A special thanks to our brave firefighters and other emergency service workers!

[AB]

They sometimes might though. Kris would know more about this then me but I see a lot of the MFb out our way for their set ups with fighting fires in buildings and construction as opposed to our local rural Cfa.

I have zero knowledge of each set up but assume different regions have different and more suited equipment, etc.

[NissanGQ4.2]

All taken on the 17th October 2013, first day of the Springwood / Winmalee / Mount Riverview / Penrith fires.

Erin said 2 grab the valuables so I got a beer and my NP cooler



From the front yard looking towards Penrith



Rest are from front and back yard looking towards the ridge line where the fire was burning in the Warrimoo / Sun Valley / Winmalee area

















Have some more pics but my phone has died so can't upload them and have some vids but for some reason they error while uploading to photobucket

[Hodge]

Far out mate, that is nerve-racking. Hope all is well.

[NissanGQ4.2]

Far out mate, that is nerve-racking. Hope all is well.

Thanks mate, yes it was nerve-racking, was the first time here where I felt the need to pack some bags and have them in the car just in case the wind changed direction and we needed 2 get out. All good here at the moment, it was downgraded yesterday from emergency to watch and act and have only heard one siren and one helicopter this morning. Hope the prediction for 2morrow doesn't happen otherwise.

Lucky for us the wind was pushing it towards Penrith when it started and not towards us.

Alot of houses where lost and damaged in the surrounding suburbs though

[NissanGQ4.2]

Have heard it has flared up again and they are door knocking in Blaxland the suburb next to us, Water Bombers have been going hard within the last hour or so and now there are a heap of sirens going past

Think the breeze is pushing it back this way

[threedogs]

A huge efforts by these ppl even knowing their own houses are burning down.
I'm sure the sister club that I'm in will help with the clean up . No idea what it would be like to lose everything and I mean everything.
must be heart breaking, Photo's, pets, cars you name it all gone,
but we are Aussies and in the true spirit will put it behind us and rebuild, time will heal

[dads tractor]

As a so called professional firefighter I fail to understand why we make it so hard for the vollies to get a job with us . CES and CFS run rings around us in doing the job with a lack of training ,poor resources ,etc. etc. but they are there on the ground doing what they can so I take my hat off too then and nothing beats sheer guts and commitment .go gang !!!!!!!

[NP99]

Each state govt should provide incentives for the vollie groups, cheaper car ergo maybe!!!

I served with the Sunshine Coast rurals........nothing more scarey than hearing a big one roaring through the bush heading your way.

Job well done NSW.

[Astro]

I don't understand why most in the RFS / CFS etc are only volunteers, they should be getting paid to risk their lives to help others, NSWFB get paid so why shouldn't they!

They don't get paid, that's WHY the government uses them. Paid firies are used as a last resort, normally when the volunteers from NSW and other states are exhausted.

It's all about the $$, nothing else

Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk 2

[rkinsey]

Have heard it has flared up again and they are door knocking in Blaxland the suburb next to us, Water Bombers have been going hard within the last hour or so and now there are a heap of sirens going past

Think the breeze is pushing it back this way

Todd, if you need a place to camp, we have more than enough room for you and your family if you need it. I'll PM you my mobile number.

To all of us, stay safe and help out where you can. There are drives for food, clothing and money as well as personal items of all things. Our club held its Senior presentation evening the other night and raised $1200.00 which we will probably donate to the CFS. We are going to hit the Junior preso this weekend and see if we cant double it at least.

Cheers,

Rob