TAMWORTH’S fire station will transform into a 24-hour operation in just two weeks time, effectively giving the city around the clock fire assistance.
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The Leader can reveal the Tamworth Fire Station on Carthage St will clock on to a 24-hour staffing contingent on Wednesday, December 13, with 10 more permanent firefighters to bolster its ranks.
The station change-over follows the completion of new living quarters at the back of the existing station in which crews of four firefighters effectively have their own accommodation.
In what has been hailed as a “big deal” for the area, Fire and Rescue NSW Zone Commander, Superintendent Tom Cooper said the 24-hour operation would mean firefighters could respond even quicker to emergency call outs.
“It’s a very significant thing for Fire and Rescue NSW,” he said.
“It’s a big step forward for the organisation for this to happen in NSW but for Tamworth is is a great thing.It means that the response from the firefighters will be an immediate response.
It means that the response from the firefighters will be an immediate response.
- Superintendent Tom Cooper
“When the bells go off after hours, they will walk from their quarters and straight into the truck.
“After hours it’s been retained firefighters that do a fantastic job but there is always that time where we have to wait for them to get to the station, get dressed and get in the truck and go.”
Superintendent Cooper said there had been two recent fires in Tamworth that were attended to by crews at night when returning from training – he said this supported the need for having firefighters ready to go 24/7.
Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson said he was pleased the city would receive the service it deserved.
“It’s fantastic for the community, it was an election promise in 2015 that we would push for 24-hour staffing at Tamworth Fire Station,” he said.
“It provides a much quicker response and peace of mind for the community that if there is an emergency we will get a response much more quickly.
“Plus also, it is 10 new jobs for the fire station so that is job creation as well. It also means more families are coming to our region, it’s growing and our city is a growing city.”
Mr Anderson said the 24-hour staffing arrangement is also in addition to a brand new fire station to be built in West Tamworth in the near future.
