The completion of a five-year program to provide upgraded facilities for our volunteer firefighters was celebrated on Saturday.
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Nine Rural Fire Service brigades across the Bega Valley now enjoy brand new sheds, while a further two have undergone major refurbishment to upgrade their operation readiness and extending their future viability.
On a bright and hot autumn morning, Far South Coast Superintendent John Cullen was joined by NSW RFS Assistant Commissioner Steve York, South Region Superintendent Ken Hall and Bega Valley Shire councillor Sharon Tapscott in officially opening new fire sheds at Buckajo and Numbugga, as well as an extension to the control centre in Bega.
The two brand new sheds join new or upgraded facilities in Tathra, Quaama, Burragate, Pambula, Wyndham, Towamba, Kiah, Bemboka and Tanja.
Adding to the day’s positivity was the presentation of multiple RFS national medals to Bega Valley volunteer firies – who between them have more than 800 years’ service. Supt Cullen praised these “very committed volunteers” calling them “wonderful ambassadors” for their brigades and communities.
Assistant Commissioner York, representing NSW Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons, congratulated the Bega Valley brigades on their new “important community facilities”, as well as the 20-plus members receiving recognition for their decades of service.
“I know that when you joined it wasn’t about the tokenism of medals, but we say it is important to recognise your service and you should be congratulated for your efforts,” he said.
“The many family members here today should also be proud and we thank you for your support.”
Among those national medal recipients was Brian Ayliffe, who was recognised for 60 years in the RFS.
“I want to say how proud I am to represent this organisation, and how privileged and humbled I feel to be part of an organisation that attracts people of your calibre,” he said to the large crowd at Numbugga.
Mr Ayliffe also, on behalf of RFS members across the Valley, thanked infrastructure coordinator Ian Stroud for taking on the rebuild project and seeing it through with “tenacity and hard work”.
Supt Cullen also paid tribute to Les Preston, who apparently prefers to stay away from such public accolades, but is fully deserving of recognition for an incredible 65 years of service to the Bemboka RFS brigade.
“Les has fought more fires than anyone else in the Bemboka brigade’s history...and [as equipment officer for 60-plus years] is a behind the scenes member the RFS can’t do without,” Supt Cullen said.
New stations
Operation and infrastructure coordinator for the Bega Valley RFS Ian Stroud was acknowledged on Saturday for his efforts in seeing through a five-year program of renewing the shire’s RFS facilities.
Nine brand new sheds, as well as two with major refurbishments, are now all operational, with Numbugga’s official opening on Saturday the last in a five-year plan.
Mr Stroud said the new facilities have upgraded brigades’ operation readiness with new larger stations that will future-proof them for decades to come.
Full amenities are now on site, with kitchens and training facilities included in the larger cavernous sheds with mezzanine levels.
They also come with air conditioning, giving our hard-working volunteer firefighters deserved relief at their home base on those extremely hot days when the community needs them the most.
BVSC councillor Sharon Tapscott said the people in our community who step up when the worst of nature hits need and deserve support.
The council is proud to have contributed $68,000 towards these key assets – but although we have new facilities and resources, without you people they would be next to useless,” Cr Tapscott said.