Rural Fire Service (RFS) volunteers saved countless properties during the bushfire crisis and often put their own safety at risk.
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Grateful community members now want to thank the RFS for their efforts and many people have decided the best way to say thank you to these dedicated volunteers is by picking up a hose and signing up.
Many Shoalhaven based RFS brigades have received a membership increase following the bushfire crisis and the Bawley Point RFS unit is just one local group currently training its new recruits.
Captain of the Bawley Point RFS brigade, Charlie Magnusson, said they had picked up around 13 to 14 new recruits.
He said the ferocity of the fires convinced people they should sign up.
"During the bushfires, we had a lot of people coming to the station to give us a hand and they then got a taste of the volunteer role," he said.
"So yes, we have done well when it comes to recruitments."
The fire captain said the region's other brigades have also done well in the volunteer recruitment department.
He added a good percentage of their new recruits were in the younger age bracket, while they also have a good influx of teenagers, ranging in age from 15 to 18 years, in their ranks.
"We also have people in their 30 to 40s, so things are looking good for the future," captain Magnusson said.
The more seasoned volunteers are now passing on their experience to the next generation of volunteer firefighters.
The Bawley Point unit's female membership is also strong with around 33 per cent of the volunteers being women.
Captain Charlie said he expected to lose one or two volunteers after what was a physically demanding and emotional taxing bushfire season.
"It was a pretty heavy season," he said.
In general, the volunteers are doing okay and recovering after what can only be described as horrendous bushfire season.
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With many residents now in clean up their property mode and doing pile burns, captain Magnusson and other RFS volunteers are happy to give advice.
He said they would rather give advice and inspect proposed pile burns, instead of having to respond to a triple zero call if a burn gets out of control.
The basic advice includes altering the district office in Nowra of your intention to burn, giving your neighbours 24 hours and making sure you burn in the right conditions.
Captain Magnusson added the perfect time to do some burning was after there had been some drizzle.
The RFS offers great advice and more tips are below.
Captain Magnusson is still hopeful the brigade will be able to stage an open day later this year.
He said open days were a good way to pass on fire safety information and gather as a community.
RFS pile burn safety measures
Before lighting the pile, ensure that you have suitable tools on hand (rakes and shovels) to conduct the burn and control any possible spot fires.
Accelerants (such as petrol) must never be used in the pile.
Ensure that there is a sufficient water supply and that you have a hose with appropriate water pressure that can reach around the pile to extinguish the fire (if required) and contain any spot fires.
Ensure that you wear protective clothing such as heavy cotton pants, a long-sleeved shirt, leather work boots, work gloves and a wide-brimmed hat. .
Disturb piles immediately prior to lighting to scare away animals such as lizards and snakes which may be taking refuge within the pile.
Consider the weather. Only light the pile if the weather conditions are calm.
High wind speed may assist in smoke dispersal, but may also make the fire more difficult to contain.
Contact your local RFS Fire Control Centre or NSW Fire and Rescue station for advice.
Light the fire at one point. A pile that is lit at multiple points may burn with more intensity and may be difficult to contain.
If the pile is on a slope, the ignition point should be upslope of the pile so that the pile ignites slowly (burning in a downhill direction).
Supervise the burn constantly after lighting to ensure there are no spot fires in surrounding vegetation.
Completely extinguish the pile immediately after the burn is finished.
The spreading of burnt material after the burn may assist in allowing for smouldering material to be extinguished.
