While a ring of fire burned around Sydney, the Highlands brigade went to investigate a smoke sighting in Wingello State Forest.

By the day’s end, one volunteer firefighter was dead and seven were seriously burnt.

Senior Deputy captain David Quinlivan lost his life in the fire (started by a lightning strike), which overwhelmed the firefighters when conditions changed while they were conducting backburning operations.

Only one of the firefighters is still active today and, in the aftermath of the tragedy, the brigade had to be rebuilt.

Enter David Stimson and company.

Mr Stimson was a member of the neighbouring Penrose brigade and he and several others helped rebuild the Wingello brigade, member by member.

After 10 years at the helm and a membership of 60, Mr Stimson has now moved on to the Wingecarribee RFS headquarters.

He is now an Inspector and the community safety officer.

Wingello deputy captain Trevor Christie has moved into Mr Stimson’s former role as Wingello captain.

Mr Christie was a deputy captain at Wingello from 1999 after serving at Canyonleigh and Exeter.

He was elected unopposed at a brigade meeting in January.

The builder was instrumental in rebuilding the brigade.

Running the brigade is a family affair with son-in-law Arron Deegan a deputy captain.

The brigade now has breathing apparatus equipment and Mr Stimson said this was vital in fighting four house fires since receiving the Compressed Air Breathing Apparatus (CASA) two years ago.

“It was very difficult to build the brigade back up,” Mr Stimson said.

“But I enjoyed seeing Wingello become an integral part of not only the Wingecarribee RFS but for NSW as well.”