Fire and Rescue NSW

Today, Bowral Fire Station marked 100 years of service to the community. Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell joined current and former members of FRNSW at the station to recognise a century of commitment, from its opening in 1925 through to the on-call firefighters serving Bowral today. The town’s firefighting history began even earlier, with a volunteer brigade established in 1893. From a hand-operated pump to the station’s first motorised engine in 1929, and now a modern appliance capable of pumping four times that amount, the evolution has been constant. Bowral crews have responded to major incidents over the years, including the 2018 Port Kembla ship fire and the 2021 Bowral bank fire. The station was also recognised today as the Highest Fundraising Station for FRNSW’s Beat the Burn charity, raising $20,502 to support children with life-changing burns. Commissioner Fewtrell said the centenary is an opportunity to acknowledge generations of firefighters and their families who have supported the community. Parliamentary Secretary Mark Buttigieg MLC also thanked all who have contributed to the station’s long history and encouraged anyone considering a career with FRNSW to explore current opportunities. A proud milestone for Bowral Fire Station and the community it serves.

The high-rise fire in Hong Kong is a devastating incident, with significant loss of life and many people still unaccounted for. Our thoughts are with the affected community and the emergency services working under immense pressure. Speaking on Sunrise this morning, Superintendent Adam Dewberry outlined how firefighters approach high-rise emergencies: assessing what is burning, prioritising life safety, supporting evacuation and using building systems such as sprinklers and warning intercoms to aid the response.   From a local perspective, these events highlight the importance of strong building regulation and the specialist training our firefighters undertake.

This morning, Fire and Rescue NSW joined NSW Police, Randwick City Council, NSW State Emergency Service and the local community at the annual Step Out Speak Out walk, taking a united stand against domestic and family violence. Several members of FRNSW took part in the early morning walk from High Cross Park to Coogee Beach. The video shared here was captured by Paul McGuiggan, who represented our organisation on the ground today. The walk marks the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism and leads into the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on 25 November. For our crews, this issue is not abstract. We see the impact of domestic and family violence far too often. Showing up matters. Speaking out matters. If you or someone you know needs support, confidential help is available: • 1800-RESPECT 1800 737 732 • No to Violence 1300 766 491 Thank you to Randwick City Council and NSW Police Force Eastern Beaches for leading this important event, and to everyone who stepped out and spoke out this morning. #StepOutSpeakOut #16DaysOfActivism #FRNSW #CommunitySafety

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Fire and Rescue NSW is proud to mark 40 years of women in firefighting with the launch of Trailblazing: The History and Stories of Female Firefighters. This inspiring new book captures the experiences of the women who have helped shape FRNSW since 1985, the year female firefighters were first able to join the Service. Their courage, resilience, and leadership have paved the way for generations to come. The official launch took place on October 30 at the Museum of Fire, our official heritage partner. All proceeds from book sales will go directly to the Museum, supporting the preservation of our firefighting history and heritage. Trailblazing is more than a book, it’s a tribute to the women who continue to make a difference on the frontline every day. #Trailblazing #WomenInFirefighting #MuseumOfFire #Leadership #DiversityAndInclusion

When disaster strikes, reliable communication can be the difference between life and death. This video from NSW Telco Authority and NSW Department of Customer Service highlights the real challenges emergency services face when networks fail, from bushfires and floods to everyday incidents where every second counts. FRNSW is proud to contribute to this important discussion on the future of mission-critical connectivity and the role of data and interoperability in keeping our communities safe. #PublicSafety #EmergencyServices #Connectivity #Interoperability

Proudly recognised for innovation and leadership Fire and Rescue NSW has been featured in the AFAC Strategic Directions Achievement Report 2025 for our continued commitment to safety, innovation and collaboration across the emergency management sector. From building disaster response capability in Timor Leste to developing smarter digital tools and wellbeing systems for firefighters, these achievements reflect our mission to protect life, property and the environment — here and beyond our borders. Congratulations to all the teams involved in these initiatives for setting new standards of excellence across the fire and rescue community. Read report: https://lnkd.in/dvmwweFs #AFAC2025 #EmergencyManagement @AFAC (National Council for Fire & Emergency Services)

Fire and Rescue NSW is currently recruiting for an Assistant Commissioner Metropolitan Operations. The Assistant Commissioner sets the strategic direction and leads the planning and delivery for FRNSW Metropolitan Operations. The role is accountable for the day-to-day service delivery of Metropolitan Operations including the delivery of prevention, fire suppression, hazmat, rescue and emergency services to industry and the community. https://lnkd.in/gsZ5zeui

Building Global Capability Through Collaboration Fire and Rescue NSW was proud to host Malaysia’s Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART) team for in-water rescue training at Penrith Whitewater Stadium this month. The program strengthened international collaboration in disaster response and supported SMART’s preparation for the upcoming northeast monsoon season. Both teams also competed in the Australasian Water Rescue and Rescue Boat Challenges, showcasing world-class skills and teamwork. #DisasterResponse #InternationalCollaboration #FloodRescue #WaterRescue #SwiftWaterRescue #INSARAG #AustraliaMalaysiaPartnership Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Testing technology that keeps NSW connected when disaster strikes   Fire and Rescue NSW recently led a major multi-agency exercise, Nightfall, designed to test new communications technology in the toughest possible conditions.   Held in Sydney’s west, the simulated large-scale emergency brought together FRNSW, NSW State Emergency Service, NSW Rural Fire Service, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, and the NSW Telco Authority to respond to a mock airliner crash during an intense weather event.   The goal? To ensure that when standard communication networks fail, during bushfires, floods, or major structural incidents, emergency services can still connect, coordinate and save lives.   Teams tested cutting-edge equipment, including: · Vehicle As A Node (VaaN) providing multi-bearer failover for all handheld devices including phones & radios · Live drone streaming for real-time situational awareness · Cells on Wheels (CoWs) to augment the degradation or loss of telecommunications carriers in times of crisis. FRNSW’s international Urban Search and Rescue specialists, including members who deployed to Türkiye after the 2023 earthquake, joined the exercise to trial these tools in realistic disaster scenarios.   This technology, funded by NSW Government is part of a broader effort to build safer, smarter, and more connected emergency response capabilities across the state. #NSWGovernment #FireAndRescueNSW #FRNSW #PublicSafety #Technology #DisasterResilience #PartnershipsInAction #ConnectedFirefighter