It’s easy to romanticise rural firefighting, heroic figures in orange uniforms battling flames, but the reality is tougher, messier, and often inconveniently timed at 2 am. Yet, the Jamberoo Rural Fire Service (RFS) makes it look effortless. This year alone, they managed 175 call-outs, placing them in the top 10 brigades in NSW for structure-related incidents. No wonder they were smiling at their Christmas party - it was a celebration well-earned.

Let’s talk numbers. One hundred and seventy-five call-outs, each requiring at least three responders. That’s hundreds of interrupted dinners, lost hours of sleep, and days off from work. On one particularly hectic day, the brigade handled nine separate incidents in 24 hours, seven of those within just four hours. They even branched out into medical emergencies, responding to five welfare checks this year, marking a significant shift in their role.

Captain Hannah McInerney and Deputy Captain John Temlett lead a crew that doesn’t just turn up—they excel. Ninety-nine per cent of the time, their trucks hit the road fully crewed. For a volunteer brigade, that’s nothing short of extraordinary. But their success is no accident. It’s built on leadership, training, and the kind of teamwork that turns tough jobs into opportunities for community connection.

The $30,000 donation has purchased essential equipment, including a $10,000 thermal imaging camera

Of course, the Christmas party wasn’t all statistics. This team knows how to laugh at themselves. There were awards for everything from innovative control numbers (“Mission Control” for an incident on Saddleback Mountain) to mishaps involving bent chainsaws and dramatic dives into dams. Deputy Captain Temlett, the night’s chief storyteller, had everyone in stitches recounting the brigade’s most memorable moments of the year.

The brigade’s work wouldn’t be possible without community support, and this year, the Jamberoo Valley Classic Vehicles Club Show delivered in spades. Spearheaded by Dave Wiggins and his committee, the event raised a record-breaking $30,000. Starting modestly 14 years ago with just 100 cars and $4,000, the show has grown into a powerhouse fundraiser.

This year’s funds will go towards essential equipment, including a $10,000 thermal imaging camera - an invaluable tool for saving lives and property. Wiggins summed it up: “This show isn’t just about raising money; it’s about the community. The way our volunteers welcome people and make them feel part of something special is what sets it apart.”

What makes the Jamberoo RFS exceptional isn’t just their response times or their fundraising prowess—it’s their humanity. Behind every call-out is a volunteer who’s left the comfort of home to help a neighbour in need. And behind every volunteer is a community that makes sure they’re supported.

Captain McInerney captured it best: “Every call-out represents someone’s distress. For us, it’s about being there in their worst moments and doing everything we can to help. The support from the car show and the community means we can keep doing what we do, even better.”

This is Jamberoo at its finest: resilient, generous, and fiercely connected. The RFS isn’t just a brigade; it’s the beating heart of a community that knows how to look after its own.