AS we head into another bushfire season, our local Rural Fire Service (RFS) has received a welcome donation to make their lives a little easier.

Modern Media: Advertise with News Of The Area and you get your ad in 1) in Print, 2) on the News Website (like this ad), and 3) on our Social Media news site. A much more efficient way to advertise. Reach a HUGE audience for a LOW price TODAY! Call us on 02 4983 2134. Or media@newsofthearea.com.au
Or CLICK FOR ADVERT QUOTE

Thanks to a grant from the Holiday Coast Credit Union, the Pindimar/Tea Gardens RFS has been able to install an electric hose reel on one of its trucks.

“It’s going to save firefighter fatigue,” Noel Quince from the RFS said.

“You can rewind 30 to 40 metres of hose in a few minutes instead of winding it manually.

The automatic reel winder cost $3,500, money to the Holiday Credit Union was happy to fund as part of its annual grant program.

“Every year the Holiday Coast Credit Union puts on a community grant program where groups like the fire service can apply for a grant and this year the RFS along with the Surf Club were successful,” Manager, Julie Hammond said.

“A lot of the State has now started their fire season a month early, August 1st instead of September,” Noel Quince said.

The next back burn on the RFS agenda is trying to get the bush surrounding Jimmy’s Beach done sooner rather than later.

“It’s a high priority, we’re just waiting for everything to fall in place, volunteers,the right weather conditions, it all needs to be coordinated,” Noel said.

Local RFS Captain Helmut Panhuber is calling on the community to take care if they’re doing a burn.

“People need to notify MidCoast RFS on 1300 643 262 if they’re going to do a burn as well as their neighbours and be very aware of weather conditions and wind forecasts.”

By: Margie TIERNEY