Captain Leo Fransen was a part of a strike group deployed to battle the Hudson hearth close to Walgett, about 100 kilometres south of the Queensland border and 500 kilometres west of Coffs Harbour.
Fransen was the captain of the Diamond Seashore rural hearth brigade, close to Taree on the Mid North Coast.
Commissioner Rob Rogers paid tribute to him this morning, saying that Fransen was a life member of the Diamond Seashore brigade and had joined in 2010.
“He was a really lively member of the RFS and clearly our ideas are along with his spouse Margaret, his daughter Julia, and his son Paul,” he mentioned.
“This stuff are extremely tough for everybody concerned.”
Fransen’s strike group was on the primary day of a three-day deployment to the world when the accident befell.
They’d fought the Hudson hearth across the small neighborhood of Glengarry and managed to save lots of plenty of constructions, Rogers mentioned.
Fransen was handled on the scene after which taken to Lightning Ridge for additional medical help, the place he died.
The NSW Rural Hearth Service paid tribute to Fransen on Fb.
“His passing will probably be deeply felt throughout the RFS, however Leo’s final sacrifice demonstrates the day by day dangers confronted by our firefighters,” the organisation mentioned.
“He’ll proceed to encourage his fellow members and kind a part of our enduring reminiscence.”
Emergency Companies Minister Jihad Dib additionally paid tribute to Fransen, saying his dying was a reminder of the hazards “heroic” firefighters confronted whereas defending Australian properties and lives.
The Hudson hearth has to this point burned via 21,000 hectares and 6 properties.
Rogers mentioned Fransen’s fellow strike group members had determined to proceed their deployment, saying they believed it is what he would have wished.
The Hudson hearth, which is burning close to the Narran Lake Nature Reserve, has to this point burned via 21,000 hectares and destroyed six buildings.
Firefighters mentioned flames had elevated on the neighborhood’s north-west edge and warned sturdy southerlies may push the blaze in the direction of Garwin.
Firefighters and water bombers have been working to attempt to management it.
Rogers mentioned there was nonetheless work to do to carry the blaze below management.
