NSW Rural Fire Service upgrades fleet and deploys crews to fight French wildfires

Ten new firefighting vehicles were handed over to NSW Rural Fire Service brigades across the Lower Hunter region, including bulk water tankers, bushfire tankers and specialist trucks. NSW Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said the modern equipment will help volunteers protect their communities, while Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib called the delivery an investment in local safety.

In a separate operation, the NSW Rural Fire Service is sending a CH‑47D Chinook helicopter, a Bell 412 reconnaissance chopper and 24 personnel to France to assist with record heat‑driven wildfires. Commissioner Trent Curtin highlighted the service’s long‑standing international cooperation, and Defence Minister Richard Marles noted the Australian Defence Force will support the rapid airlift of the equipment.