Generous donations from concerned comedians and local communities are helping grateful local fire brigades to prepare for the summer bushfires.
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"We saw an absolutely unbelievable influx - a tsunami - of donations to all of our brigades - all sorts of goods and chattels, and particularly money," Rural Fire Service community safety officer Inspector David Stimson said. "[Our brigades are] very, very grateful.
"A lot of our brigades have boosted their bank accounts, and are being very responsible in purchasing equipment that will enhance the equipment provided by the Rural Fire Service."
That equipment, Inspector Stimson said, is world-class, but there was always more equipment that volunteers felt would help them do their job better, whether it be putting out fires or dealing with road accidents.
Comedian Celeste Barber raised more than $51 million via Facebook for the NSW Rural Fire Service earlier this year. Nearly all of the 44 brigades in the Southern Highlands have applied to the trust fund for $10,000 each to purchase new equipment.
The Wingello Rural Fire Brigade have used the grant to upgrade their specialized PPE, training equipment and appliances at the station, including buying structural firefighting helmets and gloves. With another grant, they bought a horizontal hose rack which allows firies to get hoses in and out faster and dry them faster.
"As we head into another fire season," Steph said, "it's amazing to think that the incredible generosity of people not only in our own country but throughout the world will help us to approach these emergency situations with the safest gear and best training available. Therefore we would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone who played a part in helping us to do what we do the best we can."
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Canyonleigh RFS used their $10,000 grant to install a generator at their shed; if power goes down, brigade secretary Terry Biscoe explained, they can generate their own. The RFS provided another $5000 to cover additional costs and installation.
"In a lot of areas where fire took power out," Mr Biscoe said, "there was no power to the fire sheds - and that was the central nervous system, as it were, for electronics and communications. So we worked out: 'Well, if do we have a fire, at least we'll have plenty of power'. It's also an assistance and a meeting place for the local community."
Thanks to generous donations from the community, Mr Biscoe said, the brigade were able to buy new tools and equipment, such as air compressors and drills; computers and iPads that were desperately needed; and new furniture for the shed.
Many brigades - including the Hill Top RFS - have bought extra radios, Inspector Stimson said. The RFS provides radios in each truck to maintain communications back to the fire control centre and between trucks, while officers on the trucks have handheld or portable radios. During the last fire season, however, RFS members identified a need for extra radios.
"It's a very good resource," Inspector Stimson said, "and they feel more comfortable with that better communication between themselves and the fire control centre."
Other brigades have used the grants to equip their trucks with iPads and mapping programs. During the last fire season, Inspector Stimson said, there were limitations on getting maps out to people in a timely and efficient manner when dealing with enormous fires; the Green Wattle Creek fire, for instance, had a perimeter of more than 1400km.
The RFS is also fitting its trucks throughout the state with a mapping facility and added safety features to determine and report on location.
Exeter Rural Fire Brigade reported that they would not apply for the grant. "Our community has been so extremely generous with donations we feel we should leave that funding for brigades that aren't as lucky as we are," member Sam said.