11 September 2023
Meet the Rural Fire Service that’s replacing fear with confidence through dedicated bushfire safety engagement
This Moment of Help shines on the picturesque town of Wollombi on Darkinjung land in country New South Wales. This is where Deputy Captain Glenn O’Rourke, a volunteer of 26 years at Wollombi’s Rural Fire Service Brigade (RFS), is combining his business acumen and brigade experience to help his community live bushfire-ready.
A member of his local Scouts troop as a young man, it’s safe to say Glenn has always known how to be prepared. It was a chat with a local fire brigade member that led him to complete his Scout’s community service as an RFS volunteer. After heading off to university and working as a business consultant for many years, he made the treechange to the Hunter Valley and felt his volunteering spirit calling again.
“I bought a property in Wollombi and it was the first time I’d moved back into a bush environment. I remembered really enjoying being part of the fire brigade when I was younger so I made a decision to join the local brigade here. It's a good way to contribute back to the community and engage very quickly with the locals.”
When Glenn first joined, a few locals came to the brigade asking for advice about being prepared for bushfires. He said this was the moment he realised the combination of his brigade experience and business acumen could strengthen Wollombi’s resilience. At his first official information event, he was inspired by the turnout.
The number of attendees was much higher than anticipated. It triggered us to say we've got to do more of this, and so we slowly built our capability to do more engaging activities.
Over many years, Glenn and the Wollombi RFS have dedicated themselves to running a range of interactive bushfire education workshops, forums and mobile kiosks. They also ensure a regular and friendly presence by setting up information booths at local markets and events.
Their bushfire survival strategies were put to the test during the Black Summer fires of 2019-2020. The team ensured unlimited access to local, real-time updates and RFS advice at a booth in a local tavern crewed 24-7. This was synchronised with their social media postings to ensure a source of truth and reliable, up-to-date information and warnings. This empowered the community to make informed decisions and be prepared for the fires in real time.
Glenn says they also work directly with home and business owners to develop customised plans that consider both the unique property layout and family situation. The Wollombi RFS members are happy to talk to people one-on-one and even visit local properties to recommend bushfire preparedness strategies on-site as needed.
Glenn laments that in previous times, fire brigades could seem like closed shops that were only responsive in the event of a fire.
“Back in the day, there was a fire and you just called the fire brigade,” Glenn explains. “Now, there is an acceptance of shared community responsibility and the need for consistent awareness. We can all help to contribute to the defence of our town, our homes and our families. The response to this education has been much higher than we anticipated and quite powerful. We want everyone to live bushfire ready.”
While people who have lived in the region for years know the dangers, many people made a treechange during COVID, so he says the need for bushfire survival engagement is greater than ever.
“What we’re really talking about here when it comes to bushfire survival is keeping our families safe. All homes are different and all families are different, so we encourage people to speak with us about what they need to do to properly customise a bushfire survival plan,” Glenn advises. “With every plan, there also needs to be room for variables. What if one parent isn’t home? What if you live on a dead-end road? We want people to feel confident with their plan when a bushfire hits - not afraid.”
NRMA Insurance is a proud supporter of the NSW Rural Fire Service. During the fire season each year, it’s important to understand your bushfire risk, so we encourage you to meet with your local RFS brigade members during ‘Get Ready Weekend’ (September 16-17) and empower yourself with the knowledge and strategies to best prepare for bushfire season. These events will be held across a number of brigades across the state. Find a Get Ready Weekend event near you by visiting the NSW Rural Fire Service website today.
