Those at the official handover of three new tankers to local Rural Fire Service brigades couldn’t help but reflect on the big steps forward they represent in safety for volunteers.
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NSW RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons and Parliamentary Secretary for Western NSW Sarah Mitchell were in Forbes on Friday to hand over the keys to three new category 7 tankers for the Forbes Central, Lake and Jemalong fire brigades.
The trucks are purpose built for the Rural Fire Service, taking into account volunteer feedback.
“Going back a few decades, what the volunteers were expected to work with was anything they could get their hands on,” Comm Fitzsimmons said.
“We would spend our weekends trying to get those trucks mobile – if you got to the shed and the truck started, it was a bonus.”
The new trucks include safety features such as heat shields and water sprays in case crews do get caught in fire.
Comm Fitzsimmons said there were too many volunteers’ names on the Sydney memorial to emergency service workers who had lost their lives in the line of duty.
Comm Fitzsimmons, Ms Mitchell, Mid Lachlan Valley Superintendent Ken Neville and Deputy Mayor Graeme Miller also presented two 10-year service medals to local brigade members.
“We are very fortunate to have these volunteers, men and woman who give selflessly, wanting nothing more than to make a difference in their local community,” Comm Fitzsimmons said.
