NSW RFS Waterfall Brigade

30/05/2026

🚨MISSING PERSON FOUND: Day 4 of the multi-agency search and rescue operation in and around Waterfall has come to an end. The missing international student, last seen on Sunday the 24th, has been found alive and well, in the vicinity of the Waterfall.

Over the past 4 days Waterfall RFS station has been used as a command and a communications post between crews. We thank local Waterfall volunteer members for dedicating their time providing facilities and resources supporting the operation.

Considering extremely rainy and gusty weather over the last few days, her condition was relatively well and she is expected for a full recovery.

Dense and remote bushland with varying terrain and extreme weather conditions have made searching efforts difficult for crews on the ground, made up of mostly volunteers. Regardless, well over 200km (including all agencies over 4 days) of walking distance have been covered and thoroughly searched for our person of interest.

All agencies including NSW Police (leading the search operation), NSWSES, NSWRFS, NSWVRA, NSW Ambulance and National Parks & Wildlife Service have coordinated and successfully executed the operation as of this afternoon.

29/05/2026

Crews had completed Day 3 of a multi-agency search and rescue operation to locate a missing individual in the Royal National Park, near Waterfall. So far, the search effort is expected to continue over the next few days.

Waterfall brigade started their day with reports of a tree down on Sir Bertram Stephens Drive. Later we had crews out supporting the search operation.

A fantastic effort and huge dedication to all crews from all agencies involved in traversing dense and remote bushland.

28/05/2026

🚨Multiple crews from greater Sydney and Illawarra have worked tirelessly throughout today and will continue over the following days to coordinate and undertake a large multi-agency search operation around Waterfall. This is due to a reported missing person last seen on Sunday 24th of May.

Waterfall RFS station has been utilised as a command post to coordinate and deploy crews to search for the missing individual.

This search & rescue operation is being led by NSW Police. Other assisting agencies involved in the search included NSW State Emergency Service, NSW Volunteer Rescue Association, NSW Rural Fire Service, National Parks & Wildlife and Specialist Ambulance personnel. All inquiries or reports in regard to this search should be forwarded on the Police Assistance Line (131 444).

This evening brought wet and gusty weather conditions across Waterfall which became increasingly difficult as crews were traversing dense bushland.

Please expect emergency services personnel and vehicles to be present around Waterfall in the coming days. Thank you for your corporation.

27/05/2026

📍Residents in and around Waterfall should expect emergency vehicles and a police helicopter to be present in the area. We ask residents to not be alarmed.

This is due to a search and rescue operation led by NSW Police and assisted by NSWSES, National Parks & Wildlife Services and NSWRFS including Waterfall Brigade. This operation may continue later tonight.

10/05/2026

💕 Happy Mother’s Day from Waterfall Rural Fire Brigade!

Today is a special time to celebrate our mums and their dedication each and every day. We hope you have a fantastic day with your families.

Get out and enjoy the wonderful weather we are having today.

This Mother’s Day, we celebrate the strength, dedication and compassion of mums everywhere, but especially those in our family.

Across the state, thousands of mothers, grandmothers, mothers-in-law, stepmothers and aunties give their time to help protect their communities. Whether they're on the frontline or supporting behind the scenes their contributions are extraordinary.

Today, we thank them for all they do, not just as RFS members, but as leaders and role models in our brigades and communities.

04/05/2026

30/04/2026

Waterfall Brigade has been busy over last week, members participating in two seperate hazard reduction burns.

Yesterday; Helensburgh West Water Catchment HR (270ha). Members from Waterfall Brigade, National Parks & Wildlife Services and other RFS brigades, had completed a successful burn. In total, approx 7.5km was ignited, removing hazardous fuel on the grounds of bushland.

Today; St George's Basin Gumden Lane HR (1.7ha), two members from Waterfall joined forces with Otford Brigade, completing a smaller but strategic burn in the Shoalhaven area.

Favourable weather this weekend and next week allows the RFS and other agencies to complete more strategic hazard reduction burning around the Sutherland Shire and greater Sydney. Bangor Akuna Avenue (36ha) hazard reduction burn is scheduled to be completed this Saturday.

27/04/2026

Our captain, Glenn, had the opportunity to visit the NSW RFS Heritage museum at Eurunderee (Mudgee). This museum is run by an awesome volunteer team headed by the passionate Alan, better known as Yowie. There are vehicles and pieces of equipment donated from individuals and corporations throughout NSW. We also had the opportunity to catch up with one of our old Waterfall trucks from the 1980's. The museum is open to the public on the first and third Saturday of every month and is well worth visiting if you are in the area.

27/04/2026

On Sunday, our members from Waterfall alongside other brigades participated in a 15 hectare hazard reduction burn in Loftus (Cranberry St). We started our day with establishing control lines and then commencing a low intensity burn downhill towards the gully later into the afternoon.

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and Fire and Rescue NSW Aviation/RPAS were involved in overseeing and assisting the RFS in this controlled burn.

Later on Sunday evening, night crews had continued to monitor the fireground for hotspots and embers. Crews have successfully mitigated potential hazards in the urban interface west of Loftus.

NSW RFS - Engadine Brigade Loftus Volunteer Bushfire Brigade Heathcote Headquarters Rural Fire Brigade - Station 10 NSW RFS - Sandy Point Brigade NSW RFS - Illawong Brigade Menai Bushfire Brigade. NSW Rural Fire Service. Grays Point RFS

26/04/2026

Loftus “Cranberry” hazard reduction burn is most definitely underway. Our crew is made up of six firefighters from Waterfall Brigade.

Hazard reduction is a proactive preparation measure used to prevent intense fires, while backburning is a reactive firefighting tactic used to stop an active fire from spreading. It is imperative we complete these necessary burns while conditions are favourable and crews available.