Tamworth Zone honours volunteers while welcoming new vehicles

Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson said the NSW RFS, working cooperatively with the state and local governments, is committed to providing volunteer firefighters with the equipment and resources they need to carry out the important work of protecting their local communities from fire and other emergencies.

“The two new Category 1 and Category 7 tankers replace existing tankers at the Kingswood and Gowrie Brigades respectively, which will be handed on to serve another local brigade, as part of the tanker replacement program,” Mr Anderson said.

“The previous vehicles served the Brigade well for many years and I am confident these new state-of-the-art tankers will enable the three brigades to provide an even greater level of fire protection to the local community.

“The Winton Brigade will also receive a refurbished Category 1 tanker to assist with local incidents and help with other incidents across the Tamworth Zone.”

Along with the additional tankers, NSW RFS Assistant Commissioner Steve Yorke also presented 21 members from the Tamworth Zone with Medals and/or Clasps in recognition of their ongoing commitment and dedication to their local communities.

Assistant Commissioner Yorke said the 21 medal recipients have accumulated a total of 350 years of service between them.

“I’d particularly like to congratulate Kendall Thompson on receiving the NSW RFS National Medal today for his 19 years with the Service and Doug Mills for 32 years of service, both of the Kootingal/Moonbi Brigade,” Assistant Commissioner Yorke said.

“Kendall joined the Kootingal/Moonbi Brigade in 2000 at the age of 16 and became a Deputy Captain only six years later, holding this position until 2009 when he successfully became the brigade Senior Deputy Captain.

“In 2011 Kendall helped to save the lives of 45 people during the Queensland floods in the Lockyer Valley, which earned him the Benjamin Franklin Award of Valour by the International Association of Fire Chiefs, presented in Atlanta Georgia in 2011.

“This level of dedication is inspiring and I know that Kendall continues to protect his local community as an extremely valued member of his Brigade and the Service.”