Volunteers offer up support
Published Date: 31 Dec 2014
Summary
A team of local firefighters has sprung into action to help South Australian counterparts battle a devastating blaze that has destroyed dozens of homes.
6 January 2015
NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) Orana team leader Superintendent Lyndon Wieland said he was inundated with offers from local volunteers when a call for assistance was issued on Saturday.
"From across western NSW we put together a Region West Strike team consisting of 20 trucks and 140 personnel," he said.
"Out of Dubbo, Narromine and Wellington we have sent five volunteers, a truck and a group vehicle.
"They left on Saturday and are on the fireground as we speak."
The Orana group consisted of Paul Metcalfe from Burrabadine, Paul Woodhead from Minore, Brett McCarthy from Eschol and Danny Lummis and Kate Dunsher from Dubbo headquarters.
Superintendent Wieland said a decision was expected to be made today on whether to send more firefighters to relieve the existing group.
"They (South Australian Country Fire Service) are desperate to contain the fire before the bad weather that's expected on Wednesday, and our people will play a vital part in helping do that," he said.
Inspector Wieland said the depth of the response from those locally who had offered to travel to South Australia to fight the fires was testament to their commitment.
"It was fantastic that we had so many volunteers who are ready to come forward and help others when the chips were down," he said.
Meanwhile in Dubbo and surrounds firefighters had been offered some relief in the form of weekend rain
"Actually we had been run off our feet up until Christmas when it rained," he said. "That rain has taken the edge off things for the moment. "(On Sunday night) we had good rain spread between Narromine and Wellington."
