NSW and Victoria have recently experienced some of the hottest days on record, and Hornsby has not been immune to the impacts of bushfires, including fires burning in the Mount Colah area.
Earlier in the year, a fire near Ku-ring-gai Chase Road caused concern after threatening nearby high-voltage powerlines. Thanks to the quick response of Rural Fire Service volunteers and Fire & Rescue NSW crews, the fire was brought under control after burning only a small area of bushland.
State Member for Hornsby James Wallace MP praised the efforts of local firefighters and emergency services, saying “Our RFS volunteers and Fire & Rescue crews work in extremely challenging conditions to protect lives, homes and infrastructure. Their quick action during the recent fire scare prevented what could have been a much more serious situation.”
James Wallace has long advocated in Parliament for stronger protections for firefighters calling for reforms to expand the list of cancers automatically recognised as linked to firefighting, ensuring that career and volunteer firefighters do not have to prove their illness was caused by their work.
He has also lobbied for oesophageal cancer to be added to the recognised list and received confirmation from the Minister that it will be actioned.
