Weekly Emergency Services Update for Port Stephens Port Stephens Port Stephens by News Of The Area - Modern Media - January 18, 2022January 18, 2022 NSW Rural Fire Service’s new Indigenous badge. Photo: supplied. IT’S time for your weekly emergency services update. Liquor Sold to Minors Advertise with News of The Area today. It’s worth it for your business. Message us. Phone us – (02) 4981 8882. Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au On Thursday 6 January, the Licensee and two staff members of a Shoal Bay licensed premises were issued with infringement notices for the offence of allowing liquor to be sold to minors. These offences occurred on both the 10 and 31 December 2021. There are also additional inquiries being made involving security staff in relation to these mentioned offences. General Fire Safety With this warmer weather we have experienced lately it is important to understand just how quickly the ground can dry out. Stay up to date with what’s happening around you by downloading the FiresNearMeNSW app on your devices. It’s also important to report anyone you see tossing a lit cigarette out the car window. Heavy Fines and Demerit point loss applies to anyone who is caught. NSW RFS Indigenous Pin On 12 January 2022, the NSW RFS Indigenous Pin was launched by Commissioner Rob Rogers and Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience Steph Cooke to acknowledge and pay respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members. As an inclusive Service, the symbolic pin highlights the experience and knowledge that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members bring to the NSW RFS and represents the NSW RFS’s ongoing commitment to them and the communities served. Originally conceived by members, the pin design features the Service crest flanked by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islands flags. “It’s just one way of working to strengthen our relationship with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,” a spokesperson for NSW Rural Fire Service said. Toxic Mushrooms Due to recent rain, mushrooms are again popping up in all sorts of places. NSW Poisons Information Centre advises caregivers and parents to supervise children closely when they are playing outside or visiting parks and playgrounds. “If you notice mushrooms growing in your garden at home, remove them before young children find them. “Do not pick or eat wild mushrooms. Australia is home to many poisonous mushrooms and they sometimes look very similar to other edible varieties. It just isn’t worth the risk.” Always call the Poisons Centre on 131126 for further advice if anyone has eaten wild mushrooms. Williamtown Fire At approximately 3:00PM on 15 January 2022, the Williamtown/ Salt Ash Rural Fire Brigade was paged to reports of a bush fire in the Williamtown area. On arrival crews discovered a grass fire that was approximately 600 metres from Williamtown McDonald’s and got to work extinguishing the fire. The Brigade would like to thank the public who were travelling through the area for being patient and vigilant of emergency service workers and vehicles. By Tara CAMPBELL