NSW Rural Fire Service Library
Children's Bush Fire Collection
The NSW RFS Library has a collection of Australian children's literature, including juvenile fiction and picture books, that focus on bushfires for younger readers. Members, schools and interested groups are welcome to borrow books from this select collection of children's literature to assist in engaging children in thinking about bushfires.
Quotes from our members
"We used Bertie and the Great Jellyland Bushfire yesterday with a group of about 150 kids between 0 and 8 most really like the story and when we got to the activity we had them make a paper plane (we used yellow paper to match Bertie) they got into the swing and had a great time." District Officer Graham Brown, Liverpool Range Zone, September 2015.
"We have a collaborative infants’ class of Kindergarten, Year 1 and 2. We began the session with a discussion predicting the possible content of the text. The children were very insightful and accurate in their predictions. We then read the narrative, pausing to talk about the feelings of the characters in response to the changing environment. The illustrations were excellent in generating discussions between peers and as a whole class. During the session, we focused on the safety aspect, asking the children to share what they would do in particular bushfire scenarios. They were then asked to design posters about bushfire safety. The results were beautiful. One grandmother remarked to us that she was very impressed her grandson knew so much about bushfire safety! The text was very relevant as on that day, there was haze in the air from bushfires in the area.” Sally Hagley, Teacher, St Joseph's Primary School, Merriwa, April 2016.
Books and activity sheets in our library
The collection includes both books on bush fire safety and also a smaller collection on books about general fire safety for children around the home. There is a number of activity sheets. The activity sheets have been compiled by the NSW RFS Librarian and the Community Engagement Group to be used to accompany several of the books from the collection and are available to download.
To borrow any of the books listed below, please contact the NSW RFS Library. Loan periods are for five weeks.
NSW RFS Activity Sheets and Publishers' Resources
- Pookie the Kangaroo Braves the Bushfire Activity Sheet
- Billabong Bill's Bushfire Christmas Activity Sheet
- Captain Kangaroo Saves the Day Activity Sheet
- Bertie and the Great Jellyland Bushfire
Smokey's home - Applesauce and the Christmas Miracle Activity Sheet
- Myro and the bushfire
- Fire
- Bushfire
- Where there's smoke
- The magic fire at Warlukurlangu - Harper Collins Teachers' Hub Notes
Other Resources
- NSW Rural Fire Service Information Page for School Teachers
- Stormbirds - Good Grief two level program for primary and secondary school students who have experienced a natural disaster
The NSW RFS Library is always grateful for donations of similar themed children's literature or copies of titles listed below, either new or used copies in good condition, to enhance the Children's Bush Fire collection.
Opening times
The library is open to NSW RFS members Monday to Friday - closed weekends and public holidays. Upon request, the Library may also receive researchers and students who wish to visit the library. If you wish to visit please make an appointment with the librarian.
Books, DVDs and journal articles are delivered by post/email to NSW RFS members who are unable to visit the library in person.
Location
Our librarian is Katie Vandine.
The library is located on the third floor of the NSW RFS Head Office at 4 Murray Rose Ave, Sydney Olympic Park NSW.
You can contact the library via phone on 02 8741 5455 or email at rfs.library@rfs.nsw.gov.au
Our postal address is Locked Bag 17, Granville NSW 2142. Please return books to this address.
NSW RFS training manuals
Use the search box below to locate hardcopy editions of NSW RFS training manuals and workbooks that are available for loan from your Library. Manuals and workbooks are available for a month’s loan.
Looking for something light to read. Your NSW RFS library, in conjunction with the Health, Safety and Welfare department, provide all members access to our Flipster online magazine collection.
With Flipster you can read the latest issues of our health and fitness magazines in addition to other titles such as PCWorld, Wild, Popular Science and National Geographic. Quickly access a magazine in your browser, or use the Flipster app on your mobile device to download a magazine to read later - even when you're offline! Contact the library for password and instructions.
Sign up...
Would you like to receive a monthly email alert detailing the new resources, including books, reports and journal articles, that have been added into our library.
February 2021 Library News January 2021 Library News November 2020 Library News October 2020 Library News September 2020 Library News August 2020 Library News July 2020 Library NewsTo sign up, just contact the library with your email address.
Hosted by Prosentient