NSW Rural Fire Service thanks Canberrans for generosity, asks to stop donating food

In one instance, a firefighter heading to the North Black Range fire had an allergic reaction to donated biscuits that contained peanuts.

Rural Fire Service Lake George Zone spokesman Darren Marks said it was amazing to see how generous the community could be at times of devastation, and the thought was very much appreciated.

"We recognise people just want to be able to help," Mr Marks said.

He said firefighters were well-equipped to do the work they do, but often it was fire-affected residents who suffered, particularly if their already-scarce drinking water had to be used by firefighters in an emergency.

It's also scary when the donated food leads to medical emergencies.

Carwoola brigade firefighter Bridget MacLeod is allergic to peanuts and on Wednesday night she had an anaphylactic reaction to donated homemade biscuits that had been offered as snacks.

As her crew drove out to take on the night shift at the North Black Range fire, she took a bite of a biscuit and felt her lips go numb. An ambulance was called, and she was taken to Braidwood hospital. She was treated at the hospital and sent home that night.

It was the second time in her life she'd been hospitalised because of her allergies, normally doing her best to avoid anything with peanuts.

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While the cling-wrapped biscuit had an ingredients list on a small sticker, she couldn't read it in the dark of the truck heading to the fire.

"I really felt like I'd let down my team, and it was just because of a mistake really," Miss MacLeod said.

"It's amazing that people donate food to us and continue to support us through really hard times for everybody, and it was an innocent mistake.

"But I was chatting to the paramedic and saying food with severe allergens like peanuts probably shouldn't be donated."

Miss MacLeod said the firefighters are well catered for by the Rural Fire Service who have dedicated commercial caterers covering breakfast, lunch, dinner and non-perishable snack packs. Donated goods can be used to supplement the snack packs, but the firefighters don't go without.

"We get all sorts of things, like sandwiches and salads, non-perishables like chocolates and sugary snacks and things that just get you through the night, it's really helpful," Miss McLeod said.

She said her family has decided that instead of giving Christmas presents, they would donate money to the Carwoola brigade instead.

"We always welcome monetary donations," she said.

Mr Marks said the firefighters are well-equipped to do the work they do. Aside from a quick dash to buy Braidwood IGA out of muesli bars on the day the fire started, food has been readily available.

"It used to be that the brigade would have an auxiliary to provide the catering, but these days we are literally throwing money at people to feed our firefighters," Mr Marks said.

He said about 20 years ago, things were totally different. Bushfire brigades would buy all of their equipment, including trucks, fuel and personal protection gear.

These days, almost everything but socks and jocks are provided, Mr Marks said.

There is standard issue equipment that covers most scenarios, but donated funds go towards things like buying a GPS for the trucks, purchasing additional radios and things like floodlights.

"They might have a mobile phone, so they need some funds for that. They might decide to pay for lunch during training, these are their expenses," Mr Marks said.

"The brigade can see their own need and use the funds to address that."

Money can be donated to the NSW RFS as a whole, or to specific brigades by contacting that brigade directly.