Town brigade confronts danger days before information event

The time to prepare is now – not when a fire is at your doorstep.

Just four days before the brigade’s recent open day, fire crews from Otford, Stanwell Park and Helensburgh responded to a bushfire on The Ridge that could have become far more serious in hotter, windier conditions. 

The incident is a timely reminder to prepare for the upcoming bushfire season. To help the community get ready, Helensburgh Volunteer Rural Fire Brigade held an open day on September 19, inviting families to climb aboard the trucks and giving children the chance to get their hands on a fire hose. 

That is exactly what Frankie (three), pictured, is doing with his dad Mitch (36), who says “it’s helpful to come every now and again, especially just as a quick reminder. Get info on what to do when there is a bushfire heading your way. Keeping it in the forefront of your mind, just in case.”

Though he has lived here for five years, Mitch says he learnt something new: “Best path out of here would be to use the Coast Road rather than the M1. That was something that I didn't know.”

Liz (61) brought her grandson, Harry, who proudly poses in front of the pumper with a volunteer firefighter who shares his name: Harri. 

“It's always fun for the kids getting in the fire truck and playing with the hose and enjoying the sausage sizzle,” says Gareth Brown (45), who has just bought a new house and has lived in Helensburgh for just over a year.

He is visiting with his children and is keen to understand what he needs to do to be ready for the bushfire season. He says: “It's just making sure that we're ready for it. [Bushfire] is just something that we've never had to consider before. And then moving here, because of the beautiful location that it's in … there’s always that chance.”

Gareth went home with a bag for documents, leaflets, gutter blockers and, as he says, “some really useful information”. 

Louise Charman-Jones has lived in Helensburgh for almost 16 years in a weatherboard house that is about 140 years old. Leaving early has always been her plan.

For her, this means: “On hot, windy days, we’d go pretty soon. I mean, I know my husband likes to do a bit more prep, but there's a limit to what we can do really, and I wouldn't want to get trapped ... We are right down the bottom end of town, and it doesn't take much. On a busy day, with tourists coming in from Sydney, the roads can become really blocked.”

Louise also wonders what she should do with her chickens. “I remember one of my neighbours saying that in the last fires, she had all the chickens in the car, and then everyone got stuck in the car.

"It was like a car park in Helensburgh because no one could get out, onto the highway. I don't want to be stuck in a car with the chickens and a cat. How is that going to work? So, pets, that does concern me.

"I mean, we could take the cat, but the chickens, we might have jo just let them out of the coop and let them take their chances.”

Alison (51) and Ethan (18) moved to the bushfire-prone area of Helensburgh only four months ago. One of the biggest things Alison takes away from today is that flyscreens can melt and can crack your windows. Ethan says he “learned about the very interesting opportunities within the Rural Fire Brigade, opportunities to volunteer and contribute meaningfully, it sparked my interest, honestly.”

Volunteer firefighter Brett Skiller smiles at Ethan’s answer. As the brigade’s community engagement officer, Brett warns that “there are bigger fuel loads out there on the ground, and beware of embers. Embers are the biggest threat, especially in front of a fire. Embers can hit you before the actual main fire front gets here.”

In the meantime, Archer (11), Fletcher (10) and Quinn (8) from Mount Keira are having fun in the back seat of the pumper. 

Throughout the Illawarra, the RFS emphasises that locals can’t be complacent. After several wet years, vegetation across the state has grown quickly and as we enter warmer and drier weather, we face a risk of serious bush and grass fires. Preparation is a shared responsibility.

“Our firefighters do a great job in very challenging situations, but we can’t have a fire truck at every home, so property owners must also take proactive steps to safeguard their homes and communities.

"Have a plan – know when you should leave, what to take and where you can go to. And look out for your family, friends and neighbours – make sure they too are ready and have a plan.”

Brett: “Just make sure your house is prepared.  If you've got any questions, feel free to drop us a line, send us a message on Facebook. Or even drop into the station and ask questions. We also do house inspections. We're happy to come and have a look and offer advice.”

Visit the RFS website for more information on preparing for the coming bushfire season and use the Hazards Near Me NSW app to stay up to date with incidents in your area.