FOR some members of the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) crews who helped fight the Mount Canobolas and Gowan fires, it was their first experience battling a blaze.
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Facing her first fire, Kangaroo Flat volunteer Lou-Anne Pech said it was “a bit daunting” but she was proud of all the brigades.
“I was scared at first, but we have such a good team that I knew everyone had my back,” she said.
“Everyone watches out for each other so I felt okay. I was really proud of the teamwork we had, not just within our brigade but with the other brigades there.
“It was good to consolidate and put it into practice all of our skills we learn in training each week.”
Canobolas Zone’s operations officer Cameron Bird said they received help from all over the state and Orange’s crews were appreciative of the assistance.
“They helped out with airbase operations as well as firefighting, I don’t think there was a local brigade that didn’t turn out,” Mr Bird said.
“Talking to the guys on the ground out there, the local guys a very appreciative of the turn out. We’ve had brigades from Canowindra, Cowra, Blayney, Cabonne and Orange, as well as Parkes, Forbes and Condobolin.
“We’re very grateful to all those areas have come to the call for help. We sincerely appreciate it and hopefully we can help them out in return.”
NSW RFS brigades from Moorbel, Lockwood, Cargo, Torrington, Billimari, Chaucer and Toogong were joined by Kangaroo Flat, Waugoola, Walli Islands, Darbys Falls, Billimari, Mt MacDonald, Glen Logan and Woodstock crews in helping Canobolas zone members control last week’s fires, which have both been extinguished and controlled.
