Premier thanks Blue Mountains volunteers ahead of bushfire season

NSW Premier Mike Baird has today met with volunteers preparing for the bushfire season at a reception hosted by Member for the Blue Mountains Roza Sage in Katoomba.

The reception was held at the Rural Fire Service Blue Mountains Fire Control Centre in Katoomba and was attended by volunteer organisations including the State Emergency Service, Rotary, Salvation Army and Red Cross.

Mr Baird said he is delighted to be in the Blue Mountains, which is getting back on its feet following last year’s October bushfires.

“The Blue Mountains community has proven its resilience since last year’s firestorm and it’s fantastic to visit the region to see the progress made over the past 12 months,” Mr Baird said.

“RFS volunteers, among others, risked their lives protecting residents in this world heritage-listed area, and are again preparing for another bushfire season.

“The NSW Government is supporting their efforts and I recently announced a further 119 new RFS trucks are being delivered across the State to ensure our 74,000 RFS volunteers have access to a safe, modern and effective RFS fleet.

“On behalf of the NSW Government, I am here today to say thank you. I want every volunteer to know the thoughts of residents across the State are with them as they head into what’s expected to be another hot summer.

“I’d like to thank Mrs Sage for organising today’s reception and keeping the NSW Government updated on how the Blue Mountains community has regrouped and rebuilt over the past year,” Mr Baird said.

Mrs Sage thanked Mr Baird for accepting her invitation to visit the Blue Mountains and the volunteers who give up their time to protect their families and neighbours.

“The determination of volunteers across the Blue Mountains was highlighted during last year’s emergency and their efforts haven’t gone unnoticed,” Mrs Sage said.

“The Premier’s visit today will no doubt provide a welcome morale boost as they head into another bushfire season.

“Our volunteers provide us with a feeling of security as we head into summer and for that the Premier and I would like to say thank you,” Mrs Sage said.