On 1 September 1997, the NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) was established by an act of Parliament as the successor to the first bush fire brigade, redefining the world's largest fire service and building on a century of experience in protecting some of the most fire-prone areas on earth. Today the Service comprises over 2,000 volunteer rural fire brigades with a total membership of over 74,000. In addition, salaried staff are employed to manage the day-to-day operations of the Service at Headquarters, regional offices and district fire control centres.