Population shift prompted by dry times in regional areas is one of the major challenges facing NSW’s urban fire service, its chief says.
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A return of drought in the western area causes people to leave small towns - “the people we need to be in the fire brigade”, Fire & Rescue NSW (FRNSW) Commissioner Greg Mullins says.
The ageing population was another major challenge, he said during a visit to Cobar.
The FRNSW chief said climate change “and the effect that has on farming for example”, was one of the big challenges.
“So we’ve had some good months with rain, if we go into drought again, people leave small towns and they’re the people we need to be in the fire brigade,” he said.
“The ageing population, as people get older and older and a lot of young people leave the small towns and that’s our workforce for the fire brigade as well.
“So they’re two big ones, and just economically, if the economy is strong, again, people leave small towns and we find it very hard to recruit.
“So they’re a few big problems they’re facing everywhere.”
Commissioner Mullins also acknowledged being a retained firefighter was a big commitment.
“All of the training and road accident rescue, fire-fighting, dealing with chemical spills, so it’s not a simple thing and people do have to think about the commitment they’re making,” he said.
The fire chief, the state’s longest-serving in more than a century, made a tour of seven fire stations in north-west NSW ahead of his retirement early next year.
Commissioner Mullins, who started with the then NSW Fire Brigades in 1978 after six years as a bushfire brigade volunteer, said the aim of the tour was to personally farewell and thank the retained - on-call - firefighters.
At Gilgandra Fire Station on November 27 he presented Captain Lindsay Mathieson with a FRNSW Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.
Later that day at Coonamble Captain Andrew Morley received a National Medal First Clasp from his chief.
Lightning Ridge Fire Station Captain John Bevan and Deputy Captain Steve Bevan each received a Long Service and Good Conduct Medal First Clasp and firefighter Inega Holland was presented with a Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.
The commissioner presented Lightning Ridge station colleague Mark Holland with a National Medal.
He said those receiving medals had made an “amazing commitment” to their local communities and beyond, and were “wonderful people”.
Commissioner Mullins also took the opportunity to encourage people to consider applying to become a retained firefighter.
For more information on becoming a retained firefighter, contact the Far Western NSW Zone office on 6882 9688.
Medal and clasp details:
The FRNSW Long Service and Good Conduct Medals recognise 10 years’ diligent long service and good conduct by FRNSW fire officers and firefighters.
Clasps are awarded for each additional 10 years of exemplary service.
The Australian government’s National Medal recognises 15 years’ diligent service by members of recognised government and voluntary organisations that risk their lives or safety to protect or assist the community in times of emergency or natural disaster.
Clasps are awarded for each additional 10 years of service.