The Cudgegong District is celebrating the official handover of nine new fire trucks to the NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) that will assist volunteers in providing an even greater level of fire protection to the local community.
NSW RFS Commissioner Rob Rogers joined Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders, Mid-Western Regional Council mayor Des Kennedy and other guests at the Cudgegong Fire Control Centre to officially hand over the keys of the new tankers.
Mr Saunders said the new tankers, worth a total of $1.133 million, will enable Cooyal, Lawson, Mudgee HQ, Gulgong, Windeyer and Cooks Gap brigades to strengthen their firefighting efforts across their communities.
“While the previous tankers have served them well, I am confident these new state-of-the-art vehicles will prove to be invaluable assets to the area,” Mr Saunders said.
“Cooks Gap Brigade received a new $207,000 Category 7 tanker to replace one which was destroyed by a fallen tree during the 2019/20 fires, which is a terrific outcome for that brigade.
“It was also great to come together and celebrate some of the wonderful people who have dedicated decades of their lives to the RFS, including John Whale, who has been part of the organisation for an astonishing 59 years.”
A total of 42 members of the Cudgegong District were recognised, who had together amassed 851 years of service to the NSW RFS.
“We awarded long service medals and/or clasps to dedicated volunteers who had given between 10 and 59 years of service to the community, as well as three national medals to individuals who have gone above and beyond in their roles,” Commissioner Rogers said.
“These men and women remain on-hand 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and we should be extremely proud and grateful for their contribution.”