I have recently forwarded to you an update on the current fires in the Hawkesbury District from FCO Karen Hodges. As you can read from that, the ongoing strategy for the Howes Swamp fire is yet to be determined. Whatever strategy is decided upon will involve some more time and effort, however, we are hopefully finally nearing an end to the current S44.

As I return to work today for the first time in quite a while, I have been getting nothing but positive feedback and comments on our involvement in the current fires and indeed from what has expired over the last six weeks. For such a small brigade to have both provided crews onto the fireground and had crews available around the clock for such an extended period has been nothing short of brilliant. And further, a number of our members have voluntarily answered the call from Fire Control to help out with Logistics, Admin and Catering. At the end of all this, I will in detail accumulate the total involvement by our Brigade and recognise all of those members who have contributed in any way.

Throughout the campaign, the crews that have represented our brigade have always been of the highest order. Even during some very tense and high-pressure situations, we have remained committed to what we are known for and that is our no-nonsense, thorough and dedicated way of firefighting. It is a sign of the strength of our brigade that no matter who goes out on the truck, our standards do not drop.

Our commitment to the larger cause and the availability of members has been tested, particularly as the weeks roll on and the media frenzy disappears, hence getting time off work becomes increasingly difficult. However, for those of you who have been able to take time off work or work a night shift and still attend work, your commitment has been very much appreciated. Indeed I would like to sincerely thank every member who has been able to help out in any way. There is still plenty of work to do but it would be remiss of me not to thank you and recognise the time, effort and professionalism in which you have represented our brigade.

Further, for those of you who have committed some time, there will always be an adverse impact on your families. I’m fully aware of this as this, too, affects my family. Please pass on my gratitude and appreciation to your families for the time you have had to be away. At times it is very testing on our relationships at home and I apologise if that has been the case.

Thanks to Scott, we have been adding a few updates to our website and there are some photos from the last couple of weeks. If you have any of your own photos from the fires, please email them to me and I’ll forward them to Scott to upload onto our website.

Thanks once again and as I have said on occasions before, I am very proud to be the Captain of this brigade because it is all of you, the members, who make our brigade the strength and the great place that it is.

Thank you.

Bruce Earle (Captain)