Praise for Western Sydney’s long-standing volunteer firefighters

In preparation for the celebrations around their fiftieth anniversary the members of the Blaxland Ridge Rural Fire Brigade have produced a book 'Blaxfax – the History and the People of Blaxland Ridge Rural Fire Brigade.'

The book will be officially launched this weekend at a function to be attended by the NSW Rural Fire Service's Deputy Commissioner Rob Rogers, Hawkesbury Council Mayor Kim Ford , Hawkesbury MP Ray Williams along with many NSW RFS volunteers and their families.

NSW RFS Deputy Commissioner Rogers congratulated the Brigade on their long history and commitment to producing such a detailed history of their unit. "It's great to see a Brigade with such a sense of pride in their history, a history that has now been recorded for perpetuity. "

Blaxfax is reflective of the history of many dedicated local Brigades across NSW. From its inception in the summer of 1964 until now, much has changed. "The first equipment list was 12 knapsack sprays, four rakes and two shovels.

The Brigade now has three vehicles for firefighting, and access to the latest training and support," Deputy Commissioner Rogers said.

Deputy Commissioner Rogers said Blaxland Ridge Brigade members are relied upon, both in their local district and further afield, for their experience and firefighting skill.

"This brigade responds to many bush and grass fires, along with structural fires and car accidents.

"The ladies and gentlemen of the Blaxland Ridge Brigade are also the first to put their hand up to assist with emergencies in other parts of the State and throughout Australia.

"Brigade members have worked at the 2003 Canberra and 2009 Victorian fires, along with the 2007 Central Coast floods.

"It is a great honour to be celebrating close to fifty years of community protection by the Blaxland Ridge Brigade and I know these volunteers will still be here continuing to serve their local community in years to come," said Deputy Commissioner Rogers.