Maintaining strong partnership between Tamworth NSW Rural Fire Service and local farmers key

Amid a push by the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) and NSW Farmers to strengthen the partnership between property owners and firefighting crews, Tamworth's RFS boss said it's something the region is already pretty good at.

"Being the rural based area that we are, just about all of my brigades have farmers actually on the brigades, quite often they're the captains of the brigades," Tamworth RFS Superintendent Allyn Purkiss said.

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"These guys have been around for quite some time and have been working with us for quite a long period of time."

Superintendent Purkiss said while decisions are made locally and farmers sit on Bushfire Management Committees in the Tamworth area, the NSW RFS initiative is helping to consolidate communication.

The team has decided on one standard UHF citizen band (CB) radio station for anyone - farmers and crews - approaching a fire ground.

"We've come to an agreed channel of UHF CB Channel 5, that's the channel we've agreed to as the initial channel to use coming onto fire grounds. Once you're on the fire ground, they might go to a local channel," Superintendent Purkiss explained.

He said it would be particularly helpful for RFS crews coming to help from outside the Tamworth region, who aren't aware of the local way of doing things.

Superintendent Purkiss said communication between farmers and firies is "key", not only in the lead up to the danger season, but also during a fire.

"Once we get through the gate, the farmer can tell us things like, righto this is the gate, stock is over there, we've got to keep the fire out of that paddock, keep that gate closed, that one can stay open, follow that track around to get over the hill," he said.

"That's a lot better than us blundering around paddocks trying to find the best access, so it is just about making sure we talk, communicate, and get the best outcome for everyone."

NSW RFS said the partnerships were important, especially as a wetter and warmer fire season is predicted to bring an increased risk of grass fires on farms.

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