What we do

Mt Wilson / Mt Irvine Rural Fire Brigade is in the West Sector of the Blue Mountains District of the NSW Rural Fire Service and serves the villages of Mount Wilson and Mount Irvine and surrounding areas, which includes the northern area of the Blue Mountains from near Bell to near Mt Tomah.

The Brigade is a volunteer emergency response organisation comprising people who have property in the two villages or an interest in the area. About one-third of local residents are active in the Brigade and approximately 70% of those active members live off the mountains mostly in Sydney but also have a local property for weekends and holidays. So the Brigade relies on the 30% who live locally as the first response to most incidents during the week. However, the off mountain active members give the Brigade a depth to respond to long running and major incidents.

The area for which the Brigade has prime responsibility is shown in this map.

The Brigade was formed in 1958 and has been engaged in community service since then.

The Brigade responds to many different types of incidents and also responds to assist other brigades, particularly those who are adjacent to us.

Typical incidents the Brigade responds to are:

• Search and rescues for people who are lost or who have had an accident in the Blue Mountains
• Community First Responder medical incidents which happen when local residents call '000' for ambulance assistance
• Supporting Police and Ambulance with people lost or injured in the local canyons.
• Motor vehicle accidents, particularly along Bell's Line of Road between Mt Tomah and Bell
• Bush fires which can be local or in other parts of the Blue Mountains. We also supply teams to other districts and States when requested.
• Village fires in houses or other property
• Hazard reductions locally and in support of other brigades.
• Storm damage to remove trees and vegetation from local roads
• Patrolling during fire bans and high risk periods to look for any signs of fire
• Regional Response Group