Christmas Day 2001 Helensburgh residents, local fire fighters and their families were having Christmas lunch not knowing what great danger was approaching at high speed west of town.

Both the Rural Fire Service and NSWFB 325 Helensburgh were put on alert.
325 was first responded to the Stanwell Tops Christian Conference Centre.
Fortunately Helensburgh 325 Brigade were able to evacuate all people from the Grevillea Centre said to have been up to 50 and 200 that were left at the main centre were being protected by Bulli NSWFB fire fighters.
After evacuating the Grevillea Centre, six fire fighters from 325 and one F/F from Coldale NSWFB were trapped as the fire storm cut off their exit.
All fire fighters took up defensive positions behind their pumper in the car park with a charged high pressure hose reel set on fog spray.
325 members then sat out the next twenty minutes as the fire storm went past, over and around them. At one stage fire fighters were forced to put the charged hose line onto themselves as fire licked around  under and over their pumper. The high speed of the fire took fire fighters by surprise and they were unable to take shelter in the pumper. Visibility was limited, fire fighters were gathered together using the high pressure water fog spray as a shield. On the other side of the pumper were two large LPG Cylinders. Just before the fire hit two members were able to tie down a length of 38ml canvas hose to a box trailer that was parked nearby  and direct a stream of water over the area that prevented an exploding "BLEVY" situation. Picture

 When safe, 325 fire fighters continued to fight structure fires unable to save some buildings.

325 then proceeded to Helensburgh for property protection as the fire had also hit the town hard with many homes and structures destroyed and damaged in the area.
In the days following this event. 325 crew remained active in fire suppression and hazard reduction activities within Helensburgh, Darkes Forest, Appin Rd and Cordeaux Dam areas.
325 Completed major fire duties on the 6th -Jan-2002.
During the above events fire services as others came from all areas to assist us and our town in countless numbers.

We would like to thank

NSWFB Brigades Wollongong, Sydney and Western areas who attended.
The NSWFB Community Fire Unit Volunteers Helensburgh.
Helensburgh Rural Fire Service.
The Wollongong and Sutherland Rural Fire Services.
NSW Ambulance Service
NSW Police Service
NP&Wild Life Service
Salvation Army and Lions Club.
All the quiet achievers who got our infrastructure up and going again. eg; power, water and social services.

A special thanks to Bulli N.S.W. Fire Brigade crew who protected up to 200+ people who were trapped in the main Conference Hall. They then had to evacuate all persons from the Hall as it burnt to the ground. Some people were led by fire fighters to other buildings while the others were put under tarpaulins and hosed until the danger had passed. Bulli NSWFB Brigade members put their lives on the line that day.

 Great work guys and we will have to let you tell your own story as you were there.

Around Helensburgh, as other fire effected areas, you hear so many stories just like ours of residents, Fire Fighters, Police and others working closely together during this major fire incident. No lives were lost, we all did a great job. Aussies working together.

Story by Deputy Captain Les Kiddle