The NSW Rural Fire Service is the world's largest volunteer firefighting organisation. This service had humble beginnings, with the first rural firefighting brigade being formally recorded in the State's south in Berrigan in 1900. From 1949 to 1970 we saw the growth of local brigades, moving away from the model of formalised State Government control and handing greater powers to councils in relation to the prevention and control of bushfires. The localisation of the service has been key in many ways. It has been particularly instrumental in creating a firefighting agency that is steeped in compassion, knowledge and connection to community. I also acknowledge the work of building the NSW Rural Fire Service into an empire of sorts by my friend and mentor Mr Phil Koperberg, a former RFS commissioner and former member for the Blue Mountains.

The Blue Mountains electorate is no stranger to bushfires, with our region being considered one of the most bushfire-prone landscapes in the world. We are familiar with the devastation fires can bring—the loss of life and property, and the destruction of habitat and devastation of species. Disasters such as these can bring communities together, but a prolonged or repeated experience of such things can also erode resilience. Which way that dice rolls is very much influenced by the work of those on the front line. The boots on the ground and the response to disastrous events in the moment and in the days, weeks and months that follow is an imperative element of a community's overall mechanism for coping with trauma.

The Black Summer fires will remain imprinted in our memories forevermore. Our State has seen many horrific fires, but those were the worst ever recorded in New South Wales and the recovery process continues, long after the last flames were extinguished. The emotional impacts felt by affected communities were profound and many are ever changed because of what happened that summer. Even those who watched from afar felt the loss, as is the nature of human empathy. Whether you lived in an area that was being devastated by the bushfires or not, whether you were directly affected or not, it was impossible to watch that blackest of summers unfold without feeling a visceral response to what we were seeing beamed from televisions into our living rooms all day, every day—and then the smell. Imagine taking things to an even deeper level. Imagine being one of the nearly 65,000 responders who risked their lives for others, 78 per cent of whom were volunteers, showing up day after day, exhausted, as they faced the fury of fires that would impact the lives of so many—the smoke, the smell, the sounds, the trauma and the grief. But they kept showing up and fighting and fighting. After such catastrophic events there is a lot of talk about the work that these immeasurably brave men and women do to protect others, and this is, of course, wholly justified.

Today, however, I remind us all to continue displaying our gratitude and support for these brave volunteers every day. It is important to acknowledge that once the fire front has passed our RFS volunteers continue to show up, displaying a selfless dedication to the communities they serve. They attend property fires and assist Fire and Rescue. They assist the SES with storm damage, search and rescue, and motor vehicle accidents. They are involved in community education programs and bushfire mitigation. The RFS values of mutual respect, adaptability and resourcefulness, integrity and trust are constantly on display. They live by their mantra of "One team, many players, one purpose", and they foster qualities of friendship and camaraderie, supporting one another through some of the toughest, heart-wrenching and soul-destroying times.

This army of volunteers cares deeply for their communities across the State and the environment. In return, we must care for them. Emergency responders face myriad issues other than what lies directly in front of them in times of crisis. Apart from being on constant high alert, these courageous individuals face prolonged exposure to multiple traumas—and we can only imagine the toll this must take. It is essential that we support those who work within our emergency services in whatever way we can. I have had the great honour, during my time as member for Blue Mountains, to work closely alongside the RFS, attending family days, award ceremonies and annual general meetings. I have met people from all walks of life who signed up and jump in whenever catastrophe strikes.

To every RFS brigade across the Blue Mountains, today and every day, we thank you. To Bell, Blaxland, Bullaburra, Faulconbridge, Glenbrook and Lapstone, Hazelbrook, Katoomba and Leura, Lawson, Linden and Medlow Bath, Megalong Valley, Mount Wilson, Mount Irvine, Mount Riverview, Mount Tomah, Shipley, Valley Heights, Warrimoo, Wentworth Falls, Winmalee, Woodford, Yellow Rock, South Katoomba, Blackheath and Mount Victoria, our community acknowledges you and we are grateful for everything you do for us. I could not address the Blue Mountains bushfire brigades without acknowledging Superintendent Nick Medianik, Inspector Rob Vinzenz and all at the Blue Mountains district office. To our mighty Rural Fire Service brigades, thank you for protecting us.