Rainbow Flat Rural Fire Service captain, Robert Derbyshire, described the official opening of a new station as the start of a new chapter for the 56-year-old brigade.
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As the red bull tore a path of destruction throughout the Manning and Great Lakes, Rainbow Flat RFS volunteers were on the fire front helping to protect the community while their home base was destroyed by flames.
The new stand alone station, which replaces the original structure constructed in 1982, was built for a cost of $285,00, made possible through community contributions and fundraising, an insurance claim and funding from the Rural Firefighting Fund
Mr Derbyshire said he had been humbled by the generous support from the community, with contributions coming from as far afield as the Central Coast and Western Australia.
"It is hard to explain how I feel."
Allana Hancock-Hollis from Itravel was one of the many private donors, raising more than $18,250 towards the restructure through the donation of a five day all expenses paid trip to Fiji.
The new station has space for two tankers, as well as a training room, kitchen, office, storeroom, bathroom and changeroom.
It was the fire season that kept on giving for five months; it was the perfect storm and it took so much from the community,
- Fire.NSW RFS Commissioner Rob Rogers AFSM
"It was the fire season that kept on giving for five months; it was the perfect storm and it took so much from the community," Fire.NSW RFS Commissioner Rob Rogers AFSM said.
"I knew that old structure; it didn't have any amenities, but now we have those facilities that will attract new members."
Since the Hillville fire - which was responsible for destroying the building - the brigade has attracted eight new members, bringing volunteer numbers to 30.
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After a year operating out of a temporary demountable building and storing the brigade's tanker on a neighbouring property, this new building is greatly welcomed and will assist with vehicle housing, training and the fighting of fires locally, Commissioner Rob Rogers said.
Commissioner Rogers said the RFS was committed to providing volunteer firefighters with the equipment, infrastructure and resources they needed to carry out the important work of protecting communities from fire and a diverse array of incidents.
"I would like to take this time to praise all our volunteers for their ongoing efforts each and every day, particularly when dealing with emergencies here in the Mid Coast.
"We also thank the families, friends, employers and colleagues of these and all of our volunteers.
"We know it takes their ongoing support and patience which in turn enables NSW RFS volunteers to do what they do to save lives and property."
Also attending Saturday's opening were Member for Myall Lakes, Stephen Bromhead, Member for Lyall, David Gillespie, MidCoast Council mayor, David West, general manager, Adrian Panuccio, NSW RFS District staff and brigade members.
Stephen Bromhead said despite being without a station since November 2019 the Rainbow Flat Brigade had pulled together and continued to serve the community.
"The brigade have shown true resilience, continuing to serve their community despite the loss of their base and two members homes in the bushfires," Mr Bromhead said.
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