This Site Was Last Updated On 18th October 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!
Annual luncheon. This year the Annual Luncheon will be held on
15th October 2025 at Club York, 99 York Street, Sydney. Unfortunately we no longer receive support from Firefighters Mutual Bank and as such the Committee have no alternative but to pass on the full charge to our members and guests who will be attending. This year the cost is $84.00. Further details will be provided closer to the date.
(18/09/2025)
The Commissioner regrets to advise of the passing of 6921 Senior Firefighter
Bradley COLLIN formally of Charlestown, on Wednesday 15th October 2025.
Brad joined NSW Fire Brigades in May 1989 served until January 2023.
Brad served at City of Sydney, Newcastle Communications and Charlestown Fire Stations.
(15/09/2025)
Send Off for: 8091 S/O Justin Bentley, Saturday
15th November 2025 6pm,
At: Union Club Hotel, Baylis St, Wagga Wagga.
Flyer
(13/09/2025)
The Commissioner regrets to advise of the passing of 2769 Retired Superintendent
Raymond William LEE formally of Zone South West 2 (now Region West 3),
on Thursday, 2nd October 2025. Ray joined NSW Fire Brigades in October 1960 and served until his retirement in April 1996. Ray served at numerous locations including Waterloo, Newtown, Hurstville and Leeton Zone Office.
Funeral
(09/09/2025)
Latest
Commissioner's Orders
2025/20 received.
(8/10/2025)
The Retirees Association has been advised of the passing of (4238) Greg POTENT on 8th October 2025.
Greg joined NSW Fire Brigades on 10th October1969 and retired on 10th January 1999.
Funeral details will be made available when provided.
(8/10/2025)
Send Off for: 465013 F/F Tony Terry, Saturday 1st November 2025 6pm,
At: Trangie Golf Club.
Flyer
(5/10/2025)
Reminder: RSVP by Wednesday, the 8th October
2025. Send Off for: 6407 Peter Harwood,
Tuesday, 14th October 2025, 1800 hours until late.
Merrylands RSL - Blueys Lounge, 8/12 Miller St, Merrylands.
Flyer
(03/10/2025)
The Retirees Association has been advised of the passing of retired Insp
Leslie SMITH (3457) on 1st October 2025 in Devenport, Tasmania. Les joined the NSWFB on 04/06/1965 and retired on 30/08/1991.
Funeral details will be made available when provided.
(02/10/2025)
Send Off for: David Shields, Ian Paton, Brian Donachie, Clayton Powell,
Wednesday, October 29th, Coolangatta SLSC Sports
Bar, Cnr Dutton St & Marine Pde, Coolangatta. Flyer
(02/10/2025)
Send Off for: 240034362 Dept Capt. Richard Saad, Saturday, 22nd November 2025,
Lismore Heights Bowling Club. Flyer
(02/10/2025)
Send Off for: Dean Snape, Friday, 24th October 2025,
Lismore Heights Sports Club, 181 High Street, Lismore Heights. Flyer
(01/10/2025)
Send Off for: 6672 Inspector Graham Jarrett, Saturday, 22nd November 2025,
Campbelltown Catholic Club, Quondong Room,
20-22 Camden Rd Campbelltown. Flyer
(29/09/2025)
Parramatta Annual Retired Firefighters Bar-B-Q 2025. For over 25 years this has been a success started by
'C ' Plt. Wednesday 5th November 2025 at 11am.
Please support this event and support all retired members. Your newsletter will be out soon:
Annual Luncheon Club York Wednesday 15th October 11:30
. Your attendance keeps these events running smoothly.
Alan Hitchell J.P. SSAPS H: 61 02 96285675 M: 0414 477 467 alan.hitchell@gmail.com
Flyer
(2/09/2025)
New Photos of E District Reunion held on Friday, 26th September 2025 at The Redfern Hotel
placed in
Photo Gallery
(23/09/2025)
The Association has been advised of the passing of Retired Captain
Peter James ALDRIDGE (83001).Peter passed away on Friday, 19th September 2025. He joined the Brigade on 31/03/1966 and retired on
31/03/2001 providing 36 years of dedicated service to the community.
Peter was attached to No. 83 Station Riverstone. Peter was an active member of the Retired Firefighters group and did a daily check of the Funeral Page. At the time of his passing he was 82yrs of age.
Peter's Service will be 'Lived Streamed' and details will be provided when available.
Funeral
(23/09/2025)
The NSWFB Retirees Association has been advised of the passing of retired Station Officer
William Noel FELL (2372) on Thursday. 18th September 2025. William joined NSW Fire Brigades in October 1957 and served until his retirement in December 1994. William served at numerous locations including Narrabeen, Manly, Mona Vale and Avalon Fire Stations.
Funeral
(22/09/2025)
The Retirees Association has been advised of the passing of retired Station Officer
Barry 'Leroy' RICHARDS (3963) on 17th September 2025. Funeral
(19/09/2025)
If anyone knows the contact details for Barry JONES (4484)
please contact Ray Kelly on 0458 687 765.
(19/09/2025)
Triple Send Off for: 6609 Terrance Brennan, 6964 Karl Brandner
and 6978 Glen Harris. Wednesday, 8th October
2025 - 6pm till late
Penrith Rowing Club, 38 Bruce Neale Drive Penrith. Flyer
(19/09/2025)
The NSWFB Retirees Association has been advised of the passing of
(4081) retired Station Office
Grahame 'Snowy' Richard MAYTHERS, formerly of (43) Station Seven Hills, on Saturday, 13th September 2025.
Grahame joined NSW Fire Brigades in November 1968 and served until his retirement in November 2001. Grahame served at numerous locations including Marrickville, Stanmore, Parramatta, Toongabbie and Seven Hills Fire Stations.
Grahame passed away in John Hunter Hospital surrounded by his loving family.
Funeral
(2/09/2025)
Send Off for: 6427 Kel McNamara 30th October 2025 4pm
Lounge Room - Dee Why RSL 932 Pittwater Rd Dee Why 2099.
Flyer
(2/09/2025)
Another descriptive Fire News report from Retirees Fire News Editor Kernin Lambert
of the Major Chemical Recycling Facility Fire, Violet Street, Revesby
Friday, 31st
March 1995.
The article has also been placed in the Fire Rescue News Articles. Article
Permanent Messages
(01/07/2025)
A message from Perry Campbell:
Just a short note to say thank you to all you hard working wonderful Committee Members of our NSWFB Retirees Association.
I being a retired Firey, as you know, really appreciate the informative updates/happenings that you continuously provide by way of our web site & I also, like a number of other
ex-Fireys, check for news nearly every day.
I must say that anytime I have contacted any Committee Member I have always received excellent assistance/advice.
A couple of recent instances where you people have made a huge difference to Family & Friends of
'passing' Retired Firefighters in my area, for which I sincerely especially thank you for. They are being Robert
'Bobby' Treseder, (late of Narromine Brigade) & Patrick 'Paddy' Hearne, (late of Trangie Brigade). Both gentlemen being not only colleagues of mine but also dear friends of some 35 years. RIP Gents.
Also RIP one of the NSWFB real Gentlemen in Ross Freeman, with his recent passing.
Please keep up the great work, & BTW, I can personally vouch for the sincerity & dedication of many of the current Committee Members, due to in my 33 plus years of service, I
worked alongside or contiguously with, some 17 or 18 of you lovely people !
Thanks again. Kind regards, Perry Campbell 4479. (The Princess)
28/02/2025)
Invitation to Retired Firefighters and those contemplating Retirement Region North
3 – New England & NW Command.
Details
(28/02/2025)
Invitation to Retired Firefighters and those contemplating Retirement Region North 2 – Northern Rivers.
Details
(05/03/2024)
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
*** Funeral
Notices 18/10/2025 ***
Commissioner's
Orders 08/10/2025
Photo Gallery
27/09/2025
Regional
Retiree Reunions 28/08/2025
*** Retirement
Functions 15/10/2025 ***
*** Social Events
15/10/2025 ***