The annual forum was held at the Hilltops Retreat Motor Inn on Wombat Road on Friday, July 11, attracting RFS group captains from the western region that stretches from Mudgee to Broken Hill.

The region encompasses 29 local government areas.

Up to 25 group captains were able to attend this year’s event, including five from the South West Slopes Zone.

For six hours speakers covered issues such as codes of conduct and ethics, litigation and legal aspects such as the new clearing vegetation entitlements.

NSW RFS Assistant Commissioner Bruce McDonald also spoke about fire tankers, infrastructure and communications while Steve Yorke spoke about aviation matters.

Commissioner Fitzsimmons, who loves getting out to regional areas and meeting the volunteers, arrived at the forum at around 4pm.

He spoke about budgets, challenges for firefighters, fire season predictions and government support, as well as touching a little on the new vegetation legislation.

Paul Smith from the Region West office in Lovell Street said these forums are held to keep group captains more informed and for them to pass the information onto their brigade members.

“It’s also about clearing up any misunderstandings,” he said.

“[This year is] Young’s turn. We aim to hold the forums in a central location so travel is not too far for everyone.”

The Rural Fire Service Association (RFSA) sponsored the event, which Mr Smith said showed their willingness to support volunteers.

“We enjoy supporting volunteers by sponsoring this group captain forum as we see it as a valuable way to pass on information from the grass roots to the higher levels of the RFS,” Chris Powell from RFSA said.