Welcome fire break sees RFS pivot to flood and storm help

To the relief of the Lower Hunter RFS crews, there has been very little in the way of big fires this season — but that doesn’t mean they haven’t been busy.

A typical summer would normally see the RFS fire patrol centre at East Maitland run off its feet, with most of its 45 brigades being deployed to bushfires raging across the Hunter.

To the relief of its 2000 volunteers, that scenario so far this season hasn’t eventuated.

District Officer Lower Hunter Rural Fire Service, Terry Burns, has seen plenty of bushfires in his 15 years in the service and the cool change has been a welcome one.

“We’ve had no big fires, it’s been a blessing actually,” Burns said. “Everyone in this place would be usually under the pump, but there have been no major fires thanks to the weather and the rain, it’s been peaceful on that front. We’ve had little bits and pieces like cars on fire but that’s about it.”

The quiet summer has been a welcome relief.

Emergency services collaborate on many occasions through disastrous situations.

This time the RFS are returning the favour for another vital community service.

“With all the storms that the SES are now receiving, we’re doing a whole bunch of work supporting them, so it’s their turn to get help. They are brilliant when things get busy, they’re like having extra units. It’ll be our turn again one day, swings and roundabouts,” Burns said.

With plenty of spare time on their hands, it was decided to get jobs done around the home base which normally has been put off, as well as honing the skills of new recruits.

“We’ve has been able to progress on working on stations and training up more volunteers. Our attention has been greater on this sort of stuff because we haven’t had to deal with fires. It’s given us time to design new plans for hazard reduction burns. We never just sit around and do nothing.”

Burns says despite the cooler weather, people should not be complacent around their homes when it comes to clearing materials that can fuel a fire.

“Keep gutters clean, make sure garden mulch is kept to a minimum and woodpiles cleared. Even though it’s been good weather, things can change quickly. It’s best to be prepared.”