Springside Brigade Station opening
Published Date: 30 Oct 2017
Summary
It was a red letter day for Springside Rural Fire Brigade as volunteers celebrated the official opening of their new shed on Orchard Road.
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There was a very clear sense of pride and enthusiasm from the Brigade. Congratulations again to Springside on your new Station.
Captain Robert Hicks said it had been 23 years since the brigade first decided they needed a bigger shed.
“It’s been a long time coming. It’s a proud moment for the whole area,” Mr Hicks said.
The land was donated by Annette and Graham Brown.
Mr Hicks said the shed had been operational since March and had helped boost membership with 11 people joining since they moved in.
“We even have people drive in on a Sunday during training who want to know how they get involved,” he said.
Springside wasn’t the only brigade to receive a new shed to use as their station – Cudal’s new station was also officially opened on Saturday.
It’s part of a $1.5 million boost to volunteer firefighting in Canobolas Zone, which includes three fire tankers for Springside, Cudal and Tallwood brigades and a shed for the State Mitigation Support Service.
“We find sheds are a catalyst to rejuvenate a brigade. It helps encourage young people to join a brigade,” Canobolas Zone manager Superintendent David Hoadley said.
He said Towac, March and Borenore had benefited from new stations while Spring Hill, Clifton Grove, Mandurama are some of the 11 projects under way in Canobolas Zone.
The Climate Council has called on NSW to double the number of firefighters as weather conditions are expected to become hotter and drier over time, increasing the risks posed by bushfires.
Senior Assistant Commissioner Bruce McDonald said people were the backbone of the NSW RFS and there was always turnover within brigades.
“Our numbers haven’t really changed from that 71,000 to 74,000 mark in the last 10 years or so,” Assistant Commissioner McDonald said.
Supporting and complementing volunteers’ efforts has been the driver for the $1.5 million spend in the zone.
For the Springside brigade – it’s the first time they’ve had a station.
“This station was previously on private property and now it has a presence and it has actually brought people in,” Assistant Commissioner McDonald said.
“It makes sure they have somewhere to come back, someone where to standby at that’s appropriate,” he said.
“We need to understand our volunteers are drawn from the community and they like to give back to the community they live in.
“Our role is try and make the firefighter’s job as easy as possible.
“They’re presented with hot, dusty, dry conditions to work in and if we can give them the infrastructure to complement that, then we’re doing our job.”
