It takes a special kind of person who decides to risk their safety for the betterment of the wider community.
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This act of bravery, normalised under the banner of emergency service volunteers and staff, was again brought in the foreground during the Paddys River Fire over the weekend.
At about 12.25pm on Saturday 32 firefighters, nine fire trucks and a large air tanker attempted to control a blaze near Paddys River in north Marulan.
It was a September swelter, with temperatures reached a maximum of 29 degrees in Goulburn.
A combined effort from firies across the district led to the official containment announced on Sunday afternoon.
“We require the communities to be vigilant. Watch warnings, stay in touch with fires near me and the RFS website,” NSW RFS Southern Highlands Team Manager Superintendent Martin Surrey said after he praised the tireless efforts displayed on the two days.
“Without the rain it will be a long and arduous fire season, people need to be prepared.”
But it was not only Paddys River, across the state 90 fires were reported to the RFS.
As bush fire season slowly approaches more men and women will go out and respond to larger and more frequent fires.
Usually donned in protective gear, it might be easy for some to forget that underneath the helmet is a mother, brother, niece, god son, cousin, neighbour or friend.
As a community, vigilance in the bush fire season is extremely critical.
There is a reason why the message around safety first is always shared. It is quite simple. Responsible actions taken out by individuals prevents emergency service personnel putting their own lives at risk.
Your individual safety bleeds into their safety.
There are many anxious about the upcoming bush fire season and its severity. The biggest contributing factors to this is the combination of low rainfall and high temperatures.
Although we cannot change the weather, a combined awareness and trust in the advice voiced by firefighters will lead a stronger front and more effective response.
- To prepare a bush fire survival plan head to www.rfs.nsw.gov.au. Alternatively, you can contact your local fire station for additional information or help. In any type of emergency call triple zero (000).