The NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) Namoi Gwydir Team has received a big boost with four brand new tankers for the region.
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Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall, NSW Emergency Services Minister David Elliott, Moree mayor Katrina Humphries and NSW RFS assistant commissioner Peter McKechnie visited the new $1.6 million Moree Fire Control Centre that is currently being constructed on Wednesday evening and officially handed over the new vehicles to Garah, Wallah, Baan Baa and Whitlow, worth $1.2 million.
"This is going to be a wonderful addition to the Rural Fire Service here in the north west of the state," Mr Elliott said.
"It's a $1.2 million investment. RFS and NSW had had a horrific season over the course of last summer but it is also the largest fire fighting force in the world and so we've got to make sure it gets the resources and infrastructure to back that up."
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Mr Marshall said it was great to be able to have Mr Elliott visit the region and see the new facilities.
"It's always a good time when we get to hand over new tankers to help support the work our volunteers do and give them the best equipment money can buy to support their volunteer efforts in fire fighting," he said.
"We've just come through the most horrific fire fighting season we've ever seen, thankfully not big fires out this way, but a lot of our volunteers and crews went further east to support communities.
"In this electorate, we lost over half a million hectares of country due to the fires and lost two people's lives.
"Hopefully investments like this will ensure we don't lose that much next time."
In addition to the new vehicles, a number of volunteers from the Namoi Gwydir Team were recognised with National and Long Service Medals.
15 volunteers and staff from the region were honoured for their dedicated service to the RFS.
"Thank you seems a little bit inadequate but for the sake of thank you, yes thank you very much for everything that you do," Mrs Humphries said at the service.
"You keep us safe. You leave your families at special times and it's really, really hard.
"We love what you do for us and we hope that you all stay safe and keep fighting fires and hopefully we won't have as many as we had last year."
Mr McKechnie reiterated Mrs Humphries comments and said it was great to have representatives from council and the government in attendance to recognise the medal recipients.
"What a better way than being able to cover all facets of what it is that we can do with the support of the government to be able to support you in terms of awards to recognise your service," he said.
"Awards that your family can look at as well and see the contribution you've made."
Award winners
- John Bateman: National Medal for 10 years of service with the Narrabri HQ brigade, Myallvale brigade and Bobbiwaa brigade
- Robin Trindall: 10 Long Service Medal for 11 years of service as staff and a member of the Narrabri brigade
- Emma Ranger: 10 year Long Service Medal for 12 years of service as a member of Gravesend
- Charles Arnott: 10 Long Service Medal for 13 years of service as a member of Merah North
- Shane Smallcombe: 10 Long Service Medal for 13 years of service as a member of the Lennox Head brigade and staff member from 2013
- Terry Smith: 10 Long Service Medal for 14 years of service as a member of Gravesend
- Neville Eglesfield: 10 Long Service Medal for 14 years of service as a member of Gravesend
- Casey Riley: 20 Long Service Medal for 20 years of service as a member of Mungindi
- Kym Stanford: 20 Long Service Medal for 20 years of service as a member of Mungindi
- Ruth Ranger: 20 Long Service Medal for 23 years of service as a member of Gravesend
- Errol Foster: Long Service Medal 2nd Clasp for 35 years of service as a member of Gravesend
- Rodney Kent: Long Service Medal 3rd Clasp for 43 years of service as a member of Kaloona
- John Wilson: Long Service Medal 3rd Clasp for 44 years of service as a member of North Star
- Lyle Ranger: Long Service Medal 4th Clasp for 51 years of service as a member of Yamma, Avon Downs and Gravesend
- Ronald Kent: Long Service Medal 4th Clasp for 59 years of service as a member of Kaloona