You may hear the siren, but what you don’t always see is the quiet discipline, teamwork and sacrifice behind every turn-out from Jamberoo Rural Fire Service.

In the 2024 calendar year, this entirely volunteer brigade responded to a record-breaking 180 call-outs, averaging one every two days - the busiest operational year in its history.

For a small village, that’s a big commitment.

What’s even more remarkable is how fast they do it. From the moment the call comes in, it takes just 4.5 minutes on average for the first fire truck to hit the road - one of the fastest response times in the region.

Their call-outs aren’t just fires.

They respond to structure fires, car crashes, grass fires, downed trees, welfare checks, animal rescues, and even land-based flood rescues.

They’ve searched for missing persons, helped in multi-agency hazardous material events, and assisted other regions during the Hawkesbury floods and the Varroa mite biosecurity emergency.

While their primary responsibility is to the Jamberoo valley and surrounds, this brigade also supports the broader Shoalhaven, Illawarra and Sutherland areas, and when called upon, they deploy across NSW - wherever the need is greatest.

But it’s not just what they do - it’s how they do it. The brigade’s strength lies in its diversity, inclusion and deep community roots.

Their members range from 16 to 86 years old, representing a cross-section of Jamberoo life - from retired engineers and school students to small business owners and even religious ministers. Everyone brings something unique, and everyone is welcomed.

In 2025, 50% of the brigade’s operational officers are women, including Deputy Captains Leanne Deen and Corrine Wesche.

At the helm is Captain Hannah McInerney, the first female brigade captain in the Illawarra.

She is widely credited with helping to transform the culture of the brigade - shifting it from a traditionally blokey space to a collaborative, supportive team grounded in professionalism and mutual respect.

The brigade is also deeply connected to local life.

They work hand-in-hand with groups like the Kiama Show Society, Red Cross, CWA, Jamberoo Tennis Club, the RSL sub-branch, and local schools and pre-schools.

In 2024 alone, their fire education programs reached more than 350 children across 10 pre-schools - planting seeds of safety and confidence for the next generation.

After last April’s floods, they were on hand with gumboots and grit, helping clean up the tennis club and other community assets without hesitation.

It’s not all sirens and smoke. Sometimes, it’s a food drive for the Salvation Army, or a “Get Ready” day to prepare locals for bushfire season. Sometimes it’s quietly standing beside someone in crisis.

In a time when many communities struggle to maintain volunteer numbers, Jamberoo RFS shows what’s possible when people from all walks of life come together with a shared purpose.

This isn’t just a fire brigade. It’s a local lifeline - and a shining example of what happens when a community invests in itself.

On Saturday 24 May, the Fukers will raise the roof at Jamberoo School of Arts Hall, all in support of the Jamberoo Rural Fire Service. Come along, show your appreciation, and help keep this vital local brigade strong.

The important details

📍 Jamberoo School of Arts Hall

🗓️ Saturday 24th May

🕕 7 pm till late

🎤 Live music, singing and dancing

🍷 Food and drinks at bar prices

🎟️ $40 from Humanitix (see flyer for QR code)