$13 million fire precinct celebrated

IT was an action-packed day in Narrabri on Friday, with the grand opening of the Namoi-Gwydir Rural Fire Service Precinct and the honouring of some incredible RFS volunteers during National Medal and Long Service Medal presentations.

Superintendent Scott Mack, Narrabri Shire mayor Darrell Tiemens and RFS Acting Deputy Commissioner Viki Campbell and Narrabri Rural Fire Brigade captain Megan Davies after the unveiling of the plaque at the official opening of the Namoi-Gwydir Fire Control Centre.

The day marked a major investment in local emergency services, with almost $15 million committed across the Namoi Gwydir District.

This includes the new $13.1 million Fire Control Centre and the official handover of six new firefighting vehicles, valued at a combined $1.896 million, to local brigades.

The precinct is located on the Old Newell Highway at Narrabri West, adjacent to the existing RFS facilities.

“It is my absolute pleasure to be here today to officially open this outstanding new Fire Control Centre,” said RFS Acting Deputy Commissioner Viki Campbell.

RFS Acting Deputy Commissioner Viki Campbell and Narrabri Rural Fire Brigade captain Megan Davies and Narrabri Shire mayor Darrell Tiemens cutting the ribbon at the new Narrabri Rural Fire Brigade station.

“The opening of this Fire Control Centre is very close to my heart as I have deployed to Narrabri on several occasions to support incidents over recent years, and whilst council has always been very accommodating in the old FCC, this new facility certainly marks a significant improvement.

“The new Fire Control Centre has been designed to operate as an Emergency Operations Centre during major incidents and includes dedicated operations and planning rooms, training facilities, a helipad, kitchen and bathroom facilities and a new station for the Narrabri Rural Fire Brigade, bringing district staff and volunteers together at a single location,” she said.

“Narrabri Brigade has a proud history of service and this facility provides a modern, fit-for-purpose station that will support current members and future generations of volunteers.”

Acting Deputy Commissioner Campbell said the funding would deliver long-term benefits for emergency services and local communities.

“This $14.9 million investment delivers modern facilities and equipment that will support firefighters and emergency personnel across the Namoi Gwydir District for years to come,” she said.

“Alongside this important investment, it is fitting to acknowledge the volunteers whose dedication and service help protect local residents and property.”

Junior RFS member Jordin Tribe and her mum Bec Tribe, operational officer.

A/Deputy Commissioner Campbell said the new facilities and vehicles would enhance the district’s ability to prepare for and respond to emergencies.

“Today’s event highlights the remarkable contribution of RFS volunteers across the Namoi Gwydir District and the vital role they continue to play in keeping people safe,” she said.

“Importantly, the new FFC has been designed to operate as an Emergency Operations Centre during major incidents, providing a central location for agencies to coordinate response and recovery efforts when they are needed most.

“Bringing agencies together under one roof improves communication, situational awareness and decision-making during emergencies, helping ensure the most effective response possible.”

Senior project officer infrastructure Matthew Smith, infrastructure manager Alison Heald and Assistant Commissioner Nicholas Medianik, director of fleet and infrastructure.

Narrabri Shire mayor Darrell Tiemens played an official role in the opening, including delivering an address and paying tribute to the RFS volunteers during the Long Service and National Medals presentations.

“This is actually about you today… thank you very much for all the service you put in as volunteers,” said Cr Tiemens. “This is a really big day.”

“We had the biggest bushfire in NSW two years ago, the Duck Creek fire; we do have a lot of bushfires around here.

“We stand at the slopes and the plains, and both of them present unique challenges.

“We’ve got the Pilliga Forest, we’ve got the Mount Kaputar National Park, and we’ve got so many other challenging terrains.

“It is a real challenge, and to be a firefighter in this area takes a lot of skill, a lot of support, because it’s very dangerous.

“I think it’s critical to have a good Fire Control Centre that enables you to move very, very quickly as conditions and weather change – so this is a great thing,” said Cr Tiemens.

“On behalf of the entire Narrabri Shire community, I’m excited to see the full facilities, and coming into this summer, it is probably going to be a bit of a challenging one for us, so this couldn’t have come at a better time – thank you,” said Cr Tiemens, who is a firefighter himself.

Superintendent Scott Mack said he was very happy and proud to lead his team into the new space.

“It is just fantastic, we’ll be having an open day coming up,” he said.

“The Namoi-Gwydir team covers Narrabri Shire, Gwydir Shire and the Moree Plains Shire, so we cover a large area – 45,000 square kilometres, 83 brigades,” he added.

Echoing the sentiments of A/Deputy Commissioner Campbell, Superintendent Mack said the new centre would improve the way emergency services and agencies worked together.

Giving a big thumbs up and pictured with the Narrabri Rural Fire Brigade’s new vehicle Rob Pownall, Gabe Polsini, Elisha McInnes, Ava McInnes, Danielle Sargent and Riley Sargent, Chris Lawlor and Narrabri Shire mayor Darrell Tiemens, front, Richard Scilley, Edward Agius, Adam Scott, Bec Tribe, Brodie Fry, Katherine Scott-Dickson, Clare Felton-Taylor, Jordin Tribe, Corinne Mackey, Sue Sargent, Ray McInnes, Cameron Sargeant, Neil Harvey, Liam Fry, James Langan, Iain Olivier, Craig Morris, Larissa Clarke, Wayne Cherry, Patrick O’Hanlon, Stewart McDougall, Noel Williams, Jock Smith, Megan Davies, Kele O’Hanlon, Phil Davies, Tim O’Hanlon, Duncan Allan, RFS Acting Deputy Commissioner Viki Campbell and Superintendent Scott Mack, district manager Namoi Gwydir.

“It’s so much bigger than the old Fire Control Centre,” he said.

“In the old Fire Control Centre, the Emergency Operations Centre, we couldn’t really fit them in, but this is a dedicated control centre.

“So, we’ve got rooms for planning, operations, and we’ve got training rooms that can be converted into spare rooms.”

Superintendent Mack hosted the event’s official proceedings, including the medal ceremonies.

“I always planned that at the official opening we would do something in recognition of our volunteers,” he said.

“Because as a service, we are nothing without our volunteers. Without the volunteers, we don’t have a service.”