This Site Was Last Updated On 17th January 2025

 
The NSW Fire Brigades Retirees Association Incorporated, is a voluntary association which aims to provide members with useful information, keep members advised of upcoming events, send offs, dinners and functions and maintains the comradeship and friendships formed during service with NSW Fire Brigades. Depending on privacy considerations it may be possible to help members keep in touch with or contact former comrades. The association is open to any retired member of NSW Fire Brigades both operational and administrative and includes wives and husbands. It costs nothing to join the Association, 
just write, call or email and give us your details or complete the Membership Form on line.

  Latest News!

(18/11/2024)
Latest Commissioner's Orders 2025/01 received.

(14/01/2025)
The Commissioner regrets to advise of the passing of retired Firefighter Anthony HALL (452025) formely of 452 Tammworth on Friday, 10th January 2025. Anthony joined NSW Fire Brigades on 1st May 1992 and served for over 30 years.  Funeral

(07/01/2025)
We have received a request for the contact details for Wayne HOLLIS, and Mick NEWELL. If anyone knows of their whereabouts please contact Ray Kelly on 0458 687 765 or email nswfbretirees@gmail.com.

(03/01/2025)
The Commissioner regrets to advise of the passing of retired Station Officer Kevin Michael GILDEA formerly of Control (Sydney Communications), on Friday 20th December 2024. Kevin joined NSW Fire Brigades on 6th April 1956 and served for over 32 years. Funeral

(30/12/2024)
The Commissioner regrets to advise of the passing of retired Captain Allen HERITAGE formerly of Cootamundra, on 24th December 2024. Allen joined NSW Fire Brigades on 1st May 1983 and served for over 20 years.  Funeral

(25/12/2024)
The Commissioner regrets to advise of the passing of retired Senior Firefighter John Douglas CRAIG (2777) formerly of St Marys, on 23rd December 2024. John joined NSW Fire Brigades on 11th November 1960 and served for over 37 years. Family have advised that there will be no funeral.

(24/12/2024)
The Commissioner regrets to advise of the passing of Retired Inspector Kenneth RODGER (2042), formerly of Fire Safety Division, on Sunday 22nd December 2024. Ken joined NSW Fire Brigades on 2nd March 1956 and served over 40 years. Funeral

(22/12/2024)
The Retirees Association has been advised of the passing of retired Station Officer Kevin Martin GILDEA (2095) on Friday 20th December, 2024. Kevin joined the NSWFB on 06/04/1956 and retired on 24/09/1988. Kevin was 93 years old and lived in Phillip, ACT. Funeral details will be made available when received. The family has agreed to a notice being posted and have requested that a guard of honour be formed at the funeral.

(17/12/2024)
We have received information from the family of (4139) Senior Firefighter Geoffrey HARLAND stating he passed away on 17th December 2024 in Calvary Hospital. Funeral

Permanent Messages

(05/04/2024)
From National Emergency Worker Support Service | Black Dog Institute: Good afternoon NSWFB Retirees Secretary, I am an Implementation Practice Manager at Black Dog Institute, working on the National Emergency Worker Support Service (NEWSS). NEWSS is a free, confidential mental health support for emergency service workers – both active and retired. Details

(08/09/2023)
Workplace illness Claims including cancer - update from Darin Sullivan: Retirees are still advised to contact FRNSW Health and Safety Branch, as well as an experienced Solicitor, to ensure they receive support and guidance for workplace illness claims, including cancer related illnesses. Masselos and Co are still the FBEU preferred/suggested solicitors as the most experienced in these matters. Contacting the FBEU directly may still be of some benefit if having trouble navigating these difficult issues. - Darin Sullivan, Former FBEU President. 

(11/08/2023
INTRODUCTION – FIRE NEWS EDITOR
The NSWFB Retirees’ Executive Committee is pleased to announce the appointment of current serving FRNSW Inspector, Kernin Lambert as Fire News Editor. This position on our website has been vacant for some time. Kernin has been a Member of the NSWFB / FRNSW for twenty-seven years and is currently a Deputy Commander at Metropolitan West 1, C Platoon, Western Sydney. Since joining the fire service Kernin has always had a strong desire to contribute to the improvement of operations by studying and learning from operational incidents of an unusual, complex or significant nature. His knowledge, coupled with an enormous insight into all aspects of Fire Service operations Statewide, enables him to produce comprehensive operational submissions. Kernin sent his first article to Fire News in 1997 and in 2000 the Commissioner generously allowed him to write an insert in Fire News known as Fire Operations Journal. Over the years this publication has come and gone a number of times due to changes in editorial direction. However, he never stopped believing in the importance of learning and sharing from operational incidents. 
Kernin’s aims have always been to improve fire fighter safety and the effectiveness of operations. This is particularly important as the materials involved in building construction are constantly changing. Some important examples include insulated sandwich paneling, combustible external cladding, tilt slab buildings and now we are seeing a wave of fires due to lithium-ion batteries, not to mention the always present dangers of bush fires. Congratulations Kernin on this very important appointment of Fire News Editor. We are looking forward very much to reading, viewing and enjoying your Fire News reports, the first of which is already on our website – Port Kembla Ethanol Storage Tank fire. Regards, 
Bill Powell AFSM President

(10/08/2023)
Updated: Further EAP provider information for retired members
The Association has received from FRNSW Retirees' Peer Support Officer, retired Superintendent Chris Jurgeit, the following new document recently published by FRNSW about Transitioning into Retirement. It contains great information both for staff contemplating retirement/separation and for those who have already made the move. Chris states - Two important points will be added at the next review of the document, however they are pertinent now ie 
- Page 10 (Section 4) - Under EAP that the service is now also available to staff who have left FRNSW (up to 5 years post leaving) - so they can continue to get support for their transition out of FRNSW after they have officially left
- Page 16 - All staff have access to 6 free sessions with a financial counsellor per year (through EAP "Money Assist" program) - this could be useful for those planning to transition away from FRNSW. Various sections of this document are both applicable and helpful to current retired firefighters. For example, Section 4 - Well Being, Section 6 - Volunteering, Section 7 - Know Your Finances and Page 21 - Check List. For information or questions, please contact the FRNSW Retirees' Peer Support Duty Officer 0477 342 750. 
Bill Powell AFSM President NSWFB Retirees Association

(02/03/2023)
FORMATION OF NSW FIRE AND RESCUE CEREMONIAL TEAM: Senior Fire Fighter George Lloyd, under the guidance of Superintendent Peter Stathis, (now retired), and Superintendent Greg Houston have assembled a  NSW Fire & Rescue Ceremonial Team. This team currently comprises twenty four Members who volunteer their time to represent FRNSW at funerals, as well as Anzac Day and Graduation ceremonies. Protocol procedures play out an important role in the Brigade’s future. Over the past two years the Ceremonial Team has attended a number of funerals for both retired and currently serving Members. Please find attached a short video of the Ceremonial Team at the funeral of Bruce Johnson. If any NSW retired fire fighters or their family would like to have the Ceremonial Team participate in a service, please contact the President, Bill Powell at bill.p133@live.com 

(1/12/2022)
Updated email address: Need someone to talk to? The Retiree’s Peer Support Team is a group of retired firefighters, who are there to support other firefighters when personal difficulties arise in their life. Right now, many people are experiencing further challenges caused by draught, bushfire crisis and now a worldwide pandemic. The members of retiree’s peer support are not counselors, but someone to talk to and if appropriate, guide you to professional help. All conversations are treated with confidentiality. Contact Information: Email: retiredpeersfrnsw@gmail.com Website: www.retiredfirefightersupport.com.au  Duty Officer: 0477 342 750

(04/06/2020)
Online Condolence Book: With the recent sad passing of firefighters within our FRNSW family, it is fitting to honour them and reflect on their service by creating a personalised online condolence book. Details

(09/03/2019)
From: Darin Sullivan: Hi all, If you have had a cancer that may be related to firefighting but think it may be outside the current legislation that we got through parliament, please contact me for more information. Feel free to pass this and my email address on to others this may also assist. Regards, Sully darinsullivan1@gmail.com

(12/10/2017)
Another report on the problem with old type Foam.

(16/08/17)
Latest PFAS information supplied by Chief Superintendent Dave Felton AFSM.
1. Information Sheet - PFAS Questions & Answers
2. Information Sheet Firefighting Foam and PFAS
3. Timeline - FRNSW Historical Use of PFAS Containing Firefighting Foam

(11/01/16)
Letter From Roger Bucholtz Re: Defined Benefit Income. Letter

(14/03/12)
The FRNSW Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.  These medals are not automatically issued to existing retirees. If you qualify you must submit a Request To Be Recognised For Long Service And Good Conduct Award form.  Form

Dates Items Last Updated
Commissioner Corner 25/03/2017
*** Funeral Notices 14/01/2025 ***
** Commissioner's Orders 17/01/2025 ***
Photo Gallery 11/12/2024  
Regional Retiree Reunions 03/10/2024
Retirement Functions 26/10/2024
Social Events 28/11/2024