Rural Fire Service
The RFS is the lead combat agency for bush fires in NSW. The Service works closely with other agencies to respond to a range of emergencies including structure fires, motor vehicle accidents and storms that occur within the rural fire districts that make up more than 95 per cent of NSW. It is also the lead agency for the coordination of bush firefighting and prevention throughout the state.
For the year ending June 2022, the RFS recorded a membership of 1,993 rural fire brigades and 72,855 volunteers across the state, as well as 1,142 staff, with approximately 68% of these staff members also serving as RFS volunteers. That same year the Service reported 4,000 firefighting appliances, 2,193 support vehicles, 47 bulk water carriers, 32 marine craft and 10 RFS-owned aircraft. In partnership with the community and through the professionalism of its members, the RFS continues to grow and to improve – while always promoting the ethos of volunteering.
