Karen McNamara (Dobell, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise today to pay tribute to the men and women of Dobell's volunteer Rural Fire Service. In October 2013 the Central Coast was ravaged by series of bushfires. Residents were cut off from their homes, properties were destroyed and, tragically, one life was lost. This unimaginable destruction would have been far worse if not for the efforts of our volunteer Rural Fire Service. Our local RFS's tireless firefighting is the difference between life and death and having lives altered by the unforgiving nature of fire. Over 100 years ago residents in the south-western New South Wales township of Berrigan formed Australia's first official bush fire brigade.

Today the New South Wales Rural Fire Service boasts over 2,000 volunteer brigades, with a membership of over 70,000. I was honoured to have recently attended the Lakes Team Volunteer Appreciation Day, where volunteers from Rural Fire Service units across Wyong shire and Lake Macquarie councils were recognised for their hard work, dedication and commitment. It is essential that we acknowledge the bravery and efforts of our volunteer firefighters.

RFS members' contribution is not only measured in the aftermath of a natural disaster; it is felt all year round, when we know that if we are under threat from fire we can call on them to protect our community. I would like to pay particular thanks to the members of Berkeley Vale, Charmhaven, Chittaway, Dooralong, Kulnura, Matcham, Narara, Ourimbah, Wadalba, Wamberal, Warnervale and Yarramalong brigades for their efforts and commitment to protecting Dobell.