New shed ready for fire season
Published Date: 08 Jan 1998
Summary
Boggy Plains Rural Fire Service is ready for what could be a harsh fire season this summer with its new shed.
By Grace Ryan
The Boggy Plains RFS opened its new fire station on Tuesday at its annual general meeting.
The 30-member brigade has been in its current location for six or seven years since current captain Andrew Flinn took over from Mal McIntyre.
Captain Andrew Flinn, Group Captain Gordon Heckendorf and Orana Team Manager Inbspector Lyndon Wieland in front of the new shed.
Captain Flinn said it took a while for the shed to be built.
"We applied to get the shed built four or five years ago," he said.
It seems the shed comes at the perfect time as the members of the local RFS brace themselves for a massive fire season.
"(The summer) is what we're worried about, particularly as it dries off," he said.
The experienced captain asks rural residents to look after themselves.
"Got to get the firebreaks ready, spray firebreaks around the house, slash areas, pull the fire up," he said.
RFS Orana Team Manager, Inspector Lyndon Wieland agrees.
"They're predicting a dry finish this winter," he said.
The Narromine Shire is well protected by local RFS volunteers and the infrastructure and trucks are getting stronger every year.
"We have eight brigade sheds and 21 brigades in Narromine," Inspector Wieland said.
"We try to build one shed a year. Because we work with council, we're limited to one a year. But it's a big budget with clothing, vehicle maintenance and sheds. We work well with the council."
The Boggy Plains Brigade is ready for whatever gets thrown at it with the new shed.
"We get a few motor vehicle accidents," Captain Flinn said.
The brigade has a turnaround time of 15 to 20 minutes according to Inspector Wieland.
"Even closer if someone is near the truck," he said.
The shed, stationed on the Dandaloo Road, is qualified for any kind of emergency.
The brigade members are volunteers just trying to do their bit for the community.
"We're all volunteers," Captain Flinn said.
"We like to keep the community safe, you never know when your neighbours will need you."
