Rivers Volunteer Bushfire Brigade

04/05/2024

May the 4th be with all firefighters!
Community Education at St Anthony’s school fete with ACTRFS brigades Rivers and Guises Creek.

25/01/2023

The new RIV20 light unit is a welcome replacement. The new appliance brings considerable improvements to improve firefighter safety.

2 hours after this photo was taken the new unit, along with numerous other Rivers units were responded to a fire that had been intentionally started. Please be responsible and vigilant this season.

This week the ACT Rural Fire Service has received seven new vehicles for the 2022-23 fire season, with an additional four vehicles on the way later in the year as part of the ongoing vehicle replacement program.

Light Firefighting Units are built on a nimble 4WD frame and equipped with a 600-litre water tank for fast-response firefighting in hard-to-reach areas.

The SUV Command Vehicles are kitted out with the latest coordination, communications, and safety equipment for better control of the fireground.

The new vehicles are a welcome replacement for aging older models. They’ll be stationed strategically at ACT Rural Fire Service Brigades to keep the Canberra community safe.

12/01/2023

Rivers is back into training after a short break over Christmas. Last night 5 crews checked the operation of hydrants on the urban interface around Mount Taylor. This is a critical activity to ensure that infrastructure is ready to support any required firefighting activity. The brigade then went on to practise grassfire response in the Mount Taylor Reserve. Thanks to all the members who came out to train in the heat!

06/06/2022

Rivers President and Captain were proud to present the team from Jamala Wildlife Lodge with a Certificate of Appreciation and a small gift in recognition of their support for our Brigade membership. ACT RFS Brigades are widely supported by the ACT community and we are lucky to have organisations such as Jamala to help us out.

25/11/2021

3 Rivers members proudly received formal recognition of their service at last nights ESA Awards night. Richard Morton and Deputy Captain Martin Greenwood both received the National Service Medal for each proving over 15 years of service. Harley McDonnell received the Humanitarian Medal for his 2017 deployment to Canada to assist them with their wildfires.

26/09/2021

If any of the public would like a copy of this amazing book, head on over to the Volunteer Brigades Association website and order yourself a copy.

24/07/2021

A great interview with a long time member of Rivers and former Captain.
If you would like to purchase a copy of the photo book that has been produced to remember the work of the the ACT Emergency Services over the 19/20 season please contact the ACT Volunteer Brigade Association.

Matt Dutkiewicz is the sort of bloke you always want by your side. By day, a public servant. By every...

17/07/2021

Great opportunity to purchase a well designed book that captures the ACTRFS work over the summer of 19/20.

Canberra’s Volunteer Rural Firefighters Reflect on the ‘Black Summer’ Bushfires

27/06/2021

Mask up Canberra!

😷 Face masks to become mandatory in the ACT when out in the community, from midnight tonight.

There are no active cases in the ACT. However, the safety of our community is paramount, so we are bringing in this requirement as a proactive measure to support the strengthened travel restrictions that we have put in place.

This new requirement means, when people are indoors with people they don’t usually live or work with, or on public transport, they must wear a face mask.

For example, masks must be worn in:
⚬ supermarkets, shopping centres and retail,
⚬ hospitality venues including restaurants, cafes and other licenced venues,
⚬ other restricted business activities where there is close contact with the public, including hairdressers, beauty and tanning salons and gyms, and
⚬ high-risk settings, such as health and aged care facilities.

For hospitality venues, mask requirements will align with those currently in effect in regional NSW, meaning employees who have contact with patrons, must wear a mask at all times. Patrons are strongly encouraged to wear a mask while in the venue but can remove the face covering while eating and drinking.

You can find a full list of the business and community settings where masks must be worn here: https://www.covid19.act.gov.au/act-status-and-response/face-masks

People may remove their face masks in certain situations such as in emergencies or when eating and drinking. There are other exceptions for mask usage, which can be found here: https://www.covid19.act.gov.au/act-status-and-response/face-masks

Although the use of face masks will become mandatory from midnight tonight (Monday 28 June 2021), there will be a 48-hour transition period for businesses and the community to adapt to these new requirements.

In addition to wearing a face mask, the community is also reminded about all the other important actions they can take to be COVID safe.

First and foremost, stay home if unwell and get tested with any COVID-19 symptoms. When out in Canberra, make sure that you are using the Check In CBR app. In crowded spaces, keep your distance.

01/06/2021

A great reminder to ensure that if you are undertaking any burning this winter, be sure to take all the proper precautions. Fires can spread quickly even though it is now winter.

20/03/2021

A great day out with Gungahlin, Molonglo, and Hall ACTRFS brigades giving our drivers some more experience in both highway and off road conditions. Through Murrumbateman, Yass, Gundagai, Tumut, Brindabella and then home.

10/03/2021