Funding has arrived just in time for Tamworth Rural Fire Service as they prepare for the season ahead.
This morning the Tamworth crew received a share in over just over $15,000 donated from the Newcastle Permanent’s employee Community Assist program.
“We’re so appreciative to receive this donation from Newcastle Permanent. The support we have received from the community this year has been amazing. Not everyone can fight fires but plenty of people are supporting us in other ways that make a real difference,” Allyn said.
“It’s very encouraging for our volunteers to come home after several days battling the bushfires to hear about all the donations and support we’ve received, which goes into helping them be the best they can be.”
Along with other donations received over the fire season, this money will go towards repairs and maintenance for a couple of older trailers that were extensively used over the fire season, and now in need of some TLC.
“As a sign of our appreciation for this support, we will include a message of thanks to Newcastle Permanent on the refurbished trailer,” Allyn said.
Funds will also go towards building a training trailer that will be used to transport training equipment to various locations around the district.
“Training of our volunteers is vital - we need to ensure that they have the most up-to-date firefighting techniques when going out to fight these fires,” Allyn said.
Forster and Lake Macquarie RFS stations will also receive $5,000 and WIRES will receive $15,000 from this round of Newcastle Permanent CommunityAssist.
Image: Newcastle Permanent Tamworth Branch Manager Julie Callander, RFS Superintendent Allyn Purkiss and Alise Wheeler from Newcastle Permanent Tamworth Branch.