PREMIER VISITS TAMWORTH RFS VOLUNTEERS

Tuesday, 08 November 2011 16:26

Media Releases - Kevin Anderson Media Release

Thursday 27 October 2011

NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell today joined volunteers from Tamworth’s Rural Fire Service to officially hand over a new tanker equipped with the latest crew protection measures to the Dungowan Brigade.

During the visit Mr O’Farrell thanked all the region’s RFS volunteers for their dedicated service and wished them well for the bushfire season ahead.

"I’m pleased to officially hand over this new Category 7 tanker, to help the Dungowan Brigade provide the level of fire protection the community expects," Mr O’Farrell said.

"The tanker has been fitted with new protection cab sprays that will greatly improve a crews survival if overrun by fire, and an advance grass fire suppression system that will allow the driver to remotely tackle grass fires from the safety of the cabin.

"Its arrival coincides with a new NSW Government safety campaign about the threat of grassfires in the season ahead.

"I urge the community to remain vigilant this bushfire season with large amounts of vegetation growth and fuel loads at levels not seen for some years in Tamworth.

"The threat of fast-spreading grassfires is of particular concern this season and it’s no coincidence we’ve provided increased funding to the Rural Fire Service in the NSW Liberals and Nationals first Budget, including $34.4 million for fire mitigation works, crews and programs.

"This will give the Rural Fire Service the boost it needs to start tackling the Government’s ambitious - but realistic - targets for hazard reduction.

"By 2016 we will have protected an extra 20,000 homes per year through targeted burns and other works.

"This will deliver on our election commitment to protect bushfire prone communities by substantially increasing the amount of hectares reduced overall," Mr O’Farrell said.

The local Member Kevin Anderson thanked the 1268 members of the Tamworth Zone of the Rural Fire Service for their hard work.

"I commend the RFS for their increased hazard reduction activities this season, particularly given the bushfire season was brought forward a month in the Tamworth district, and the early start of blazes in late August.

"Without them we quite simply would not have this service and their efforts are greatly appreciated," Mr Anderson said.

Tamworth RFS Manager, Superintendent Allyn Purkiss said the Dungowan Brigade has had a busy 18 months attending 12 incidents including bushfires and car accidents.

"The members of the Dungowan Brigade are always willing to help outside their brigade area and outside the district," Superintendent Purkiss said.

"Some of the Brigade’s members travelled to Victoria to help battle the fires in February 2009 and they symbolise our region’s sense of community," he said.