The Trustee For NSW Rural Fire Service & Brigades Donations Fund

The Trustee For NSW Rural Fire Service & Brigades Donations Fund is a public charitable trust established to support the volunteer brigades of the New South Wales Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS). The trust manages and distributes funds donated to benefit the brigades, enabling them to meet operational costs, purchase and maintain firefighting equipment, provide training and resources, and cover necessary administrative expenses related to their volunteer fire and emergency service activities.

Establishment and Purpose

The fund was established by the NSW Rural Fire Service on 10 April 2012 as a centralized mechanism to equitably and transparently manage donations collected for the support of NSW RFS brigades. The primary aim of the trust is to ensure that donated funds directly assist the brigades in fulfilling their critical role in rural fire management and emergency response across New South Wales.

Activities and Use of Funds

The trust enables brigades to use funds to:

• Purchase and maintain firefighting equipment and facilities.
• Provide training and resources to volunteers.
• Cover administrative expenses associated with brigade operations.
• Support other operational needs related to volunteer-based fire and emergency services.

Funds may also be invested in authorized investments consistent with the trust’s purpose to generate income for ongoing support. Operational and management costs of the trust are covered by the income or capital of the trust, as deemed appropriate by the trustees.

Legal and Governance Framework

The trustees of the fund are restricted to using the donated money solely for the benefit of NSW RFS brigades within the state. A 2020 Supreme Court judgment clarified that the trustees cannot allocate funds to other charities, interstate causes, or to assist people or animals affected by bushfires outside the scope of brigade support. The legal basis for the trust’s activities is grounded in the Rural Fires Act, which defines rural fire services to include the protection of persons and property in rural fire districts from fire-related dangers.

Fundraising and Support

Local Rural Fire Brigades conduct their own fundraising efforts—such as doorknocks, letterbox drops, and community functions—to supplement funds distributed via the trust. These grassroots activities directly assist brigades and complement the centralized fundraising and donation management provided by the trust.

Summary

The Trustee For NSW Rural Fire Service & Brigades Donations Fund serves as a vital financial steward for donations aimed at supporting NSW’s volunteer fire brigades. By ensuring transparent and focused allocation of funds, the trust strengthens the operational capabilities of the brigades, helping protect communities across New South Wales from fire and related emergencies.

ABN: 88 311 702 546 RR0001
Website: rfs.nsw.gov.au

[1] https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/about-us/nsw-rfs-and-brigades-donations-fund [2] https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/about-us/fundraising [3] https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/6487f4fd-38af-e811-a963-000d3ad24077/profile [4] https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/6487f4fd-38af-e811-a963-000d3ad24077/documents/91921eea-01bf-ee11-9079-00224893d32a [5] https://australianemergencylaw.com/2020/05/25/judgment-from-the-supreme-court-regarding-rural-fire-service-donations-fund/