RFS Superintendent Tony Whitehorn, ERC representative Chloe Sztejman, Werai Land and Water Corporation rangers Liticia Ross, Kobi Baxter, Shia Parsons and Joe Briggs, RFS Chief Superintendent Kelwyn White and Werai Land and Water Corporation chair Stewart Taylor with the gifted fire truck.
The Rural Fire Service (RFS) has made a truck sized gift to the Werai Land and Water Corporation.
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On Monday, representatives of the RFS officially delivered and handed over the keys to a repurposed, decommissioned fire truck with its own Werai branding.
The RFS will also train the four Werai rangers on how to operate the vehicle, to assist with incident management in Werai forest, now Werai Lands.
The vehicle will also support the community’s emergency management, cultural burning, land care and local fire management practices to maintain the land and develop local hazard reduction strategies.
NSW RFS area commander south western Chief Superintendent Kelwyn White said it is the continuation of a collaboration with the Werai corporation.
“Part of giving the truck is also doing training in fire and land management, as well as allowing them to do their own cultural work.
“RFS is doing similar things with local aboriginal groups across the state, including in the Murrumbidgee district and in Albury.
“It (Werai) is a large parcel of land that they look after, and with any incidents, they’ll be able to respond. The RFS will also still be there to support with incidents.
“It is exciting and part of a broader management plan project.
“We’ve worked closely after some significant incidents and determined that there was a place for this truck that the RFS does not need any more, but is still in good condition.
“It has been probably an 18-month journey.”
Ranger Liticia said the fire truck would make a big difference to cultural and land management locally, while Werai Land and Water Corporation chair Stewart Taylor thanked the RFS for its generosity.
He said some of the rangers had done some RFS training in the past, and welcomed the opportunity to work with the RFS into the future.
RFS Chief Superintendent Kelwyn White officially handing over the fire truck to Werai ranger Liticia Ross with RFS superintendent Tony Whitehorn and Land and Water Corporation chair Stewart Taylor.
RFS Chief Superintendent Kelwyn White makes the handover presentation of the fire truck.
The Werai fire truck.
The Werai fire truck being delivered by RFS Mid Murray zone.
RFS Superintendent Tony Whitehorn, Werai Land and Water Corporation rangers Liticia Ross, Kobi Baxter, Shia Parsons and Joe Briggs, RFS Chief Superintendent Kelwyn White and Werai Land and Water Corporation chair Stewart Taylor with the gifted fire truck.
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