Bushfires: Brigades to benefit in cash splash

Fire brigades will be able to apply for funding for equipment, training or improved facilities thanks to public generosity.

NSW RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons with members of the Rural Fire Service at Horsley Park Rural Fire Brigade. Picture: Getty Images

The NSW Rural Fire Service has revealed it will spend a portion of the donations it has received on ­establishing an equipment fund for RFS volunteers, freeing them from having to buy extra equipment out of their own pockets.

NSW RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said in a statement he wanted to assure the community that the tens of millions of dollars donated to the service would be “put to good use”.

“We’re pleased to say we’ll be establishing a $10m fund for our volunteer brigades to tap into,” Mr Fitzsimmons said.

“Our brigades will be able to apply for funding for items they need like equipment, training or improved facilities.”

The NSW RFS has previously been criticised by its own volunteers for not providing adequate equipment, with some brigades forced to buy respirator masks with crowd-funded money at the start of the fire season after finding the masks provided unsuitable.

Mr Fitzsimmons said the RFS was still working out just how much money it had received through donations and “online campaigns” such as that of comedian Celeste Barber, who raised more than $51m for the RFS via Facebook in less than three weeks.

“Some of these involve complex issues and everyone is working hard to ensure the money goes where it was intended,” he said.

Once the exact amount was known, Mr Fitzsimmons said the RFS would consult with the ­community to decide how to best use the money.