Namoi Gwydir volunteers celebrate new stations and fire fighting vehicles

The new Gragin and Whitlow stations are the culmination of many years of hard work and provide both brigades with a permanent place in which to house their vehicles.

Members of the Croppa Creek Rural Fire Brigade (RFB) gratefully accepted their new fire truck while a further two new fire fighting vehicles were also handed over for use throughout the Moree District.

NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said the two new stations and three new vehicles will enable local brigades to provide an even greater level of protection to the community.

"The NSW RFS is committed to providing volunteer firefighters with the equipment they need to carry out the important work they do to protect their local communities from fire," Commissioner Fitzsimmons said.

"One of these new trucks is replacing an older style model while the other two increase the total number of vehicles available to provide a high level of emergency service response locally."

Commissioner Fitzsimmons was honoured to present veteran volunteers with Long Service medals at three ceremonies today, in recognition of their ongoing commitment to the local community.

The 31 medal recipients have accumulated an impressive 877 years of service between them.

"Every one of these volunteers has demonstrated an exceptional level of commitment to their community over the years and these medals are our proud acknowledgement of their efforts," Commissioner Fitzsimmons said.

"I know they will continue to serve their local communities for many years to come and share their knowledge, experience and firefighting skills both locally and further afield.

"They are all worthy of our most sincere thanks and I would like to personally commend them for their service.

"I would also like to extend the thanks of the Service and the local community to the members of all 29 Namoi Gwydir Team brigades for the exceptional level of fire protection they provide."