The RFS is responsible for the prevention, mitigation and suppression of firs and the protection of life and property. Operations describes the preparation for and response to incidents that RFS volunteers attend across the State.
The RFS is the lead agency for coordinated bush fire fighting and is also responsible for fires and related emergency incidents within Rural Fire Districts which cover more than 95% of the State. Fires and related emergency incidents include bush and grass fires, structure fires, transport fires and incidents, automatic fire alarms, etc.
The RFS also supports other agencies in emergency situations such as floods, storms and search and rescue situations. A range of operational systems, resources and skills come together to ensure the RFS delivers an efficient, effective response to incidents within its operational responsibilities.
Over 100 years ago the residents of the south-western New South Wales township of Berrigan formed Australia's first official bush fire brigade. The resident's joined together as firefighters for mutual protection against the ever-present threat of bushfires.
On 1 September 1997, The NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) was established by an act of Parliament as the successor to the first bush fire brigade, redefining the world's largest fire service and building on a century of experience in protecting some of the most fire-prone areas on earth.
Today the Service comprises over 2,100 volunteer rural fire brigades with a total membership of just over 70,000. In addition, salaried staff are employed to manage the day to day operations of the Service at Headquarters, regional offices and district fire control centres.