Volunteer firefighting is all about community.
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Whether they're battling a fire in their own backyard or assisting the wider community that spans district borders, NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) members are committed to what they do.
Since September 7, NSW RFS Lower Hunter brigades have been sending crews north to assist in fighting the raging Tenterfield Armidale bushfires.
District manager Lower Hunter NSW RFS Superintendent Martin Siemsen said the local brigades had had an ongoing commitment to working alongside their northern counterparts.
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"We've sent 10 trucks with more than 40 people up to the fires in the Tenterfield region," he said. Crews range in size from 20 to 40 people, depending on volunteer availability. Each rotation is away for five days - with three days of firefighting and two days either side for travel.
All brigades in the Lower Hunter district, which includes those in the Cessnock, Maitland, Dungog, and Port Stephens local government areas, were called upon.
"There are very dire conditions up there for this time of year," Mr Siemsen said.
"Due to the drought conditions in the Tenterfield-Armidale area, they're challenged by a lack of water.
"There are ongoing dry conditions and the information that we have [indicates] they have challenging weather ahead next week with elevated fire dangers. The firefighters we send up are qualified and skilled enough to fight those fires."
Mr Siemsen agreed there were rewarding aspects to participating in a deployment. "At the end of the day you've got that feeling that you've assisted the community and in this case a community in a drought affected area," he said.
"There are a lot of farmers facing the challenges of fire and the current drought conditions. It's a great feeling you get when you help somebody that's in need and that's what our organisation is about. We are a community based fire organisation."
Those interested in volunteering with the Rural Fire Service are encouraged to join their local brigade.
The application process involves an interview, a criminal check and basic firefighting training.
Within a couple of months, new members can be active and trained for basic firefighting.
"We are in the bushfire danger period and encourage all people in bushfire prone areas to prepare their families and their homes," Mr Siemsen said.
"It's important to plan and have conversations with family members. We're only around the corner from having a fire season ourselves."
The service hosted a Get Ready day at the weekend so those living in bushfire prone areas could prepare for this year's fire season.