Preparations begin for extreme summer weather with calls for volunteers to get in early

Few Sydneysiders know what it is like to live in a land of drought, fire and flooding rains better than the residents of St Albans.

Just 12 months ago, the semi-rural town on the north-western edge of Greater Sydney was preparing to face the devastating Gospers Mountain blaze.

After a hectic bushfire season that damaged local property and stretched firefighting resources, heavy rain in February washed away roads and left the area temporarily isolated.

This cycle of fire and flood is a regular occurrence for residents, but it requires a team effort to keep the…