Assistant Commissioner Leigh Pilkington - NSW RFS

01/06/2026

Out west to Cobar last week for the Western Area Command Leadership Team meeting. A good few hours hearing from managers and senior volunteers about the things that matter on the ground out there, looking after the mental health of our members, the activation of heavy plant, and biosecurity, where I got to put my old biosecurity emergency hat back on for a bit.

After the meeting wrapped, Chief Superintendent Danny Busch, Inspector Fiona Westcott, Inspector Justin Ryan and I drove out to the Fire Trails and Mitigation crews, who were winding up the last days of a long stint in the field.

This is part of a multi-year program on the Mallee fire trail network in Far West NSW, and by Saturday the crews were within about a kilometre of finishing a 36km network. It's been hard, remote, camp-based work, and there's been strong interest from landholders and the local bushfire management committee in getting it done as the condition of the fire trails deteriorated.

Out in country like this, where the nearest crew might be a long way off and the seasons are unforgiving, the relationship between the Service and the people who live and work on the land is everything. The crews told me that this work has started to rebuild connections out there, and earn back some trust with locals who'd watched those trails fall away.

The crew on Saturday came from right across the Western Area Command, finishing the last of the work, demobilising the camp, and taking a moment to mark a job done well. One of the landholders put on a BBQ, and standing around the fire with members and locals together, you could see what the work had really built.

Thanks to the members who spent weeks out there in the dust (and the mud) to get this done.

28/05/2026

Last night I was welcomed by the NSW Rural Fire Service Aboriginal Support Network for a night at Cattai, on Darug Country.

The ASN provides a culturally safe space for Aboriginal staff and volunteers across the RFS to connect, share experiences, and support each other. Together with the Aboriginal Programs team, they strengthen relationships between the RFS and Aboriginal communities across NSW and help embed cultural understanding and respect into everyday RFS operations and decision-making.

I sat around the fire with RFS members from all over the state: Snowy Monaro to Tamworth, up the coast and out west. They shared their experiences of working in the RFS, life in general, and what they'd taken from their cultural work on the Northern Beaches during the day.
We talked about connection to Country and we discussed how if you love Country, you have to learn about the plants, the animals, the people, the stories, and how it all comes together.

They shared what it means when people, Aboriginal or non-Aboriginal, show respect through an Acknowledgement of Country. And they talked about Welcome to Country: how it's about sharing love of Country, welcoming people who are visiting, and inviting them to love and respect Country too.
They gave me advice about my approach to Acknowledgement of Country and the things I try to do and say. That meant a lot.

Ngalan cooked some cracking steaks, Jamie brewed a great cup of tea, Val couldn't keep the lolly snakes secret all night, and I proved I could still light a fire - so I wasn't too far away from my days on a truck. Best yet, we all yelled at the laptop during State of Origin and got louder in the last 90 seconds of the game.

But for all the laughs, it was a night where real stories were shared, people gave each other a hard time in the best way, and I came away having learned a lot.

One thing that's stayed with me. I've never been a big fan of being called "bro" but last night it landed differently. When someone in that group calls someone "bro" or "sister" it's not just a word. It's a connection. A way of saying I care about you, you belong here. That hit differently than I expected.

The Aboriginal Support Network does good work for our people and our service. I'm glad they let me be part of the night.

24/05/2026

Six weeks into my time as Director Area Operations Northern, it seems the team from the South have finally decided to forgive me for "abandoning" them.

It's been a rough road. Weeks of "you're dead to us" comments, dramatic looks across meeting rooms, and what felt suspiciously like a coordinated Southern campaign against me at the Managers Forum this week. Every opportunity for a cheap shot was taken and to be fair, some of them were pretty good.

After a few days together though, it appears the olive branch has finally been extended and we're all friends again. Although not quite back to the stage where they'll save me a seat at dinner, so I had to make do with the Field Ops leadership team instead.

That turned out to be no safe haven either. By the end of the night I don't think a single person escaped without becoming the punchline at least once, which is a pretty good sign of a healthy team. Good to spend real time with the Northern crew, the Southern crew, and the broader Field Ops leadership all in the one room.

17/05/2026

Today was a pretty special day for me in the NSW Rural Fire Service - Central Coast District. More than 70 of our members were recognised for their service. Collectively, more than 1,100 years of it.

This is my home patch, full of people who have shaped the District, and shaped me.

If it wasn't for the mentoring, support and encouragement of so many in the RFS over the years, I wouldn't be where I am today. A special shout out to Howie, who knows the Central Coast like the back of his hand and who guided a young fledgling at Avoca Beach 20 years ago. And to Baz, I really mean it when I say I never would have been a Group Officer without your support and teaching.

I also got to present a National Medal to my wife Lou. She shook my hand, giggled when she called me "Sir" and she was the only one I held hands with during the official photos. Neither of us would have been on that stage today without the other. Lou joined the RFS because I had, and I'm now in yet another awesome role in the RFS because of Lou's encouragement.

These medals presented today are a thank you from communities, from neighbours, from the people whose worst day was made a little better because a member showed up. To Baz, Howie, Lou, and every other recipient today, and to the families who wait at home, thank you.

10/05/2026

Behind almost every fire truck, incident management team and NSW Rural Fire Service brigade, fire control centre, and office around the state, there's a mum carrying more than her fair share of the load.

To the mums on the fireground, the mums in our IMTs, the mums at their desks managing our day-to-day, and to the mums at home holding everything together or just giving us support while their partners, kids or families are away, thank you.

Happy Mother's Day.

05/05/2026

The emergency services community is grieving today. Two volunteers went out to help a stranger in trouble and lost their lives doing exactly what they signed up to do. Our thoughts are with their families, the Ballina crew, and everyone at Marine Rescue NSW.

Last night was the darkest night ever experienced by Marine Rescue NSW.

Marine Rescue NSW volunteers answer the call for help 24/7 and last night six members from Marine Rescue Ballina did just that. They launched with a single mission, to save lives on the water and assist a yacht, reported to be in difficulty off the South Ballina break wall.

Tragically, two of our volunteers lost their lives during the response.

Marine Rescue NSW Commissioner Todd Andrews said the devastating loss is a solemn reminder of the risks faced by volunteers who serve their communities.

“These two men were serving their local community and have made the ultimate sacrifice to help others.

“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of the deceased, their fellow crew members, the brave radio operators who handled the difficult communications during the incident, the entire Marine Rescue NSW family and the wider Ballina community during this incredibly difficult time.

“We are supporting our volunteers and their families through professional counselling and chaplaincy support.

“We ask that the privacy of those involved and their families be respected during this difficult time,” Commissioner Andrews said.

03/05/2026

Today is St Florian's Day, also known as International Firefighters' Day.

This morning Commissioner Trent Curtin will be at our State Training Academy in Dubbo, recognising members for outstanding service and bravery. These awards are pretty meaningful with recipients nominated by their peers who have watched them go above and beyond.

Every recipient in Dubbo today has more than earned their recognition and they would be the first to point to the people standing behind them. Because the NSW Rural Fire Service is so much bigger than the people in any one room.

It's the catering teams feeding crews at all hours, working off rubbery numbers they're given and somehow managing to get everyone fed.

It's the planning and mitigation crews doing the groundwork long before the season starts.

It's the brigade treasurer counting the donation tin coins from the local IGA. The training officer teaching a new recruit how to bowl a hose. The secretary writing the letters and taking the meeting minutes to keep a brigade running smoothly. The community engagement officer setting up the brigade stall at the school fete.

It's the Operational Support brigades swapping cylinders and replacing broken kit, and the volunteers who give up their mornings to drive a truck to the workshop for maintenance.

And it is the families. The partners who keep dinner warm or eat alone. The kids who learn from a young age that sometimes Mum or Dad has to go. …and the mums who are always the first to like your RFS posts. (Hi Mum! 😃)

Thinking of every firefighter, and the support surrounding them, on this St Florian's Day.

Image: RFS Southern Highlands Support Brigade

26/04/2026

When you're child-free on your day off and your idea of a date with your wife is visiting a hazard reduction burn, you know you've married the right person. 😄

Lou and I spent today out at a strategic burn on the Central Coast, my old patch as a Group Officer, protecting the area around one of the District's waste management facilities. It sounds unglamorous but a wildfire in a landfill is not pretty and can burn for weeks, so reducing the fuel load around it now could make a significant difference when fire season arrives.

The crews were brilliant, and it was good to catch up with so many familiar faces out here and add some new ones too, like the crew from Toronto Fire and Rescue NSW. These guys were genuinely a lovely team, and a great reminder that when we're all out there doing the work, the logo on your shirt matters a whole lot less than the people standing next to you.

Lou and I made ourselves useful helping the catering team deliver lunches out to crews on the ground (even though we were a bit slow with stopping to chat as we made our way down the fire line).

All of this on a long weekend, with NSW RFS and FRNSW members giving up yet another Saturday to be there.

Huge thanks to all the brigades who turned out today:

Awaba Rural Fire Brigade ; Cameron Park Rural Fire Brigade; Wyong Rural Fire Catering Support Brigade; Central Coast Communications Brigade; Cooranbong Rural Fire Brigade; Dora Creek Rural Fire Brigade; Empire Bay Rural Fire Brigade; Kariong Rural Fire Brigade; Lake Munmorah Rural Fire Brigade; NSW RFS - Mandalong Brigade; Mangrove Mountain RFB; Narara Rural Fire Brigade; Peninsula Rural Fire Brigade; RAFT; Wallarah Rural Fire Brigade; Fire and Rescue NSW 464 Toronto; the District Group Officers; paid members; and anyone else I missed.

24/04/2026

A powerful reminder of why the word “service” means so much to so many of us. Lest we forget.

15/04/2026

Continuing my tour of the North, yesterday it was NSW RFS North Eastern Area Command in Coffs Harbour, putting a face to the name for teams I'm now responsible for but many of whom I hadn't yet had the chance to meet face to face.

Honestly, I'd have liked more time with people. Most of the day disappeared into meetings, which is the reality of this role sometimes. But a morning tea with Area Command, Mitigation, and Planning & Environmental Services gave me the chance to introduce myself, hear what's on their minds and answer some questions.

What struck me was how many familiar faces were in the room. Several of the team worked alongside me during the Varroa Mite response when I was at DPIRD. It's a small world in emergency management and it was great to pick up where we left off.

The community risk team is doing strong work on hazard reductions right now while the weather window is open, and it was good to catch the mitigation team in the office before they got to work preparing one of their own.

More visits to come across the North. Looking forward to spending more time on the ground and less in meeting rooms. 😄

Image description: Morning tea with the crew at NSW RFS North Eastern Area Command