Usually volunteer firefighters put out a fire then go home and don’t ask for anything in return.
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So when Kennards Hire in Orange hosted a thank-you party for putting out the fires at Mount Canobolas and Belerada Creek earlier this year, the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) wanted to show its gratitude.
The Mount Canobolas fire started on February 10 and was contained on February 14, but not before it burned out 1671 hectares.
The Belerada Creek blaze near Gowan, north-east of Orange, was almost as extensive, destroying 1276 hectares adjacent to Freemantle Road.
Between 500 and 600 people were involved in fighting the blazes, and to say thank you Kennards paid-for and hosted a three-hour party for emergency workers and their families at Robertson Park on April 7.
Volunteers don’t usually like getting a slap on the back, but it’s nice when a company like this shows their support.
- NSW Rural Fire Service Division 8 chairman Geoff Ryan
Along with the RFS members and their families, police, ambulance and the State Emergency Service were invited to attend and showcase their emergency vehicles, techniques and technology.
There was also children’s entertainment and about 70 kilograms of sausages, donated by Kennards Hire, were consumed at the event.
Any money raised at the event also went back to the RFS.
Orange City Council also helped to make the event possible by fast-tracking the ‘red-tape’ that needed to be done.
On Friday, representatives from division 8 of the RFS, including firefighters from the Canobolas Zone, met with Kennards Hire staff to say thank you for acknowledging the efforts made in fighting the two fires.
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Division 8 chairman Geoff Ryan said volunteer firefighters from the Canobolas, Chifley and Lithgow zones were involved in fighting the two fires in February, and although the volunteers never ask for gratitude, it was nice to receive it anyway.
“Volunteers don’t usually like getting a slap on the back, but it’s nice when a company like this shows their support,” Mr Ryan said.
“This is a thank you for a thank you.”
Kennards Orange assistant manager Luke Compt came up with the idea for the thank-you day with support from his manager Charlie Wollaston, who said it was good to recognise the efforts of emergency service workers.
“It was just because we thought someone needed to say thank you,” Mr Wollaston said.