SPOKESPERSONS from our local emergency services crews have praised the efforts of the volunteers who travelled to Sydney and other areas to help during the recent bushfire crisis.

Volunteers were called up in late December and early January.

The State Emergency Services members from this district worked out of Katoomba headquarters, mainly to help direct traffic in dangerous areas, while the NSW Ambulance gave first aid to fire fighters in the Singleton area and the Rural Fire Service provided back up and relief to those already on duty around Sydney, and the north and south coast.

SES controller Barry Johnston said due to the length of the crisis and the extreme conditions, the fire fighters had to draw on resources from far and wide, and 'the volunteers were eager to do their part'.

NSW Ambulance station officer in charge Tony Stanford said, 'we were quite impressed by the commitment of the firies'. "The fact was they were doing all the hard work and getting paid nothing.

"I think it was wonderful they gave them the ticker tape parade. Watching that, you could see the joy on the faces of the firies, because they were appreciated. A lot of the time they don't get a thank you or a pat on the back.”

Rural Fire Service district assistant Kate Watchirs said 'all our brigade members are volunteers, meaning they gave up their time and their jobs to fight fires for no benefit other than doing a community service'.

"I can't stress enough how valuable these people are. Some took holidays or time without pay from their respective jobs. Most people wouldn't think of doing that.”

THE HONOUR ROLL

RURAL FIRE SERVICE

Mal Really, Gilgai

Rick Fenton, Gilgai

Noel Simula, Delungra

Wayne Durrington, Delungra

Mandy Hawke, Delungra

Jason Flett, Inverell HQ

John Pankhurst, Inverell HQ

Pat Waters, Inverell HQ

Harry Pordage, Inverell HQ

David McHue, Inverell HQ

Peter Matthews, Inverell HQ

© 2002 Inverell Times

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