They say they are concerned about the health risks and want more information about the dangers of working so close to such a tower.

Volunteer firefighter Steve Jackson said the proposed tower would be 25 metres high and 10 metres from the fire station.

``Our concern is the health risks,'' he said. ``We have members who don't want to risk brain tumours, cancers and the list goes on.

``We've been told it's going ahead no matter what. I know of four people who will leave if it does.''

Telstra said that emissions from the planned tower would be less than 1 per cent of the Australian government standard.

Area general manager for Telstra Country Wide Illawarra Pat Nolan said Telstra had submitted a development application to Wollondilly Shire Council.

``All of our facilities are in line with the Australian standards which are set by the government not by the industry,'' he said.

Mr Nolan said traditionally a site would operate to only a fraction of the standard.

``Buxton is still early in the process but, for example, the emission level from the new tower at The Oaks will run at 0.087 of the standard set by the government,'' he said.

``Part of the development application process will include Telstra consulting with the land users. It's still early days but we will engage with the firies on site.

``We don't go around and hide anything. It's all very transparent.''

Mr Jackson said the volunteers weren't against a control tower itself.

``It's just the location that's the problem,'' he said.

``Why are these towers being built at RFS sites? Is it so the public think the RFS have put them up?''