Namoi Gwydir volunteers and local businesses recognised

Commissioner Fitzsimmons presented eight volunteers with their Long Service Medals during a ceremony held at the Narrabri Fire Control Centre.

The medal recipients have accumulated 266 years of service between them.

"Each and every one of these volunteers is worthy of our most sincere thanks and I would like to personally commend them, not only for their commitment to the Service but also to their community," Commissioner Fitzsimmons said.

"All the volunteers here today have demonstrated an exceptional level of commitment to their community over the years and these medals are a proud acknowledgement of their efforts.

"These men and women have been part of the Service during an incredible period of growth and transformation and the experience and knowledge within their ranks illustrates this."

Commissioner Fitzsimmons also presented Supportive Employer Program Special Commendation Certificates to two local businesses, R and L Scilley Mechanical and Busy Bee Auto, which generously allow their staff to respond to frequent NSW RFS call outs.

"Put simply, without the support of employers our volunteers cannot perform their roles," Commissioner Fitzsimmons said.

"While the time and effort our firefighters put in is readily seen, the support of employers behind the scenes is what makes it possible for volunteers to continue protecting their local community."

The ceremony also saw the official handover of a new state-of-the-art fire truck that will help volunteers fight fires more efficiently.

"The NSW RFS is committed to providing the equipment needed to protect local communities from fire," Commissioner Fitzsimmons said.

"I'd like to extend the thanks of not only the Service, but also local community, for the exceptional level of fire protection provided by the 29 Brigades in the Namoi Gwydir region."