Volunteers honoured as members celebrate new station

Summary

Liverpool Range volunteers today recognised the achievements of veteran volunteers and celebrated the official opening of a new fire station.

NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) Assistant Commissioner Steve Yorke was honoured to present volunteers with Long Service medals today, in recognition of their ongoing commitment to the local community.

The eight medal recipients have accumulated 160 years of service between them.

Assistant Commissioner Yorke made particular mention of Robert Caldwell, who received his Long Service Medal 3rd Clasp in recognition of his 48 years of service.

Mr Caldwell joined the Leefield/Mt McKenzie Brigade in 1966 and since then has fulfilled several roles, including Captain, Deputy Captain and President, as well as serving as the Tenterfield Group Captain for eight years.

"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," Assistant Commissioner Yorke 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 48 Northern Tablelands Team brigades for the exceptional level of fire protection they provide."

Assistant Commissioner Yorke said the new Liston/Wylie Creek Rural Fire Brigade (RFB) station would enable volunteers to provide an even greater level of protection to the local community.

The station was purpose-built for its highly active and growing Brigade and provides members with enough room to comfortably move around as well as house two fire trucks.

"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," Assistant Commissioner Yorke said.