has been variable. With parts of northern and south-eastern NSW receiving below-average rainfall, these areas are entering spring drier than usual.

Forecasts for early spring continue to point to below-average rainfall and unusually warm conditions with fuels expected to continue drying across NSW. The highest risk is expected to be in northern and south-eastern NSW, as these areas are already rapidly drying out. Forested areas in these regions are experiencing high fuel loads and are dense and well-connected, which is of particular concern.

While fire risk is expected to be elevated through early spring, rainfall prospects for late spring into early summer have shifted to a slightly wetter outlook, although some uncertainty remains.

If you live, work, or travel through bush fire-prone areas, ensure you are prepared. Review and discuss your bush fire survival plan so you know what to do if threatened by fire.

For more information, visit: www.afac.com.au/public-resources/seasonal-bushfire-outlook-spring-2026

18/08/2026

26/07/2026

Congratulations Will 👌

25/07/2026

🚨 Why do emergency vehicles sometimes turn their lights and sirens off? 🚒

Have you ever seen a fire truck responding with lights and sirens, only to suddenly switch them off and turn around? Here’s why.

When Triple Zero (000) receives a report of an emergency, multiple emergency service crews may be dispatched to ensure there are enough resources available if the situation escalates.

As crews arrive and assess the incident, it often becomes clear that not every responding vehicle is needed. At that point, crews receive what’s known as a “stop message” – a notification that their response is no longer required.

That’s when you’ll see emergency vehicles switch off their lights and sirens and return to station, ready to respond to the next emergency.

So, if you see one of our trucks suddenly stop responding or head back the way it came, it doesn’t mean we’ve given up or that something has gone wrong. It simply means the incident is under control, and those valuable resources are now available to assist elsewhere if needed.

Our volunteers are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, ready to protect our community whenever the pager goes off.

With thanks to Cooranbong Rural Fire Brigade for the inspiration behind this post.

25/06/2026

Congratulations to Illawarra Group Officer Will Lee for being amongst the RFS finalists. Will is the former Captain of neighbouring brigade Austinmer Rural Fire Service and was our Group Officer for a time.
Well deserved recognition for over 55 years of service..

The finalists for the 2026 Rotary Emergency Services Community Awards were announced by Jihad Dib, the Minister for Emergency Services, with a function held at NSW Parliament House today.

The awards recognise the outstanding community service performed by both volunteer and paid members of NSW emergency service agencies.

The RFS has four finalists this year, pictured here with RFS Acting Commissioner Kelly Quandt AFSM and Warwick Richardson, Chair NSW RESCA:

- Logistics Captain Leigh Walsh, Southern Tablelands
- Senior Deputy Captain Malcolm Alexander, Cumberland Macarthur
- Firefighter John Sullivan OAM, Southern Tablelands
- Group Captain William Lee, Illawarra Sutherland

We wish the best of luck to our finalists with the winner announced later this year.

27/05/2026

During the Bush Fire Danger Period, October 1 to March 31, a permit is required. more information at https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information/BFDP. Outside this period, please notify Rural Fire Service using the link below.

15/05/2026

Our captain, Gary Laker, was honoured this week with the presentation of the Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM) by NSW Governor Her Excellency the Honorable Margaret Beazley for more than 45 years of service to the RFS, congratulations Gary Laker

06/05/2026

Deepest condolences to the families of these men and the wider Marine Rescue NSW family 😢