Funding boost for Rural Fire Service brigades across NSW

The 19 brigades benefiting from this funding support are from regions including the Central Tablelands, Greater Sydney, Hunter, Southern Highlands, Southern Tablelands, South West Slopes and Sunraysia.

Executive General Manager of Stakeholder, Regulatory and Corporate Affairs Maryanne Graham said: “Transgrid takes the risk of bushfires very seriously and the safety of our people, landowners and communities is our first priority.

“We are also committed to investing in communities where our transmission infrastructure is located or under development to provide tangible and meaningful benefits to local residents.

“That’s why we are pleased to provide these grants to 19 Rural Fire Service brigades across NSW to provide equipment and facility upgrades, which will help increase safety, comfort and security for our dedicated volunteer firefighters, support emergency response capabilities, and make our local communities safer.

“Transgrid works closely with Rural Fire Service brigades across NSW to reduce the risk of bushfires and we are proud to support their vital work.”

Good Hope-Boambolo Bushfire Brigade in the Southern Tablelands has received a grant to purchase and install a fast fill pump to refill fire trucks with water.

“The brigade has two 25,000 litre water tanks, however, they are not plumbed for the delivery of the stored water to firefighting vehicles,” Brigade Equipment Officer Andrew Kay said. 

“When completing a callout, volunteers either have to travel into the township of Yass to use a hydrant or fill from a water source, such as a dam.

“The fast fill pump will allow us to quickly and conveniently refill fire trucks from our water tanks at the station, allowing our volunteers to be back home safely with their families sooner. 

“The Transgrid grant has allowed us to purchase this equipment without having to conduct further fundraising, which saves additional time and effort from our volunteers.”

Orange Rural Fire Brigade has received a grant to purchase an inflatable firehouse to engage children in fire safety education during community events and school visits.

“The inflatable firehouse is a fun way to promote fire safety to children,” Brigade Treasurer Jill Marshall said.

“With the slogan ‘get down low and go, go, go!’ children learn to exit a house that is on fire in a safe and quick manner. Fake smoke is pumped inside the house making the experience as real as possible.

“The aim is to attract public interest, thereby increasing community awareness of the risk of fire, the services of the brigade and encourage volunteer participation.

“We do a lot of fundraising and generally use the proceeds for operational equipment, however, the Transgrid grant has allowed us to purchase this fantastic educational resource that will be used by Rural Fire Service brigades across the region.”

Tumbarumba Rural Fire Service is using a Transgrid grant to help fund an extension to its Elliott Way fire shed to provide additional space and facilities for training and community meetings.

“We are putting an awning on our Elliott Way fire shed which will provide more space for our members for training particularly in adverse weather,” Brigade Grants Co-ordinator Theresa Lonergan said.

“The extension will also be used to host the local community at our mental health nights, Fire Shed Fridays, which have been a great success since the Dunns Road fire. 

“The Transgrid grant has made this project affordable for us and reduces the time our members spend on fundraising.”

Transgrid Community Partnerships Program – RFS brigade grant recipients

Media enquiries: Mark Nolan 0429 047 136