Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin handed over the keys to a brand new Compressed Air Foam System (CAFS) Class 2 Pumper to the Deputy Captain of the Goonellabah Fire and Rescue team, Tara Blunn, yesterday.

As the name of the new vehicle was a mouthful, Ms Saffin jokingly called it the super, duper fire truck.

"This is something that the team here has wanted for a while," Ms Saffin told the media, "I can remember when they first raised it with me. So, I'm really happy to be here and say job done."

The half-million-dollar new CAFS Class 2 Pumper is a significant upgrade from the two-decade-old model fire truck.

"Two things I know about the truck is that it uses five times less water, and it has the ability to put out a whole range of fires," Ms Saffin said.

Fire and Rescue Acting Inspector for the Northern Rivers, Price Conlan gave more detail as to the benefits of the new fire truck.

"It is a compressed air foam system appliance. It mixes foam inside the truck with compressed air and provides us with a really effective extinguishing medium. It allows us to put out fires using approximately five times less wate. The truck actually replaces a very old truck that has been servicing the area for quite some time, and the truck is a brand new, state-of-the-art piece of equipment that's going to serve the local community for the next couple of decades.

"It covers a range of fires. And the way it works is that it provides the foam that smothers a fire. It cuts out the oxygen from allowing the combustion process to continue. So, you also get the cooling effect of water, but we also have the foam, which puts a blanket on the fire, cutting out the oxygen. It's much more efficient at putting out a fire for us."

Acting Inspector Conlan also said that reliability was an issue for the old fire truck.

"It's a lot more reliable than what the old appliances are, the old one here at Goonellabah was not so reliable. When trucks get old, they start to break down a little bit. So that's why this new appliance, apart from having the new equipment and the new system for putting out fires, just having a new appliance is a game changer for the local community."

As for the fire season ahead? Acting Inspector Conlan said the wet weather over winter has meant a lot of undergrowth, and that no hazard reduction was possible. Already, they have seen a number of grass fires happening in the district.

"The long-range forecast, as far as I'm aware, is for a reasonably wet spring and summer. So hopefully that comes true. I know everyone's sick of the rain, but it makes our job a little bit easier as far as putting out or stopping bushfires to start with. Now, that kind of kicks the season further down the road. Sooner or later, it's going to dry out. This wet period that we've had creates a lot of growth, and sooner or later, we're going to be back to where we were in 2017 so unfortunately, but at the moment, things are looking optimistic for the fire season."

The advice to prepare for the bushfire season has not changed.

"The normal bushfire preparation, making sure that around your house is clear from any debris. Gutters are clear. You've got a constant water supply that you can call on, a little panic bag to take, pre-plan, make sure if you're going to leave, you leave early. All that preparation stuff is available on our website and also the RFS website. Get ready, because sooner or later, it's going to affect us."

If you have been thinking about a career as a firefighter, the Fire and Rescue team at Goonellabah are looking for a couple of people to join them. This is a paid, part-time position.

"I'd encourage anyone who's interested in firefighting and lives in the area of Goonallabah to apply or certainly make some inquiries on the fire brigade website. As for on-call firies, have a look at what they do. It's a very rewarding experience if you end up qualifying and then getting employed. It's a paid position. We pay to train our fires. They're very highly skilled, and they consequently attain other skills that they wouldn't necessarily get outside of the fire service.

"It's a very rewarding role as well, helping the community, and you're getting paid for your time as well, which is another bonus. So, anyone who's interested in applying at Goonellabah, I'd highly recommend it."

An excited Deputy Captain Tara Blunn said she was so happy to receive the new CAFS Class 2 Pumper.

"The compressed air foam system brings with it a big improvement to our service. It's the only one in the Lismore area, so hopefully you'll see it out on the road soon."

As Minister for Emergency Services, Jihad Dib said, "The new state-of-the-art firefighting vehicles like this will help keep regional communities safe, and ensure our firefighters have the tools they need to tackle a range of fires.”

This weekend, the NSW Fire Service (RFS) will be throwing open station doors as you are urged to begin preparing for the upcoming bush fire season.

The events will include firefighting equipment displays, information stands and workshops at various venues. The list for Lismore and the Northern Rivers includes:

• Lismore Bunnings 8am and 4pm
• Tulera Rural Fire Station (Flick Road) 9am and 11am
• Jiggi Hall 4pm and 8pm
• Wyrallah Hall 4pm and 8pm
• The Nimbin Show 7am to 4pm
• Newrybar 9am to 4pm
• River Festival at Wardell (3 Sinclair Street) 11am to 4pm
• Casino Town Centre (Walker Street) 7am to 3pm
• Crawford Square Casino (car Centre & Light street) 8am to 2pm
• Lennox Head Rural Fire Station (9 Byron Bay Road) 11am to 1pm
• Ballina Emergency Services Expo (Missingham Park, Kingsford Smith Drive) 10am to 2pm