Celebrations for Namoi Gwydir Team members with $1.7m investment

NSW RFS Assistant Commissioner Paul Seager will attend a ceremony tonight at the Narrabri Fire Control Centre to officially handover a new CAT 1 tanker to the Boggabri Brigade worth $370,000 and present 20 National Emergency Medals to members.

“This vehicle will enable the brigade to strengthen its firefighting efforts across its community,” he said.

Tomorrow will also see the official handover of a CAT 7 vehicle to each the Cobbadah and Diamond Swamp Brigades, a CAT 9 vehicle to the Stonefield Brigade and CAT 1 vehicles to both the Terry Hei Hei and Mungindi Brigades, with combined value of $1.29 million.

NSW RFS Chief Superintendent Heath Stimson will attend the official opening of the Gineroi Brigade station on Gineroi Road, Bingara tomorrow and said it will provide enhanced support to Namoi Gwydir Team volunteers, as well as the communities they protect, particular in the Gwydir District.

“The new single bay station is worth $116,885 but to its members it will be a priceless resource,” he said.

“Ensuring our men and women in the NSW RFS have the most modern equipment and resources to protect their local communities has been, and will remain, a key priority.”

Assistant Commissioner Seager said 51 National Emergency Medals will be presented across three ceremonies, along with nine Long Service Medals and two Commissioner’s Certificate of Commendation for service beyond the normal scope of responsibility.

“The National Emergency Medal is awarded to those whose service was in the protection of lives and property or in the service of interests that are not their own and who supported the emergency response for a minimum of five days between September 2019 and February 2020,” he said.

“The members being recognised with Long Service Medals and or Clasps at the ceremony in Moree tomorrow range from 11 to 40 years of service.

“Each volunteer being recognised has demonstrated an exceptional level of commitment over the years to their community and these medals are our proud acknowledgement of their efforts.

“I offer my sincere thanks and gratitude to all the NSW RFS members for their continued outstanding efforts and extend this to their families, friends and colleagues who allow our volunteers to do what they do.”